#but man ...

ㅤㅤEven in a world where you could see the vastness of the ocean and even the depths of the sky, it was all the same. The familiar sounds of the crying cicadas and the relentless heat that poured from the sun's rays ... it was nostalgic but yet a bittersweet reminder of the present.

ㅤㅤHe was crouched in front of a gravestone, etched with the names of his departed friends. As much as he wished to honour the memory of the entire village, he couldn't possibly recall each and every one of their names but at the very least, there were those who would forever remain in his heart even long after death. There, a bouquet of white lilies rested at the foot of the grave while incense gently burned away nearby.

ㅤㅤ" ... Yoko. Kenta. Masao. It's been a year since then. " He finally spoke, as if he were gathering his thoughts just now. " When I'm here like this, I still can't believe I'm alive now. As if what happened that day was just a dream but ... I'll never forget. I can't allow myself to, no matter how many years will come to pass. " He closed his eyes as he once again took in the weight of his sins.

ㅤㅤ" ... I've been thinking about what I want to do from here. In the end, the path I've chosen is one I can't turn back from. I've dedicated far too much of my life to be able to take any other road but when I think back to those five years I spent back in Kaeru no Machi ... I — " A soft smile took his lips. " I've decided to become a teacher for real. "

ㅤㅤ" I'm sure you guys are all thinking, it was about time I finally decided something for myself ... but after thinking about how much joy those kids brought me, I realized it wouldn't be such a bad thing to continue on like this, even in the outside world. Being able to guide the younger generation to a brighter future and making a difference in the world ... I finally found something I can be proud of. I've already long accepted that I'm not someone who can change the world but that's why I want to do everything in my power to support those kids. The road from now will surely be more difficult and there'll be times when I won't be able to bear the weight of it all but this time ... I'm not alone. No matter how hopeless or pathetic I am as an adult ... those kids still want to be with me. Even if I don't deserve it, I wouldn't ask for anything else. I'm sure ... you all would've loved to be by their side too if you all had the choice. So ... I'll continue to protect them and love them from now on. For not just my sake but for everyone in the village too. Maybe from here, I can also learn to love the people in this world ... just as you all did. "

ㅤㅤHe felt gentle breeze of the wind caress at his skin as if to respond to his sentiments.

ㅤㅤThat's right ... he suddenly recalled he made a promise later today to see the ocean with those kids. His smile widened ever so slightly and he picked himself up from the ground.