Fic: Nobuta wo Produce; Updated links for two DW vids
I've updated the download links for two of my Doctor Who Vids; Hurt and Cozy in the Rocket. Check my memories for that if you're interested. Also, I bring fic:
Title: Separately, Together - Part 1
Author: walkwitheroes
Rated: It's no worse than what you'd see on tv
Word Count: 4,238 (14 pages)
Summary: Some key moments in the relationship of Akira and Nobuta, post high school.
Disclaimer: If I owned it, why would I write fan fiction about it?
Notes: I had no beta, sorry. I thought this would take a day, but it's been a week and a half. I really got the idea from some James Wendt songs - blame him.
A/N: Okay, is it 'Shuji' or 'Shuuji'? Because, I've seen it spelled one way in press releases and show summaries and another way in fic. I used the spelling found in press releases and show summaries,
I. The Letters
There was a letter every month.
The letters, written on crisp pink paper and smelling of expensive perfume, were always eight pages long. They were filled with words of praise, regrets, hopes, and the rare stray fact about old classmates. Shuji never complained about the letters, though Akira knew they were something of a burden; the letters filled Shuji with...emotions he didn't want to feel. Shuji never answered the letters, Akira knew that.
Still, Mariko's letters arrived like clockwork.
II. Tokyo University
It would have been perfectly easy to return for a visit; Mariko's letters practically begged for a visit. Akira carefully approached the subject one Sunday. Wouldn't it be nice to see how Nobuta was? It could be a surprise...maybe, she'd even smile at them. Shuji seemed interested for a moment, but quickly turned it down a second after half-agreeing to the idea.
Disheartened, Akira 'borrowed' Mariko's letters. He had read them all before, but this time he wanted to read them for clues. The letters - all fourteen of them - only mentioned Her twice. Nobuta, no she was Nobuko now, was smiling and had friends. She was also interested in studying at Tokyo University after graduation.
The next day, Akira announced to Shuji that he was going to get into Tokyo University.
III. Letters
The day after graduating, Akira, in care of Mariko, sends Nobuta letter. It's just three lines, but he's sure she'll understand:
'I'll see you soon. Smile for me then, okay?
Kon.'
A week letter, Akira receives a letter from Nobuta. Inside, is a picture of a smiling pig's face. Below the drawing is one sentence, that means the world to him:
'See you soon.'
IV. Nobuta
In the end, Shuji and Akira get into Tokyo University. According to Mariko's latest letter, she and Nobuta, are also going to the university; Mariko to study law and Nobuta - Nobuko - to study education.
Akira tags along with Shuji on their first day. In the great scheme of things, it makes perfect sense that Shuji will come across Nobuta first. Akira doesn't want to miss seeing her, fresh and new at university. Nobuta- their, his - Nobuta will be just the same, only smiling. And, she'll smile warmly at him...
Akira will take her hand...
and...
Despite being together, it's Shuji who sees Mariko and Nobuta first. The pair are together, walking arm and arm (Nobuta seems uncomfortable with the arm and arm contact), and Mariko chatting away. Mariko, hair slightly shorter, looks the same; still beautiful and good. Nobuta, walking slightly straighter than before, looks exactly the same - that small fact makes Akira very warm inside.
Without any warning, there's an exchange of:
“Mariko!”
“Shuji?”
Before Akira can take a breath, Mariko is dragging Nobuta toward them, while Shuji has already begun walking toward the girls. Not wanting to get left behind, Akira rushes forward. It all happens without any proper thoughts or real words.
Mariko and Shuji share awkward hellos. Shuji touches Nobuta's shoulder and tells her: “Hello, Nobuta.” Jealously, Akira pushes Shuji out of the way and puts his hands on either side of Nobuta's face: “Still pretty.” Nobuta smiles shyly at him...at just Akira.
Akira falls in love all over again.
V. Akira is Shuji, Shuji is Akira
It takes two weeks, six days, seven hours, thirteen minutes, and forty-two seconds for Shuji to ask Mariko out of a proper date. It takes her a second to say 'yes'. Suddenly, their foursome becomes a couple and their best friends. It's not at all awkward, but it does make Akira think. Is Nobuta, he and Shuji just can't call her Nobuko, waiting for him to ask her out? Or worse yet, does she wish Shuji had asked her to be his girlfriend instead of Mariko?
Once upon a time, Nobuta had said that he and Shuji were the two most important people to her; that she couldn't chose between them. She had also said that without Shuji there is no Akira and without Akira there is no Shuji. So...maybe she's not waiting and maybe she'd be a little jealous if either of them fell in love?
In the end, it just gives Akira a head ache.
In the end, Akira just goes ahead and decides that he'll marry Nobuta after they graduate, even if they never date while at university.
Akira's been reunited with Nobuta for five months, one week, three days, ten hours, twelve minutes, and twenty-one seconds, when the impossible happens. It's the worse thing in the world...it's possibly the end of the world. Nobuta gets asked out on a proper date, and not by Akira.
Mariko's the one who sets the whole thing up. She introduces Nobuta to a fellow law-student, a fourth year. According to Akira's source (Shuji, who was there), the guy - Ryo - is attractive, well-mannered, intelligent, and rich. Normal girls wouldn't stand a chance. But, Nobuta isn't normal. Shuji's positive Nobuta will turn down Ryo's offer of a date.
The next day, at lunch, Mariko happily announces that Nobuta agreed to a date with Ryo.
At that moment, Akira hates Mariko.
VI. Comfort
According to a source (Mariko), the date was Nobuta's second date, ever. It went better than the first one, no one passed out and there were no trips to the hospital. However, it didn't quite work. Sadly, Mariko tells Akira that Nobuta wasn't comfortable with Ryo.
“She's only really comfortable around people she knows. She's the most comfortable around you, I think.”
At that moment, Akira loves Mariko.
VII. Chocolate and Milk
On Valentine's Day, the group sits around a table at their favorite cafe. Shuji and Mariko have exchanged chocolates and cards - a first for the pair. Akira receives friendship-chocolate from Mariko.
When Shuji wonders out loud if Akira will get any “real” Valentine's chocolate, Nobuta's eyes widen in fear and she quickly leaves the table. Mariko quickly chases after her newfound best friend, calling: “ Nobuko, Shuji didn't mean that.”
Akira feels himself smiling.
When Akira returns to his apartment that evening, he's only half-surprised to find a package waiting at his doorstep. He doesn't even wait to go inside, he opens it at the door. Inside the brown package is a small bottle of milk and a tiny card reading:
“Akira, It's better than chocolate.
-Nobuta”
VIII. A Simple Touch
March 8th is when it happens.
By all accounts it's a perfectly ordinary day. Akira gets up, meets Shuji and Mariko for breakfast, and heads to class. Akira's just headed for lunch when it dawns on him that he hasn't seen Nobuta. She never attends breakfast, as she has early morning classes. But, she always walks (slowly) with him to lunch.
He's on his way to the cafe, feeling lonely, when a hand slips into his. It's warm, small, and feels friendly. A nervous glance to his right lets Akira know that the hand belongs to his beloved Nobuta. Her gaze is glued to the sidewalk, and she's walking even slower than usual, but it's her.
Surprisingly, Akira does not make a production out of his dream coming true. Instead, he smiles warmly and squeezes Nobuta's hand in a comforting manner.
IX. Love
Akira still loves everything about Nobuta. He loves the way she walks and the sidewalk she walks on. He loves the books she reads and the classrooms she reads them in. He loves...everything about her.
“Akira,” Nobuta says his name softly now, she says it like a prayer. He loves that the most.
X. Akira and Nobuta
What they're doing can't really be called dating. It's not traditional like Shuji and Mariko. It's more...Akira and Nobuta style. They hold hands when they walk places, but they never go on “real” dates. Akira touches Nobuta, tells her she's pretty; but no one ever sees them kiss.
Finally, curiosity gets the better of Shuji. He and Akira are studying, when he casually asks: “Just what are you doing with Nobuta, anyway?”
His friend's smile becomes wide and goofy. “I'm too embarrassed to say. We're...” he covers his face bashfully. “Marriage.”
Shuji's mouth nearly drops open. “You're getting married?”
Laughing, Akira shakes his head. “Soon. One day.” Suddenly serious, Akira stare Shuji down. “I want Nobuta to be just mine.”
XI. Kiss
Kissing isn't what they make it out to be on television and in the movies. Lips aren't uncomfortably pressed together. Nor does he kiss her chin or the side of her mouth. No, Akira gently, nervously, kisses Nobuta's lips in late June. Pulling away, he waits for a bad reaction, but finds her blushing instead.
They stare intensely at one another for a long moment, before Nobuta blinks.
Flatly, she stays two simple words: “Thank you.” Both of them know those two words mean much more than either of them can say.
XII. Wanting
It feels completely stupid, wanting someone. It isn't that Akira feels like a pervert or a loser...he just feels like its...stupid. Maybe, just maybe, there's supposed to be more to this 'wanting' feeling. But, when Akira asks around he just gets called a pervert.
Nobuta smiles - really smiles - just at him.
Nobuta holds his hand. She softly kisses his lips.
Nobuta...does everything for him, she's always there...
He wants her, always.
Sitting across from her at lunch, his brain is filled with one consent thought. Playing over and over in a never ending loop is:
I want her. I need her. I want her. I need her...
Akira knows it's driving him mad. But, he can't reach over the table and rip her clothing off in the middle of a cafe, especially with Shuji sitting next to her.
In early August, just as Akira is sure he's gone insane, Nobuta enters his room. She's begun the habit of coming and going as she pleases, though she's unusually polite about it, always entering with a soft: “Excuse my intrusion”.
Silently, she sits next to him and lays her head down on his table. “You want to have sex.” There's no question there. It's just a plain fact.
Akira's too insane to make any of his trademark over reactions. “I...I'm not a pervert.” Really, that's all he can think to say. Though, he's sure the statement's left Nobuta scratching her head.
There's a long moment of silence. Akira sits on one side of the table, staring at Nobuta; she's sitting on the other side, the left side of her face resting on the table.
Just when he thinks she's fallen asleep, Nobuta sits up straight and locks her gaze on his. “It's alright.”
“Eh?”
“Sex. I...I don't think I'd mind having it, with you.”
Akira nods. “Oh.” Slowly, he moves the small wooden table out of his way. “Should...” he trails off, scoots over to Nobuta, and pauses in thought. “You won't leave me? After.”
She shakes her head, something which causes even more hair to fall into her face. “I'll stay.”
“Forever?”
Nobuta simply nods.
Leaning forward, Akira presses his lips to hers. His lips travel from her lips, to her nose, to her forehead, and down the same way again. When his lips catches hers for a second time, it's different than before; it's different from all the other times they've kissed. They open their mouths, they let their tongues fight and play...they try to taste every inch of the other's mouth.
VIII. Sex
Her left hand is above her head and it holds tightly to his right hand. He kisses every part of her face and neck, wanting to taste every inch of her.
When she becomes frightened, she whispers:
“Akira,”
Stopping mid-kiss, Akira whispers in her ear: “Nobuko, I love you.”
XIV. Well-Known Relationship
By October, Akira and Nobuta have been living together for two months. Their relationship had also become well-known around campus. It was a well-known fact that Akira Kusano was very protective and territorial of the odd-beauty, Nobuko Kotani.
As one fellow education major stated: “I was just talking to her and he...he punched me. Okay, yes, my hand was on her shoulder and I was leaning close, but...”
By November, Shuji and Mariko are jokingly asking when the wedding is. Shuji, acting as if he's some over protective big brother asks: “You're living together. You already act like a married couple. And, you told me you and Nobuta...you...you know...every day. Aren't you going to make a honest woman of her?”
Akira smiles widely and relaxes against the back of his chair. “After college.”
XV. The End
Six months before graduating college, Shuji and Mariko marry. It's a small church wedding, with only fifty-seven guest. Afterward, there's a party at Mariko's parent's home.
Four months before graduating college, Akira and Nobuta's relationship ends. It's not loud or angry, there's no screaming matches or threats. It just sort of happens one day. Akira wakes up, looks down at a sleeping Nobuta, and thinks: “I should move out.”
She's leaving in four months. He's going overseas to study.
They can't...
Over the following two days, Akira finds a new room and moves his things. As he ties his shoes to leave their room for the last time, Nobuta sits beside him and hands him a small black notebook.
“Akira.”
He takes the notebook and smiles softly to himself. It's just like the ones they used in high school. “Thank you very much.” He stuffs the notebook into his bag before going on. “Will you be okay?”
Nobuta nods, before answering. “I can smile now. I have a job waiting for me in Otaru.”
That wasn't what he meant, but it was better not to press her. “It's not forever, us breaking up. It's just...until I get back.”
“Akira...”
They make love one last time, right there in the 'living room'.
A week after graduating, Akira finds the notebook. He opens it to the first page and finds a drawing of a pig's face and a note:
“Akira,
I don't know which I'll miss more, being called Nobuta or you. I know we're parting for many reasons, but I cannot seem to actually be able to list any of them. I also know that despite our promises, we may never meet again.
Good luck in everything you do. Have a good life and smile often.
Love,
Nobuta.”
For no real reason, Akira begins to sob in the middle of a busy New York street.
Title: Separately, Together - Part 1
Author: walkwitheroes
Rated: It's no worse than what you'd see on tv
Word Count: 4,238 (14 pages)
Summary: Some key moments in the relationship of Akira and Nobuta, post high school.
Disclaimer: If I owned it, why would I write fan fiction about it?
Notes: I had no beta, sorry. I thought this would take a day, but it's been a week and a half. I really got the idea from some James Wendt songs - blame him.
A/N: Okay, is it 'Shuji' or 'Shuuji'? Because, I've seen it spelled one way in press releases and show summaries and another way in fic. I used the spelling found in press releases and show summaries,
I. The Letters
There was a letter every month.
The letters, written on crisp pink paper and smelling of expensive perfume, were always eight pages long. They were filled with words of praise, regrets, hopes, and the rare stray fact about old classmates. Shuji never complained about the letters, though Akira knew they were something of a burden; the letters filled Shuji with...emotions he didn't want to feel. Shuji never answered the letters, Akira knew that.
Still, Mariko's letters arrived like clockwork.
II. Tokyo University
It would have been perfectly easy to return for a visit; Mariko's letters practically begged for a visit. Akira carefully approached the subject one Sunday. Wouldn't it be nice to see how Nobuta was? It could be a surprise...maybe, she'd even smile at them. Shuji seemed interested for a moment, but quickly turned it down a second after half-agreeing to the idea.
Disheartened, Akira 'borrowed' Mariko's letters. He had read them all before, but this time he wanted to read them for clues. The letters - all fourteen of them - only mentioned Her twice. Nobuta, no she was Nobuko now, was smiling and had friends. She was also interested in studying at Tokyo University after graduation.
The next day, Akira announced to Shuji that he was going to get into Tokyo University.
III. Letters
The day after graduating, Akira, in care of Mariko, sends Nobuta letter. It's just three lines, but he's sure she'll understand:
'I'll see you soon. Smile for me then, okay?
Kon.'
A week letter, Akira receives a letter from Nobuta. Inside, is a picture of a smiling pig's face. Below the drawing is one sentence, that means the world to him:
'See you soon.'
IV. Nobuta
In the end, Shuji and Akira get into Tokyo University. According to Mariko's latest letter, she and Nobuta, are also going to the university; Mariko to study law and Nobuta - Nobuko - to study education.
Akira tags along with Shuji on their first day. In the great scheme of things, it makes perfect sense that Shuji will come across Nobuta first. Akira doesn't want to miss seeing her, fresh and new at university. Nobuta- their, his - Nobuta will be just the same, only smiling. And, she'll smile warmly at him...
Akira will take her hand...
and...
Despite being together, it's Shuji who sees Mariko and Nobuta first. The pair are together, walking arm and arm (Nobuta seems uncomfortable with the arm and arm contact), and Mariko chatting away. Mariko, hair slightly shorter, looks the same; still beautiful and good. Nobuta, walking slightly straighter than before, looks exactly the same - that small fact makes Akira very warm inside.
Without any warning, there's an exchange of:
“Mariko!”
“Shuji?”
Before Akira can take a breath, Mariko is dragging Nobuta toward them, while Shuji has already begun walking toward the girls. Not wanting to get left behind, Akira rushes forward. It all happens without any proper thoughts or real words.
Mariko and Shuji share awkward hellos. Shuji touches Nobuta's shoulder and tells her: “Hello, Nobuta.” Jealously, Akira pushes Shuji out of the way and puts his hands on either side of Nobuta's face: “Still pretty.” Nobuta smiles shyly at him...at just Akira.
Akira falls in love all over again.
V. Akira is Shuji, Shuji is Akira
It takes two weeks, six days, seven hours, thirteen minutes, and forty-two seconds for Shuji to ask Mariko out of a proper date. It takes her a second to say 'yes'. Suddenly, their foursome becomes a couple and their best friends. It's not at all awkward, but it does make Akira think. Is Nobuta, he and Shuji just can't call her Nobuko, waiting for him to ask her out? Or worse yet, does she wish Shuji had asked her to be his girlfriend instead of Mariko?
Once upon a time, Nobuta had said that he and Shuji were the two most important people to her; that she couldn't chose between them. She had also said that without Shuji there is no Akira and without Akira there is no Shuji. So...maybe she's not waiting and maybe she'd be a little jealous if either of them fell in love?
In the end, it just gives Akira a head ache.
In the end, Akira just goes ahead and decides that he'll marry Nobuta after they graduate, even if they never date while at university.
Akira's been reunited with Nobuta for five months, one week, three days, ten hours, twelve minutes, and twenty-one seconds, when the impossible happens. It's the worse thing in the world...it's possibly the end of the world. Nobuta gets asked out on a proper date, and not by Akira.
Mariko's the one who sets the whole thing up. She introduces Nobuta to a fellow law-student, a fourth year. According to Akira's source (Shuji, who was there), the guy - Ryo - is attractive, well-mannered, intelligent, and rich. Normal girls wouldn't stand a chance. But, Nobuta isn't normal. Shuji's positive Nobuta will turn down Ryo's offer of a date.
The next day, at lunch, Mariko happily announces that Nobuta agreed to a date with Ryo.
At that moment, Akira hates Mariko.
VI. Comfort
According to a source (Mariko), the date was Nobuta's second date, ever. It went better than the first one, no one passed out and there were no trips to the hospital. However, it didn't quite work. Sadly, Mariko tells Akira that Nobuta wasn't comfortable with Ryo.
“She's only really comfortable around people she knows. She's the most comfortable around you, I think.”
At that moment, Akira loves Mariko.
VII. Chocolate and Milk
On Valentine's Day, the group sits around a table at their favorite cafe. Shuji and Mariko have exchanged chocolates and cards - a first for the pair. Akira receives friendship-chocolate from Mariko.
When Shuji wonders out loud if Akira will get any “real” Valentine's chocolate, Nobuta's eyes widen in fear and she quickly leaves the table. Mariko quickly chases after her newfound best friend, calling: “ Nobuko, Shuji didn't mean that.”
Akira feels himself smiling.
When Akira returns to his apartment that evening, he's only half-surprised to find a package waiting at his doorstep. He doesn't even wait to go inside, he opens it at the door. Inside the brown package is a small bottle of milk and a tiny card reading:
“Akira, It's better than chocolate.
-Nobuta”
VIII. A Simple Touch
March 8th is when it happens.
By all accounts it's a perfectly ordinary day. Akira gets up, meets Shuji and Mariko for breakfast, and heads to class. Akira's just headed for lunch when it dawns on him that he hasn't seen Nobuta. She never attends breakfast, as she has early morning classes. But, she always walks (slowly) with him to lunch.
He's on his way to the cafe, feeling lonely, when a hand slips into his. It's warm, small, and feels friendly. A nervous glance to his right lets Akira know that the hand belongs to his beloved Nobuta. Her gaze is glued to the sidewalk, and she's walking even slower than usual, but it's her.
Surprisingly, Akira does not make a production out of his dream coming true. Instead, he smiles warmly and squeezes Nobuta's hand in a comforting manner.
IX. Love
Akira still loves everything about Nobuta. He loves the way she walks and the sidewalk she walks on. He loves the books she reads and the classrooms she reads them in. He loves...everything about her.
“Akira,” Nobuta says his name softly now, she says it like a prayer. He loves that the most.
X. Akira and Nobuta
What they're doing can't really be called dating. It's not traditional like Shuji and Mariko. It's more...Akira and Nobuta style. They hold hands when they walk places, but they never go on “real” dates. Akira touches Nobuta, tells her she's pretty; but no one ever sees them kiss.
Finally, curiosity gets the better of Shuji. He and Akira are studying, when he casually asks: “Just what are you doing with Nobuta, anyway?”
His friend's smile becomes wide and goofy. “I'm too embarrassed to say. We're...” he covers his face bashfully. “Marriage.”
Shuji's mouth nearly drops open. “You're getting married?”
Laughing, Akira shakes his head. “Soon. One day.” Suddenly serious, Akira stare Shuji down. “I want Nobuta to be just mine.”
XI. Kiss
Kissing isn't what they make it out to be on television and in the movies. Lips aren't uncomfortably pressed together. Nor does he kiss her chin or the side of her mouth. No, Akira gently, nervously, kisses Nobuta's lips in late June. Pulling away, he waits for a bad reaction, but finds her blushing instead.
They stare intensely at one another for a long moment, before Nobuta blinks.
Flatly, she stays two simple words: “Thank you.” Both of them know those two words mean much more than either of them can say.
XII. Wanting
It feels completely stupid, wanting someone. It isn't that Akira feels like a pervert or a loser...he just feels like its...stupid. Maybe, just maybe, there's supposed to be more to this 'wanting' feeling. But, when Akira asks around he just gets called a pervert.
Nobuta smiles - really smiles - just at him.
Nobuta holds his hand. She softly kisses his lips.
Nobuta...does everything for him, she's always there...
He wants her, always.
Sitting across from her at lunch, his brain is filled with one consent thought. Playing over and over in a never ending loop is:
I want her. I need her. I want her. I need her...
Akira knows it's driving him mad. But, he can't reach over the table and rip her clothing off in the middle of a cafe, especially with Shuji sitting next to her.
In early August, just as Akira is sure he's gone insane, Nobuta enters his room. She's begun the habit of coming and going as she pleases, though she's unusually polite about it, always entering with a soft: “Excuse my intrusion”.
Silently, she sits next to him and lays her head down on his table. “You want to have sex.” There's no question there. It's just a plain fact.
Akira's too insane to make any of his trademark over reactions. “I...I'm not a pervert.” Really, that's all he can think to say. Though, he's sure the statement's left Nobuta scratching her head.
There's a long moment of silence. Akira sits on one side of the table, staring at Nobuta; she's sitting on the other side, the left side of her face resting on the table.
Just when he thinks she's fallen asleep, Nobuta sits up straight and locks her gaze on his. “It's alright.”
“Eh?”
“Sex. I...I don't think I'd mind having it, with you.”
Akira nods. “Oh.” Slowly, he moves the small wooden table out of his way. “Should...” he trails off, scoots over to Nobuta, and pauses in thought. “You won't leave me? After.”
She shakes her head, something which causes even more hair to fall into her face. “I'll stay.”
“Forever?”
Nobuta simply nods.
Leaning forward, Akira presses his lips to hers. His lips travel from her lips, to her nose, to her forehead, and down the same way again. When his lips catches hers for a second time, it's different than before; it's different from all the other times they've kissed. They open their mouths, they let their tongues fight and play...they try to taste every inch of the other's mouth.
VIII. Sex
Her left hand is above her head and it holds tightly to his right hand. He kisses every part of her face and neck, wanting to taste every inch of her.
When she becomes frightened, she whispers:
“Akira,”
Stopping mid-kiss, Akira whispers in her ear: “Nobuko, I love you.”
XIV. Well-Known Relationship
By October, Akira and Nobuta have been living together for two months. Their relationship had also become well-known around campus. It was a well-known fact that Akira Kusano was very protective and territorial of the odd-beauty, Nobuko Kotani.
As one fellow education major stated: “I was just talking to her and he...he punched me. Okay, yes, my hand was on her shoulder and I was leaning close, but...”
By November, Shuji and Mariko are jokingly asking when the wedding is. Shuji, acting as if he's some over protective big brother asks: “You're living together. You already act like a married couple. And, you told me you and Nobuta...you...you know...every day. Aren't you going to make a honest woman of her?”
Akira smiles widely and relaxes against the back of his chair. “After college.”
XV. The End
Six months before graduating college, Shuji and Mariko marry. It's a small church wedding, with only fifty-seven guest. Afterward, there's a party at Mariko's parent's home.
Four months before graduating college, Akira and Nobuta's relationship ends. It's not loud or angry, there's no screaming matches or threats. It just sort of happens one day. Akira wakes up, looks down at a sleeping Nobuta, and thinks: “I should move out.”
She's leaving in four months. He's going overseas to study.
They can't...
Over the following two days, Akira finds a new room and moves his things. As he ties his shoes to leave their room for the last time, Nobuta sits beside him and hands him a small black notebook.
“Akira.”
He takes the notebook and smiles softly to himself. It's just like the ones they used in high school. “Thank you very much.” He stuffs the notebook into his bag before going on. “Will you be okay?”
Nobuta nods, before answering. “I can smile now. I have a job waiting for me in Otaru.”
That wasn't what he meant, but it was better not to press her. “It's not forever, us breaking up. It's just...until I get back.”
“Akira...”
They make love one last time, right there in the 'living room'.
A week after graduating, Akira finds the notebook. He opens it to the first page and finds a drawing of a pig's face and a note:
“Akira,
I don't know which I'll miss more, being called Nobuta or you. I know we're parting for many reasons, but I cannot seem to actually be able to list any of them. I also know that despite our promises, we may never meet again.
Good luck in everything you do. Have a good life and smile often.
Love,
Nobuta.”
For no real reason, Akira begins to sob in the middle of a busy New York street.