Episode 52: Choice
“Won’t you be mine, Yuna-chan?”
Shiori’s voice falls quiet.
The words sounded as if she were leaving the choice to me.
But behind her eyes, something entirely at odds with that was showing — no intention whatsoever of letting me go.
“I—”
My voice came out hoarse.
I couldn’t get the words out properly.
There was a tightness in my throat, like something closing around it.
(…Maybe it would be better to just go out with Shiori.)
The thought crossed my mind, and was dismissed almost immediately.
Honoka’s face rose up in front of me no matter what.
I couldn’t picture a future with Shiori standing beside me instead of her.
“Yuna-chan.”
At that voice, I lifted my face, and found Shiori watching me with a serious expression.
Her straightforward gaze felt almost overwhelming, but I tightened my fist and looked back into her eyes.
“…I can’t go out with you, Shiori.”
I said it, and let out a small breath.
“…Why?”
Shiori asked it in a low voice. It was calm and quiet, but trembling, just slightly.
“What is it about me that’s not good enough, Yuna-chan? I’ll try even harder.”
She gripped my hand tight as she said it. The strength of it hurt a little, but I said nothing and stayed silent.
“Hey, tell me?”
Whispered like a plea, and I lowered my eyes.
Shiori is kind, and being with her is calming. She stayed with me through everything I was struggling with.
I know she genuinely treasures me.
—But.
“…I’m sorry.”
“I see…”
Shiori’s voice sounded just faintly lonely. But she lifted her face again almost immediately and put on a smile. Her eyes looked somehow hollow, and yet still strong.
“I’m not giving up.”
Saying that, she slowly leaned her face in closer.
“Eh…?”
A confused sound slipped out of me before I could stop it.
“Yuna-chan.”
Shiori gently took hold of both my shoulders.
In her eyes, hesitation and resolve seemed tangled together.
“…!”
I nearly took a step back.
“I really do love you, Yuna-chan.”
The moment the words left her, the distance between us closed sharply. Close enough to touch my cheek. Close enough that our noses nearly brushed, and my heart lurched hard.
I found myself starting to close my eyes without meaning to — but in that instant, what rose clearly in my mind was Honoka’s face.
That fond, loving smile. The soft, warm feel of her fingertips. And the gentle voice calling my name. All of it surfaced, vivid and unmistakable.
(…I really am—)
The moment that resolve settled clearly inside me, I found I had already pushed Shiori’s shoulders back, hard.