Until we meet again.

...

3 years later...

Koutani calmly walking at the streets near Mori Nursery school. He looks up to the sky and the sunlight touches his face.

Koutani : Uwa.. Such a perfect day.

He continues walking and sees a bunch of children walking towards the pedestrian crossing.

Koutani : Red means "Stop"~

The teacher with the kids look at the light and turns to Koutani.

Teacher : Thanks for the warning.

Koutani : (smiles) No problem.

The light turns green and the kids cross the street. Koutani walks but suddenly stops. He turns his head to the side.

There was a girl standing under the tree. He couldn't get a good look on the girl's face but he felt something weird on his chest.

Koutani snaps out of it and continues walking. The moment he reaches the other side, he turns his head once more to see the girl.

Koutani : Who could that be...?

A guy's voice : Ooi, Kou-chan?

Koutani : (turns) Shin?

Shin : Uwa! It is you! When did you get back? Oh man, you missed our reunion!

Koutani : I just got here yesterday. I'm planning to have my vacation here.

Shin : Hontou?? Wow! You should've called us. We should hang out.

Koutani remembers the girl.

Koutani : Ah-! Chotto! Come with me.

He drags his friend somewhere where they can't be seen.

Shin : W-what's wrong?

Koutani : See that girl over there...

Shin : Where?

Koutani : Keep your head down. She'll see us.

Shin : Ooi Koutani. Are you a stalker now? Are you stalking that girl?

Koutani : Stalker?? ... Nai yo! I was just curious.. Do you know her?

Shin : I can't see her face. We should get closer.

Koutani : We can't, okay? ... I was just wondering...

"If she was the girl.... that time..."

Shin : You still have that habit.

Koutani : Eh?

Shin : Muttering to yourself.

Koutani : I'm not...

Shin : Hey! She's leaving!

Koutani : Hide!

He peeks from their hiding place and looks at the girl who walks away from the tree.

Koutani : (stunned) That girl....

The girl crosses the other side and continues walking until she's out of sight.

"It's her..."

...

Haru : When did you get back?

Koutani: Just a day ago.

Nami : Are you staying for good?

Koutani : I don't know... But I was planning to transfer here.

Shin : What school?

Koutani : Midohara Science Institute.

Shin : What did you take up again?

Koutani : Physics.. Major in Cosmology.

Nami : Sugee... Cosmology?

Haru : He's really a nerd. (chuckles)

Koutani : I prefer to be called "genius". (chuckles)

Shin : Ahh~ he hasn't changed at all... he still tries to act cool.

They laugh.

Nami : Yeah. But I think he is much more "kakkoii" too.

(Kakkoii means "cool")

Haru : Cosmology, huh? Cosmos..?

Koutani : The universe. I'm studying now about the universe as a whole.. Including its origins... and evolution..

Haru : Seems so complicated though.

Koutani : Not really. If you put in your heart into it.. You'll love it. (smiles contentedly)

Shin : He talks dreamy now. Ah~ which reminds me... There is a possibility our friend here likes a girl.

Koutani : H-ha?

Nami : Eehhh~ who? Who?

Haru : Is she pretty? Do we know her?

Koutani : Sore wa... Omae ra kankei nai yo. (It doesn't really concern you guys...)

He desperately evades the topic but his friends continue teasing him. The night ends then.

Next day...

"Today is the day..."

Koutani walks slowly, seems to hesitate, muttering to himself again. He takes another step until he reaches the end of the sidewalk. He looks at the stop light.

The light turns green.

He nervously crosses the street and approaches the tree. He didn't seem like himself today.

Finally he stood there.

A few meters away from her.

The girl reaches for the tree and closes her eyes. A gush of wind passes by them.

She opens her eyes and looks up to the tree.

"Today.....?"

Koutani : A-anou... Sumimasen.

Miyu : Huh-?

That voice.

She turns her head to see.

He freezes and just stood there looking like an idiot.

"Anata..." (You...)

They both whispered accordingly.

Koutani : Ah~ anou.. I... I don't mean to sound like a stalker...

Miyu : Eh? Nani? (Eh? What?)

Koutani : Nani..? (What?)

Miyu : Stalker..?

Koutani : ... Iya-..! Chigau. I'm not a stalker..-

The girl suddenly covers her mouth to prevent herself from laughing.

Koutani : Eh? Doushita...?

Miyu : (looks away and whispers to herself)

"So that's it..."

Miyu : Ah~ nothing. Is there a problem?

Koutani : Oh... no.. There's no problem. Umm... I, uh.. I happen to pass by this street a couple of times and... I often see you standing here.

Miyu : ... Un. You're right.

Koutani : Ahh... So... I was just curious...

Miyu : Curious?

Koutani : Y-yeah... (looks at the tree) about this tree.

Miyu smiles as she observes him acting all worked up.

"It was love at first sight..."

Miyu : ... Ne.

Koutani : H-hai?

Miyu : ... What's your name?

Koutani : ....... Me?

Miyu : Un.

Koutani : ...... Koutani. Tanaka Koutani.

Miyu : (chuckles) Tanaka... Koutani... desu ne?

Koutani : ... You?

Miyu : (extends her hand for a handshake) Atashi... Aikawa Miyu. (smiles)

Koutani : ...domo. (holds her hand)

She was sure that he was blushing. She also felt his hand was a bit shaky.

His cellphone rings.

Koutani : Oh! Sorry... Excuse me I'll just.. Hello? ... Ah, yes.. I'm on my way to bring my application.. Yes... I'll be there. Thank you. Bye.

He keeps his phone.

Koutani : Anou... Sumimasen... Unfortunately... I have to go now..

Miyu : It's okay.

Koutani : (bows) It was nice knowing you... Aikawa-san.

Miyu : Miyu.

Koutani : ..?

Miyu : Just call me Miyu.

Koutani : .... J-jaa... Miyu.

He goes on his way but stops and looks at her once more.

Koutani : I hope we'll see each other again... if ever.

Miyu : Un.

"We'll surely meet again... for sure."

It is destined.

Miyu looks at him running towards where he parked his bike. With an innocent smile. That innocent smile. He finally rode off.

Miyu : ... Ne... Wonder tree..... Arigatou ne... (looks up) I pray someday... Someday... He will find the answers that he is seeking... I pray that you will grant him his desire.