Side: Sakuraba Haru – “If I Could Still Be a Princess”

In kindergarten, I was chosen to play the princess in a school play. But I switched roles with the kid playing the rock because she cried, knowing her mom was coming to watch.

My family never came to see me perform. No matter how hard I tried to be a princess, there was no one to cheer for me. It felt pointless.

Since that day, I’ve always felt like the things I want most are just out of reach.

I raced up the apartment stairs, arms full of supplies I’d frantically bought to nurse him back to health. Midoriya-kun’s door was ajar.

“…Midoriya-kun’s girlfriend?”

Supporting a breathless, struggling Midoriya-kun was a stunningly beautiful girl. Her meticulously cared-for black hair and porcelain skin stole my attention. Her eyes, gazing at him with fierce affection, radiated a strength I could never match.

Her clear, confident voice was the same one I’d heard over the phone yesterday.

The expensive cleansing oil and fancy hairdryer I’d used? They were hers, no doubt.

I stood there, stunned, as they disappeared into the apartment.

Something bumped my foot. I looked down. The shopping bag had slipped from my hands, and a sports drink had spilled out.

“Hah…”

I needed to pick it up. My brain knew that, but my body moved sluggishly, crouching as if in slow motion.

“…I’m such an idiot.”

I stared blankly at the bottle, my vision blurring until the label was unreadable.

“…Ugh, hic…”

This was punishment. For falling for someone with a girlfriend. For daring to wish he could be mine.

But what could I do? By the time I realized, it was too late to turn back.

“…Sob, ugh…”

I clamped a hand over my mouth, stifling my cries so they wouldn’t hear me inside.

I knew he had a girlfriend. But I didn’t get it, not really. In my world, a guy with a girlfriend doesn’t give another girl a ring or a spare key.

“If you’re not gonna make me your girlfriend, don’t give me a ring!”

I was so happy.

He remembered such a small thing I’d mentioned, even got it for me as a gift. For a moment, I let myself hope. Maybe things weren’t working out with his girlfriend. Maybe he liked me. But seeing them together crushed that dream. They looked so happy, I couldn’t even hold onto a shred of hope.

I was in my school uniform, hair and face a mess from waking up, kicked out with a text telling me not to come back. Now I was crouching on the stairs, pathetic.

It’s cruel, I thought. But then I realized—as a “friend” staying at a guy’s place who has a girlfriend, helping avoid misunderstandings was the least I could do. That thought brought more tears. My phone screen still glowed with his message.

I didn’t want anyone else to see him like that, weak and sick. I wanted to hide him away, to take care of him.

I could’ve made him nutritious meals, easy to swallow. I’d plan healthy menus every day to keep him from ever getting sick again.

He’s helped me so much. I just wanted to help him back.

“…Hic.”

I’d lost. A love doomed to fail from the start.

All I could do was give up. I fell for a guy with a girlfriend—nothing to be done. It’s my fault. Staying in love would only cause trouble.

I needed to move on, fast. Find someone new. Midoriya-kun’s not even my type. I like guys with life skills, who are smart, mature, put-together. He’s the opposite.

But could I really fall for someone like that?

“I love Shiki-kun because…”

Because he draws cats on omelet rice so well. Because he rides his bike slowly when I’m on the back. Because he always says “thank you” and “delicious” when I cook. Because he remembers the little things I say. Because his smile…

“His smile is so cute.”

If I’d fallen for him based on a checklist, I wouldn’t feel this way.

Tears fell onto the ring on my finger. I wiped them desperately.

When he gave me this ring, I felt like a princess.

“…No way.”

I couldn’t give up. There’s no one better out there.

Meals with Shiki-kun taste special. I want to eat with him forever, cook for him forever.

I work hard on my cooking because I want him to say it’s delicious.

Cooking is love. My food tastes good because I love him.

“It has to be Shiki-kun.”

I looked up, muttering through tears, emotions spilling like a broken faucet.

What I was about to do was awful. I knew it. But I wanted the right to be with him, even if it meant doing things unlike me.