CH 46

Kiri’s Perspective (3)

I walked slowly to the station roundabout with Yui-chan under the umbrella.

At first, I tried to resist looking back, but it was of no use.

I looked behind me and saw Nagi-kun and Takane-san walking to the station. It didn’t matter if it was a plastic umbrella from a convenience store, it looked so picturesque.

–I wish I had asked him to wait for me that day.

–I might have kept him waiting. But if only I could have told him that I still wanted him to stay with me…

“Kiri-chan, I’m here for you.”

I heard Yui-chan’s voice and came back to myself.

I was worried that Yui-chan, who was walking beside me, might be crying – But that was unnecessary worry.

Yui-chan was smiling pleasantly, as if she didn’t care if it was raining.

“I along with tens of thousands… No, hundreds of thousands of fans, we love you so much, Kiri-chan.”

“…Was that a confession?”

“Yes, a confession. I am a person who never lets an opportunity like that pass me by.”

Seeing Yui-chan make a fool of herself like that, I laughed.

At that moment, something spilled onto her cheek.

It must be the rain droplets that were running down Yui-chan’s cheeks.

“Ahaha… I’m kind of emotionally broken. Your song was amazing, and I got to meet you, Kiri-chan… Nagisen also ran very fast. Takadera-kun and Ogishima-kun chased after him, huffing and puffing.”

“I see… Nagi-kun really is amazing.”

“But it was Nozomi-chan who kept pace with Nagisen the best.”

“…Is that so? It could have been Yui-chan, right?”

“Yeah, I guess so. That person is very kind.”

I know how you feel, Yui-chan. And those things that can’t be conveyed anymore.

The tickets for the radio viewing were for two people, but Yui-chan didn’t show up. I knew exactly why. I also knew that I did a terrible thing.

“Yeah… Nagisen is usually a good singer. But he looks like he’s not so great at all. That’s not very good.”

“You and I both know what’s good about Nagi-kun, Yui-chan. So…”

It was a lot of fun for all of us to be together as ‘friends’.

At first, it was just an excuse to allow myself to be around Nagi-kun, to be close to him.

But now,

I believe that friends have a way of expressing their feelings that only friends can do.

“…Yui-chan and I are comrades. Let’s keep working hard together from now on.”

“Yeah… I guess that’s the way it’s going to be. No, I’m just happy to think that I’ll be with Kiri-chan and Nozomi-chan until graduation.”

“A lot of things have happened, and more are to come. But… I think it’ll work out.”

“Could it be that Nagisen is somehow happy?”

“I hope he’s having fun, for that, we have to work hard.”

I hated the rain. Rain reminded me of that day.

But I didn’t mind the rain today at all. I had a friend next to me who felt the same way, and I was able to see him off with a smile.