Chapter 19: Falling in Love

The heroine in this story is the protagonist’s childhood friend—a character who faded from the original manga and anime without ever getting the spotlight.

In other words, this is a behind-the-scenes tale, showing what this character was doing during those moments.

There had been doubts—would people actually come to see a movie starring a character who wasn’t popular in the original? But the theater was filled with fans of the manga and anime, and aside from us, nearly every other seat was taken.

"—Hey… I think I’m in love with Jun-kun!"

The scene opens in a middle school library after class. It begins with Suzu, the childhood friend in question, being hit with this shocking confession by Momo, the main heroine of the original story.

"—I see."

"Yeah! So… I was wondering if you’d help me out with my crush?"

But Suzu had loved the protagonist long before Momo ever did. She stifles those feelings.

"—Yeah, I’ll help. I’ll make sure your love comes true!"

"Really?!"

Momo’s heart soars with excitement… while Suzu’s, in contrast, shatters into darkness and despair.

She doesn’t refuse.

Because Momo is also her precious friend.

"I knew it—you really are my best friend, Suzu-chan!"

"…!"

For just a moment, Suzu’s expression darkens… but Momo, too overjoyed at gaining her friend’s support, doesn’t notice.

"Oh! I’ve gotta go!"

"Yeah… see you tomorrow."

"See you tomorrow!"

As Momo leaves the library, all that remains is the dry scent of paper and the faint trace of fabric softener from her uniform.

"…Yeah, this is for the best. It’s not like I ever stood a chance… I’m sure of it…"

A voice so fragile, so weak, trembles and fades without reaching anyone.

On unsteady legs, she sinks into the librarian’s chair. Before her lies the book she’d been repairing before Momo arrived.

Its title… "Medicine for a Broken Heart."A gentle book—perfect for Suzu right now. Yet, at this moment, its cover only makes her seem all the more pitiful.

I’ll turn this pain into strength to move forward. I’ll stay in the shadows.

This is an untold story—one only hinted at in the original. Not even the main series revealed that Suzu had feelings for the protagonist. It was a throwaway detail in a volume’s intermission.A passing mention about a character who never even got to be a heroine.

According to the author, she was originally meant to debut as a heroine, but as newer heroines emerged, her role was pushed aside, forcing her into a supporting position.

For the record, she’s my favorite. Gotta love the tragic underdog.

Glancing beside me, I see Towa staring at the screen with an intensity that could burn a hole through it.Her lips are slightly parted, completely unaware of herself, utterly absorbed.

Somehow, she looks far away…And a little sad, yet at peace.

"Mmm… nngh~ Aahh… that was so good…"

"Ugh… I knew it’d end like this… sniff…"

I stretch, easing the stiffness from sitting so long. Yuuki… has been like this since the movie ended.

"You should really stop crying already."

"B-But I caaan’t…!"

The movie wrapped up with Momo getting her happy ending. But since the original story isn’t over yet, this was probably just one of those "what-if" routes.

—The kind of convenient ending that suits me just fine.

Suzu’s tragic love didn’t feel like someone else’s story.

My gaze flicks to Yuuki beside me. She’s tearing through pocket tissues like there’s no tomorrow—so ridiculous it’s almost funny…

…Someday, I’ll probably fall for Yuuki too. And I won’t let myself call it just "storybook convenience."It’ll be real. My own, genuine feelings.

"But for now—"

I murmur it quietly, just shy of reaching her ears.

"…Here. A handkerchief."

"Th…Thanks…"

Right now, this distance between us feels just right. So I’ll make sure I’m the one who gets to stand by Yuuki’s side—for the rest of my life.

I’m going to fall in love. With Yuuki.With Yuino Yuuki.