Chapter 37

I walked alongside Yuu on the way to a nearby mobile phone shop.

It was one of those narrow backstreets just off the main road.

With buildings lined up on either side, the sun was mostly blocked out, making the air feel just a bit cooler.

"……"

I glanced at Yuu, who was walking beside me.

The sidewalk was narrow, so we naturally ended up a little closer than usual.

Today, Yuu was wearing a white one-piece dress. With her delicate appearance, she looked like she’d stepped right out of a scene from a movie.

"Um… are you really sure about this?"

Maybe she noticed me looking, because she glanced up with a hesitant look, peeking at me from under her lashes. I’d finally managed to convince her to come with me, after she’d hesitated with a "but after everything, a smartphone…" But even now, she still seemed reluctant.

"Yeah. I mean, honestly, it’s kind of strange you didn’t have one until now."

If I showed even a hint of hesitation here, Yuu would probably turn right around and head home.

So I looked her in the eyes and spoke directly.

It’s not like I was lying.

In today’s Japan, a smartphone is practically a necessity.

With one, you can make calls, send messages, browse the internet—of course—and with the right apps, check maps, cooking recipes, anything really.

A lot of stores and services even depend on smartphones now, and some things you just can’t do without one. You’ve probably seen those ads that say “Show this coupon on your phone for X% off.”

At this point, it’s less that life is easier with a smartphone, and more that life is harder without one.

"But… aren’t they expensive…?"

"There are cheaper ones these days."

Actually, I’d suggested getting her a phone once before.

But just like now, she’d declined, saying it was too expensive and she didn’t want to trouble me.

"Like I said earlier, if we get separated while we’re traveling, not having a way to contact each other could be a real problem."

"…That’s true, but…"

The only reason I managed to get her to come along today was because I’d used that argument to convince her.

Thinking about it now, maybe this trip came at just the right time.

"Hmm…"

Yuu let out a quiet hum, still not entirely convinced. But I still thought she really ought to have a way to stay in touch.

…Also, I hadn’t told her this, but I’d kind of wanted to try chatting with her like normal friends do—messaging and all that.

"Come on, let’s go."

I nudged Yuu forward as her pace began to slow.

It was better to get this done quickly, before she changed her mind.

"…Shin."

"Hm? What is it?"

I turned to look at her without breaking stride.

Yuu was looking at me with a slightly surprised expression.

"You’ve changed a little."

"Huh?"

Changed? Me?

I didn’t feel any different… had I?

"The Shin from a little while ago would’ve just given up if I said no."

"…Yeah, maybe you’re right."

I had to admit, she wasn’t wrong.

Back then, if someone turned me down, I wouldn’t have tried to push my opinion on them.

In fact, I’d given up pretty quickly the last time I suggested a phone.

…When did that change?

Not long ago, I’d decided I wanted to start doing things I’d never done before.

I wanted to try things I’d only ever watched from a distance.

That’s part of why I planned this trip in the first place.

I’d always admired the idea of going on a trip with friends, and finally, I wanted to make it happen.

…But even then, I always made sure not to inconvenience Yuu.

If she didn’t want to do something, I’d drop it right away. I never pushed.

There were even times in the beginning when I’d suggested something and gave up immediately because she wasn’t into it.

And yet now, here I was, urging her forward.

Maybe I really had changed without realizing it.

"…Is it… bad? That I’m like this now?"

Noticing the change in myself brought a creeping anxiety.

Was I getting carried away?

Was I making Yuu uncomfortable without realizing it?

One uneasy thought after another started to bubble up inside me.

"Huh? No, not at all.

…Actually, I think it’s a good thing."

But all of that vanished with just a single sentence from Yuu.

She looked up at me with a smile that seemed completely sincere.

"…You think so?"

"Yeah. I think you should speak up for yourself more often."

Then she gave my back a light, playful pat.

…Somehow, that gave me courage.

It was such a small gesture, and yet it felt like one of the weights I’d been carrying on my shoulders quietly slipped off.

My next step felt just a bit lighter.

…Honestly, I owe Yuu so much.

She’s always helping me, and I still have no idea how I’ll ever repay her.

I glanced over at her.

She was smiling, as always.

That gentle smile of hers looked like it could make anyone happy just by being there.

Something stirred in my chest.

It felt like I had to say something—anything—to her, and I opened my mouth to speak—

—Right at that moment.

"…Hm?"

A loud noise came from behind us.

When I turned around, a large truck—way too big for such a narrow street—was barreling toward us at high speed.

"…!"

Without thinking, I grabbed Yuu, who was walking closer to the road, and pulled her toward me, away from the truck.

A moment later, the truck roared past without slowing down in the slightest.

"That… that was dangerous."

To be going that fast on such a narrow road…

What would’ve happened if Yuu had gotten hurt?

I felt a rush of anger—something I hadn’t felt in a long time.

"Wh-what? What just…?"

I looked down at the voice coming from my chest and saw Yuu’s face flushed bright red.

"Yuu, are you okay?"

"Y-yeah… I’m fine."

Her face was red, but she wasn’t wincing in pain or anything.

I’d yanked her pretty hard in the moment, so I’d been worried I might’ve hurt her somehow, but she seemed okay. That was a relief.

I let go and stepped away from her.

Then I made sure to position myself on the side of the road, between her and any oncoming cars.

This street was way too narrow to be safe. We should head back to the main road as soon as possible.

"Come on, Yuu. Let’s go."

"…Y-yeah."

After that, we continued on to the phone shop.

On the way there, Yuu seemed a little absentminded. I wondered if maybe she had gotten hurt somewhere after all, but when I asked, she said she was fine, so I couldn’t really tell.

…Either way, I was just glad she was okay.