Episode 49: By My Side — Shiori’s Side
side.Shiori
In the quiet room, the steady sound of sleeping breath.
Leaning against the arm of the sofa, I gaze at Yuna-chan’s sleeping face.
The faint shadows under her eyes, that exhausted, slackened expression — she must have been pushing herself, this whole time.
Watching Yuna-chan lately, that much was obvious at a glance.
Because of always being with Shiraishi-san.
Because that person wouldn’t let go of her.
But that relationship is over now.
—More precisely: I ended it.
I slowly run my fingers through Yuna’s hair.
Feeling it flow smooth and fine through my fingers, I let my eyes narrow, just slightly.
“I’ve made it this far…”
Yuna-chan had only ever had eyes for Shiraishi-san, this whole time.
No matter how close I got, no matter how much attention I paid her — even so, there was only Shiraishi-san in her heart.
But now it’s different.
Shiraishi-san and Yuna-chan aren’t lovers anymore.
Neither of them ever clearly said the words “we’re breaking up.”
But in practical terms, it amounted to the same thing.
Yuna-chan left Shiraishi-san’s side.
And now, she’s sleeping here, in my house, close beside me.
—Once it’s come this far, it’s fine now.
I narrow my eyes quietly, combing my fingers through Yuna-chan’s hair.
Fine and soft, the texture strokes gently against my fingertips.
Until now, the one who stood beside her was Shiraishi-san.
But that’s already a thing of the past.
“Yuna-chan, you don’t need Shiraishi-san anymore.”
I murmur it like a whisper, and let my gaze fall to her hand.
Slender, fragile-looking.
Whoever’s it might have been until now — soon, this hand will be mine.
…Because Yuna-chan shouldn’t be in Shiraishi-san’s arms anymore.
I can be gentler than that.
I can properly put her at ease.
So the rest is just a matter of time.
She’s left Shiraishi-san’s side now.
Hurt, exhausted, looking for somewhere to lean on.
I can be that place.
I gently touch her cheek.
Soft, and slightly cool skin.
Right now, she’s simply sleeping peacefully.
Being able to touch her like this fills me with an unbearable happiness.
I finally feel it — that I’ve made it this far, to this distance.
…So, please, don’t hesitate anymore.
Just choose me, instead of someone like Shiraishi-san.
I can treasure Yuna-chan far more than Shiraishi-san ever could.
I can stay by her side, always.
Wherever Yuna-chan wants to go, I’ll go there with her.
I’ll support her more than anyone, love her more than anyone, treasure her more than anyone.
Yuna-chan should already be mine.
If things go on like this, her heart drawing closer to me little by little — yes, surely—
—And yet.
And yet, just the smallest amount of anxiety still remains.
What if.
What if Yuna-chan still says she wants to go back to Shiraishi-san, after all this.
I—
I—I—
(…What am I supposed to do?)
Gripping my faintly trembling fingers tight, I let out a quiet breath.