Chapter 20: A Single Blue Rose and Two Buds

"I'm starving. Let's go grab something to eat."

"Yeah."

The movie was over, and Yuuki had finally stopped crying—so we decided to get something to eat.

"What do you wanna have?"

"Dunno. You pick."

I’d already made up my mind—today, I’d let Yuuki decide. Well, no matter what she chose, I wouldn’t complain.

"Now you’re putting me on the spot…"

Just watching Yuuki’s serious profile as he stared at the directory made all my usual anxieties and past regrets feel meaningless.

"…Alright, here."

The place Yuuki pointed at was a reasonably priced Italian restaurant. Well, a pretty safe choice for a kid. I’d pat his head for it later. He’d probably get mad if I treated him like a child. But that reaction would fuel me for days.

—Man, I’m kinda gross…

"Sounds good. For you, at least."

"The 'for you' part was unnecessary."

"Nyahaha."

After teasing Yuuki for a bit, we headed toward the Italian place.

"Pretty crowded, huh?"

"Weeell, it's not like we're in a rush. Let's just wait it out."

"True, but... ugh."

Maybe because it was the weekend, the restaurant was packed—families, college students, couples.

I suddenly found myself wondering how we looked to everyone else. Did Yuuki think the same thing? He kept glancing around too.

"Oh—uh, forgot to mention earlier. That dress looks good on you."

"............Yeah?"

Yuuki complimented me. That fact took over my brain, flooding it.

My face was probably doing something horrible right now, twisted with a happiness I'd never felt before. I slapped my cheeks twice to reset my expression.

"...Nyahaha. Save those lines for Yui or Manami, dumbass."

I played it off, but inside? Pure joy.

"...But thanks. I’m happy."

"...Yeah."

Not used to direct gratitude, Yuuki’s cheeks tinted pink.So cute. It made me want to bully him more.

"...Cute."

"The hell?!"

Might as well say what I’m thinking. Right on cue, Yuuki turned even redder, hiding his face.

—CUTE!

"You’re CUTE, Yuuki!"

"Shut uuup!"

"Nyahaha~ What, you embarrassed? You dork~"

"Annoying! So annoying! Hey—look! Table’s free!"

Damn. Tormenting Yuuki would have to wait. We followed the waiter to our seats.

"Oh, hey—spot-the-difference."

"Pfft. Beginner mode?"

"Never underestimate the Zaizen spot-the-difference challenge."

—10 minutes later

"I can’t find shit. Are there really 10? What if there’s actually only 9?"

"Nyahaha! That’d break the game’s rules!"

"Or maybe the real difference is that there isn’t a 10th one."

"That’s... wait. Is that it?!"

And like that, our date rolled on—full of stupid conversations and nothing else.

"...Towa, how was today?"

"...It was the best day ever!"

After our plans for the day wrapped up, we found ourselves in the square by the fountain.

I’d agonized over when to give it to her. I’d binged romance manga for reference, rehearsed scenarios in my head—...But in the end, I realized I had to do this my way.

"Towa... thank you. For being my friend. For being my best friend."

"...Nyahaha. What’s with the sudden sap?"

"For always being by my side. For laughing with me. For cheering me up."

"..."

Maybe sensing this wasn’t the time for jokes, Towa dropped her usual carefree act.

"Looking back... I don’t think I’ve ever given you anything in return."

"That’s not—"

"No, this is about me."

I turned away, suddenly embarrassed.

"This time, I couldn’t do anything alone. Mom got the tickets. Yui and Manami planned everything. Even the gift I’m about to give you—the girls in class helped pick it."

"..."

"But... I couldn’t let today end without saying this. I might not have paid you back, but—"

I pulled the gift from my bag.

A hair ornament—a blue rose.One full bloom, two buds, handmade at a stall. The only one like it in the world.

"Will you... Keep being my best friend?"

As the words left my mouth, I realized how much it sounded like a confession. My face burned.

Was this too girly for Towa?

"...Well, Yuuki?"

"!!!"

I looked up—

And there she was, wearing it. Of course, it suited her. The blue matched her eyes perfectly. Just like I’d imagined—no one else could pull it off.

"Hey, aren’t you supposed to say something when a girl puts on a new accessory?"

"! Y-yeah! It... it looks amazing on you!"

"Nyahaha!"

Any awkwardness vanished. This moment—just me and my best friend. With Towa. That was enough.

After Yuuki gave me the gift, we split up at the fountain. I stood there, savoring the happiness.

—Ah, I’m so happy.

So then—

Why?

"...Hey, hey."

Why did that voice—so painfully nostalgic—reach me now?