◆ Epilogue
A week has passed since the big incident in our class.
In the classroom after school today, my childhood friend was once again surrounded by students from our grade.
“Sakuraba! Is it true you’re dating Yunagi-san?!”
“I thought you broke up?!”
“What’s the truth in the end! Hey!”
So noisy…
It’s annoying, I wish they’d do it somewhere else.
And I don’t really want to hear about this.
“We are dating.”
Aoto, in the middle of the circle, answered in a voice that was both annoyed and relieved.
A sharp pain shot through my chest, and I felt my spirits sink again.
Pathetic, I hate it.
“S-Seriously?!”
“It’s over…”
“Kyaa—! Eh, how did you get back together? Who asked who? Hey!”
Ignoring the stereotypical gawkers, Aoto quickly got ready to go home.
He’s been dealing with this endlessly for the past few days, so he’s probably just decided to brush it off.
“Yo, heartbroken girl.”
“…”
I glared at the person who had suddenly spoken to me without mercy.
To be honest, it would be a lie to say I don’t owe him anything.
But right now, this guy, Naotsuka Sou, just pisses me off.
“Don’t be so angry. I came to console you.”
“I don’t need it. Go away.”
“Haha. You’re harsh.”
Even when I shooed him away with my hand, Naotsuka didn’t move and just laughed lightly.
Still so annoying. I mean, where did he leave his delicacy…
“Everyone’s talking about it. Well, it’s no wonder there’s a big fuss when you hear that the famous Yunagi-san had a boyfriend, but they broke up on the same day, and then got back together right away.”
“…”
“But it was surprising. I never thought Aoto would end up like this. It seems he’s going to be open about his relationship with Yunagi-san, too.”
“…Do you have a grudge against me or something?”
To go on and on about things I don’t want to hear.
“No, no. If you think about it, this is a chance for you, too, Yuno.”
Naotsuka said, and then a grin spread across his face.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Aoto, his bag in hand, leaving the classroom.
“There’s… no chance.”
My own voice was surprisingly small, and it sounded like I was sulking, which made me embarrassed.
The fact that Aoto has become proactive about romance again, that he has made a girlfriend of his own free will, is certainly a big change.
But that’s just because Yunagi-san was amazing.
It has nothing to do with me, who was by his side all along and couldn’t do anything.
…That’s right, I couldn’t do anything.
In the end, I didn’t have the courage to get hurt, or the courage to hurt Aoto.
My long love is over.
“You’re the one who decides whether this is a heartbreak or not.”
“…Eh.”
I looked over and saw that Naotsuka had an unusually serious expression.
Caught off guard, I found myself waiting silently for his next words.
“You’re only heartbroken when you give up. And it’s a big mistake to think that becoming a couple is the goal. With that in mind, you decide what to do from now on, miss goody-two-shoes.”
“…I’m not a goody-two-shoes.”
“Haha, nice. Keep that up, and become a little more cunning.”
With another cheerful laugh, Naotsuka also left the classroom.
Before I knew it, there was no one around me, and only the faint sounds of someone’s voice and footsteps echoed from the hallway.
“…Heartbreak is when you give up, huh?”
To be honest, it was annoying to ruminate on his words.
But I also felt a little, just a little, more energetic—
For today, I’ll just go all out at my club.
And when I get home, I’ll eat as much of what I like as I want, and read a book I like.
With that decided, I headed for the gym at a brisk pace.
When I went out into the covered walkway, the wind caressed my short-sleeved summer uniform, and it felt good.
I’m not bad at long battles.
I’ve been in love for eight years.
I think I’ll wait.
I don’t know how long it will take. And it might be a waste to wait.
But I’ll wait until my feelings change.
Because I’m the only one who can end this love.
◆ ◆ ◆
“Oh, Sakuraba-kun.”
After school, as I was waiting for someone at the shoe lockers, Shirato-san called out to me.
Her cool outfit of a short-sleeved shirt and a tie matched her detached atmosphere well.
“Hey, Shirato-san. Are you heading home, too?”
“Yeah. And a message from Shizuno. She wants to change the meeting place to the school gate. You have a message.”
“Eh, ah, you’re right. Thanks.”
It seems I hadn’t noticed the notification.
I was surrounded by people just now and it was noisy, so that might be why.
I changed my shoes and headed for the school gate with Shirato-san.
As I was watching the lively tennis courts, she suddenly spoke.
“Anyway, I’m glad, really.”
“…Right. I’m very grateful for your help.”
“Really.”
She said, and then giggled.
Ever since then, when Shirato-san teases us, she looks even more amused than before.
“Lately, Shizuno has been completely giddy. She’s so loud every day. It’s all, ‘Sakuraba-kun this, Sakuraba-kun that.’”
“That’s… well, would you mind letting her off the hook?”
“I don’t mind, but. I was just thinking that you’re so calm, Sakuraba-kun.”
“…Maybe not so much.”
“Eh, really?”
“Maybe. Maybe.”
I quickened my pace a little, as if to avoid any further questioning.
“Oh, Sakuraba-kun! Kasumi!”
When we reached the school gate, Yunagi-san waved at us enthusiastically.
The leisurely atmosphere instantly brightened.
She’s as influential as ever.
“Sorry, did I keep you waiting?”
“You did!”
“I said I was sorry.”
“As punishment, you have to hold my hand on the way home.”
“Fine by me. Then, Shirato-san, please take my hand.”
“Ah! No, no! Me! With me!”
Yunagi-san said, and then snatched my hand, which had been extended toward Shirato-san.
It actually hurt a little.
“Hey. Don’t drag me into your lovey-dovey comedy routine.”
“Hee-hee, sorry.”
“You’re not denying that you’re a lovey-dovey couple.”
“I can’t deny it.”
Yunagi-san was thoroughly enjoying herself.
To be honest, I was offended by being called a lovey-dovey couple, but thinking about it, I don’t have much evidence to the contrary, so I decided to stay quiet.
Besides, if I were to deny it poorly, the damage when I was proven wrong would be even greater.
“Well then, Kasumi, we’re going this way.”
“Please, take your time.”
“See you.”
We waved at Shirato-san at the fork in the road and headed for the shopping mall.
From here, we were going to have a discussion at some shop.
“So, Sakuraba-kun, I want to see you at least twice a week.”
“I can’t see you that often right now. I have a lot of novels I’m interested in.”
In the end, we ended up walking hand-in-hand without either of us suggesting it.
The topic of conversation was how we would date from now on.
“Then what if I go to your house after school? And you can read your book, so we can just relax together!”
“Well, but I’d feel bad about that. I think I’d really just be reading the whole time.”
“It’s fine! Just being in the same room is fun. Or are you not satisfied with just being together?”
“…No. I’m not dissatisfied.”
“Then let’s be together. And if you feel like it, we can chat sometimes. Besides, I have manga I want to read, and I want to study, too.”
“…I see. Okay, thanks.”
Since that day, Yunagi-san and I have been persistently discussing things like how often and how we should meet.
We share our feelings, confirm them with each other, and search for our own way of dating.
This is what we needed right now.
“Hee-hee. Then we have to decide when to meet, too. Well, I’m fine with every day.”
“Every day is impossible. I have my part-time job.”
“Oh, right. Then on the days you have your job, I should go, to the bakery.”
“No. It’s embarrassing.”
“Ehh, but I want to see you in an apron.”
Back then, Hoshino-san and I couldn’t do that.
Even though we were supposed to be together because we cared about each other, we valued different things.
We couldn’t bridge the gap even when we noticed it, and in the end, we both just got hurt.
The past must be used to inform the present.
Otherwise, we can never move forward.
And sometimes, we even lose sight of which way is forward.
And before we know it, we can’t go back.
I’m done with that.
“Sakuraba-kun!”
Suddenly, Yunagi-san jumped a step ahead of me and peeked at my face.
Her big eyes and beautifully shaped nose were right in front of me, and my heart still skipped a beat.
“…What’s wrong?”
“If… something you don’t like happens, tell me right away, okay?”
“…Yeah, I know. You, too. I can’t say I’ll fix it, but I’ll listen properly.”
When I said that, Yunagi-san nodded with a huge smile.
I was drawn in, and I, too, smiled, which is unlike me.
“Tell me when there’s something you want me to do, too, okay? Oh, but no lewd stuff yet.”
“Hey. Don’t say things like that outside.”
“No one’s listening.”
“That’s not the point.”
“…But it’s okay after a little while?”
“Give me a break.”
“…You don’t want to?”
“…No comment.”
“Wh-y-!”
“Oh, you’re so loud.”
We pulled each other’s hands, bumping into each other and then pulling apart.
What are we even doing, in the middle of the road?
I guess we’re both just completely giddy.
I definitely can’t let Shirato-san see us like this.
“…Hey.”
“What is it now?”
I’m sure we’ll have a lot of misunderstandings from now on.
We’ll make a lot of mistakes, cry a lot, and fight a lot.
But with Yunagi-san.
“I love you, Sakuraba-kun.”
“…”
We’ll be more considerate, talk more, listen more.
We can make it work, together. I want to make it work.
As long as I can think of that.
I should be able to face any problem head-on.
“Me too.”
So, let’s cherish it.
My feelings.
The things I love.
This wonderful girl I love.
“S-…Say it again!”
For her sake.
And most importantly, for my own.
“I said, I love you.”
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