Episode 31: Unexpected — Shiori’s Side
side.Shiori
I make my way quietly back to my seat.
I set my textbook on the desk and flip through the pages at random, but none of it reaches my head at all.
(…Why.)
Yuna-chan put distance between herself and Shiraishi-san, once.
They really were apart, back then. I was sure of it.
— And yet.
I saw the mark on Yuna-chan’s throat.
To be touched deeply enough, this early in the morning, to leave something like that behind—
(…impossible.)
Without meaning to, I grind my back teeth.
My read on this was completely wrong.
Shiraishi-san has a sociable personality.
She can talk to anyone in the class, always mindful of the people around her.
That was exactly why I thought she’d said she wanted “a little freedom.”
I assumed she found Yuna-chan’s possessiveness stifling, and meant to spend some time alone, or with people who weren’t Yuna-chan.
— But.
(…I was wrong.)
If anything, instead of pulling apart — they seem more tightly bound together than before.
(…This is infuriating.)
I did close the distance with Yuna-chan, that day at the aquarium.
She spent time with me, and even while she looked lonely thinking about Shiraishi-san, she still smiled, still seemed to enjoy herself.
So that day, I made the leap and called her “Yuna-chan.”
And Yuna-chan accepted it.
(I thought I was fading Shiraishi-san’s shadow, little by little.)
Shiraishi-san’s presence inside Yuna-chan is still this strong.
I clench my fist in my lap.
Quietly, so no one notices, I tighten my grip.
(Shiraishi-san really is unfair.)
Saying “I want freedom” of her own accord — and still managing to tie Yuna-chan to her this tightly.
And Yuna-chan, letting herself be tied down like that, too—
(…Am I not enough?)
The words rise up in my throat.
But I swallow them back down and let out a quiet breath.
(…Well. Fine.)
This isn’t over yet. If anything, this is where it really begins.
I slowly lift my face.
Yuna-chan still isn’t looking my way.
Her head is full of nothing but Shiraishi-san.
(That’s fine. It doesn’t matter.)
If Yuna-chan loves Shiraishi-san — then I’ll just take all of it, together, as one.
I don’t need her to fall for me right away.
If I can take “Yuna-chan who loves Shiraishi-san” — whole, as she is — that’s fine too.
(I want Yuna-chan.)
However it has to happen. By whatever means necessary.
(So I won’t rush.)
The anxiety and wavering that being with Shiraishi-san creates in Yuna-chan — I just need to slowly, patiently reel that in.
If I do, Yuna-chan will realise.
Who it is that truly fulfils her.
Who it is that should truly be by her side.
(I’ll be the one to teach her that answer.)
If Yuna-chan doesn’t notice on her own, I’ll make her notice.
Whether the person beside her is really the right one. Who could truly treasure Yuna-chan the most.
Right now, maybe all she can see is Shiraishi-san.
But people’s feelings change.
Little by little. Slowly. Surely.
— And besides.
(Loving each other doesn’t mean you get to stay together forever.)
In love, feelings alone don’t make everything work out.
However strongly you feel for someone, if there’s enough misalignment, anxiety, doubt — the relationship grows fragile on its own.
And in fact, Yuna-chan already wavered once.
(Which means—)
A doubt has already taken root in Yuna-chan, about staying with Shiraishi-san forever.
That’s the opening I’ll exploit.
“Even if two people love each other, there are always ways to pull them apart…”
My voice was quiet.
A whisper too small for anyone to hear.
— Love alone can’t keep two people together forever.
When Yuna-chan realises that, what will she do?
That’s when I’ll reach out my hand, gently.
(It’s okay. I’m here.)
Yuna-chan will surely take that hand.
Let go of Shiraishi-san’s, and reach for mine instead—