Don't go yet.
Kizuki...
Well, I'm confident.
I know you'll fall in love with me.
What are you—?
Whoa.
Up they go!
Thank you.
I didn't know how to bring it up to you guys.
Don't lose hope.
You guys have a lot to look forward to.
There will be a lot of failures.
And a lot of broken hearts.
But don't give up on yourself.
Go achieve the kind of adolescence...
no one can compete with.
H-Here.
Here you go!
Wait, Mizuho!
Kizuki.
I'm so happy.
Are you always thinking of me?
You...
How are you always so overly confident like that?
Everyone's scared.
I'm more scared about losing you to another guy.
I want to be your first...
And your last boyfriend.
To-ou Medical University Hospital
2030
Kashiwagi.
Your phone's ringing.
Hey, Kashiwagi.
He's sleeping like a log.
Mizuho Nishino?
Whoa, hey!
Hello?
Yeah, I was sleeping.
Uh-huh.
I had an all-nighter.
I'm not pushing myself.
Yeah. Got it.
Then, later.
Hey, who's that girl?
Your rumored childhood friend?
Don't get cocky just because you're good-looking!
It's not like that...
"It's not like that" isn't good enough!
I wanna be able to say stuff like that!
So? Who's the girl?
Even I used to—
Are you two a thing? Hey, tell us! Kashiwagi!
Ta-da!
An offering for you, Kashiwagi-sensei!
Here!
I figured you're not eating any decent food.
Thanks.
But stop calling me "sensei."
A BBQ bento first thing in the morning?
Oh! That's mine!
Your meal is insane.
I'm about to have a meeting with a mangaka.
Okay!
Time to eat!
Just wait! We're going to make an amazing series!
I need to build up my stamina!
It's going to be a big hit!
Here.
Thanks.
It's good that you're putting in a lot of work.
But don't forget about the day after tomorrow.
The Koigahama Fireworks Festival.
We're meeting at the seagull statue at 6PM.
Don't worry about me.
I'm amazed you're able to take a half day.
Syugo and Airu also said it was a miracle.
It takes me back.
The Koigahama Fireworks Festival.
Apparently, this is the 60th anniversary.
Ten years ago...
I was worried it would be canceled because of that virus.
But I'm glad it kept going.
We haven't been able to go since our school days.
I'm excited.
Oh!
Shoot! Look at the time!
Sorry, I need to go.
Later, Shin!
See you in two days!
Mizuho!
Have you been in contact with him?
With Kizuki?
Nope.
Mizuho...
Can we meet for a bit after the fireworks festival?
That was good!
You've really improved, Syugo.
Why, thank you.
Mizuho should have joined us.
She said she had a meeting and couldn't make it.
That girl seemed all fired up.
As expected. Mizuho charges straight forward.
So, no news from Kizuki?
As expected, not a single thing.
I'm sure he's not coming to the fireworks festival.
He said he's still off on a business trip overseas or something.
But he should be fully recovered from his injuries, right?
Probably.
It's already been three years.
That's when he suddenly stopped swimming and ghosted us.
What the hell was he thinking?
I'm especially pissed off that he hasn't reached out to Mizuho.
And Mizuho being Mizuho won't even talk about him.
What's up with Kizuki?
I didn't take him for that kind of guy.
Calm down, Airu.
It'll get out of hand if you lose it.
You think I can just stay calm?!
It's been three years!
Making us all worried like this...
Next time I see him, I'm going to—
Nope.
I'm going to lay it on him.
What?
It's what he gets for making Mizuho make a face like that.
Um...
Hey, calm down.
You're even madder than me!
Daddy, get me that!
I want a mask!
Sure thing!
Yay!
Want anything else to eat?
It's been a while since I've seen Koigahama like this.
Oh.
Wanna get takoyaki?
Yeah!
Let's buy some!
I think I'll get yakisoba, too.
Those are jerseys from our high school swim club.
How nostalgic.
Ten years ago, we saw the fireworks from the school.
I ran...
Jumped into the pool...
Ten years from now...
Twenty years from now...
I want you to be by my side, Kizuki.
I seriously believed something like that.
I'm still at the restaurant. My part-timer's not here yet.
Syugo
I'm still at the restaurant.
My part-timer's not here yet.
Sorry, but I'll be late.
What?
Syugo
I'm still at the restaurant.
My part-timer's not here yet.
Sorry, but I'll be late.
m 0 0 l 230 0 l 230 215 l 0 215
Sorry, on the train now.
It's super crowded!
I think I'll be another 30 minutes.
Sorry, on the train now.
It's super crowded!
I think I'll be another 30 minutes.
Nyoom!
Huh?!
What's with those two?
What about Shin?
He'll be here, right?
To-ou Medical University Hospital
Are you all right?
You're in the hospital.
Emergency Room
Does it hurt anywhere else besides your legs?
It's almost time.
Yeah.
This is huge!
You're right.
The shaved ice is great!
Huh? This sound is...
Daddy! The fireworks are so cool!
What was I thinking?
Ten years from now...
Twenty years from now...
I want you to be by my side, Kizuki.
Kizuki...
Why?
I came to see you, Mizuho.
I knew ten years ago... That every part of my being...
was influenced by Kizuki.
That this was the kind of love that stretched on like the horizon.
2020
47.
48. 49.
50!
51.56!
With a time like this, you'd make it, Kizuki!
Sorry, Mizuho!
Sorry to make you wait.
Kizuki...
Wh-What's with your hair?
It's still wet.
You need to dry it properly.
But I was worried you'd be waiting.
I...
I told you we just need to do shopping errands for Christmas.
Let's go already.
It's supposed to snow later.
Mizuho!
Huh?
Right now, I've made a lot of progress.
Coach said he could put me on next year's training squad.
Really?
Next season...
If they reopen the inter-highs, I'll definitely be in it.
And then...
Kizuki?
Never mind.
You have to come cheer for me!
Of course!
Wait up, Kizuki!
I was a genius all along.
Elegant and luxurious.
I've made a masterpiece of a Christmas cake!
You said the same thing last year.
It's so well done.
Hey, what's taking Mizuho and Kizuki so long with those errands?
Shin's late, too!
Can't believe he has prep school on Christmas Eve!
Just how much does he need to study?
Hey, I...
I feel like Kizuki and Mizuho aren't coming back.
When I see those two,
I can't help but think about how long we can keep doing parties like this as a group.
Koigahama Highlands!
It started snowing.
Shin! You're late!
My bad.
I wanted to stop somewhere on the way.
An announcement for our riders.
Due to the snow, some train lines are delayed.
We apologize for the inconvenience.
Please stay tuned.
Come on.
You get cold so easily. How could you not bring a scarf?
I don't want to go home.
We don't need to go to the party.
Wh-What are you saying?
We're getting on that train when it gets here!
What are you worried about, Mizuho?
What?
About not being childhood friends with me anymore?
I've seen you as a woman for a while now, Mizuho.
I want to spend Christmas and New Year's Eve with you.
Date you.
Marry you.
From now on...
I want to do everything with you, Mizuho.
I couldn't say anything back to Kizuki then.
I'm being...
So unfair.
Go on ahead.
I'll go once I leave my stuff at home.
I made Kizuki mad.
Nishino
Santa Airu is here!
Whatever. Pose for the pic, Santa Airu.
Yes, please!
Say cheese!
Now!
Cheese!
Cheese! Okay!
Do I look good?
Looking good.
Nice.
Lemme take some from above.
From the top.
Okay!
Hazawa
Mi-chan.
Your front door was unlocked.
Where's Izumi-san?
Prepping for the preschool's Christmas party.
I think you have a fever.
Here. Take off your coat and get under the covers.
Stop making me worry so much.
Don't call me "Mi-chan."
Don't stare so intently at me.
I can't think of anything when you do.
My thoughts...
Get filled with you, Kizuki.
More.
Fill your head
with more thoughts of me.
H-Hello?
Airu?
Y-Yeah. I'm okay.
I'll be home soon.
Hey, later...
I'll bring back cake and dinner with the others.
So you should sleep, Kizuki.
Okay.
What's... that mean?
I don't know.
How about now?
Still unsure?
Mizuho...
Don't go yet.
I came to see you, Mizuho.
You're so selfish.
You haven't reached out in three years.
How could you be so selfish?
Showing up all of a sudden just "to see" me? What?
Our relationship ended a long time ago!
Don't come back to apologize now!
Mizuho!
I don't want to hear it!
These three years. I kept thinking about it.
Why did Kizuki disappear from my life?
Why?
# 14 I Can't Give Up