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Chapter 12
Keiko came all the way from Tokyo to attend the funeral. AJ tried to bring up the mood but it didn't work. AJ was actually the one who probably suffered the most after Masaru's death.
Brian, AJ, Ayumi, Keiko and Takako sat quietly on the beach. Brian was holding Masaru's guitar. Finally, he had the courage to play Masaru's favorite tune, Horizon. Everyone listened on, tears welling in their eyes. Suddenly, Brian stopped.
"Somehow, I still can't play this tune like Masaru. It's different."
"I am sure Masaru doesn't want to see us this way," said AJ as he stood up. He picked up a stick and ran closer to the sea.
"Come, everybody!" he yelled. The others went over to him.
"What, AJ?" asked Ayumi.
"Let's send our love to Masaru. I want to say 'thank you' to him," AJ then wrote the words ' thank you' on the sand and waited for the wave to wash away the words.
"See, the wave has brought my message to Masaru. What do you have to say to him? Just write it down and the waves will help you to bring it to Masaru. Trust me," AJ explained. Brian took the stick from AJ and wrote 'I will always remember you'. Ayumi followed by writing 'I love you'. Then it was Takako's turn and she wrote 'take care'. At last, Keiko wrote 'You're my treasure.' Somehow, they felt better after doing so.
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Over at Nagisa, Keiko had a talk with Takako. Keiko thanked Takako for taking good care of Ayumi and Masaru in all these years.
At night, Ayumi found Brian and AJ talking in Masaru's office. They found some documents of Masaru and found out that he lied about his age by two years. At first, they were both laughing but then they started crying. Tears rolled down Ayumi's cheeks.
Takako knew that Ayumi was still worrying about moving in with her mother in Tokyo. She knew Ayumi wanted to stay at Diamond Head. Takako decided to ask Keiko to allow her and Ayumi to continue Diamond Head. At first, Keiko was reluctant about allowing Takako to control everything, but after hearing Takako said about her confidence and feelings, she agreed. So, Takako was the new owner of Diamond Head and Ayumi would stay there as her wished.
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AJ found out that Brian had decided to leave Diamond Head. But he himself still didn't know what to do and hadn't made a decision yet. He knew that he had to leave but he couldn't reach a decision.
AJ was deep in thought when Brian threw a pillow at him just for fun. AJ was thinking seriously about his problem.
"You're not behaving like yourself. Being serious - something you usually not."
"I don't know. But can we get together again?"
"Huh?" Brian was puzzled.
"I mean the BSB."
"I don't know. But I wish we could."
"Well, just give me a nod and I believe that we can. Masaru will give us his blessings."
Brian nodded firmly. The tow smiled. AJ then threw the pillow back to Brian. They fought, but out of friendship and encouragement to each other.
That night, AJ found Ayumi at the beach. He went out to talk to her. He told her that Brian and he would be leaving the day after tomorrow. It was another blow to her but she tried to hide her tears.
"We're going to reform our group. Don't worry. You will find some other guys who are more handsome than me as my replacement."
"Bakka. Of course there are lots of guys who are more good looking than you." When she finished this, she started crying and walked back towards Diamond Head. To her, no one could ever replace Brian and AJ in her heart.
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The next morning, AJ woke up early in the morning and went to the beach. He wanted to put an end to his fear of the ocean. After mustering enough courage, he went into the ocean and started swimming. Brian was outside, watching AJ. When he got out of the sea, he pushed Brian into the water. The two splashed water at each other. When Ayumi and Takako came out to see what was happening, Brian and AJ said,
"Thank you for everything!" Then the two took their hands and pulled them into the sea.
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The next day, Brian and AJ said 'goodbye' to everyone.
"Sayonara, Ayumi and Takako!" said AJ.
"Take care," Brian told them.
When seeing their car going off, Ayumi started crying again. But the white car reversed. AJ then stopped the car near Ayumi and Takako and let Brian out of the car.
"Good luck to you!"
"And we will bring three other Beach Boys to you the next time we come," AJ stuck his head out of the window. And so they parted.
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The kids on the isolated island found a bottle drifting in the ocean. They picked it up and took out the note inside. The note read,
"THANK YOU FOR THE WONDERFUL NATSU (SUMMER)! WE ARE THE BEACH BOYS AND GIRLS."
They also found a commemorative picture of AJ, Brian, Takako, Ayumi and Masaru in the bottle.
The End
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