Chapter 66
End
I glance at Shin sipping tea beside me.
"...It’s good."
"Glad to hear it."
It’s a peaceful moment.
The park is empty except for us, and the only sounds are Shin drinking tea and the rustle of withered leaves.
"..."
It’s been over a month since Shin and I started dating.
Little by little, we’ve grown accustomed to this new dynamic.
Our daily lives haven’t changed much.
Shin goes to school in the morning, and I handle the housework.
At night, we relax side by side.
The days pass just as they did before.
Well, maybe that’s only natural. We were already living together.
Our routines wouldn’t shift so easily, so I suppose this was inevitable.
"..."
...Though, that’s not to say nothing has changed.
It’s more accurate to say the changes are subtle.
One thing has shifted clearly since then—the distance between us.
A while ago, there’d always be a fist-sized gap when we sat together. Now, it’s gone.
Even now, as we sit here, Shin and I are so close there’s barely any space between us.
At the start of our relationship, Shin would fluster over this, but lately, it’s become second nature. It makes me indescribably happy.
"...Should we head back soon?"
"Yeah."
Lost in thought, I follow Shin’s lead and stand.
"...Yuu."
"What?"
I turn at the sound of Shin’s voice.
A hand is held out to me.
"Um... wanna hold hands on the way home?"
The question catches me off guard.
It’s rare for Shin to suggest something like this. In fact, I think it’s a first.
Shin’s always been too shy to initiate hand-holding in public, leaving it to me every time.
"...Yeah!"
So I nod eagerly, unable to hide my delight.
(Though it’s a little embarrassing.)
"...Heh."
Hand in hand, we start walking.
I’d love to link arms, but since Shin finally asked to hold hands—and since pulling the carry-case makes it risky—I hold back.
Giggle.
I’m... really happy.
Being with the person I love like this—I can’t imagine anything better.
The warmth of Shin’s hand in mine is almost overwhelming.
"..."
...But as I bask in this happiness, a thought occurs to me.
Life is unpredictable.
A while back, Shin said something like, "The future is pitch-black."
I think it meant no one can know what lies ahead—and it’s true.
If you’d told me seven months ago, fresh out of that world, that this would be my reality... would I have believed it?
That I’d be Shin’s lover, living in happiness?
...No way. I couldn’t have.
Back then, I couldn’t even imagine it.
...How could my past self have fathomed joy like this?
Back then, I didn’t even know what happiness was.
...This warmth feels almost like cheating.
"...Oh."
"Yuu?"
On a whim, I adjust our grip, interlacing our fingers.
A lover’s clasp.
Giggle.
It’s silly how giddy this makes me.
But it’s still holding hands, and it’s safer this way.
"Yuu, this is, uh—"
"No good?"
I peer up at Shin, who hesitates before relenting with a sigh.
"...People might figure us out before we even introduce ourselves."
It takes me a second, but I realize Shin’s talking about introducing me to their parents.
And yeah, holding hands like this would make our relationship obvious before any formal announcement.
"..."
But secretly? I want Shin to introduce me as their lover.
I’d even do it myself if I could.
...Actually, that’s not a bad idea.
It’s a spur-of-the-moment thought, but I like it.
Next time, no misunderstandings—just me saying it outright to Shin’s mom:
"Shin is my boyfriend."
"...Heh."
I glance up at the cloudless sky.
The winter air is chilly, but it feels nice against my flushed skin.
If anything, the cold makes our joined hands even warmer.
"Shin."
"Yeah?"
Before I know it, the familiar house comes into view.
Shin’s home. We’re almost there.
"I love you."
With every step closer, I make a silent vow:
...I’ll walk beside you forever, Shin.
Author's Note
Comments (3)
Please login or sign up to post a comment.