As they were to talk about Kokoro’s academic future, her mother had asked Ms Kitajima to join them.

‘Actually, Mr Ida also said he wanted to talk to us,’ Ms Kitajima said, prefacing their conversation, choosing her words carefully.

Ms Kitajima said she’d consulted with people at city hall and had special permission for Kokoro to transfer to another school nearby.

Of course, she could also stay at Yukishina No. 5 and she would be placed in a different class from Miori Sanada.

This all came as a surprise to Kokoro. ‘I’ll make sure they keep their promise,’ Ms Kitajima added, an earnest look on her face.

Kokoro nodded silently. ‘What about Moé Tojo?’ she asked.

She didn’t dislike the idea of being in the same class as her. Especially if, as Ms Kitajima had told her, Tojo-san was the one who’d informed her about the problems between Kokoro and Sanada-san.

The note she’d received flitted through a corner of her mind.

That note with the single line. I’m sorry.

‘Well, as for Tojo-san,’ Ms Kitajima responded, her voice striking Kokoro as somewhat brusque, ‘she’ll be transferring again. This time to Nagoya.’

‘What?’

‘Did you not know that her father is a university professor?’

Kokoro was so taken aback she couldn’t even nod.

Last April when they were still travelling to school together, Kokoro remembered seeing all the picture books inside her house, all the unusual foreign books which Tojo-san had shown her. She’d even told Kokoro she’d lend her some.

‘Her father will be teaching at a university in Nagoya starting in April. So Tojo-san will be going to a school there.’

‘Even though she’s only been here for a year?’

‘That’s right. Tojo-san’s changed schools a number of times in the past.’

Kokoro wasn’t sure how to feel about this. She’d no longer be living in the house two doors down.

I’m sorry. The line came back to her. When Moé wrote it, the transfer might already have been confirmed. What was she feeling when she wrote her note?

‘Tell me anytime if you’d like to visit No. 1 and No. 3 junior highs,’ Ms Kitajima said. Her face suddenly showed concern again. ‘There’s one more thing I’d like you to remember.’

‘What’s that?’

‘Neither your mother nor I are trying to force you to return to school.’

Kokoro’s eyes widened and Ms Kitajima went on. ‘If you don’t want to go back to your current school, or either of the other junior highs, we’d like to consider all the alternatives, what’s best for you. Coming to our School is certainly one choice, and we can even consider whether homeschooling is possible. You have many options, Kokoro-chan.’

Kokoro looked silently at her mother, sitting quietly beside Ms Kitajima. When their eyes met, her mother nodded at her.

Kokoro choked up.