Oneshot: After the Happy Ending

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https://ncode.syosetu.com/n6039ds

Translator: Soafp

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-Preface-

And so the two of them lived happily ever after.

The end.

Many fairy tales written for children end once the protagonists reach a happy conclusion. The prince and the princess meet, get married, and that's it. Everything after is skipped over, the story ends with an “End” mark, and everyone is satisfied, saying, “Ah, that's good, they lived happily ever after.”

But think about it. Can a prince and princess really live forever in happiness without a single problem?

For example, Cinderella.

She was the daughter of a fallen noble family, and after her father remarried, she lived as if she were just a servant.

She probably didn't receive the education she should have as a child once her father passed away. Education costs money and takes time. A girl treated as a servant likely received little to no noble upbringing.

Even if she was chosen by the prince, can she really live happily ever after without issues?

The prince, who had lived in luxury all his life, and the princess, who had lived like a servant. Clearly, their lifestyles, standards of living, and levels of education would be very different.

Of course, it's not Cinderella's fault. Nor is it the prince's fault for choosing her. But when you think about whether a kind-hearted girl alone can truly become the prince's consort, later queen, and mother of a nation, doubts immediately arise.

After all, you can't rule a country with love alone.

For example, Snow White.

Both a prince and a princess — no difference in rank like Cinderella. But Snow White was supposed to be the only daughter of her kingdom's king, the only keepsake of her late mother, the queen.

In her position, there's no way she would easily be allowed to marry into another country. Unless, of course, she got married without telling her homeland at all. But if that's the case, is such a queen consort really reliable?

Personally, my bigger question is this: if the prince fell in love with her while she was dead, will his love really last now that she's alive and no longer a corpse?

For example, Sleeping Beauty.

She too was a princess, but she slept for a hundred years. She didn't fall asleep before she had a sense of self, but at sixteen, already fully aware of herself.

Surely there would be a huge gap in knowledge and common sense. Think about it — over a hundred years, values and customs change dramatically. Living with someone whose worldview is that different would be tough, wouldn't it?

Even if fairies or kind witches lend a hand, some walls can't be overcome.

And this isn't just about Cinderella, Snow White, or Sleeping Beauty. It applies to many fairy tales. Given the historical settings, wars could break out easily. Especially in Snow White's case, would things really be fine?

Also, because of the nature of these stories, the romance is almost always love at first sight. Can marriages based on that really work out?

Cinderella just danced with him once. Snow White was literally dead.

Even though there are differences between the Brothers Grimm's original versions and the children's books passed down today, the main flow of the stories is the same.

In the end, they're just fairy tales. The details are never told, and maybe it's pointless to pick at them. As long as the ending says, “They lived happily ever after!” then that's all that matters.

But that's exactly why, in reality, “happily ever after” doesn't work.

“We've decided to break up.”

“……”

And that's why real-life couples break up so easily, isn't it? No, I don't want to understand this!

---

-1-

My twin brother, Eiji Kikuhara, and my best friend, Miyabi Nishino, started dating about two years ago, after our high school graduation ceremony.

Miyabi and I had been best friends since we were in the same class in our first year of middle school, and apparently, she fell in love with Eiji at first sight back then.

It's true that Eiji has a handsome face, even from my perspective as his twin, so a crush at first sight is understandable. On top of that, he's smart, athletic, and caring. It sounds biased coming from his sister, but he really is an excellent catch. I know plenty of girls besides Miyabi also liked him.

Back then, Miyabi was in the midst of an innocent, girlish crush. Even though being my best friend put her in a very advantageous position compared to other girls — since she had direct access to Eiji— she would blush and say, “Just seeing him makes me happy. Talking to him is impossible!”

She was so adorable that I genuinely wanted to cheer her on. That was the honest truth.

And since she was my best friend, she naturally had many chances to interact with Eiji. He and I were unusually close for siblings our age, so her feelings were obvious to him, too.

And yet, Eiji also seemed to feel the same way about her. It was a case of mutual but unspoken love.

But my cowardly little brother never had the courage to confess, leaving me the only one getting frustrated.

Then suddenly, after we entered high school, Miyabi changed.

It's one thing to say someone “seemed like a different person,” but she really did. It was like a doppelgänger had taken her place.

One day, she suddenly declared, “This is destiny! I was born to meet Eiji!”

It was as if everything she'd confessed to me before had never happened.

Of course, I didn't call her out on it — that would have felt unkind.

From then on, Miyabi started talking to Eiji actively and even asked me for advice: what he liked, what kind of fashion he preferred, what he thought about her.

The shy Miyabi who once said she could never speak to him — where did she go?

I'd always wanted her and Eiji to get together, so I didn't mind helping.

But she wasn't only talking to Eiji. She was also approaching other boys and often asked me for advice about them too. More than once, she invited other guys out on dates.

“Hey, Miyabi. Don't you like Eiji? Why are you approaching other boys? Are you planning to two-time them?”

I must have scolded her countless times, but her reply was always the same:

“No, no! They're all just friends. The only one I love is Eiji! You hang out with boys too sometimes, don't you?”

But I didn't. I was too busy looking after a certain someone. Sure, I hung out in groups, but never one-on-one.

At first, I thought maybe this was just her high school debut. But eventually, I started to wonder if she was possessed.

Eiji and I even sat her down a few times to ask what was going on, but for me she was a best friend, and for Eiji she was his crush. Neither of us could bring ourselves to say harsh words, and so nothing was ever resolved.

Still, high school boys are simple creatures. After a few dates, gifts, and chocolates, they fell for her easily. By the end of our second year, every boy she'd been approaching seemed to be in love with her.

Even though her chocolates on Valentine's Day clearly looked like obligatory ones.

I helped her make them, so I know. The difference between the “real one” and the obligatory ones was obvious.

Still, handmade chocolates are nice no matter what, I suppose.

(Wait… what did I do with the chocolates I made for myself that year? I think I gave them to Eiji, but I'm sure I made extras… oh well.)

Anyway, since I was her best friend, those boys started talking to me too — which was a nightmare. Worse, one of them was the boy I actually liked.

Instead of romance, he and I became friends. To this day, we're still close, maybe even closer than I am with Miyabi.

By autumn of our second year, I'd had enough and told everyone, “Just confess already.” But for some reason, no one did.

By the time we entered our third year, Miyabi had finally stopped chasing others and focused only on Eiji. He finally confessed at graduation, and of course she said yes.

But to me, it all felt like a farce.

Anyway, they started dating. But apparently, it didn't even last three years.

They came together just to tell me they broke up. So much for destiny.

“Thanks for the announcement. So, that's it?”

“What do you mean, ‘that's it'? You're so cold, Kazumi!”

“Come on. What else do you want me to say? You're not kids anymore. Break up if you want. I can take a hint.”

It was clear Miyabi wanted me to ask why. Eiji seemed ready to move on, but Miyabi still looked like she had feelings for him. After he said, “We decided to break up,” she pouted and glared at him.

Honestly, after everything that happened, maybe it was for the best.

Miyabi may be my best friend, but Eiji is my twin. We've been together since before we were even born. Between the two, I can't help but side with him.

And frankly, I can't be on Miyabi's side anymore.

Still, what does she expect me to say? Does she want to rub it in that I've never had a boyfriend? That my age equals my years of being single? That I accidentally turned my crush into a close friend instead?

Seriously, I was about to get ready to go out. I don't have time for this.

“Because, because—”

“So you just came to say you broke up, right? What else do you want from me? Do you want me to convince him for you?”

Normally, I can tolerate Miyabi's drawn-out way of speaking, but right now it only irritates me.

I know she doesn't mean any harm. We've known each other a long time, and I understand her personality. Still, once you start noticing something unpleasant, you can't stop focusing on it. So if possible, I'd really like her to just leave today. That's my sincere wish.

But seriously—why would you come together, all smiles, to announce, “We broke up”? Wouldn't it have been enough if just Eiji told me? He lives in the same house as me, after all.

Maybe I should pick out some accessories for today. I don't usually buy many for myself, but since I'm going out, I should dress up a little.

When I open the drawer where I keep them, I tilt my head in confusion.

…Wait, did I even own a ring like this?

“Hey, listen to me~!”

There are three rings I don't remember ever buying.

“Come on, don't ignore me!!”

Miyabi's shout snaps me out of my thoughts. She's clearly getting annoyed at how little I'm engaging with her.

“Look, it's not that I'm being mean. But if you want me to listen, at least make an appointment first, okay? Unfortunately, I'm not free all the time. I've got plans now, so I'd really like to head out. Sorry, but can you go home today?”

Even though I told her I was going out, Miyabi still lingers. Only after I let out a loud sigh does she finally, reluctantly, stand up.

Was she always this bad at reading the room? I can't shake the feeling her personality has really changed from before. I remember her as someone much more considerate, a truly kind girl.

---

-2-

“So? What was the reason you two broke up?”

“Wait, aren't you supposed to be going out?”

It seemed too cruel to let the girl he just dumped walk home alone, so I saw Miyabi off, then stormed into Eiji's room. He looked startled.

True, I'd told Miyabi I had plans, but I still had plenty of time before my meeting. Better to get this annoying conversation over with now than have it hanging over me later.

“I was just planning to leave early and kill time until the meeting, so it's fine. So? What's the reason?”

“Ah… I guess you'd call it a personality mismatch.”

“…What? Now, after all this time?”

A breakup over “incompatible personalities”?!

I pressured him to just spit it out already, and finally he opened his mouth—only to say that?

If they had just started dating and realized they couldn't get along, or if they had moved in together and discovered traits they couldn't handle, I'd understand. But they've been together for two years. And Eiji still lives at home with me.

To say “personality mismatch” now feels absurd.

Well… given Miyabi's personality shift when she entered high school, I can't deny the possibility that she changed again once she started university.

“…Two years, huh.”

“What about it?”

“…I just don't know if what Miyabi and I had was really a relationship.”

“Wasn't it? You confessed at graduation, she said yes, and then you started dating, right?”

“Yeah, that's true, but still…”

I've never had a boyfriend, so I can't define exactly what counts as “dating.” But if someone says, “I like you, please go out with me,” and the other person agrees, isn't that a relationship?

Eiji sounded evasive, like he was hiding something. When I pressed him, he finally admitted:

“A little after we started university… I saw her. Walking arm-in-arm with other guys. More than one.”

She cheated that fast?!

I froze in shock, and Eiji let out a long sigh, as if releasing all his bottled-up resentment.

“Wait… you mean those guys? Your so-called rivals from high school—the ‘cheerful bunch'?”

“Don't call them that. Though… yeah, they are cheerful. Honestly, if it had been them, it would've been easier. At least I was prepared for that.”

So he knows they're the “cheerful bunch.” We've called them that for ages, but I didn't expect him to admit it himself. And by the way, Eiji, you're plenty cheerful too.

Honestly, I kind of wish I hadn't asked.

But wait. Earlier, Miyabi looked like she still had strong feelings for him.

“…She did prioritize her promises with you, right? She only went out with them when she had no plans with you?”

“Whenever she said she already had plans, it was always with a guy.”

“And what did she say when you confronted her?”

“The usual.”

—That she only loves Eiji, and the others are just friends.

Of course.

“So after two years of this, you finally snapped and brought up breaking up.”

“I actually started trying last year, but Miyabi never accepted it. That's why it dragged out until today. Even when I told her I'd explain things to you myself, she insisted on coming too…”

“Ah, so she wanted me to convince you to change your mind. That explains her attitude on the way out.”

“…I don't want a girlfriend for a while.”

Eiji muttered that he wasn't even sure if Miyabi had ever really been his girlfriend. His face looked worn out, and I regretted not keeping better communication with him.

Where did the Miyabi from middle school go? Back then, she was shy and said, “Just seeing him makes me happy.” If she had stayed that way, I would have supported her wholeheartedly and maybe even sided with her.

But the Miyabi now… honestly, the word that comes to mind is “sl*t-in-training.” Maybe not even “in-training.”

“Wait, what? Even in that state, she still didn't want to break up? From the way she looked earlier, it seemed like she was reluctantly going along with it.”

“…I don't get what she's thinking anymore.”

Sorry, I don't either.

All I know is that I still don't understand her, even as an adult.

It's frustrating. Why am I even still her friend?

“Ugh, who am I supposed to vent this to? Takahashi? Should I just unload on him? I'm seeing him today anyway, so maybe that's the best time, right? That's fine, right?!”

“No, don't. Poor Toshiya. He doesn't meet up with you just to listen to your whining.”

“Sure, but a real friend should be able to handle a little ranting, right?”

“Friend, huh…”

“What?”

Takahashi Toshiya—Eiji's “cheerful bunch” member number one, my former crush, and maybe now my closest friend, closer even than Miyabi. I worked hard to shift my feelings from romance to friendship, and now we meet up for meals or drinks about twice a month.

Eiji knows this. But wait… does he mean Toshiya doesn't see me as a friend?

What a painful thought. After all that effort to change my feelings, only to find out he never thought of me as a friend at all? I'd cry. No, I will cry.

“Because Toshiya is, you know…”

“You know what?”

“Ah, well… today, you'll see.”

“Today?”

“…Forget it. That's his issue to handle.”

“…?”

Saying “forget it” only makes me more curious. What does “that” mean? What issue? And what about “today”?

But fine. For now, I'll set it aside. Even though I'm really curious.

“Anyway, leaving Toshiya aside. Sorry, I've got to get ready now or I'll be late.”

“Ah, if you're seeing him, tell him about the breakup with Miyabi.”

“Are you sure?”

“It's going to come up eventually. Better for you to say it now. Just turn it into a funny story.”

“That's not funny at all.”

Still, really… Miyabi feels like a different person entirely. Back in middle school, she seemed to love Eiji purely and sincerely.

Changed? No, more like replaced.

“Oh, Kazumi.”

“What?”

As I opened the door to leave, Eiji called out.

“Don't make the same mistake as I did.”

…The same mistake?

“What do you mean?”

“Exactly what I said. I think I made a mistake. Back then, I really thought I liked Miyabi. But now, looking back, I think that was wrong. It was probably just an illusion.”

“…What do you mean by that?”

“You noticed it too, right? How her personality suddenly changed when she started high school.”

“…Yeah. To the point it felt like she was a completely different person.”

That was something we'd talked about many times back then. There's no way I could forget.

“I really did like the Miyabi from middle school. That much is certain. But the Miyabi after high school wasn't the same girl I fell for. I knew it in my head, but… she clung to me so much, gave me things on my birthday and Valentine's, always invited me out. She made her feelings so obvious that somewhere along the way, my heart must've glitched. I convinced myself, ‘I love Miyabi Nishino.'”

“…”

“I made the mistake and failed in the end, but you—don't make the same mistake. Be honest with yourself. Friendship and love are different. Well, I think you'll be fine, Kazumi.”

I tilted my head, not understanding what Eiji was getting at. He simply said, “Sorry for holding you up,” and lay down on his bed. Maybe he was going to sulk and sleep it off.

“…I'm heading out.”

“Yeah, have fun.”

“Thanks. I'll be back around nine.”

“'Kay.”

With that, I left his room.

There wasn't anything more for me to say. It seemed Eiji had already sorted out his feelings for Miyabi, and now that things were resolved, he looked relieved.

The real problem is me.

Now that I know the reason for the breakup, can I still treat Miyabi as my best friend?

Either way, Eiji and Miyabi's story didn't end with “and they lived happily ever after.” Well, that's reality for you.

---

-3-

“So, Kazumi, what did you think when you heard all that?”

“Hmm…?”

After finishing my talk with Eiji, I changed out of my loungewear, put on makeup, checked my wallet, and left the house. Even though I arrived at the meeting spot fifteen minutes early, Takahashi was already there, which gave me that familiar sense of defeat.

I always try to get there early, but he still always beats me. It's really frustrating.

Seriously, how early does he get here? If fifteen minutes isn't enough, do I need to come twenty minutes early? Twenty-five? But that would make me look like I was too excited and couldn't wait. That'd be embarrassing.

Not that I'm not excited.

We met up and went to the Italian restaurant he had reserved. We leaned over the menu together, discussing what to order. It wasn't a fancy place with set courses, just a casual restaurant that students could afford.

In the end, we couldn't choose between pizza or pasta, so we ordered both to share.

While waiting for the food, I started venting to him about the day. Normally, a breakup story isn't something you spread around, but since Eiji told me to pass it on, it should be fine.

Eventually, my rant was turning into straight-up badmouthing Miyabi, so I stopped talking.

“Eiji seems fine with it, so that's good. But I'm not sure if I can stay calm when Miyabi tries to talk to me.”

Judging from her earlier attitude, Miyabi would probably want to talk again soon—maybe as early as tomorrow, either by phone or in person. Clearly, she hadn't accepted the breakup.

“In middle school, I was biased toward Miyabi, but now I'm definitely on Eiji's side. After hearing all that, there's no way I can calmly listen to her.”

“Of course,” Takahashi said, finishing his glass of wine.

He usually drinks beer, but tonight, we both went with wine to match the atmosphere of the restaurant.

I stared at him across the table. He tilted his head slightly with a soft smile and said, “Hmm?” That little gesture made my heart skip.

(Takahashi is just a friend, Takahashi is just a friend, Takahashi is just a friend…!)

I quickly shifted my gaze to my glass, repeating the mantra to myself. This racing heartbeat was nothing—it was just the alcohol.

It's fine. I'm fine. I've already given up on him. These are feelings of friendship, not love. Friendship, not love.

Though the fact that I have to remind myself this hard probably means I haven't completely let go. But no, I've let go. I have.

The truth is, I'm so simple that a little thing could make me fall for him all over again. Which just shows how much I liked him in the first place. Still, I don't want that. Being friends lets us meet like this often, and I don't want to lose that.

Talking with him is fun. Being together is comfortable. That's why I want to keep this friendship as it is.

“What's wrong, Kazumi?”

“Nothing.”

“Really?”

I closed my eyes for a moment and took a deep breath. By the time I looked up, my heartbeat had calmed down. I was used to this self-conditioning by now.

Still… wow. He's ridiculously handsome. Why is a guy like him here, with me, in a stylish Italian place like this? It's not too fancy, but for students it's definitely a “nice” restaurant.

It's not really the kind of place you'd take just a friend. Almost every other table was a couple.

Not that I'm complaining—I'm glad to have dinner with him. But still, isn't this the kind of place you'd normally come with a girlfriend? I'd be jealous if he got one.

Well, considering our age and how we look together, I bet people around us assume we're a couple.

Of course, I can't go announcing, “Oh, this guy? He's my old crush who liked my best friend, but now we're just drinking buddies!” No one cares that much anyway.

If Eiji is the cute type, Takahashi is the refined handsome type. Honestly, his skin is so flawless it's unfair. What skincare do you even use, man? Tell me.

He's tall, with a lean but toned build—though he's not that athletic, his body is trained. I know because when I jokingly punched his stomach once, it didn't even budge.

We met in our first year of high school, through Eiji. We became friends, and before I knew it, I had fallen for him.

But before I realized, Miyabi was always by his side. The two of them would chat happily, and I hated seeing it. Even so, they'd notice me and come over, which meant I couldn't avoid it.

I never knew what they thought of it, but honestly, back then it hurt.

…And now, as I recall all that, I notice Takahashi staring at me.

“W-what?”

“Hm? Just thinking you haven't changed. I heard Eiji told you not to ‘make the same mistake,' but I think you're fine as you are. Even if it looks like a mistake to others, sometimes it isn't one to the person themselves.”

He narrowed his eyes and laughed warmly.

I didn't understand what was so funny. Tilting my head, I asked, but he brushed it off with, “Just stay the way you are, Kazumi.”

That annoyed me, so I stared right back at him.

With my glass of wine in hand, I admired his handsome face.

Yep. Still ridiculously good-looking. Totally my type. Even aside from romantic feelings, he's objectively good-looking.

“W-what?”

“I was just thinking—you're as handsome as ever.”

“W-what?!”

I only said what came to mind, but he panicked. His face turned red. He's not the type who flushes from alcohol, so he must just be embarrassed.

He's been called handsome plenty of times since high school—so why blush now?

“Calm down. Why are you so flustered?”

“Because—you said something weird!”

“What weird thing?”

“Calling me… handsome.”

“…Eh? That's nothing new. You've been told that countless times, right?”

Of course he had. He was popular in high school, though fewer girls confessed since Miyabi was always clinging to him. Still, there were plenty who liked him—including me.

So why was he blushing now, turning his face away while hiding his mouth?

“…I've never heard it from you.”

“…Huh? Really?”

I could've sworn I'd said it before—at least in my head, I did all the time.

But for some reason, he was so embarrassed over something that small.

While I was staring at him in exasperation, our pasta and pizza arrived. I quickly split the pasta into two plates and cut the pizza.

“Come on, let's eat while it's hot. Cold pizza's just sad.”

“…Why are you so calm about this?”

“Why are you so flustered?”

He mumbled something under his breath for a while, but eventually, seeing me calmly eating pasta and nibbling pizza, he seemed to give up.

Exactly. When good food's in front of you, that's where your focus should be.

We enjoyed our meal all the way through dessert, then left the restaurant. We split the bill, of course.

At first, he tried to pay it all, but I told him, “There's no reason to treat me when it's just a meal between friends.” He looked a little sad, but accepted.

“…Hey, Kazumi.”

He finally started to say something, but just then, both our phones rang.

I answered mine—it was Eiji. He said he was drinking and told me to drop by if I had time. Since I'd told him when I'd be home, he must've decided to invite me.

Turns out Takahashi got the same call—from one of Eiji's “cheerful bunch.” Everyone was out drinking together.

We both replied that we'd come and headed to the bar.

When I asked what he was about to say earlier, he just gave a vague smile and said, “Nothing.”

---

-4-

“Hey! Over here!”

“Wow, it's been a while~!”

When we arrived at the place everyone was drinking, the group was already pretty tipsy, chatting and laughing loudly.

Conveniently, there were two open seats side by side, so Takahashi and I sat down. When the waiter came, I ordered, “Two draft beers for now.” No one else had finished their drinks yet, and if they wanted more, they'd order themselves. That was always how we did it.

The good thing about beer is it comes quickly. Unlike cocktails, which can take a while.

“Well then, now that Kazumi and Toshiya are here, let's celebrate Eiji's breakup! Cheers again!”

“Cheers!”

Celebrate it, huh.

Well, if Eiji had already told them everything before we arrived, I could see why they'd want to toast like that.

But apparently, it wasn't Eiji—it was Miyabi herself who had contacted them. What the heck? Was that her way of flaunting her new “freedom”? Or fishing for sympathy, like, poor me, I got dumped by Eiji, comfort me~?

…Crap. I think I really am starting to hate Miyabi. Or maybe I already do.

Calm down, me. I haven't even heard her side yet. I can't just decide everything based only on Eiji's words, even if I have a feeling she'd only confirm it anyway.

“But yeah, honestly, I figured this would happen sooner or later.”

“Same here.”

“You all thought so too?”

“Yeah. I saw Nishino a few times, walking all chummy with guys other than Eiji.”

“Me too.”

“Same.”

…Wait, what? How many of them saw this!?

“For the record, I saw her just now on the way here. She noticed me too, I think.”

“What!? I didn't notice her at all!”

So apparently, we'd just narrowly missed bumping into Miyabi.

“Maybe it's better you didn't see her. Wouldn't you have lost your cool if you saw Nishino clinging to another guy the very same day she broke up with Eiji?”

I was speechless.

Wait—what? She was sulking about the breakup earlier, and now, on the same day, she's arm-in-arm with some other guy? Was that all an act?

Seriously, what's with her?

As the guys kept talking, I felt this strange discomfort—like a fishbone stuck in my throat.

From what I knew, all of them used to like Miyabi. Even if it wasn't romantic love, they definitely had positive feelings for her. But now, listening to them talk, it sounded like they were all resentful of her. Why?

“…Hey, didn't you all really like Miyabi? What happened to that?”

“Well, yeah, that’s…”

So what, they didn't actually like her? Don't tell me that, please. That would make me feel like my entire three years of high school were a waste.

Collecting info on guys I wasn't even interested in, just to support her—it was exhausting. Back then, I didn't even know their names, let alone who they were.

“Looking back now, it feels like I was dreaming.”

“Dreaming?”

“Yeah. Like a fleeting dream. Honestly, Miyabi's not even my type.”

“Right? We all have different types, but somehow we all ended up liking her. People say the person you like isn't always your ‘type,' and sure, but… I think I woke up from the dream after a certain moment.”

“What moment?”

“…I saw something I shouldn't have. And I realized it was just a passing illusion. I don't like easy girls.”

At those words—“I saw something I shouldn't have”—everyone seemed to understand. The finishing blow was the word “easy.”

“…A hotel?”

“Yeah. More than once, actually. And with multiple guys. …Hey, Kazu-chan, don't spell it out like that! I was trying to soften it!”

So not just a “potential sl*t,” but already a full-blown one.

And if he'd seen her going in and out of hotels that many times, it meant he was hanging around near those places a lot too… but I wasn't going to question that.

Honestly, Miyabi was becoming more and more unrecognizable to me. Or maybe I'd just never really seen her for who she was.

Eventually, the conversation shifted into love talk. It was basically a guys' night-turned-girls' night, since they were reminiscing about how they'd all liked the same girl once.

From what I heard, they were all still popular even now, but the heartbreak of high school left a scar.

…Well, I get it. But come on, I managed to move on. They should too. Though honestly, it seemed like they'd erased the whole thing from their minds.

“In the end, the only one who handled it well was Takahashi.”

“Yeah. If we don't count Eiji, then yeah.”

“Mine was just a youthful mistake, okay?”

…Huh?

I was only half-listening, but those words made me freeze mid-sip of beer.

“So you were the first one to wake up from the dream, huh?”

…Wait, what?

I glanced at Takahashi. He just gave a wry smile and sipped his beer.

“You damn normies!”

…Normies? As in, relationship normies?

“Takahashi, you had a girlfriend!?”

“Huh?”

“What!?”

I blurted it out, staring at him in shock. Suddenly, everyone but Eiji and Takahashi turned to look at me.

“Wait, wait, what? Did I miss some big announcement? Didn't we all hear about Takahashi getting a girlfriend? Huh? Did I… what?”

“Kazu-chan, are you serious? Or did I just suddenly go deaf?”

“I am serious! Wait, what? Did I… huh?”

Something was very, very wrong. Our perceptions weren't just slightly different—they were completely out of sync.

So… Takahashi had a girlfriend. Everyone knew about it. Everyone except me.

The answer had to come from him. I turned to look—and he just gave me another wry smile and patted my head.

…Now's not the time for that, you idiot!

“Didn't I tell you earlier? You're fine just the way you are.”

“Toshiya, I'm looking forward to the day you become my brother-in-law. Though the real problem here is Kazumi. You two need to go talk this out.”

“Wait—I'm the problem? How!?”

I stared back and forth between Eiji and Takahashi—calm Takahashi, pushy Eiji. When I turned to the others for help, they all avoided my eyes, sighed, shrugged, or buried themselves in menus.

So no one was going to save me.

“Fine, fine. I'll talk with her. But if this messes things up, Eiji, I'll never forgive you.”

“It'll be fine. If it's about Kazumi, it'll be fine. Trust me.”

“…Jeez. Come on, Kazumi, let's go.”

Takahashi stood up. Confused and panicked, I followed his lead, stumbling to my feet.

“Sorry, can you cover the bill for us? Kazumi, come on.”

“Uh—huh? Wha—?”

He took my hand casually and led me outside.

Completely lost, I could only follow, my heart racing. I tried not to think about his hand holding mine, forcing my brain to focus.

Think. Just think. Otherwise, my heart's going to explode!

And wait—this proves I never really gave up on him! Damn it! What face am I supposed to make next time I see him!?

From the way they were talking, it sounded like Takahashi had a girlfriend. I didn't know, but everyone else did. Someone even said “you normies,” implying there were two of them.

But among the group, there weren't any other girls. Just me.

Which means—the answer is obvious, isn't it? But… seriously?

I looked up at the back of Takahashi's head as he walked ahead of me. But I couldn't tell what he was thinking.

---

-5-

We walked in silence until we reached the fountain plaza by the station.

The trees were lit with beautiful illuminations, but strangely, no one else was around.

I couldn't help thinking: why was I here, holding hands with Takahashi?

“What are you overthinking now?”

“Um… were we… dating?”

He urged me to sit on the fountain's edge. Sitting beside me, he leaned in and looked into my face.

His gaze was unexpectedly gentle, and it made my heart pound uncontrollably.

“Calm down and listen, okay? Do you remember how many times I confessed to you?”

“…What!?”

He squeezed my hand—still held since we left—slowly but firmly. The words he spoke sank in too slowly, so I had to replay them in my head.

How many times did I confess?

Wait… what?

That means—I was confessed to. By him?

“…Huh?”

“The first time was on the second day of our school trip. I confessed, and your face turned bright red as you said you liked me too. The next day, during free time, we went around together. Do you remember?”

“…I… don't.”

“Yeah. I figured.”

The school trip. Day two, a confession… and I said I liked him too? We spent the third day together?

What is that bittersweet memory supposed to be?

I had no recollection. My school trip was… wait.

“…I don't… remember anything.”

Hearing me mutter that, Takahashi's face turned sad, resigned, indescribable.

But I couldn't even focus on him—I was too shocked at myself.

The school trip is a major event in high school. For us, it was during May of our third year, over Golden Week. Destination: Kyoto. A classic spot, like Okinawa or Hokkaido.

I remembered that much. But the actual memories of being there—were completely gone.

“The next time was on your birthday. Then Christmas Eve. And the last time in high school—graduation day.”

“…I don't… remember any of them.”

“I know.”

I couldn't process any of it.

According to Takahashi, after each confession, I would remember for a few days. But exactly eight days later, I'd forget everything—the confession, the fact we were dating, all of it.

What kind of convenient amnesia is that? Even being told it was about me, I could hardly believe it. But Takahashi wasn't the type to lie about something like this.

I trembled, feeling sick, terrified. He squeezed my hand harder—not enough to hurt, but enough to feel like he was telling me, It's okay.

“At first, I was confused too. I even asked Eiji for advice. But by Christmas of senior year, I realized there was nothing I could do.”

“…But—I thought you liked Miyabi?”

“I honestly don't get why you've been convinced of that all this time. To me, Nishino was just your best friend, and Eiji's girlfriend.”

“…Really?”

“Really. I've only ever liked you, Kazumi. Why else would I book a restaurant on Christmas Eve to take you out? Still don't believe me? What will it take for you to believe?”

“…I…”

How could I answer that? My head hadn't even caught up yet. I hadn't even realized today was Christmas Eve.

“Well, I'm not in a rush. You might forget again, or maybe this time you won't. I don't know what'll happen. But if you stay the same Kazumi you've always been, that's enough for me.”

“…Why?”

“Because…”

–If nothing has changed since then, does that mean Kazumi still loves me?

He whispered in my ear like that, and I opened and closed my mouth, trying to say something, but no words came out.

“W-what are you saying…”

“Look, maybe you don't realize it yourself, but your whole body is screaming that you like me, Kazumi.”

“T-that's not…”

“By the way, the last time I confessed and we were dating was only two months ago. I know you're not the kind of person who can switch your feelings so easily. That's why I'm not worried. If you just stay the same, that's enough for me.”

I quickly looked down.

My face was hot. Burning hot. My ears too—I was sure of it!

I haven't moved on at all! This isn't friendship—it's still love! Still love!!

Oh no…

“But well, it'd be better if you didn't forget this time.”

As he said that, Takahashi took my left hand, and something cold touched my pinky.

I didn't even need to look to know what it was.

A ring.

“I was planning to give this to you if you said yes when I confessed again tonight. Will you accept it?”

There's no way anyone could say no in this situation.

I nodded up and down vigorously, and from beside me came a deeply relieved, “I'm glad.”

When I glanced at him, Takahashi was slipping a ring onto his own left pinky finger.

“Matching rings…”

“Yeah. I thought if you forget again, maybe seeing yours and mine together would remind you.”

“Th-thank you.”

Why do I keep forgetting things like this?

I didn't know. But Takahashi—who should've been angry at me—just smiled as he lightly touched my ring finger and said, “That one's for someday in the future.” My heart pounded so hard I thought it might stop right then.

“…If you hate it, you should resist properly, okay?”

“Huh?”

Already overwhelmed, about to burst from nerves, I sensed something even heavier coming.

W-what's he going to do!? I raised my face in shock and saw Takahashi's smiling face.

“…”

“If you don't resist, I'll just do it again, you know?”

It was only a light touch before he pulled away.

Unable to fully process what just happened, I could only stare at his amused smile as he kissed me again—a little longer this time.

When the third one came, I thought, Wait, am I supposed to close my eyes for this? and finally shut them.

On the fourth, he lightly bit my lower lip. By the fifth, I gave up completely—“I can't take this anymore!”—waving my mental white flag.

Takahashi, perfectly composed, just smiled, “Too bad.”

Meanwhile, I was on the verge of collapsing.

“Si-since when?”

“Hmm?”

“Since when… did you like me?”

“Hmm… maybe summer of second year? But the finishing blow was Valentine's Day.”

He said it all started on Valentine's Day of our first year.

Apparently, the “homemade chocolates” Miyabi gave him weren't actually hers—they were mine.

“Eiji showed me the ones he got from Nishino, and they were totally different. Then he looked at mine and said, ‘That's Kazumi's.' He even showed me the ones you gave him, and they were exactly the same. You made truffles, right? I tasted one, and it was identical.”

That was less a spark of affection and more the beginning of doubt about Miyabi. Still, it was a turning point.

I hadn't known. Miyabi… what was she thinking? Taking my chocolates and pretending they were hers? Unbelievable.

“And they were really delicious. Until then, you were just Eiji's twin sister in my eyes. But after that… something started to change, little by little. And before I knew it…”

“Before you knew it…”

“Yeah. Before I knew it. That's how it is when you fall for someone, isn't it?”

Well, that's true. I don't really know when I started liking Takahashi either.

“The others kept saying Nishino was sweet and cute, but to me she was just boy-crazy. Honestly, I think I was her number two. Eiji was always first. Getting homemade chocolate scores a lot of points, especially with simple high school guys. So, since her homemade went to Eiji, she gave me yours while pretending she made it. That's what I think.”

He looked completely exasperated. Not at me, but still—it wasn't a face I wanted to see on him. I tugged on his sleeve, and he quickly softened again.

“Anyway… I hope this is the last time I ever have to say it. Kazumi Kikuhara, I love you. Please go out with me.”

“…Yes.”

---

The End

The next day, just as expected, Miyabi called me. I stayed quiet and listened as she insisted that she still only loved Eiji, that everyone else was just a friend, and begged me to help convince him not to break up with her.

So I asked, calmly:

“If Eiji is the only one you love, then why do you keep doing things that hurt him?”

“What? Hurt him? Like what?”

That was her answer.

And then she said:

“Oh, by the way, yesterday you went on a date with Toshiya, didn't you? He's handsome too! He was really happy when I gave him Valentine's chocolates back then. Maybe I should invite him out again! He turned me down before, but since he went on a date with you, he'll definitely go with me now, right?”

“…Miyabi.”

“Yeah?”

“Back in high school… did you know I liked Takahashi?”

“Of course! You're my best friend. Obviously I knew.”

Hearing that, the world went dark.

“You knew your best friend liked him… and you still did all that?”

“Hmm?”

“You'd ask me for advice about dates with him. You'd ask me what he thought. You did that even knowing how I felt?”

“Well yeah, because you're Kazumi. That's your role. And besides, you weren't actually dating him, were you?”

That was it.

I'd thought I can't take this anymore many times before, but never like now. A role? Was I just her supporting act?

She would never understand. No matter what I said, she would never understand.

And before I knew it, I said:

“I'm dating him.”

“Huh?”

“Toshiya and I are dating.”

“What? Don't be silly! Kazumi, are you dreaming? Toshiya likes me, not you.”

“How can you be so sure? Yesterday was Christmas Eve. You don't spend that night on a date with someone you're not together with.”

It was laughable, since I hadn't even realized it was Christmas Eve at the time. But still, I could say it now—I love Takahashi, and he feels the same.

“Come on, Kazumi. You're not being rational. Toshiya likes me. If I invite him out, he'll come, anytime.”

“You can believe what you want, but I'm done. I can't keep doing this. Consider this my last warning as a former friend—let go of that delusion. And don't ever contact me again. I'm cutting ties. Goodbye, Miyabi Nishino. I really did like you, back in middle school.”

“Wait, Kazumi—”

I hung up. Blocked her. Deleted her from my contacts.

It was drastic, but I couldn't take it anymore.

Maybe, to Miyabi, I was never really a friend at all. And by then, I didn't see her as one either.

Once I deleted her, I felt lighter than ever.

Later, on New Year's Day—eight days after Christmas Eve—I showed Takahashi the matching ring on my pinky. He smiled so brightly and hugged me tight in public without a care.

Why did I always forget about him before? Why could I finally remember now?

The conclusion the three of us—me, Toshiya, and Eiji—came to was ridiculous, but maybe true: it was because I cut ties with Miyabi.

Eiji broke up with her. I cut her off. Then the rest of the group distanced themselves too. With no more connection to her, I stopped forgetting.

Maybe it sounds absurd. But nothing else had changed. And since then, I've never forgotten.

Me and Toshiya—we fought sometimes, made up sometimes, but we stayed together.

We even joked, “Maybe Miyabi cursed us,” but honestly… I don't think that's so far off. Once I let go of her, I was free.

Happily ever after only lasts if you work for it.

Eiji and Miyabi failed.

But me and Toshiya? I still hope we'll live “happily ever after.”