Excuse me. Which platform does the Shinkansen for Tokyo leave from?
Platform number three.
How many Shinkansen trains have left so far?
Well, Shinkansen trains go to Tokyo every thirty minutes, so … eight have already laft today.
Eight? Okay. Thank you.
Oh, no. Eight have already left? I can't believe my alarm clock broke on such an important day. I hope I can find him.
Natsuko?
Kenji-san?
What are you doing here?
Kenji-san graduated from my high school this March. He is one year older than me. We were both members of the swimming club.
Your voice is so loud. I could here you all the way from the entrance of the station.
So, are you going somewhere today?
My dad is coming home from a business trip, so I’m going to meet him here.
Oh, he's coming back pretty early.
I know. It's crazy. Are you going somewhere, Keinji-san?
Actually, I’m moving to Tokyo today. Didn’t I tell you? I’m going to university there.
Ah, yes. Now I remember.
That was a lie. Of course, I know. I came to the station to see Kenji-san one last time.
Well, it's time to go. See you.
Wait. You'll come back once in a while, right?
Maybe, but not that often. Say hi to everyone for me, won't you?
I will.
Great. Bye!
Now he is really gone. I wanted to tell him something, but I was nervous and told a stupid lie. Now it's too late. I can only see Kenji-san with his large backpack. The escalator slowly takes him away from me.
The Nozomi Super Express bound for Tokyo will be arriving shortly. Passengers, please go to platform number three.
I look over and see a couple hugging and saying good-bye.
Oh, why didn’t I just tell him? Maybe there’s still time.
I buy a platform ticket. Then, I go through the ticketgate and run up the stairs to platform three.
The Shinkansen is arriving. Please stay inside the white line.
It's hard to get through all the people on the platform, but I keep going. I have to find hime. Finally…
Kenji-san.
Natsuko? What are you doing here?
I came here to tell you something. Kenji-san, I,I,I.. I realy like you.
I can see Kenji- san’s face through the window. He is smiling, but his face is turning red. I suddenly notice that everyone is looking at me, but I don’t care. I run alongside the Shinkansen. I can see Kenji-san saying, I'll write to you. I secretly tell myself, Well done, Natsuko.