Stop grinning at me like that while eating.
I can't help it. It's good.
Syugo?
Nothing.
You always make a scary face, Syugo.
I was so shocked when you jumped at Kizuki.
I haven't seen you make a face like that before.
As a chef, what will you do if you hurt your hand?
Are you out of your mind?
You and Kizuki!
Throwing hands at each other like that—
No more talking about Kizuki.
Syugo?
Right now...
The person in front of you...
is me.
Out of anyone else, the one by your side...
is me.
2030
My apartment's small, but make yourself at home.
Thanks.
What the heck were you and Syugo doing in front of Mizuho?
Actually, I wanted to be the one to lay it on you.
You abandoned Mizuho for three years.
I'm sorry.
Idiot.
The one you need to apologize to is Mizuho.
Can I ask you something?
Why'd you break up with Mizuho?
I ran away.
2021
Forget him.
Let's forget about Kizuki.
I bet everyone else thinks so too, right?
That's enough, Kai.
Yeah. Kizuki's our friend.
I hate that part about adults.
Kai-kun. Everyone...
I'm so sorry.
Start Again from Respawn Area
Return to Title
It's over!
You idiot!
We were so close to finishing that!
You're useless! You held me back!
You're no friend, Kizuki!
When are we ever going to defeat the dragon at this rate?!
You guys...
How long are you going to play games?
What about making plans for Kizuki's birthday?
Why is Kizuki even here?!
What a mess!
Now, now.
You play the game for us instead, Shin-chan.
I'll come back after I take a bath.
I'm going to bed!
Kai's angry.
Hey, Mizuho.
How should I have used this item?
I'm cramping from laughing so much.
Your timing was completely off.
Mizuho.
Let me see. For that item...
You need to go home.
What?
It's almost midnight.
But I told my dad.
You shouldn't be in the room of a guy
who isn't your boyfriend this late at night.
Y-You're right.
I'll head home soon, then.
Kizuki. Go drop her off.
Oh. Okay.
Thanks for having me over.
As expected of an honor student.
No "I'll take you home" or anything like that?
What are you thinking, Shin-chan?
What? It's common sense.
Leaving those two alone on a day like this...
You don't need to pretend that you're fine.
Wh-What?!
You surprised me!
Since it's going to be tomorrow in ten minutes...
I wanted to give you one last kiss while I'm still 16.
Kizuki.
Is there anything you want for your birthday?
Nothing, really.
But there's something I want to know.
What about me made you like me, Mizuho?
Um, well...
This is so sudden.
Hm?
Huh? Wha—?
Then let's take the scenic route.
We're not going home until you tell me!
I have a ton of things I like about you, Mizuho.
What?
The way you chase your dreams of writing manga.
How you cheer me on when I'm swimming.
How your hair is a mess because you're too tired in the mornings.
Hm?
Aren't you dissing me in the last one?
What I...
Like about you...
Why it had to be you...
I can't think of a word that perfectly describes that.
But...
"Hope."
Ever since we were kids...
No matter the hardships, you never gave up and swam towards your dreams.
You're a ray of hope to me.
Can I leave it at that?
That was the time I thought to myself...
"I'll continue to swim for Mizuho no matter what."
I wanted to continue being her ray of hope.
It's past midnight now.
That was your first kiss as a 17 year old.
Happy Birthday, Kizuki.
I really did think that.
Here. From our first year in high school.
Oh yeah, the inter-high preliminaries.
I was so frustrated that I placed 3rd on that day.
You also accidentally wore your senpai's sandals, right?
Why did you even record that?
Aren't you practicing too much, Kizuki?
The virus finally calmed down, so new matches could start up again this season.
Really?
This is my last chance.
I want Mizuho to see me swim at the inter-high finals.
Kanto High School Championship
Swimming Competition
And now for the 52nd program.
Boys 100 meter freestyle final.
In Lane 6,
3rd year Kizuki Hazawa from Aogasaki High School.
Kizuki! Give it your all!
You gotta win and make the inter-highs!
What a bold declaration of victory.
He's unstoppable.
His eyes are totally just on Mizuho.
Take your marks!
Back then...
I was enveloped in a blue light.
I felt like I was able to go anywhere within that light.
Boys 100 Meter Freestyle Finals
1st Kizuki Hazawa Aogasaki
2022
Hey, Kizuki?
Did you get that?
Yup! I did.
Be sure to come back home during the Koigahama Fireworks Festival.
We absolutely have to go together.
Wh-What is it?
You miss me because I got into college and live in the dorms now, right?
Nuh-uh! I can visit you whenever I want to!
You're not that far away!
You're so cute, Mizuho!
Stop teasing me!
2025
We somehow made it.
I'm so glad we made it just in time.
So Mizuho's job searching now?
Yup.
She said she had an interview today, too.
She's applied to 20 or 30 places by now.
And you, Kizuki?
I think I'll go to graduate school for sports science next year.
I'm still disappointed that I couldn't make the Japanese national team
at last year's championships...
I want to see how much I can push my skills
and fight against all those amazing people
with such high levels of effort and talent.
You make me so mad with how cool you are.
Ouch.
It's no good at all.
Hazawa's generation hasn't improved.
But the kids after that are getting stronger.
Could it be because they missed out on practice?
They are the pandemic generation, after all.
That crucial time when they could gain the most experience as a player
is practically a blank slate, yeah.
Your eyes used to light up so much about it.
To think you'd quit swimming...
I panicked.
Hey! Kizuki!
I'm telling you this as your doctor!
You've been practicing without permission, haven't you?!
Your shoulder's not in good shape right now!
I understand you're in a rush to improve your results.
But overworking will take a toll on your life!
I know about my body better than anyone else.
Gather around!
Huh? Where's Kizuki?
Here you go.
The usual goodies.
Thanks.
Take it easy.
I have plans with Chika, so I need to go now.
Good luck on your practice!
Hey...
It's almost the qualifying match!
You've been waiting for this day forever.
I'm sure you'll do amazing!
I'm rooting for you!
Thanks.
I'll do my best for you, Mizuho.
It's no good at all.
Hazawa's generation hasn't improved.
But the kids after that are getting stronger.
Could it be because they missed out on practice?
They are the pandemic generation, after all.
That crucial time when they could gain the most experience as a player
is practically a blank slate, yeah.
What do I do?
You need immediate surgery.
But if I undergo surgery,
wouldn't that mean I won't be able to swim for a while?
Exactly.
Then what about the qualifying match?
Unfortunately, you're going to have to sit this one out.
For now, you need to rest and think about recovering your body.
Please wait!
It's not just the qualifying match.
What about the next season?
When would I recover?!
I can go back to normal, right?!
I'm sorry, but I can't make any promises.
But if you don't do anything, you're going to stay like this.
Please...
Rehabilitation Center
That's it, Kizuki.
Does it still hurt?
No, I'm fine.
Let's try three more.
Yes.
Kizuki.
Don't rush, okay?
Take it slow.
Slow and steady.
Resigning this season due to injuries
Kizuki Hazawa (Athlete)
Taichi Aida (Athlete)
And now for sports.
Some bad news for Kizuki Hazawa, who has been gaining attention in swimming.
Due to a previously reported shoulder injury,
it was announced that he will miss all remaining events this season.
At this time, there is no confirmed date for his return.
I...
What I...
Like about you...
Why it had to be you...
I can't think of a word that perfectly describes that.
But...
"Hope."
Ever since we were kids...
No matter the hardships, you never gave up and swam towards your dreams.
You're a ray of hope to me.
Can I leave it at that?
I can't be Mizuho's ray of hope.
You quit the swim team?!
But you had surgery. You went to rehab.
You've worked so hard!
And your shoulder was getting better little by little.
It was all pointless.
It's not pointless!
I know you don't really want to quit!
You can't decide that for me.
Why are you giving up?!
What about you?
You gave up your dreams to write manga and ended up an office worker.
You don't have to give up.
Keep going.
If it gets hard and you want to cry,
I'll wipe your tears away for you.
I decided to start job searching.
What?
I'm starting so late that I'm worried I won't even get to be
a normal office worker.
But Mizuho...
Are you okay with that?
Yeah.
I can just read manga as a side hobby.
I want you to chase your dreams in my stead, Kizuki.
Can't I finally give up, too?
What?
I'm not a kid anymore.
I'm tired of foolishly chasing dreams.
You're not a kid anymore, yeah. But...
Well then.
Wait!
What about us?
That day...
I hurt Mizuho...
and ran away.
2030
Then I got a job. Cut off contact with you all.
And tried to forget everything.
But...
I just couldn't forget about swimming and Mizuho.
In the end, I'm still that timid younger brother.
Kizuki. It's okay.
I'm sorry I brought this up.
It must have been hard for you.
I found this where you and Syugo were fighting.
This old keychain...
How long have you held onto this?
I saw this and immediately figured it out.
That your feelings for Mizuho haven't changed at all.
You're the youngest.
You do things at your own pace.
You're a weakling.
Too honest for your own good.
Graduation Koigahama Municipal Elementary School
I knew that you only had eyes for Mizuho for a long time, Kizuki.
That's because Mizuho's always been looking my way.
Even when I was weak with my asthma,
or when I couldn't improve my time,
or when my soul was crushed...
She made me stronger when I was at my weakest.
That's why I'm so happy that my feelings were able to reach her!
You were always looking straight forward.
That's what I loved about you.
Here.
Airu...
Stand up, Kizuki.
If you still love Mizuho,
you need to take a stand once more.
If you still love Mizuho,
you need to take a stand once more.
# 20 I Don't Want to Lose You