Interulde 4
"You're the type who’s pretty easily influenced, aren’t you, Ritsuka?"
"Huh? Where's this coming from all of a sudden?"
After leaving the observation deck, the two of them were enjoying a coffee break at a café.
A hot cup of coffee, drunk after walking under the cold sky, warmed them all the way to the tips of their fingers and toes.
Now, in a place like this, it was time to chat about whatever came to mind. For some reason, Rouji, who had been thinking about it for a while, asked Ritsuka, who was drinking iced lemon tea.
"More like a habit... you know, like the kiss throws you often do. That’s originally Gori-san’s thing, right?"
"Yeah. I properly learned the trick from Gori-san back in the day."
"Directly from him...!?"
This was the first time Rouji had heard about that exchange between Gori and Ritsuka.
"Because you like Rou-kun, right? So you do it like this."
"Hey, what do you think I am? I like you, though."
"Since you like me, that’s what’s right, isn’t it?"
"Is there a reason you started doing it? I think it’s pretty embarrassing, you know."
"Hmm, well at first it was strange, but it was kind of fun, so it just happened. Then, well... I thought maybe you liked me because you kept looking at my lips."
Ritsuka poked at her own lips with her finger. The soft, squishy shape of them certainly drew Rouji’s gaze.
"Did I really look at your lips that much, Ritsuka?"
"You did! I’d rather you look at that than my chest."
"Hmm... I didn’t realize I was doing it..."
"Also, I won’t do it outside because it’s embarrassing."
"You don’t need to. That’s just for me."
"You say that~. But I do it for Nyankichi too!"
"Seriously...?"
Rouji couldn’t believe he was feeling jealous over a cat. He imagined Nyankichi receiving the kiss from Ritsuka and was certain that the cat was probably grumbling, "What’s up with this guy...?"
"I really have to thank Gori-san. He left something good behind for you, Ritsuka."
"Yeah. Really, such a loss... ugh..."
"Ah—no, that guy’s not dead! He’s perfectly fine and healthy!"
"Haha."
"Oh, Ritsuka, that’s... the ‘Kuyama laugh,’ isn’t it?"
"Got it right~."
After graduating from university, getting a job, and getting married, the environment surrounding them changed rapidly. Included in that was their relationships with others, and it wasn’t necessarily the case that the bonds they built would last forever. While friendship may not disappear, it isn’t always something that remains close at hand.
Both Gori and Kuyama, like Rouji and Ritsuka, were now walking different paths.
"Rou-kun, you don’t have many friends, but the ones you do have are deep, so it’s a good thing. That big guy seems pretty intense too. I think you’re really blessed with friends."
"Kengo... I’m the type who prefers deep, narrow relationships over shallow, wide ones."
"Is that an excuse for having few friends?"
"Hey, Ritsuka, you don’t have that many friends either."
"Ugh... I’m the type who prefers deep, narrow relationships too..."
"Excuse."
Since this topic started to feel empty, they decided to stop—each of them taking responsibility.
Ritsuka, while pushing the lemon slices in her iced tea down with her straw, muttered softly.
"Those times were fun, weren’t they? Everyone got along, goofing around together."
"Yeah. There was a lot going on, but even including all of that, it was fun."
"Don’t you ever think about wanting to go back to that time?"
"I do. Of course."
"Hmm... So, Rou-kun, does that mean you’d rather go back to the past than marry me?"
"Well, back then was when I was getting to know more and more of Ritsuka’s cuteness. But, ah... even so, now’s good too. I’m happy, I can say that... Hey, Ritsuka."
"What?"
"Would you do it? Right here, right now, just a 'chu♡'?"
"Eh? Why? I just said I wouldn’t do it outside!"
"No, I just feel like it. Now I want to see it outside too."
"Ugh...!"
Ritsuka glanced around, looking left and right. The staff and other customers weren’t paying attention to them at all. Once she confirmed this, she shyly and modestly—
"...chu."
"Alright. Then, I think I prefer 'now.' That’s what I decided."
"What’s that supposed to mean...? Rou-kun, do it back!"
"Why should I? I didn’t learn that from Gori-san."
—Memories remain as memories. The ones they shared would continue to shine forever.
To ensure they didn’t fade, they would color their present and future together. Eventually, those too would become bright memories. Life is made up of those accumulations.
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