"Kamiya-san, wait for us!"

We are chasing down Kamiya-san through the hallway after she ran away from us when we had seen her. I might be wrong when I thought that she was heading to the sports club since there is no one else but us at school now. There are only the rapid sounds of our footsteps echoing through the empty hallway and the rusty sounds of swinging trees outside.

... Damn, this girl's fast!

We are trying to run as fast as we can, but our speed cannot be compared to hers, or at least it is only about mine. Shikimori-san is leading me because she needs to catch up with Kamiya-san as soon as she can. Meanwhile, I am running behind her, trying my best to catch up with them while keeping my breath, since my lung capacity may not be enough to keep me running for a long time. However, even how fast Shikimori-san is, she still occasionally stops for a few seconds to check on me.

"Are you still okay, Izumi-san?!" Shikimori frantically asked me, so I gave her a thumb up while gasping for air.

"I can... still keep going..." I told her while panting, with my hands on my knees as I gave myself a quick break. However, she does not believe what I said. She goes to my side and rubs my chest, while her other hand is on my back. She then lowers her head to look at me.

"Maybe this does not work out... Maybe we should-"

"No!" I cut her off. "It has to be today, Shikimori-san... I have... to do this..." I answered her while looking forward to the hallway.

"... Okay." Shikimori gave in and accepted what I said. She then lifts her head and looks in the same direction as me. "But still... we are falling quite behind her..."

Shikimori-san was right. With just a few seconds of stopping for air, we have already lost track of Kamiya-san. She has disappeared from our sight. The only thing in front of us is another hallway, as this is a T-path hallway on this floor. Kamiya-san might have taken a turn to one of the corners, which the best we can do right now is have a guess.

However, even with how difficult the current circumstance is, we have to keep going, even if we have to search for every corner of this school. As I have declared myself, it needs to be today. It has to be today...

"... Alright, let's keep going..."

When I felt that my heart and lung were ready for another run, I told Shikimori-san to continue our chase, which she hesitantly obliged and nodded her head. I rise from the ground and start running, although it is more like a fast walk, with Shikimori-san following me by my side with her hand still on my back and her other hand still wrapping around my chest. We both walk towards the cutting hallway and look at both corners.

"Shall we split up to check both ways?" I suggested to her.

"No way!" Shikimori immediately retorted. "What if something happens to you?! I'm not gonna be able to be there!" She explained with fear on her face.

Oh shoot, I almost forgot...

I have no choice but to find another solution. I start looking in both directions of the hallway, turning my head from left to right continuously. The left path leads to a series of classrooms, in which I thought that she might be hiding in one of them. However, I immediately brush that theory off my head. The right path is more significant, however. It is a short path, but it leads to a staircase to the upper floor. This reminds me of what happened this morning, and that thought makes me let out a weary sigh.

Please don't tell me I have to climb up those stairs...

"... What do you think, Shikimori-san?" I turned my head to her. "Do you have any suggestions?"

I asked her, hoping to find a glimpse of hope. I notice that she is focused on the right side of the hallway, specifically the staircase. She is paying so much attention and staring so deep into it that I don't think she has actually heard my question, as I can see in her sapphire blue eyes. However, it is not like I don't mind it, since this is the girlfriend I know, after all, always focuses on something and never lets anything distract her.

"... Shikimori-san?" However, in this case, I really need to distract her and hear her words, as time is running, so I called for her again.

"... Izumi-san." After a few seconds, Shikimori finally spoke, with her hand holding her chin.

"Y-Yes?"

"Do you still remember what Nekozaki said?"

Shikimori asked me. Hence, I close my eyes and try to remember Nekozaki-san's advice, which was given to us at lunchtime...

'If I had to give a piece of advice for that, I would say you might find her where she usually goes to.'

Where she usually goes to...?

"I think I do..." I answered her. "But what about it?"

"... I'm not sure if I'm right, but..." Shikimori hesitantly said, then after a quick pause, she continued. "I think I might know where she is going..."

"Well, that's great! Then let's go..." I exclaimed in relief, but then I remembered where she was looking. "... S-So that's where she's going?" I stuttered while looking at the high staircase, as I could feel I was about to give up.

"Well, I'm still a little uncertain about it..." Shikimori said. "But I guess this is the time to make a bet, right?"

"Y-Yeah, I g-guess..."

I answered her and began to walk to the staircase, while my forehead started shrinking in dispirit. However, Shikimori-san suddenly pulls my arm back. I look back at her to see her worried expression, as she might have seen the distraughtness on my face.

"B-But if you don't feel like it, we could find another way..." Shikimori worriedly told me.

I look at her eyes, which are reflecting her concern. I know that she is distressed about my health, maybe more than me. However, this reminds me of my goal right now. As I have made my vow, I have to see Kamiya-san today to tell her the truth, to release her from her suffering. I place my hand on my chest to feel my heartbeat. I am not sure that my lung can take another lap of the run, but if there is any time it needs to be used to its limit, it is now.

I turn my head to the staircase. Although I still have fears that I might collapse on my way up, I understand that there is no time to be frightened and this is the time to toughen up. Therefore, I take a deep breath to prepare myself for the climb and look back at Shikimori-san, with my eyes filling with determination.

"Shikimori-san," I told her, staring deep into her eyes. "It's climbin' time!" I made my decision, which received a nod from her after a few seconds. With our remaining grit, we start walking to the staircase, aiming to reach Kamiya-san's place, where she is heading to.

~0O0~

"See?! I told you to let me find another way!"

Shikimori scolded me when I was panting heavily. My legs could not stand on their own, causing me to collapse to the ground, with my knees on the hard stair, while my hands are placed on the floor, keeping me from collapsing to the ground face first.

We are now on the staircase from the third floor, which is leading to the rooftop. However, when we were heading there, my lung reached its limit, which explains the situation we are in right now. I place my hand on my heart, which is pounding fast. My chest feels very heavy, and I almost feel like I could blackout from exhaustion at any moment.

"D-Don't worry, Shikimori-san..." I tried to reassure her with all my breath. "I can still keep... oh crap..." I tried standing up from my spot, but I did not have enough strength to even speak properly. When I try to move my body upward, I cannot fight against gravity, as it keeps pulling me back down. When I am about to fall flat on the ground, Shikimori-san quickly crouches down and holds my body, keeping me from planting my face into the floor.

When Shikimori-san is holding me, she supports me by flipping my body back up. I really want to fight back it, but I barely have any strength left, so I have no choice but to oblige and slowly sit on the stair. When I am finally settled, Shikimori-san sits down next to me, before she starts rubbing my chest and patting my back to help me grasp as much air as possible.

"You're forcing yourself too much, Izumi-san..." Shikimori shook her head when she said it.

"Yeah... I know..."

I told her while lowering my face. I look down the staircase leading back to the third floor, before trailing my eyesight across the empty corridor, which is shined by the orange sun through the windows. When I am looking at the view in front of me, I have the feeling of... pathetic. I feel I am getting more useless due to my weaker body. This would be a lot easier if I were healthy.

But situations like this would not happen if I were healthier, right?

"... You are speedrunning a lot of things today, Izumi-san."

"Hmm?" I hummed in response, after hearing Shikimori-san's words, which made her giggle.

"I mean... You wanted to tell our friends your secret as soon as possible, and now you want to tell Kamiya, too." Shikimori explained before she brushed her hair aside and continued. "Don't you think you're moving too fast today? It doesn't hurt to just take a pitstop..."

Her question is similar to what she asked me this morning...

'Why do you feel that you need to tell them now? Can't you just wait for another time?'

At that time, I did not know how to answer her. I just thought that this was something my heart urging me to do mindlessly. I just simply thought that I wanted to do it today. However, after the meeting with my friends, after the conversation that I had with them, and after what I have been through, now I feel that I can give her a proper answer, an explanation that she deserves to know.

"... Shikimori-san."

"Hmm?"

"If I... decided to take a pitstop, how many pitstops do you think I would take until I decided to tell her?"

I asked her, but she could not answer it. I guess she is still confused or she finds it hard to give her response. Nonetheless, I continue what I said.

"Shikimori-san, I can't stress my time any longer..."

"W-Why?" Shikimori asked perplexedly.

"Because I don't know how long I will still live from now," I answered, causing her to raise her eyebrows. "I have yet to know about my health. But I understand that even with the best luck I get, my disease is still almost uncurable, and I am nearly certain that I will not live as long as you guys..."

"Izumi-san..." Shikimori mumbled. After saying that line, I feel that something is forming in my throat and stuck inside it. However, I gather my strength to swallow it and continue.

"T-The entrance exam is right around the corner... Soon we will part our ways, and time can't tell if we are still able to meet each other again." I told her while facing away from her before I shook my head and continued. "Maybe to you guys, you still have plenty of time... But for me, I'm having an invisible time limit on my head that I still don't know when it will stop."

When I finish my sentence, I shake my head again and turn to Shikimori-san's side, who is looking at me concerningly. "Do you still remember when we attended the school festival in our first year? When you told me to make that day different?" I asked her, reminding her of one of our first memories together.

"... Y-Yeah, but what about it?" Shikimori widened her eyes and stuttered.

"That's what I am doing now!" I responded to her. "I can't live another day knowing that our friends have no clue about my condition, or one of our friends is suffering because of the secret they don't deserve to bear. I'm making today different! I have to change it!" I told her with all of my heart.

"Izumi-san..."

"I don't want to regret anything, Shikimori-san..." I confessed. "If there is an opportunity, I will grab it. I don't want to waste any time. I don't want to keep telling myself that 'there is still another time' before I go to bed to end a day." I trailed off, before unconsciously grabbing her shoulders, which made her jolt and blush lightly. "If there is any time good to tell Kamiya-san, I believe it is today..."

When I finish my speech, I soon realize what I did, so I pull my hands away from her and lower my face to hide my embarrassment. However, remembering what I said, I let out a chuckle myself and scratch my temple. "I'm sorry... I'm so selfish, right? I shouldn't force you into this situation..."

I apologized to Shikimori-san. After a few seconds, suddenly, I feel her hands touch my cheeks before she lifts my face to see her. She is having a bright smile on her face, with the lights from the sun shining through the windows and enlightening her face, while her pink hair is being blown by the wind, like the cherry blossom petals flying in the air.

"... I thought I had lost you..." Shikimori whispered, before letting out her giggle. "Welcome back, Izumi-san."

"Uhh... thanks?"

I thanked her, although I am still confused about what she said. However, still in my puzzlement, I look upward at the staircase, which is leading to the door to the rooftop. I understand that there is a chance Kamiya-san is up there, we just need to find out if our theory is correct. Meanwhile, I have gathered some strength from our break, but I am still not sure if it is enough for me to reach there. It is getting late, as the sky is turning to a darker orange.

"Are you sure you can keep going, Izumi-san?" Shikimori asked.

"... Yeah, I don't know..." I trailed off. "Maybe I need a little more time to take a break..." I told her while placing my hand on my chest and letting out a sigh, knowing that it might not even be possible to climb up the remaining stairs with the strength I got.

However, before I know it, Shikimori-san starts standing up from her place, which makes me confused. "W-What are you up to, Shikimori-san?" I asked her puzzledly.

"... Do you remember the bet I made back when you stayed at my home overnight?" Shikimori asked me.

"Uhm... about how you could carry me for more than one second?" I asked her while remembering what she used to say.

'Remember when I tried to carry you in my arms? At this rate, I bet that I can do it in more than one second.'

Yeah, that's such a crazy bet, to be honest. I don't think it will come true. It's too crazy to come true. I mean, I'm much heavier since that time, compared to now. It will not even be possible, right?

Before I can do anything, Shikimori-san lowers her face closer to mine. She starts letting out a coy smile at me, which is making me a little bit anxious.

"... Do you want to test that theory out?" Shikimori whispered to me with her small grin, which made my eyes widen and my eyebrows raised.

... It is not even possible, right?!

"... Shikimori-san... I don't know what is inside your head right now... but if you're up to something crazy, then I strongly disagree- WOAH WOAH WOAH WOAH WOAH!"

Before I could finish my sentence, Shikimori-san suddenly hooked her arm beneath my legs. I was so surprised that I didn't realize my back was leaning down, but she used her other arm to support it. And before I knew it, she lifted me up from my spot...

... So now, I am being carried by my girlfriend... bridal style...

THIS IS WAY TOO SURREAL!

"S-S-Shikimori-san... d-don't you think this is a little e-extreme...?" I stuttered while half-looking at her face, as my face was as red as a tomato. I notice that her face is also as red as mine. Even when she used to try carrying me before, I guess this reaction is normal... or at least just the reaction is normal, not the action before it...

Shikimori-san looks at me with an unnatural smile. However, her eyes are filled with determination. After a few seconds, she looks at me decisively.

"Hang on tight, Izumi-san!"

She warned me before she started running upstairs, while still carrying me in her arms, as she was heading to the rooftop, reaching for where we believed was Kamiya-san's place. The ride is so bumpy that I have to wrap my arms around her neck while frantically screaming for my life, fearing that I can fall off her arms at any moment. I know my girlfriend can be daring, but I have never expected that she could be this reckless.

This is truly a ride that I will never forget in my life...

"This is so scary! Put me down, please, Shikimori-san! SHIKIMORI-SAAAAAN!"

~0O0~

When we burst open the metal door, we finally make it to the rooftop of our school, where we are immediately welcomed by a strong wind blowing into our faces.

I start gazing my eyes across the place, hoping to find any presence of Kamiya-san. As soon as there is a figure standing far away from us hits my view, my eyes finally stop searching. A familiar tall, female figure, with her dark blue hair blowing in the wind. Seeing this makes both of us sigh in relief, as we know that our theory was right.

"... There you are, Kamiya-san."

I uttered far away, causing Kamiya-san to turn around and look at us. She is blocking the sunlight, but I see her usual calm expression on her face. However, her eyes do not match her guise, since there are fears inside them, mixed with a bit of worry. I know she is afraid of seeing us. However, the fact that after such a long time of us chasing after her, even when we are falling behind, she is still standing here, not running away or hiding somewhere, really tells something.

Kamiya-san is waiting for us to arrive...

Just like what Nekozaki-san said, Kamiya-san is not the type of person to start a conversation first. Since her best friend is not here, I have to start things up with her. After a few moments of silence, only the sounds of the blowing afternoon wind can be heard, I make my decision to speak first.

"Kamiya-san... we need to talk to you."

"Wait!" Kamiya stopped me by holding out her hand. "Before that... what are you two doing?"

Her question reminded me of my position right now. I was so focused on her that I didn't realize I was still in Shikimori-san's arms. I guess she has realized it, as well, when I turn my head to see her blushing madly face. We both stare at each other while both being speechless, and I am quite sure that with her unconsciousness, she might accidentally drop me down at any moment.

"... P-Put me down, S-Shikimori-san."

"Y-Yes, of course..." Shikimori accepted my request and carefully put me down on my feet. After that, we cannot afford to look at each other's faces again, when we start turning our heads in different directions, our faces have the matching color of red. Meanwhile, Kamiya-san is looking at us dumbfounded, while her head is tilting aside in confusion. Maybe she is wondering what kind of situation has led to the appearance we had earlier.

After a few moments for us to finally calm down and get back our composure, I decide to continue what I have left.

"Kamiya-san, I-"

"You're very disappointed in me, aren't you?!"

Kamiya suddenly exclaimed and jolted both of us, when we both raise our eyebrows in confusion.

"D-Disappointed?" I asked her. "What do you mean by that?" I tried to make her explain, but then she looked away and shook her head.

"I... couldn't hide your secret, Izumi-kun..." Kamiya confessed. "I... couldn't keep your secret. When Shikimori approached me, I tried my best to keep myself from spilling it out, but I couldn't... No, I just... didn't try my best, at all. I gave in and told her about that..."

"Kamiya-san, it's not like-"

"Don't try to brush that away, Izumi-kun!" Kamiya suddenly exclaimed again. "That was such a horrible action from me! I shouldn't have done that! I didn't... keep my promise..."

Kamiya-san's feet give in, which makes her crouch down to the ground. She starts folding her arms and gripping them tightly, before burying her face into them. All this time, I thought Kamiya-san was a strong girl, a person with a tough personality. However, this is the first time I have ever seen this side of her. She is becoming weaker, with not enough willpower to withstand the pressure.

This might be the outcome of what she has been bearing over the last few days, and this clenches my heart. I was so worried about keeping my secret, my health condition away from anyone that I didn't realize I had accidentally passed this responsibility to someone else, someone that was not relevant like Kamiya-san. Even how hard she tried, her wall might have found the exact moment to crack.

I understand this feeling. Being a friend, perhaps one of the worst things you can do is spill the other's secret to somebody else, no matter which person they are. And this is exactly what she is feeling right now.

I cannot bear seeing my friend like this, so I walk toward Kamiya-san's side, which I am followed by Shikimori-san, who is also having a concerning look on her face. We stand right by each of her sides and crouch down to her.

"I'm sorry, Izumi-kun..." Kamiya mumbled shakenly in her arms. "I'm such a terrible friend, aren't I?"

She asked, followed by her sniffles before she finally gave in and sobbed in her arms, which were shaking furiously. Seeing this scene tightened up my chest since I cannot afford to witness my friend suffering like this. This is what Kamiya-san has been enduring: the responsibility of being a friend. The consequence is too much for me to swallow. While Shikimori-san is rubbing her back to comfort her, I try to think about some proper words to comfort her, which, to be honest, does not take me much longer. I wait for a few seconds for her to calm down, before getting ready to speak.

"... To be honest, I should be the one to thank you, Kamiya-san," I told Kamiya, which made her look up at me with her teary eyes.

"W-What... are you even talking a-about?" Kamiya stuttered.

"I mean... without you, I wouldn't have a chance to reveal my secret to Shikimori-san," I responded to her, then let out a nervous chuckle. "Although it was quite a hard time for me, seriously..." I continued and scratched my temple while looking at Shikimori-san, who was laughing nervously.

Seeing her looking at me blankly, without being able to say a word, I decided to continue. "And without you, perhaps I was still keeping my secret away from my friends. Without you, I wouldn't gather enough courage to confess it all to them..." I told her while rubbing her arm. However, she does not seem to believe it, as she shakes her head in denial.

"B-But what I did was wrong, Izumi-kun!" Kamiya uttered. "It still doesn't change the fact that I exposed your secret! I still can't forgive myself for that!"

"But what you did has brought me to this day." I denied what she said while looking at her in the eyes. "Without you, I wouldn't be where I am right now. Without you, I might have to live another day, suffering from my disease without anyone knowing..."

Kamiya-san still does not seem to believe what I said. She lowers her face from my sight and shakes her head, denying what I told her. Shikimori-san is having a sad smile on her face, which is the same as mine. Even after all I confessed, however, Kamiya believes that she is a terrible friend, which is certainly different from my view. After all this time, I still see her as my trustful friend, and I want to show her that. She needs to know about my feeling, as well.

"You are... afraid of us, right?" I asked her. "You are scared of seeing us because of what you did, right?"

I asked her again, and after a few seconds, she gave me a nod as her answer, which allowed me to continue.

"Even so, you're still standing here, waiting for us to get to your place," I told her.

"T-That's because..." Kamiya tried to explain, but she took a quick pause. "... Nekozaki told me that you guys were looking for me..."

No wonder... I tip my hat off to you, Nekozaki-san...

"B-But even so, you could have chosen to run away or avoid us, right?" I explained again. "Instead, you chose to stay here and wait for us."

"Izumi-kun... I..." Kamiya tried to explain, but she was at a loss for words since she was gripping her arms tighter. Nonetheless, I reach out both of my hands to hold hers, before rubbing my thumbs on her tense knuckles, trying to soothe her.

"You told me that you were a terrible friend." I reminded her and shook my head. "That doesn't seem like what a terrible friend would do."

"Izumi... kun..." Kamiya shot her head right at me, with tears slowly forming in her eyes. Seeing so, I let out a reassuring smile to her, just like when Shikimori-san comforted me.

"You're a good friend to me... No... You're a good friend to us, Kamiya-san, and you should definitely believe that!"

That must be the final knock to her dam, as Kamiya-san finally breakdowns and collapses to the ground on her knees. She bites her bottom lip to keep her from wailing, but it is no use, as she lets her emotions take over. She starts crying loudly, with her tears keep streaming down her cheeks and falling on the concrete floor, creating some visible dark spots.

Seeing so, Shikimori-san and I sit down by her side and start rubbing her back with our hands, while we rub our other hands on her arms, trying to soothe her and let her spill out every emotion, everything she has been enduring, suffering from day one.

After all, no one could bear this all on their own, not even someone like me, not even someone with a strong will like Kamiya-san. And just like when Shikimori-san soothed me, I want her to know that we will also be by her side, whether how hard the circumstances are.

And just like Shikimori-san, I feel so lucky to have a friend like Kamiya-san...

After her crying has subdued, we put our hands away from Kamiya-san's arms and back, when she finally calms down. Kamiya-san proceeds to sit down on the floor with us. She is still facing the ground like she is having something in her mind. After a brief moment, she shoots her head to Shikimori-san, who jolts backward a little from her sudden movement.

"Izumi-kun has told you everything, right?" Kamiya asked Shikimori, to which my girlfriend replied with a nod.

"Um-hmm, everything," Shikimori answered.

"Then... can you fulfill my request?"

"Your request?" Shikimori asked, then suddenly Kamiya grabbed one of her hands and stared deep into her eyes, while accidentally pushing her down a bit, creating such a scene through my filter.

"Please... promise me that you will take very good care of him, even when he is at his weakest point, or his legs cannot stand on their own!"

Kamiya requested and asked Shikimori-san to promise her. However, I feel that this is more like a vow than a promise.

Nonetheless, Shikimori-san grabs her free hand onto Kamiya's and gives her a decisive nod, while her eyes are filled with determination.

"I promise! Izumi-san will be in my best care possible!"

Is it just me or did Kamiya-san trigger something deep inside Shikimori-san...?

~0O0~

When I stand back up from the ground, I take my time to observe the view from the rooftop one last time. The sky is painted dark orange, stretching to infinity. Meanwhile, there are houses with different heights underneath, with lights that have been turned on in some of them, as can be seen through the windows. This creates such a beautiful view that I will never forget, a picturesque painting of the afternoon sky.

I close my eyes to enjoy the cool wind blowing through the sleeves of my uniform. It feels like I have been... freed. I am freed from all the weights I have been stacking up in my chest. I am freed from all the burdens that have been forming in my heart since day one. It feels like my disease did not exist, and I was still living my normal life.

Nonetheless, I still have some challenges to overcome up ahead. The road is bumpy, as there are still obstacles to breakthrough. It is not going to be easy, but at least I know that I am not going to be alone. This is not just a one-man fight, because I already have some allies by my side.

For now, time is running late. If we don't get home anytime soon, the security might unknowingly lock us inside our school until morning. Therefore, I stretch my arms a little to get back my strength and turn to Shikimori-san's side.

"Alright, let's go home, Shikimori-san!" I told her, but I soon saw the distressed expression on her face, which was covered by her bangs, and this made me worry. "S-Shikimori-san, what's wrong?" I asked her concerningly.

"... Izumi-san..." Shikimori looked back at me with her distressed face and quivering lips. "I think... that I might have sprained my ankles..."

"Wait, really?!" I immediately dashed to her and crouched down to check her legs. I roll down her leggings to see the soring red spot at both of her ankles. It is not very big, but it is quite a size that I know she is in one heck of a pain.

"By the way, Izumi-san..." She called for me.

"Y-Yes?"

"I don't think I can feel my arms... I think they might have gone numb..."

"Wait, what?!"

I looked back at her and saw her stretching out and shaking her arms, which made her hands shake freely. I start holding her hands and shaking them, while massaging them at the same time, hoping that she can get back her senses. However, it seems to have no use, since Shikimori-san is still moaning in pain.

... Wait a second...

"Shikimori-san... Do you think that this is the fatigue from when you carried me?" I asked her, and after a few seconds, her lips started quivering more, and her face was getting more distraught before she gave me a light nod as her response.

... That was such a bad idea, wasn't it?

"Uhm... hey you two?" I was busy taking care of Shikimori-san's injuries that I almost didn't realize Kamiya-san was calling for me.

"Yes, Kamiya-san?"

"When I was here, I could hear that you guys were running in such a hurry," Kamiya said. "If you two already know I am here, like with nowhere else to go, why were you two so hasty? I wouldn't go anywhere..."

... Oh yeah... why didn't I think of that?

I turn my head to Shikimori-san to check her status. Her face is slowly turning into an irritated one as she starts pouting when she looks at me. I bet she is sulking real bad right now, so I decide to change the subject to cheer her up. Looking back at her soring ankles, I reach out my hands to it and say the magic words.

"... Pain, pain, go away-"

"That's not gonna work, you dork!" Shikimori suddenly retorted. I look back at her face to see it is getting poutier, while her eyes look like they can spurt out the blood at any moment. As much as I am worried about her, her expression is questionably hilarious to me, so I try my desperate best to hold my laughter.

"Don't you dare!" Shikimori warned me, perhaps she might have seen me about to laugh.

"Okay, okay, I'm sorry!" I shut off my laugh and apologize to her. "But after all, you shouldn't have carried me like that. Be careful next time, Shikimori-san." I advised her, but she didn't seem to be happy about it.

"Don't say like you don't have a part in this! You're the one who told me to run faster!" She snapped back.

"But didn't we slow down afterward? I think it was still about your carry."

"Then you still have your fault in that!"

"How come?!"

"You were so... heavy!" Shikimori angrily responded, which confused me. Before I can say anything, she turns away from me with her puffy cheeks.

"B-But didn't you say I was light?" I tried to argue.

"I took you to a buffet, right?! It was different back then compared to now!"

At this point, I don't know how I am going to argue with that. While Shikimori-san is still mad, I hold my chin and try to think of a way to help her get home. As time is running late, I know that I have to figure out a way possible, even how crazy it may sound. After a few seconds, I finally think of a solution for this awkward circumstance.

"Hey, Shikimori-san," I called for her and tapped her shoulder, which made her glance at me. "What do you think if I carry you on my back and-"

"Since you have fulfilled what you want to do today, you're finally ready to die?"

"... Sorry." After hearing her "warning", I apologized to her sincerely, before she turned away from me again.

What am I going to do...?

"Hey, if you two don't mind..." Kamiya called us from behind. "I can help you guys go downstairs, or carry Shikimori downstairs." She requested, which made me very flattered.

"Kamiya-san..." I looked back at her and called her name emotionally, which made her chuckle a bit. However, knowing my responsibility, or at least I cannot let her bear that on her own, I stand back up from my ground immediately.

"Kamiya-san, please don't do this on your own," I told her, before putting my hand on my chest. "At least let me carry Shikimori-san with you!"

"What?!" Shikimori immediately retorted with fear in her eyes, so I crouched down to ensure her.

"Don't worry, Shikimori-san. Everything will be alright. I'll be careful."

"I... I..." Shikimori tried to fight against my request, but she couldn't utter a word. Therefore, she finally gives in. "... Okay. But if anything happens to you, I'm not gonna take responsibility, alright?!"

"Deal."

I replied to her and reached out my hand to grab hers, before pulling her up from the ground, with Kamiya-san doing the same as me. When we are holding her, we wrap her arms around our necks and hold her arms tightly to avoid her slipping away from our shoulders. After that, we carry her to the doorway, which leads to the staircase.

I turn my head around to look at the beautiful orange sky once again, which is slowly fading into a darker color, before closing the door behind me and turning my sight to Kamiya-san, who is carrying one of Shikimori-san's arms with me.

"Ready to go?" I asked her with a smile on my face.

"Ready when you are."

Kamiya calmly said with her smile, as always, before giving me a nod. I then turn my head to Shikimori-san, who is looking down the stairs fearfully while having a tint of blush on her face.

"Guess now it's my turn to have your back, right?" I asked her, but she didn't answer me. Instead, she lets out some cute grunts from her mouth, while her face is getting redder, which I can somehow see in the dimming light of the sun and that makes me blush a little, as well. Nonetheless, I'm glad that I can prove to be helpful to her in some ways.

And I'm also glad that everything, every burden I have been carrying all this time, has been sorted out today, and I will not forget these memories, the memories of friendship...

But for now, 64 stairs to go...

"... Kamiya-san, if I get exhausted midway through the staircase, could you... carry me, as well?"

"... Yeah, I'll think about it."

"Are you sure you can take this job, Izumi-san?!"

End of chapter 7

~0O0~