Vol. 1 Ch. 3 Ep. 38: Promise

Yume...?

Mhm! I won't be able to watch you grow up...

So I couldn't help but be curious how my adorable Hoshino would look as a third-year!

And that's why I'm here! Ta-da! It's like I'm sending a letter to future-Hoshino.

...Yume.

How are you, Hoshino? Are you a good upperclassman now?

Did you grow into a trustworthy upperclassman who looks after her juniors? One who can protect everyone?

Do you have cherished friends who support you in your times of need?

Are you confidently running towards your future, together with your juniors?

And do you do that "heh" laugh here and there?

YUME!!

Yume!! Yume...!!

Yume, I... I...always, always...

Yume... I... Yume... I...

Yume... Yume... I...

W...Waaah!!

WAAAAAAH!!!

No, no... I...

I grew up to be the type of upperclassman who only seems to be capable of worrying my juniors and causing trouble for everyone...

I'm...a useless...idiot...a dummy...

I...I'm just the silly upperclassman to everyone...the one they have to look after.

Um... That sounds exactly like me, doesn't it?

Yeah... Just like you.

Heehee. There's that smile, Hoshino.

Despite what you say, I know differently.

I know you became a wonderful person...the type who protects everyone around her, supports them. Someone they can all rely on.

I'm a dummy who doesn't know much, but I do know my ill-tempered junior, the one I cherish from the bottom of my heart. I know her better than anyone.

No. I...

Shhh.

Hmm?

Don't say stuff like that. You've always worked so hard, Hoshino. Of course you're a good upperclassman.

...

You did your best, didn't you, Hoshino?

It's been really, really hard for you, right? You've carried everything so bravely, all on your own.

...Yeah.

...I tried...so hard... I wanted to help...always...

I always... I did my best, Yume...

It was so, so hard, Yume. You were gone, but I kept on trying...

Yes, you did. You did so good, Hoshino. Pat, pat.

...

Oh? You're not going to complain that you can't breathe? Are you okay? Are you finally accepting my hugs?

Yume...

I miss you.

I miss you so badly.

Mhm. I know, Hoshino.

But you still have things to do, don't you?

Things...to do...

Mhm.

You have some wonderful underclassmen now. Ones you need to go protect.

Hoshino

Foreclosure Task Force

Yume...