V5 Interlude 2: Beyond Love

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Translator: Soafp

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[Shiori PoV]

[Yeah, next time when we have more time. It was really nice to talk to you after so long! See you.]

I touched the end call button on my smartphone and let out an involuntary sigh. I sat down on my bed, feeling a bit lost. Happy… huh. I couldn’t help but let out a wry smile at such a boring social nicety.

A classmate from middle school. But we weren’t particularly close. We were in different classes.

Until today, we hadn't had any notable interactions or connections. Yet…

“Do I really have this many acquaintances?”

I have a fair number of friends and get along well with my classmates, but there’s a limit to everything. At least, the person I was talking to earlier didn't fall within that scope.

“They say you get more acquaintances when you win the lottery.”

It's a famous old rumor. And probably true. When you win a large sum, unknown relatives appear and people you had no prior connection with suddenly reach out to you. It's a well-known story.

Indeed, it matches my current situation. Human worth must be something like that.

Recently, I've been getting contacted more often by former classmates and acquaintances, both male and female. Sometimes I couldn't match their faces with names and had to check the yearbook.

It's quite materialistic, but it's because the value of me, Shiori Kamishiro, has increased.

I appear attractive to others. It's embarrassingly arrogant to admit, but from an objective viewpoint, that's the only conclusion. Value is determined by others.

You can only decide to live a life of value. The value itself is determined by those around you.

If being attractive to someone means being valuable, then maybe I should be happy about how others perceive me.

“It's all just a facade… isn't it?”

If that value was something I had built up myself, I might have confidence in it.

But it's not. This temporary value is uncomfortable and burdensome.

Somehow, Yuki had become an influencer. And as if being swept along by Yuki, not just me, but Miho-kun and others ended up experiencing various things.

Collaborating with companies, shooting commercials—everything was new and a series of firsts. This summer was so impressive that it might be the only one like this in my lifetime. It was fun, dazzling, and brilliant.

“But—that’s not me.”

In essence, I was like Yuki's accessory. Just illuminated by his light.

Benefiting from him, enjoying the perks, and basking in his glory.

Because I did nothing. Every time someone told me, “Shiori-chan, you're amazing!” or looked at me with admiration, I wanted to avert my eyes. From my own worthlessness.

“Yuki is amazing.”

I looked at a photo of Yuki saved on my phone. He was expressionless, but dignified.

I felt a sense of awe. And at the same time, I recognized it. How empty I was.

I asked Yuki,

[Can I not make you happy?]

There was no way Yuki could answer that. But maybe I already knew the answer.

—That's why I asked out of fear. And Yuki's silence was the answer.

I can't make Yuki happy. That's the reality.

Yuki has accumulated an immense value. I, who have done nothing, have no value.

How could someone like me make Yuki happy?

“…I can't, not as I am now.”

Even if Yuki accepted my confession, if things remained the same, eventually the inferiority complex would become unbearable and crush me. Because I think I'm not worthy of him.

An unequal relationship, merely one where I’m being protected. I’ve forced Yuki into an unpleasant role.

He rejected my confession. I understand that it was his kindness.

That’s why I can’t give up. Because I haven’t made Yuki happy yet.

We’re not standing on the same ground. This is an unfair battle. I’m just a spectator watching from the sidelines.

“But I don’t want to stay a sub-heroine forever.”

I will step onto the main stage. With trembling legs but a brave heart, I will become the main character.

I will hold my head high and live a life of value, for that purpose. A bubbling sense of determination surges within me.

I’m not strong enough yet, not as a partner to walk alongside in this world.

“I’ll find it. I’ll discover my value—”

I tear my gaze away from Yuki’s back and take a step forward into the vast world.

“Whew, it’s so hot.”

I fan myself with my hand and wipe the sweat with a towel.

After finishing club activities and leaving the gym, the sunlight seems to sap my strength.

I’m not overly obsessed with having fair skin, but I’ve started to care about my appearance like any other person. I don't want my skin to peel and look rough.

It’s a small wish of a girl not to be seen like that by someone she likes. While applying sunscreen taken from my bag, I head toward the school gate.

“Ah, wait. Kamishiro-san!”

I'm called from behind. When I turn around, it's Suzuki-senpai from the second year chasing after me.

“…You're alone today.”

“This is bad. I am being cornered with two strikes, then hit with an outside slider. A strikeout.”

“You don't have to force a baseball analogy just because you're in the baseball club…”

“Sorry. It was a home run right off the bat.”

He fails to impress me with his personality, but I don't mention it. He's a bit of an awkward person for me.

He confessed to me, and I turned him down. Even though I have no reason to feel guilty, I can't help but be conscious of it.

“I thought maybe I lack personality compared to him.”

“It’s pointless, Senpai.”

There's no need to ask who he's referring to; it’s obvious.

“So, I wanted to apologize to you, Kamishiro-san.”

“Apologize?”

Senpai doesn’t think highly of Yuki. I recall their previous conflict, and my body tenses. It was originally my problem. Dragging Yuki into it was inappropriate.

“I’m sorry for what happened last time!”

Contrary to my tense thoughts, Senpai bows his head energetically. It takes me by surprise.

“Uhm, please raise your head!”

Feeling confused, I watch as Senpai scratches his head, looking apologetic.

“He was right. Even if I didn't mean it that way, it’s just an excuse. Surrounding someone with a group and pressuring them like that is, well, it's indefensible even if called uncool.”

Suzuki-senpai is expected to be the next ace of the baseball team. That's about all I know about him; we're not particularly close and haven't exchanged many words. But seeing him reflect on his actions and sincerely apologize to an underclassman, I have to admit, I find him respectable.

“I’m really sorry! I didn't mean to be sarcastic or anything—”

“I get it. Don't worry about it.”

Suzuki-senpai wipes his sweat with a towel, smiling wryly. The baseball club has a relatively large number of members.

To be the ace among them requires considerable skill. Though I hadn't had a great impression of him before, seeing him bow to an underclassman made me reassess him.

“Kamishiro-san, do you like him?”

We continued to chat as we walked toward the crossroads.

“Yes… but I was rejected”

Suzuki-senpai seemed surprised by this.

“Like a left-handed starter with a powerful fastball? That’s quite enviable. What a waste.”

Suzuki-senpai told me that he was a right-handed pitcher and batter. It was a piece of information I didn’t particularly care about.

I realized that I didn’t know anything about senpai. Come to think of it, I had always turned down confessions without trying to get to know the person.

Instead, I used them as opportunities to appeal to Yuki. Selfish and shallow. Summoning some courage, I decided to ask Senpai a question.

“Senpai, if you weren’t the ace, would you still have confessed to me?”

“That’s…”

It might have been a mean question, but I needed to know. Mutual love isn’t always enough.

In the youthful stages of life, maybe, but if a suitor without a job proposed, anyone would think it’s difficult to build a family without financial stability.

Therefore, if you’re serious about marriage, finding a job or otherwise proving your worth is essential. One needs to be sure they can make their partner happy and enhance their own value.

If Senpai confessed because he gained the value of being an ace, then his confession was built on the foundation of his relentless efforts.

Though that wouldn’t necessarily make me accept his confession, it would make outright rejection seem heartless.

“It’s not like that, Kamishiro-san! I didn’t think I’d win you over just because I’m the ace, nor did I consider you an easy girl. That was a remark made by that jerk of a third-year second baseman—”

His frantic attempts at an explanation drained away any bitterness.

“It’s okay, I’m not worried about it!”

I wanted to live up to Yuki’s kindness and be proud of myself.

“Thank you for liking me. But I’m sorry!”

Facing Suzuki-senpai, I gave my answer. One of the lessons Yuki taught me in kindness.

“This is troubling… I might end up liking you even more. Just like a top-quality wagyu glove.

Senpai’s expression was bright and somehow seemed happy.

“Suzuki-senpai, you’re really unique!”

“Really!? No one’s ever said that to me before.”

“Hahaha!”

I’m going to do my best too, Yuki!