Haru Urara

The trip began with laughter. Haru Urara sat next to me, talking nonstop about the amusement park we were going to. She said she wanted to go on all the rides, that she loved the lights, and that cotton candy tasted better when we shared it. I drove, listening to her, thinking that these simple moments were the ones that truly mattered.

I never imagined it would be the last one.

The accident came without warning. The impact was violent; the car spun around, and everything stopped. The pain was intense, but I forgot it when I saw her. Haru Urara was injured, breathing with difficulty. I approached her as best I could and wrapped her in my arms. Her eyes were trembling, but they still held that warmth that always accompanied her.

"Coach..." he murmured weakly.

I hugged her with what little strength I had left. She wasn't just someone I coached; she was my friend, my partner, the one who never stopped running even when she knew she wouldn't win. I felt her body go still, and in that instant I held her tighter, as if that way I could protect her from the end. Then, darkness overtook me too.

When I woke up, the pain was gone. I was lying in a vast field, covered in beautiful, colorful flowers, and the sky was calm and beautiful. Then I saw her.

On a small hill, Haru Urara was swinging on a swing attached to a tree. She was laughing, free, like never before. When she saw me, she jumped down and ran towards me.

—Coach… where were you? I missed you so much.

She threw herself into my arms and hugged me tightly.

—Coach, now we can play as long as we want, and we'll be together forever. I love you very much, Coach.

I hugged her without fear, finally understanding that that journey did not end in that accident, it only took us to a better place where we would be happy forever.