Final Chapter: "With You" End

"…Huh?"

"……"

"Hey, I’m talking to you!"

"Wha—!?"

Before I knew it, I was on a train.

"Uh, hello? You okay?"

"…Ah, sorry. Guess I zoned out."

"Hmph. Ignoring me, are we? How bold."

"My bad, Yui. Wanna grab something to eat later?"

"! Yes!"

The train pulls into the station. I grip the handrail, feeling the slight resistance and sway.

It’s a weekday, still early, so the car is relatively empty—enough for the two of us to snag seats.

"So, where are we going?"

"Wallet’s a bit light today, so… Saizeriya?"

"…Haah. And here I thought you were finally treating me."

She sighs, shooting me an exasperated look.

Even like this, she’s adorable.

She’s wearing her usual uniform, but on her, even something plain radiates magazine-cover charm.

That’s Yui for you—the influencer.

"Hey… can I hold your hand?"

"Whoa, forward today. Sure, though."

"Ehehe~"

Slender, delicate fingers—the kind that clearly take effort to maintain. She once told me her skincare routine was a nightmare.

But just holding hands isn’t enough for her. She laces her arm through mine, resting her head on my shoulder like she owns the space.

"Oi, oi. You’re a public figure, you know? Anyone could see you."

"So what? It’s fine. Because—"

She grins, triumphant, and declares:

"I’m your girlfriend now."

"…That’s a big deal to you?"

"Of course! I won your first love—something even Manami, Chitose, or Sakurako couldn’t pull off!"

"Yeah, yeah."

For someone who’d never felt a flutter in his chest before, she was the one who changed that. And she’s insufferably proud of it.

"Your girlfriend’s happy! You should be happy too!"

"That’s not how emotions work…"

"Ehehe."

"Hahaha."

It’s… fun.

We’re together because we genuinely wanted to be. That truth settles softly into the cracks of my heart.

I guess love comes in all shapes.

For Shizue Yui, it’s her shape.For Aizono Manami, it’s hers.For Shidare Sakurako, hers.For Gokou Hanafuda, hers.For Kaneda Ichiko, hers.For Momotose Chitose—Chitose’s.

No matter who I’d chosen, no matter who I’d fallen for… I think I’d have ended up feeling this way.

"Hey, let’s throw a party with everyone next time."

"What’s the occasion? And what kind?"

"Celebrating Everyone's First Heartbreak & Our New Relationship!"

"More like 'Celebrating You Getting Your Ass Kicked by Everyone.'"

Yeah, that’s how it always went—us gathering for the dumbest reasons, arguing over nothing. "If we just wanna hang out, we don’t need an excuse," or "Who even came up with this?"

…Wait, who did come up with it?

—Oh, right.

"Gotta make sure we invite Towa too. Wouldn’t wanna forget."

That troublemaker.

My one and only best friend, the one who stuck with me through all the stupidest times.

"…………………………Towa? Who’s that?"

"…………………………Huh?"

A sudden, skull-splitting shock jolts me awake.

The ringing phone in the hallway drags me out of sleep. Guess I dozed off.

"Ugh—wah! Who the—? …Hello?"

"Hey, Yuuki-kun? You good?"

"Yeah, why?"

"Y’know how our school’s doing that seaside field trip soon?"

Oh, right. That thing I’d totally forgotten about.

"So, we’re all gonna go buy swimsuits next Saturday. Wanna come?"

"Sure, I’m free. Sounds good."

"Awesome! I’ll let your mom know the details later!"

"Yeah, see you tomorrow."

"...Phew."

Talk about timing. That dream felt way too real.

"Dating Yui, huh…"

A weird guilt twists in my chest. Someone like her ending up with me? That’s gotta be hell for her.

"...But she looked happy."

In the dream, Yui’s face was calmer, brighter than I’ve ever seen it.

"...Towa."

I whisper my best friend’s name into the empty room.

No one answers, of course. But if I don’t say it, it’s like he might disappear for good.

"...Towa."

The house is quiet—too quiet. Just me here now.

"Heeey, hellooo~?"

"...Towa."

"...What’s up, Yuuki? Miss the sound of my voice or somethin’?"

That familiar, easygoing tone of his washes over me, and before I know it, my legs give out. I slump to the floor.

"Nah, it’s nothing. Mind if I come hang out?"

"Sure thiiing~ My door’s always opeen~"

For now, this is enough.

Someday, I’ll probably fall in love.But not now. That much, I know for certain.

Still… I selfishly hope Towa stays my best friend forever.

With that thought lingering, I place the receiver back on the hook.