(Continued)

I tried desperately to deny it, but soon I realized that it was true, and I had to bow my head and say, "Yes...... Sorry ......"

"You don't need to apologize, if it's just a talent but not interest, it's not going to do you any good," the coach said, "but the good thing is that you've found something you really like." I said, instead of going back to track and field, let's continue playing baseball after college. ”

I didn't respond to the coach's words.

***

I haven't seen Sister Ura for a few days, after all, she and I are both busy with our graduation matters, and I have no reason to go there. But I didn't expect that her best friend would come to my school to find me one day.

Her name is Bai Huabiao, and Sister Ura are completely two types of people.

She asked me how I was doing, and I told the truth, I thought it was over, but I didn't expect her to say something unexpected:

"Will you come to China to find us in the future?"

"Maybe, maybe it won't ......" I didn't think about it at all, so I could only be perfunctory.

But then she said something that surprised me even more:

"Ariko is waiting for you at that track and field every day...... After all, we don't have much time there, no matter what we want to do in the future, at least cherish the present......"

Waiting for me all the time? Why?

At this time, I had a trace of doubt in my heart: Could it be that she ...... me

But why me?

Probably not. I'm five years younger than her, and there's no way she's going to ...... It can't be like that, right......

***

In fact, the general direction has been decided, that is, to go to university. For some reason, I really wanted to go to a distant place, so I left Kyoto first.

And just like that, the time came in December. Is Sister Ura still there waiting for me every day? Probably not, right?

But that day, I actually saw her there. I heard her say that after graduation, she will return to Japan and will not stay in Japan. In other words, there are not many opportunities to meet her.

"That'...... Will you get married when you return home? "I don't know what kind of wind I smoked, but I asked such a question.

"I guess so, but I don't know when...... After all, as I get older, my parents will be anxious...... "Sure enough, it's impossible to get a satisfactory answer to her by asking her like this."

When talking about the way forward, she suddenly suggested that I study abroad, but I still didn't think about it. No, one day ago, her best friend surnamed Bai asked me if I wanted to come to China, and at that time, my brain actually flashed through that scene for a moment.

If you really want to study abroad......

It was raining that day, and it was very cold. After that, I followed her to her place to shelter from the rain.

When I went to her apartment, I noticed that two other international students were there, and one of them appeared to be a graduate student.

"Are you the same Minami Kintaro-kun mentioned by Nanri-san? I heard about your experience from Nanri-san, and I thought it was very interesting. The graduate student suddenly said to me, "My name is Nakano when we first met." ”

"Hello ......"

"If you can, tell us all about it."

"Is that okay? Then I'll bother ......"

In this way, I talked a lot with the Nakano senior, including why I switched from the track and field club to the baseball club, and what is more important about talent or interest. I was really surprised that it was the first time I met him, but I kept telling him a lot of things that were buried in my heart.

"So by playing baseball, I did experience joy that I had never experienced before...... But I'm not sure, if I really aim to continue playing baseball, will I still be able to enjoy such fun? Am I not going to feel any joy like I did when I did track and field? Senior, what do you suggest I do? ”

"Are you confused right now? Then cherish the current confusion. ”

"Huh?" I wondered.

"I mean, you're still young, there's plenty of options and room for trial and error, try as much as you can, and then find what you want to do!" The senior said, "So, I won't give you specific advice, what you really like, you will only find the answer if you experience it." ”

Well, so I don't have to worry about those things now?

"Kintaro-kun, please drink tea......" At this time, Sister Ura suddenly handed over a cup of brewed black tea. Somehow, my heart felt warm and at the same time a little painful.

Yes, it's the first time for me, I love it, but at the same time, it may be the last time. Because we're going to go our separate ways soon......

No, not necessarily. If I go to China after graduation, I may have the opportunity to meet again in the future.

It's strange that I was very perfunctory about this issue before, why is it suddenly firm now?

"What's wrong with you?" Seeing that I was in a daze, Sister Ura suddenly asked.

I looked at her and quickly avoided her eyes, the pain in my chest seemed to become more intense. That's when I realized that I liked this kind of time, I just liked Sister Ura and wanted to be with her.

But will she dislike me? After all, Chinese generally don't like Japanese people very much, and I'm five years younger than her, so I may be just a hairy little devil to her. Maybe she already had a boyfriend, but she just didn't tell me......

Even so, I didn't want to be separated from her so early.

That day, I stayed there until the rain stopped. There may not be a second time in such a happy time, but since I have that thought, maybe there will be more and happier times waiting for me.

***

The new year arrived, and I pretended to be prepared for two things: I had already decided to study in China, but at the same time, I was also preparing for the domestic entrance examination, and the goal of the domestic entrance examination was set at Tomakomai University, after all, Hokkaido was far enough away from here.

Indeed, if I really want to study abroad, then I just need to concentrate on preparation, and I don't even have to take the domestic entrance examination or anything, but now I don't dare to openly rebel against my parents, so I thought of this delaying strategy. But I had already decided in my heart that even if I received an admission letter from Tomakomai University, I would not enroll, but would follow in Ura's footsteps and go to a country I had never set foot in. Until then, I need time to build up my courage.

That's right, Mr. Nakano told me that day, I still have a lot of options and room for trial and error, and now I just have to try what I want to do.