: A First Goodbye Kiriko and I became penpals when I was 2 years old, in the fall. A mere six months from graduation, I had to leave the elementary school I’d been attending because of my father’s job. That change of schools turned out to be the opportunity that made Kiriko and I get together. My last day of school was at the end of October. I would be leaving town that same night. It should have been an important day. But I had only two friends that I could really call friends, and one of them was too sick to attend, while the other was out on a family vacation. So I was left to spend the day alone. At the send-off party four days earlier, I’d gotten a bouquet of withering flowers with messages that all read the same way. And every time a classmate saw me, they gave me a look as if to say “Huh? You’re still here?” The classroom became an unbearable place to stay. I knew that I already didn’t belong here. Not a soul lamented that I was changing schools. That fact was a lonely one, but it also encouraged me. I wouldn’t be losing anything from this. In fact, it would provide me with new experiences and people to meet. I’ll fare better at my next school, I thought. If I turn out to change schools again, at least two or three people should be torn up about it next time. My last class came to an end. After putting my papers away in my desk, feeling like a boy left behind in a lonely classroom on Valentine’s Day, I went pointlessly rummaging through my backpack. I wasn’t mature enough to not get my hopes up that someone had left me some kind parting remarks. Just as I was giving up on having any fond memories of this final day, I noticed there was someone standing in front of me.