The next few months went by like that.

Next is the New Year, even for Ryota, there is nothing to talk about.

But soon, learning became increasingly urgent. There was no more time for being a cashier, so Kiyo temporarily resigned from his job until graduation. Fortunately, he was exempt from paying rent for this reason, until he went back to work.

The school gave him a week to prepare. At that time, all the students were on vacation, but no one had time to mess around.

Even Sunny couldn't study because of his sister, so he moved to Kiyo's house, and stayed for a week. He gave Kiyo a day's notice so his friend wouldn't be too surprised.

The next day, 6:15, Kiyo had just finished brushing his teeth and washing his face, he heard the familiar rattle of the outside.

"Is that Sunny..? Why so soon?" - He nodded as he opened the door.

"As soon as possible." - Sunny giggled, pulled the bicycle in, and joked another sentence:

"Looks like I woke up earlier than you."

"Okay.." - Kiyo smiled faintly.

While taking off his shoes, and entering the house, Sunny looked around:

"Where's Ryota? Doesn't he have to get up to go to school by now?"

"He is on summer break."

"Already summer break?! It's only been May?!" - Sunny was a bit shocked.

"He took an early test, so he got an early break. Come on, let's go inside" - Kiyo patted Sunny's shoulder.

They set up the table, took out books, pens and rulers. Both planned to study social studies first, because morning is the right time to study them.

The social studies here are generally not too difficult to memorize, because the country's history is short, and the geography is simple.

"I'll ask you to review the lesson." - Kiyo is still looking at the book.

"I'm ready."

"Okay."

Kiyo asked, Sunny answered. Although it was a bit stumbling, at least he knew a lot. At this rate, they will pass the test early anyway.

Resting for a while, Kiyo made Sunny a cup of tea, while he kept sucking on the cinnamon stick.

"Why are you always sucking it up?"- Sunny asked confused.

"I don't know, ever since New Year's Eve in eighth grade, I've been like that." - Kiyo said while sucking.

Then both were silent. They were busy looking away, probably out into the garden, then back to each other. The two looked at each other for a long time, as if they were busy in each other's eyes.

Unconsciously, Kiyo's hand gently touched the other's, and he felt the warmth of Sunny's hand covering his own. Although he was still unconscious, Kiyo felt the pressure of his study as if relieved.

Suddenly Sunny touched Kiyo's cheek, then his chin. At this point, Kiyo woke up, blushing:

"H-hey!"

At that moment, Ryota also woke up and looked at the two in bewilderment:

"Oh, you two...? Are you studying?"

Sunny, who had just woken up, removed his hand from Kiyo's face, quickly picked up the pen, and continued to write. So is Kiyo.

"Yeah yeah.. hi Ryota." - Sunny was frantic.

Ryota nodded and slowly moved down to the bathroom.

The boy left, Sunny put his hands on his face:

"Damn it, what am I doing while studying.."

"It's okay, me too..."

"I just thought you were cute, so I tried..."

"Huh?" - Kiyo didn't hear what Sunny just said.

"Nothing." - He continued to write.

Ryota returned, and opened the refrigerator to see if there was anything to eat. Sure enough, there's only a box of milk for breakfast. He turned to look at Kiyo and asked:

"Shall I go buy toasts?"

Kiyo didn't answer. Ryota repeated the previous sentence before he reluctantly replied:

"There's toasts in the cupboard. You don't have to buy them."

Of course, he didn't want anything to bother him now. Full focus.

And so on until noon. The sun was standing high in the sky. The roosters crowded in the coop. Traffic is sparse.

"Okay, let's eat!" Kiyo happily put down the pen.

Sunny also just closed the book.

"What do we eat today?"

* * *

A few more days passed, and they worked hard to study, study and study, although they took a rest and not burning the midnight oil, that was their only goal.

By the end of the week, they have memorized what they've studied, so they just need to review it as a whole.

"Tired, Sunny? It's the last day, the exam is tomorrow." - Kiyo put down the book.

"It's really tiring, but it only takes a few more steps." - Sunny stretched out on the floor.

"By the way, can I go out and see how the bike is doing?"

Kiyo closed the book, stood up, and went to the backyard. The first bike he saw was Sunny's. He squatted down to check the wheel, see if it was punctured anywhere or sprayed, or whatever. Then see if the saddle is raised too high or the bell sound is ok or not.

He was done with the test run. Okay, the bike is fine. Kiyo lowered it back to its place and went to his bike, and checked it the same way.

Fortunately, this one is fine. So there's no need to worry about it now, but what if something happens tomorrow?

Sunny has been standing outside in the yard ever since, he looked at what Kiyo is doing out here. As if understanding what Kiyo was thinking, he said:

"There's a place that specializes in fixing bicycles, on the way to school. If there's something wrong with the bike, just bring it there, people do it very quickly, depending on how bad it is. Just bring more money."

Kiyo turned around startled.

"You made me panic. But that's okay, I'll bring more money tomorrow."

Sunny went inside the house and looked at the clock, it was only three o'clock.

"It's still early Kiyo, what to do now?"

"Hmmm.. go for a bike ride around the town?"

"Eh... how about Ryota? Can he ride?"

"Yes. But he said he wanted to stay home and sleep."

"Okay. Then let's go!"

Kiyo went into the room to tell Ryota a few things and then returned, leading his bike to the open gate:

"We shall go now."

The two of them led the bikes out, closed the gate, and climbed into them.

"From where to where..?"- Sunny asked confused.

"From here to the lake where we fished before."

Satisfied, Sunny pedaled first and slowed to the same speed as Kiyo. Along the way, gentle breezes graze their skin, making them shiver. This space is perfect as it is.

They stopped at the lakeside, then sat on the grass.

They sat side by side, looking out over the lake. There are fish that can fly back and forth on it, and in the distance is a small wooden house whose roof is obscured by banana leaves.

Kiyo suddenly thought of the graduation ceremony. Will they still study together at the new school? Who knows...

Suddenly Sunny leaned on Kiyo's shoulder. And Kiyo at the same time pulled his friend closer to his side.

They sat still for a while.

"We're leaving school soon, aren't we?"

"Yeah..." - Kiyo sighed.

Suddenly, Sunny grabbed Kiyo's shoulder, then pushed him to the ground, and so did Sunny.

"Um..." - Kiyo is now like a tomato.

Sunny was also embarrassed, leaning close to Kiyo's face. This made him very confused, not knowing what to do.

"Kiyo..."

"What?"

Sunny paused, then continued in a somewhat terrifying voice:

"Will we meet again in high school? Will you stay with me forever?"

Kiyo didn't reply, but looked away, because he didn't know the answer to that question, plus Sunny was on top of him, the two of them were too close.

This kind of touch seems to go a bit far from the level of friends in Kiyo's opinion, but..

Sunny must likes me. Kiyo thinks so.

But what about me..?

....

"Sunny... let me go already.."

"Huh?"

"You're lying on top of me, don't you know?"

"A-" - Sunny jumped out of Kiyo.

Startled, Sunny stammered:

"I'm sorry, I don't know why I'm like this!"

"You're so... It's okay. But hey."

"What?" - Sunny was bewildered.

Kiyo took a short breath, then gently placed his hand on Sunny's shoulder:

"Maybe we're lucky to go to the same school, if it's even better, we'll be in the same class. Otherwise, we'll still visit each other, we know each other's houses anyway."

Sunny heard that, pondering for a moment. Then he was cheerful again:

"That makes sense! Well, I think we should go back now, exam tomorrow."

"Yeah.."

They walked to their bike, then walked home.

Kiyo thought about Sunny's attitude and actions earlier. He's been like this since late seventh grade, even Kiyo himself unconsciously touching his friend's cheek, or pulling him closer to him.

Sunny must really like me.

Maybe me too...