My name is Masaki. I am a university student. I have a best friend. His name is Rikuo. He is my schoolmate. He has a girlfriend. Her name is Yuki. She is older than Rikuo. They were good couple, but one day Rikuo told me an important thing.

    “I’m going to go to England to learn English for one year.”
    “What? Have you told Yuki about it?”
    “No, I haven’t. She knows nothing.”
    “I think she’ll be surprised.”
    “I think so too, but this is my dream. I’ve wanted to study abroad since I was a junior high school student.”
“But what will happen with you and Yuki? She is as important as your dream, isn’t she?”
    “Of course! I love Yuki, but I can’t ask her to wait for me as long as a year!”
    “・・・・・”
    “Anyway, I am preparing to go to England. I will tell her everything tomorrow.”
    “・・・OK. That’s just like you. Can I do anything for you?”
    “Thank you. When I need your help, I’ll be sure to ask. I have a lot of things to do.”
   
The next day, Rikuo told Yuki about his dream and plan. She was surprised, of course.
    “Why do you have to go to England? You can study English in Japan!”
    “I need to learn English conversation skill, so I must…”
    “Which is more important for you? Me? Or your dream?”
    “・・・・・”
    “I have enjoyed going out with you for these two years.” She was crying. “Even today, I was looking forward to seeing you…”
    “I am very sorry…” Rikuo said.
Yuki left without saying anything.

After that day, they didn’t make contact with each other.  Rikuo was very busy with part-time jobs to save money to go to England. He worked for 18 hours a day.  I was worried about his health.

Three months later, I met him. When I saw his face, I was surprised because he looked terribly pale and tired.

    “Are you all right?” I asked him.
    “Yes, I am.”
    “You’ll get sick before you go to England.”
    “Don’t worry. I quit all of my jobs today. I am going to England next week.”
    “Really? Your dream will come true soon!”
    “Yeah!” He smiled.
    “…Do you still love her?”
    “Of course! But I hope she will forget me and become happy.”
    “Oh, boy! That’s just like you.”
    One week later, I went to NaritaAirport to see off Rikuo. In front of the last gate, we shook hands.
    “I left nothing in Japan,” Rikuo said. He looked sad.
At the moment, I saw a beautiful woman behind him.
    “I don’t think so,” I said.
    “What?”
    “Look back!”

Rikuo looked back slowly. Yuki was standing there! He ran to her to her and hugged her tightly.

    “I love you better than anything in the world!” he said.
    “Me, too! I have thought about you all the time for these three months and I made up my mind. I will wait for you!”

They kept on hugging for a long time.

    The sky was so blue. Rikuo flew to England. His plane left a white line in the sky as Rikuo left Yuki in Japan. The line was quick to fade out, but love in their hearts would never fade away.