Chapter 16: A Friendship Through Time

Nanako Shimuya and Akio Sanagi had known each other for as long as they could remember. Their friendship started when Nanako was just five years old. At that time, everything felt simple and happy. They met at the playground near their homes. Nanako had been sitting alone on a swing, watching the other kids play. She was quiet and shy, unsure of how to join them.

Then Akio came over, her bright smile like sunshine. "Wanna play?" she asked, holding out a small red ball.

Nanako had hesitated, but Akio's cheerful voice and warm eyes made her feel safe. "Okay," she had whispered.

From that day on, they were inseparable. Whether it was playing tag in the park, drawing pictures on the sidewalk with chalk, or sharing snacks under the shade of the big oak tree, they did everything together. Akio's house was always open to Nanako. It was a small, cozy place filled with laughter and the smell of fresh bread. Akio's parents were kind and welcoming. They treated Nanako like their own daughter, offering her sweets and telling her funny stories.

At Akio's house, Nanako felt free. She could laugh as loud as she wanted, play until the sun set, and for a while, forget about the heavy expectations at home.

But going to Nanako's house was different. Her parents were strict. They believed Nanako needed to focus only on her studies. Friends, fun, and anything else were seen as distractions. Whenever Akio asked to visit, Nanako would look down and say, "Not today."

Sometimes, Akio would see the sadness in Nanako's eyes. "It's okay," she'd say, "We can play at my house."

And so, their friendship grew, but it often had to stay outside Nanako's home. They played together whenever they could. Akio would wait for Nanako after school, and they would walk home together. They talked about everything—about Akio's silly dreams of becoming a hero and Nanako's quiet wishes to make her parents proud.

As they grew older, things began to change. When they turned ten, Nanako's parents became even stricter. They set a clear rule: "School comes first. No friends. No distractions."

Nanako tried to obey. She spent more time with her books, filling her days with homework and lessons. She thought if she did well in school, her parents would finally smile and say they were proud of her.

But studying all the time made her lonely. At school, she didn't talk to anyone unless it was for a project or homework. When other kids played outside, she sat alone, writing notes and memorizing facts. She had no friends—except for Akio.

Akio didn't give up on her. She found small ways to stay close. Sometimes, during lunch breaks, Akio would sneak into the library where Nanako sat reading. She'd bring her half of a sandwich or a sweet pastry. "Take a break," she'd say, sitting down beside her.

Nanako would smile, a soft, grateful smile. They didn't always talk. Sometimes they just sat together, the quietness between them as warm as a hug.

Outside of school, Akio still found ways to make Nanako smile. She would leave little notes in Nanako's locker—funny doodles, cheerful words, or simple reminders like, "You're amazing!"

Nanako kept every note. She hid them in her books, tiny pieces of light in her otherwise grey world.

As the years passed, their friendship remained strong. Akio was always there—during the good days and the bad. She celebrated Nanako's small victories, like when she got a perfect score on a test. She comforted her when things were tough, like when Nanako's parents told her to study harder, even when she was already exhausted.

Akio became Nanako's safe place. Whenever the pressure became too much, Nanako would find herself at Akio's door. She didn't always need to say anything. Akio understood. They would sit together, sometimes watching the clouds, sometimes talking about silly things.

But deep down, Akio knew how much Nanako struggled. She saw how Nanako forced herself to be perfect, how she hid her true self behind books and homework. She wanted to help more, but she didn't know how.

Nanako, too, felt the weight of her parents' expectations. She wanted to be the daughter they wanted her to be, but she also wanted to be herself. And the only time she felt truly herself was when she was with Akio.

In the end, their friendship was not just about playing and laughing. It was about being there for each other, even when things were hard. It was about understanding and support. Akio was more than a friend to Nanako—she was a reminder that life could be more than just school and rules.

And as they stood at the edge of their childhood, Nanako began to realize something important. She couldn't face the world alone. But with Akio by her side, maybe, just maybe, she could find the courage to be who she wanted to be.

Little did Nanako know, this friendship would not only shape her present but also play a vital role in the future, especially as her path slowly intertwined with Sora Nagi's.

Their story was only beginning, and with Akio's unwavering support, Nanako was ready to take the next step—wherever it might lead.