It’s been a year since that day. The day since we last heard his voice.

I haven’t told anyone, but I cried the next whole week. Not because I was sad. Not exactly. But because it felt like I lost the part that kept me alive for all these years.

Yuuta’s words still echo in my head.

“You left me… but now I’m much more than I could’ve ever become. And I thank you for it.”

He didn’t say it to wound me. He didn’t say it to lift me either. He said it because it was true—for him. And who knew those were the last words he said to me. That’s what made it hurt.

And that’s what made it beautiful.

I thought I would break when he smiled at me. Instead… I felt something mend. Not all at once. Just… a little. Enough.

The next morning, I walked past the park where I used to sit and sketch after school. I sat on that old bench. The one with rusted bolts and the crooked armrest.

I opened my sketchbook—not the one filled with old ghosts, but a new one. Blank. Crisp. Waiting.

And for the first time in years, I didn’t draw the girl under the tree.

I drew a scene from memory: a kitchen full of laughter. A half-burnt kettle. Hiro snoring on the couch with a spoon still in his mouth. Sena flicking water at Yuuta after he teased her about the food. Nothing dramatic. Just… a moment that felt full. A moment I’d lived in silence, but still remember.

I smiled.

Not wistfully. Not sadly. Just… honestly.

I think that’s what moving on is.

Not forgetting. Not pretending it didn’t matter.

But choosing not to hold your breath anymore.

We don’t see him everyday ever since. Yuuta left me nothing but a family. Sena, Hiro, we still work everyday to keep his dream alive.

Sena now works as a chief editor for the same agency Yuuta made seasonal manga for. She works day and night but still scoops in the time to work on the manga Yuuta left us with.

Hiro started working for a tech company after his photocopy machine repairing skills came into light and he got in as an Data Analytic. He started working 4 months ago and already has a girlfriend. Apparently, it’s his project manager who had recently gone through a divorce.

And me?

I draw. Full time. Completing the manga Yuuta didn’t. I also teach on weekends, again. I even started smiling without rehearsing it in the mirror.

I’m still healing. Still regretting things I can’t undo.

But I’m living now. Not just waiting.

I think that’s enough.

I think, somehow, that’s love too.

And we love you, Yuuta.

--END--

Hi. This is Hiro. To be honest, I really appreciate if you read the story till the end and I really hope you enjoyed the story. Feel free to tell me your thoughts about the story in the comments. This was my very first light novel. As the story was made back in my high school days, like a couple years ago now, I finally have completed the story and I feel quite fulfilled with the story! Writing this story was a journey. I wrote it while commuting, studying, working and what not. To the point, it became a part of my life. And the idea of ending the story once for all was depressing to me. But well, every great story needs an end XD. So, hereby I complete my very first light novel. I would also like to express my immense gratitude to Laura (@laurenxya). It was a great pleasure working with you! And please do check out her story as well. It's a really good mystery and thriller story! So, I wish you check her out as well! And thank you to you guys who read this story till the end. I really appreciate it! And I hope you guys have a great day ahead! <3