[095] Final Scene

And just like that, time passed.

September 15 — Lunchtime

"Damn it! It's impossible!"

Tadakuni and Tabata watched in frustration as Tanaka returned from the store, empty-handed.

"No luck?"

"Nope. No matter what I said, they wouldn't budge!"

Looking at the security guards standing firm like statues at the store entrance, Tanaka let out a defeated sigh.

"Guess we'll have to wait until after school?"

"But will there be any copies of Anohana left by then?!"

"It should be fine, right? The summer rush was just a fluke!"

"Yeah! Back then, everyone had free time and money. But now? We've been saving up just to split one copy between the three of us. Surely, most people have already spent their cash!"

The three friends comforted each other.

"Even if we can't buy it after school, we wouldn't be able to leave the school gates right now anyway!"

A brief silence followed.

Tanaka took a deep breath, his expression resolute, as if ready to sacrifice himself.

"What if I just climb over the wall!?"

The other two were shocked, grabbing Tanaka instinctively.

"You idiot! Are you trying to get yourself killed?!"

"If you get caught, it's not just a simple call to your parents!"

Tanaka scratched his head, "Then what do we do?"

"Let's just wait until school ends. Like we said earlier, there should still be copies left."

"And if we really can't get one… we'll just have to wait a little longer."

"By the way, didn't the sensei mention a special surprise today? Since we can't go buy Anohana right now, why don't we check their SNS for updates?"

Tadakuni and Tabata turned to Tanaka in surprise.

"What?" Tanaka asked, confused.

"Damn it! I refuse to believe Tanaka actually had a good idea for once!"

"Fuck off!"

Tanaka rolled his eyes but still took out his phone and logged into his SNS account.

The other two immediately huddled in.

"Don't you guys have your own phones?"

"Don't be stingy!"

"Yeah! This kind of thing is best experienced together!"

Tanaka sighed but didn't protest further.

The page loaded.

Their eyes lit up.

"New post!"

"But… it's shorter than usual. That's not like Sensei at all."

"You idiot! It's not a progress update like before. Of course, it's going to be short!"

Warrior of Love and Hope:

"First of all, thank you to everyone who has purchased my work, AnoHana!

I hope this story brings you warmth, love, and nostalgia."

"May it remind you of those carefree childhood days spent playing with friends,

And may it also bring you new, cherished experiences as you grow."

"At the bottom of the post was a link (Click to jump) followed by one last sentence:

I hope you all enjoy this special gift! 😊

"So… this is the surprise?"

"Come on, open it already!"

Under the urging of his friends, Tanaka clicked the link without hesitation.

The screen transitioned to a new webpage.

A single question appeared, along with two options:

Have you read page 210 of AnoHana Vol. 2?

Yes / No

"Huh? What is this?"

"Whatever, just click 'Yes'!"

Tanaka nodded and selected "Yes."

Another prompt appeared:

Please confirm! If you haven't reached this part yet, wait until you do before opening this gift.

Only then will you truly understand the sincerity behind it.

Would you like to accept this gift now?

Yes / No

Tanaka sighed. "Knew it."

"So… we wait?"

The other two nodded.

"Well, if sensei says so, we don't have much choice."

"But now I'm even more curious about what this gift could be!"

With anticipation building, the afternoon dragged on painfully slow.

Finally, the last bell rang.

The moment their teacher left the classroom, the three wasted no time, grabbing their bags and dashing toward the nearest bookstore.

"Excuse meeeee!! Do you have AnoHana Volume 2!?"

Seeing the three of them pale and breathless, the store owner was startled.

But after a moment, he nodded.

"Yes, we do."

Their eyes sparkled.

"Yes!!"

"One copy, please!"

"…"

"Thank you for your purchase!"

Tanaka held the book like a treasure as they stepped out of the store and headed to a nearby family restaurant.

"Hurry, hurry!"

Despite their excitement, Tanaka carefully unwrapped the book and flipped it open.

The three of them read at the same pace, so there was no need to argue over who went first.

As for how that was possible… well, they had plenty of experience reading the same manga together.

Before long, they were completely absorbed in the story.

From the protagonist's fleeting childhood memories to the three of them visiting Menma's house…

Finding her diary, uncovering her unfulfilled wish…

Menma's tearful monologue upon realizing Jintan and the others had gone to her home…

Discovering what they thought was her wish—to create fireworks…

Working part-time jobs to raise money, overcoming conflicts, the painful accusation that Menma was just Jintan's imagination…

Then, the moment of proof—Menma's handwriting appearing on the previously blank pages of the diary:

"Today, I played with everyone in our secret base. No fighting! Super Peace Busters will always be best friends!"

A jolt of electricity ran through them.

The story had them in its grip, stirring something deep in their hearts.

The story continued.

Eventually, everyone realized that Menma's presence wasn't just Jintan's delusion.

Their determination to help her move on solidified.

As the fireworks exploded in the night sky, Tanaka and his friends instinctively thought, This is it.

She's going to disappear.

"Wait… she's still here?!"

"So… that wasn't her real wish? Then what is?!"

"Shut up and keep reading!" Tanaka snapped.

They reached the final two chapters.

The characters confronted their own feelings, confessing their selfishness in wanting Menma to pass on.

"I… I have to apologize!"

Even though she was crying, Anaru still held firm.

Following her lead, the others decided to do the same.

They gathered at their secret base.

But when Jintan returned home, he found Menma collapsed on the floor.

He held her in his arms as she finally remembered her wish.

"I promised Jintan's mom…"

"I promised to make Jintan cry for her."

She smiled weakly.

Memories of that day flooded back.

Tears streamed down Jintan's face.

Menma reached out, wiping them away.

"But you know… I like your smile much more."

"I guess it's time to say goodbye, huh?"

Her hand slipped from his grasp.

"Just saying it isn't enough! I want to see you! I've always wanted to see you! I want to call your name, apologize, tell you I love you… But it's not just me!"

"Everyone loves you! Everyone wants to see you! We're all waiting for you! At our place!!"

Jintan carried Menma on his back, running as fast as he could.

But when they reached their base, he could no longer see her.

She was right there, but he couldn't see her anymore.

Panic. Fear. Helplessness.

"We… we're playing hide and seek."

Menma covered her eyes, her voice trembling.

Despite being three "tough guys," they could no longer hold back their tears.

Just as Tanaka was about to turn the page—

"Wait! The gift!"