Ishi, Okazaki?” Angel calls out their names from the far side of the park. The boys run over to her, smiling and in great spirits. Two years later, the group is close-knit as ever.

“What’s up, Angel?”

“Yes. Is everything all right?”

Angel is in a downcast mood, and her heart feels like it’s ticking to the wrong rhythm as she goes on. “Would you two like to come over for ice cream?” This is music to both of the boys' ears. Ice cream is a rare treat for either of them. It is the perk of understanding and wonderful parents, not like the strict, chip-off-the-old-block type they had.

They all agree and head straight for her house. The passing houses mix with the scents of lavender flowers, hot pot, and the people chattering happily inside. On a cold night like tonight, the locals are free to the openness. The wind chill here is cooled, and the mountains lack snow, so it’s a perfect comforting winter. The holidays aren’t far off, and the two boys have prepared themselves a gift for each other and Angel. A bracelet is what Ishimoto made for her, and a winter-knitted hat from Okazaki.

The holidays are a splendid grace period for them all. They all spend time together and visit one another’s houses, ready to open gifts. None of them have siblings or friends outside of their small group. It became a tradition. A three-course meal spread out, with one making breakfast, one lunch, and one dinner as their parents made their way to the local restaurants. It is a win for all and a staple of their friendship.

Angel’s house is heated with central air, a step up from Okazaki’s one heater, and the walls are barren. This is an unusual sight. Her family photos, photos of them at the lake and at a convenience store, and Mt. Fuji, all gone. She holds them dear to her. Why are they gone?

Okazaki bumps Ishimoto with his elbow, whispering. “Where are all our pictures? She loves those pictures to death. They must be remodeling or something like your mom and dad did, right? Moving stuff around.”

“Hard to tell with everything gone. Would they need to take everything down at once if they were just remodeling? That’s not what my parents did.” Angel turns around now. Her face is covered with a strain of hair. She brushes it and makes eye contact with them both. There’s a deep worry, a deep sorrow, and her eyes of deep blue reveal reality.

“I have… very bad news… I don’t want to do this. I really, really, don’t…” The strangulation inside of her neck, as if someone holds her with no intent of letting go. And the breach in her eyes, a lake pours over the bank as she can’t contain it.

“Me and my family are moving away soon… they say it’s for better work and a better life. I don’t understand what they mean by that… I like my life here…” The tear rides down her cheek, leaking to the floor, her companions watching their hearts on the verge of a meltdown. Their friend of many years moving away? Why would she move away? She’s happy here, isn’t she? It's the only thought through both of their heads.

They all go to her living room, sitting on her family’s couch, one of the few pieces of furniture remaining. The room is arid. It doesn’t help the tension everyone feels in the depths of their bellies. It’s as if they’re sickly, about to need to run to the nearest trash can, allowing their emotions to release from their held throats.

The first to speak is Okazaki. “Well, I don’t get it… It seems like you guys have everything here, lots of fun places to go, like the park. Why would they want to move? It’s… stupid… really stupid!” His yells echo through the house.

“Okazaki..” A hand is placed on his shoulder, and the two boys share their sadness, but Ishimoto, even at his young age, knows he needs to calm himself.

“It’s sad, but please… We can’t make too much noise in her home…” He eases himself down, his shoulders slumped, and his eyes close tightly, taking a moment. Angel tries to put on a smile, her mind thinking of a way to comfort them both for what may be the last time. She then jumps up and stands in front of them. Finally, a small grin shows on her face.

“Hey guys… I know I can’t go anywhere on my own, but… when I’m older, maybe my parents will let me come back here. In fact, I know they will! They’ll let me come back and be with you two again. I can promise you that! I won’t let distance end our friendship, I won’t, I won’t, I won’t!” The emotion in her voice is visceral. The tightness returns, choking and revoking everything. Everything that pops into her head returns to the fact that she won’t see them, won’t be able to speak to them, and will be unable to find a way to communicate with the lack of phone lines or computers from both the boys. It is a hefty weight crushing her until she collapses to the floor. Her only friends, they’ll be gone soon.

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Then, arms wrap around her. The two boys embrace her. Her crying ceases. She stares straight at the wall, her eyes begin to dry themselves with a wipe from her hand, and she’s able to give a most genuine smile after everything. Her friends, the ones she’s been with for six years at the beginning of her life. They’re there at that moment. Even if they won’t be for much longer, she will seek it out that they will see each other again one day, a certainty.

“I’m going to miss you both… we’ll be leaving next week, but for now, let’s have fun together and eat some ice cream together!” The mood shifts. She happily stands up and reaches both of her hands out to lift the boys up. It is as if she lived up to her name for the first time at that moment.

That night, they have ice cream for what turns out to be the last time ever. They go to the park the day after and relive all the memories they made before the week comes to an end and it is time to say farewell. Their emotions saunter; a new leaf is turning its withered winter head up, and it all feels so dim despite the glee in the hugs they share. Their last words are, I promise we’ll see each other again someday. And like that, with a car leaving the driveway and a movers van in tow, she is gone from their lives.

Months pass, a good six as the boys reluctantly find their way to the park. It feels sacred to them, the place where they would all gather to have the time of their lives, and without her, there is this emptiness. Nonetheless, they seek to have that time again, that aching to have a new beginning she would have wanted them to have. They stick to the swings, swaying back and forth in the new summer air.

“You know… Ishimoto,” Okazaki says slow.

“I really miss her. It’s been so long, but I still think about her and us all playing together. Do you feel the same way, or is it just weird that I still feel that way?”

Ishimoto simply sighs. His head winds with a long study day.

“You’re not weird. You’re not wrong, either. I’m in the same boat. Even with all the responsibilities and other things I have to do, she doesn’t leave my mind. I wish I could understand it. But I don’t. I would ask my mom and dad about it, but you know how they are. They’ll never—you know what, never mind…” He hesitates. His parents have never been ones for emotions beyond the ones that benefited them. Logic was all that mattered to them, and logically, he shouldn’t be missing someone after so long.

“Hey, Ishimoto. I need you to promise me something, okay?”

“Yeah, what is it?” There’s a pause before Okazaki sticks his pinky out.

“You’re going to make a pinky promise to me, and that promise is going to be no matter what. We’re always going to stick beside one another, understand?” There’s confusion about Ishimoto. He doesn’t understand this gesture. He has never been familiar with promises besides the ones he gives his mom and dad. Only that he’ll do what they say. There is never room to go away from it, but here, he has a choice. He feels a wave crash into him, one of freedom.

“Can I say yes or no to it?” he asks.

“Yeah. I ain’t going to make you do it if you don’t want too, but Ishi, man, I don’t want us to ever grow apart. Angel not being here is super hard. Like. I can’t imagine losing you too… not now, not ever… sorry if that’s selfish, but I’m just telling you how it is.” The creaks of the aging swings sound off. The world is moving around them, but to them, it all feels frozen. Ishimoto stares at his hand before sticking out his pinky, wrapping it around Okazaki’s tightly, firmly, and freely.

“Yeah. I’ll stick by you. I won’t leave your side, and we’ll keep being friends forever.” The sides of his mouth gently crease, and he declares it so.

“Awesome! I’m so happy you agree! Now I don’t ever have to worry about losing another wonderful friend ever again!” His shout could knock a mountain over. It’s almost too much for Ishimoto. He now grimaces from it.

“Yes, yes, but can you please not be so loud? We’re going to get in trouble or something.”

“You two seem excited! What’s got you two all up in arms?” an unfamiliar voice calls from behind. They both turn to see a girl, her hair a soft brown, and light brown eyes beaming at them before stepping in the middle of them both.

“Did you two become best friends forever? That’s so cool! Aww, I’m so happy for you two. You both seem like amazing guys!” She jumps up and down as they both stare on in sheer bemusement.

“Umm, sorta… I guess? But, who are you?” asks Okazaki.

“Oh, oh, sorry! I forgot how rude it was to just throw yourself into conversations without saying who you are. My parents get on me about that.” She cackles, spinning around until she is now directly in front of them, both striking a pose from her all-time favorite anime.

“My name is Shinohara Keiko! I’m new around this place, and I saw there is a park which can only mean fun, fun! Nice to meet you two.”

“Oh. Nice to meet you, too.” Introducing themselves, they can’t help but find this girl an oddity. Her mannerisms aren’t the same as others around here, having an almost exotic nature to it.

On the same day, during the first introductions, they come to know her better, speaking about their promise to her. She smiles.

“Hey, hey, can I ask you two something? I’m new here and don’t have any friends yet, so I wanted to ask. Would you two be my first ones!?” She extends her pinky outwards to them. They both glance at one another, a state of hesitation and uncertainty in their eyes.