Final Chapter: Noon Lasts Forever

 

1

 

“I love you.”

Why did those words slip out? I don’t even know myself. I was supposed to talk about Asaka-chan or the scout, but the words that came out of my mouth were completely unexpected, even to me.

Was it the panic of knowing Asaka-chan would be back tomorrow?

Did I want to lay my feelings bare before Asaka-chan could get here, before she could come between us? Was I secretly hoping, in some naive way, that Yuu-nii would accept my feelings if I just blurted them out?

Or maybe, when it came to talking about why I don’t want to leave Fujinomiya to join the scout, I felt I had to explain the reason first—the real reason I want to stay?

Either way, I’ve already said it. My true feelings. The ones I’ve kept hidden, locked away, so no one would ever know.

I love him.

I love Yuu-nii.

Just saying that one word makes my whole body burn like it’s on fire, my heart pounding so hard it hurts. My breathing turns ragged, and sometimes I can’t even catch my breath properly. My body’s not listening to me anymore.

Oh, Asaka-chan must have felt like this too.

Voicing your feelings, letting them spill out to the person you love—it just came out of me unconsciously, like water overflowing, but Asaka-chan made a deliberate choice to say it. It must have been so much harder for her.

Confession isn’t easy, and it’s not something you can do alone. It only gains meaning when the other person accepts it.

I turn my face toward the driver’s seat. There, I see Yuu-nii’s bewildered expression.

“…Huh?”

His mouth hangs slightly open, his unfocused gaze fixed on me, as if he’s looking at something unbelievable, something he can’t comprehend.

Seeing that expression, the heat that had overtaken my body fades away, like a flame snuffed out. In its place, I feel my heart freeze, as if I’ve plunged into the icy winter sea.

Regret surges up, shaking me to my core. That trembling spreads to my body, and my lips start quivering, like they’re trying to ward off the cold.

“Ah…”

Why did I say something like that? My trembling lips make it hard to speak.

“Ah, um…”

I frantically try to think of a way to backtrack, to say I meant something else, but nothing comes to mind.

“S-so, um…”

The sound of rain hitting the car’s roof grows louder, threatening to swallow me whole. We sit in silence, but Yuu-nii is clearly shaken—and so am I.

Eventually, the car pulls up in front of my house.

“…”

“…”

Yuu-nii glances downward for a moment before meeting my eyes. He opens his mouth, hesitating, like it’s hard to speak.

I’m scared.

After the storm of regret settles, the last emotion left is fear.

“Um, Mahiru…”

I’m scared to hear his response.

From Yuu-nii’s reaction, I can tell he doesn’t see me as someone to love. He’s probably not even happy to hear a confession from someone like me.

He’s definitely going to reject me.

I’m scared to hear those words.

I’m scared of being rejected by Yuu-nii.

Before I realize it, I’ve thrown open the car door and leapt out.

I rush to my house’s front door, rain pelting me, and slip inside without looking back.

“Ha… ha…”

“Mahiru, you’re back?”

Mama’s voice calls from the living room.

“Did Yuu-kun drive you home? Have you eaten dinner?”

“…Not yet.”

Mama comes to the entrance to greet me.

“Oh, you’re soaked! Go take a bath first.”

“…Okay.”

I step into the changing room and peel off my wet clothes. The pendant Yuu-nii gave me feels shockingly cold. Maybe because of the rain, Mama doesn’t notice I’ve been crying. I sink into the bathtub, wishing I could just keep sinking forever.

Mahiru’s words won’t leave my head. Parked in front of Moonnight Terrace, I can’t stop replaying what just happened. No, it wasn’t even a conversation—just a single moment.

One word. She definitely said it.

“I love you.”

At first, I had no idea what she meant.

I tried to think of anything it could apply to—maybe she liked the cola she was drinking, or the rainy night drive, or the song playing—but I knew deep down it wasn’t any of those things.

Her flushed face. The two of us alone. And that word: love. Even the densest guy couldn’t miss what that meant.

Mahiru… loves me?

The moment it hit me, my mind went blank, and I nearly caused an accident.

I love Mahiru too, as a cute little sister figure. I feel the same about Miya and Asaka—they’re like adorable younger siblings to me. My feelings aren’t romantic. They can’t be. They’re still high schoolers, after all.

That night in Shonan, when Asaka confessed she liked me as more than a friend, I was thrown for a loop. But right now, I’m even more rattled.

Mahiru, of all people… or maybe because it’s Mahiru…

After that night with Asaka in Shonan, I’ll admit I started overthinking my closeness with the girls. But I chalked it up to my own paranoia, thinking I was reading too much into things just because I hadn’t noticed Asaka’s feelings sooner.

Mahiru’s always full of energy, spreading smiles to everyone, leading her teammates as the volleyball team captain. She’s the same Mahiru from our bratty kid days, unchanged even after moving back to Fujinomiya from Tokyo.

Honestly, I can’t believe it. The idea that Mahiru has feelings for me, sees me that way…

Sure, we’ve always been close—maybe too close for just friends, with all the casual touches and familiarity. But I always thought it was because of our history, like we were siblings or something. At least, that’s how I saw it.

“…Mahiru.”

When we got to the Ryuushaku residence, Mahiru bolted out of the car. After whispering “I love you,” she didn’t say another word. Was she upset because I couldn’t respond? She opened the door and fled like she was escaping.

I feel pathetic for not being able to answer her confession right away, but if you asked me if I could give a clear answer right now, I’d have to say no.

My mind keeps drifting to Asaka.

Asaka has feelings for me too, and I still haven’t given her a proper answer either.

One thing’s consistent, though. Both Asaka and Mahiru are like little sisters to me, girls I’ve known since they were kids. They’re much younger than me, and they’re still high schoolers.

That’s what’s holding me back.

In the end, they’re still kids. I don’t mean to dismiss their feelings, but…

What should I do?

To accept their feelings… no, there’s an even bigger problem.

Asaka and Mahiru.

Which one…?

Japan’s monogamous. Even if I decided to accept their feelings, I could only choose one.

But it’s too early to even think about that.

I step out of the car, and a torrential downpour soaks me to the bone. The cold rain and air make my body shiver, but my heart feels like it’s boiling in hot oil.

First things first, I need to talk to Mahiru. Standing under the terrace roof, I pull out my phone and call her. All I hear is the rain and the ringing tone.

The wind carries the rain sideways, drenching the terrace. I keep calling, getting wetter by the second, but Mahiru doesn’t pick up.

 

2

 

I trained hard and got stronger.

I’ve always wanted something like this.

Ugh, I’m gonna do it! Next year, we’re taking first place!

Heh, nothing scares me!

Memories of a young Mahiru play in my head like an old home video. Full of energy, sometimes a little wild, always dragging me, Miya, and Asaka around as their leader.

At some point, the rain stops. The quiet night is broken only by the soft hooting of birds.

I glance at my watch—it’s past midnight. I’ve called Mahiru countless times and sent her messages on LINE, but there’s been no response.

The next day, Saturday.

I barely slept last night, dozing off and waking up repeatedly, so my head’s foggy with exhaustion and a lingering sense of lethargy.

The weather’s not great today. Gray clouds blanket the sky, and it’s a bit muggy. Late September, but summer’s still hanging on.

I work at the shop until noon, then head to the station to pick up Asaka. It’s close enough to walk, but I take the car since I plan to stop by the Ryuushaku house.

Mahiru’s confession yesterday was so sudden, I couldn’t say anything back. I still can’t give her a clear answer, but nothing’s going to happen unless I see her.

I ring the doorbell, and after a moment, Asuka-san peeks out.

“Oh, Yuu-kun.”

Three dogs come trotting from the back of the house.

“Thanks for yesterday, driving Mahiru home.”

“No problem. Is Mahiru around?”

“Oh, she’s at club practice. She said it’s all day today.”

“I see.”

Then it hits me. Didn’t Mahiru say yesterday that practice was only in the afternoon?

I’m not sure if she senses my confusion, but Asuka-san adds, as if explaining.

“It was supposed to be just the afternoon, but they changed it to a full-day practice.”

“Oh, okay.”

We chat lightly for a bit before I leave the Ryuushaku house. I didn’t get to see Mahiru. Guess I’ll have to wait until her practice is over. I head straight to the station and park in the pickup area.

I’m sitting on a bench at the north exit when Asaka arrives.

“Yuu-nii!”

“Yo, Asaka.”

“Sorry to keep you waiting.”

She’s wearing a peach-colored blouse with a black ribbon at the chest, paired with a long black skirt that’s sheer below the knees, giving off an elegant, almost seductive vibe. The blouse has a cutout under the arms, adding to the allure.

“It’s still so hot, isn’t it?”

As she says this, Asaka raises one hand, running her fingers through her bangs. Her smooth, pale underarm is exposed, right at my eye level.

I jump to my feet.

“Alright, let’s go.”

“Yes.”

“You eaten yet?”

“Not yet.”

“Wanna grab something?”

“I’m in the mood to eat at Moonnight Terrace instead of a restaurant.”

“Got it.”

We get in the car, and Asaka glances at me.

“Yuu-nii, you’ve got bags under your eyes. Not sleeping enough?”

“Uh, yeah, a bit.”

I haven’t told anyone about yesterday, and I definitely can’t tell Asaka. She confessed to me, and I still haven’t given her a proper answer (though she seems fine with that for now). No way I can tell her Mahiru confessed to me too.

Asaka and Mahiru are like sisters, best friends since forever. But from my perspective, knowing everything, they’re practically rivals in love.

If they found out about each other’s feelings for me, and it caused a rift between them, my stomach churns just thinking about it. They’re both my precious little sister figures.

“You need to take better care of yourself. Sleep’s important.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

“Why don’t we take a break somewhere?”

“A break? Sleeping at the shop would be a hassle for everyone.”

“I mean a place meant for resting. Like, say—”

Asaka presses her index finger to her lips, making a little chu sound, and glances at me sideways.

“A hotel.”

“What!?”

“They’ve got beds, baths—perfect for a break.”

“D-don’t be ridiculous.”

“Hehe, just kidding.”

Asaka giggles softly.

When she says it, even a joke doesn’t sound like one.

“Come on, let’s go.”

“Right.”

I start the car and head back to Moonnight Terrace.

Then it hits me.

That night in Shonan, when Asaka confessed, only she and I know about it. And last night, when Mahiru confessed, only she and I know.

If Mahiru’s struggling with her feelings for me, she might confide in a friend. It’s totally natural that she’d turn to Asaka, her lifelong best friend. If that happens, Asaka will find out Mahiru confessed to me. And the same could happen in reverse.

Right now, I’m the only one who knows the full scope of this messed-up love triangle. And it’s up to me to figure out what to do.

My stomach feels like it’s about to cave in. How am I supposed to solve this?

I don’t want to reject either of them, but choosing one means rejecting the other—it’s inevitable. Whoever doesn’t get chosen will be hurt, and it’ll be hard to go back to how things were.

Asaka and Mahiru are both gorgeous, way out of my league, and their charms as women are impossible to compare. I’ve got zero experience with romance—how am I supposed to handle two confessions at once?

What should I do?

“S-so, Asaka-san.”

“Yes?”

“Mahiru-san said she’s got club activities all day today.”

I casually bring up Mahiru-san’s name, but—

“Is that so? Well, they’ll probably wrap up by evening, so let’s all grab dinner together.”

“Y-yeah, sounds good.”

Asaka-san’s reaction is as normal as ever. It seems Mahiru-san hasn’t confided in her or anything. Well, it’s only been a day since yesterday, so it makes sense she wouldn’t have yet. I let out a sigh of relief.

What could Mahiru-san be thinking right now? I want to meet her and talk, but I’m overwhelmed with anxiety about how I should even face her.

“We’re here.”

And so, we return to Moonnight Terrace.

“Grandpa, Grandma, here’s a souvenir for you.”

“Oh, you shouldn’t have!”

“Thank you.”

Asaka-san hands over some souvenirs from Kanagawa to my mom and dad. Then, we order pasta for lunch, and while we’re eating, Miya-chan shows up.

“Oh, Asaka-san, you’re already here! Ojisan, I’ll have the Japanese-style pasta and an iced coffee!”

Miya-chan plops down at our table and pulls out her study materials from her bag.

“Miya-chan, studying already?”

“Yup, I spent the morning playing with Misora-chan and the others, so I’m gonna hit the books hard this afternoon.”

Apparently, Misora-chan, Tatsuki-chan, and Mei-chan were playing at the Haruyama house, and Miya-chan was keeping them company. She goes on about how exhausting it is to deal with kids.

“Why don’t you eat first?”

“No way, no way! I can’t waste even a second!”

With that, Miya-chan takes a sip of the iced coffee that arrives first, striking a dramatic pose.

“…Miya-chan, I think that’s something only people who actually use their time efficiently would say.”

“Ugh, shut up!”

Miya-chan goes on and on about the hardships of wrangling kids, but the moment she picks up her mechanical pencil, the Japanese-style pasta with grated daikon she ordered arrives.

“—Whoa, that looks delicious!”

In the end, she didn’t study at all while waiting for her food. After we finish eating, we head upstairs. Miya-chan says she’s going to study in my room, so we settle in the living room to stay out of her way.

“Yuu-nii, I wanna go somewhere fun.”

Asaka-san says.

“Somewhere fun?”

Honestly, I’m not in the mood to go out and have fun. I’m too worried about Mahiru-san, and my head’s spinning with thoughts about the messed-up love triangle I just realized exists between me, Asaka-san, and Mahiru-san. How am I supposed to fix this?

“Hey, Yuu-nii.”

Asaka-san grabs my hand under the table. Then—

“If you’re going somewhere fun, I wanna come too!”

Miya-chan’s voice comes from the doorway. Asaka-san quietly lets go of my hand.

“Miya-chan, what about studying?”

Asaka-san chides her like a mom scolding a child, but Miya-chan replies in a carefree tone.

“I do it during the week, so it’s fine, it’s fine!”

“Well, she does study late in my room all the time.”

She probably just wants to spend some time with Asaka-san since they rarely get to hang out. Miya-chan’s usually serious about her studies, so letting her off the hook for the weekend isn’t a big deal.

“…Hmm.”

Somehow, we end up deciding to go out.

“So, where to?”

Miya-chan asks us.

“I’m fine with anywhere.”

“Karaoke, then! I haven’t been in a while!”

Miya-chan raises her hand with the suggestion.

“Karaoke sounds good.”

“I’m okay with it.”

And so, we head to a nearby karaoke place. This spot used to be a Shidax, but by the time I came back to Fujinomiya, it had turned into a Karaoke-kan.

“This brings back memories. We used to come here a lot, the four of us, didn’t we?”

Asaka-san looks up at the blue sign with a nostalgic gaze.

“The first time we came, you two got lost, didn’t you?”

“Was that us? I thought it was you and Mahiru-san.”

We check in at the front desk, grab drinks from the drink bar, and head to our room.

“I’m gonna hit the restroom first.”

“I’ll hold your drink then.”

Asaka-san takes Miya-chan’s drink, and the two of us enter the room.

When I sit in the middle of the sofa, Asaka-san deliberately faces me, steps over my knees, and sits right next to me. Her ample chest passes right in front of my eyes.

“H-hey! You could’ve just gone around the table!”

“But that’s such a detour.”

“Even so—”

“Yuu-nii, you really seem off today.”

Sitting beside me, Asaka-san peers into my face. In the dimly lit room, her eyes seem to shimmer with an almost otherworldly glow. That piercing gaze feels like it could see right through me.

“I’m fine.”

“Are you sure? You seem down and restless at the same time.”

“Huh?”

“Your eyes are darting all over the place, and you’re fidgeting.”

“I-I’m fine, really.”

“Really? If something’s bothering you, I’m here to listen. I’m on your side, Yuu-nii.”

With that, Asaka-san gently takes my hand again.

“Did something happen?”

Her voice is sweet, slipping into my heart and wrapping around it like syrup.

Hold on a second.

Does she actually know everything? Is she testing me, fully aware of what’s going on? No, no way. I haven’t told anyone about last night.

The only reason I’m even suspicious is probably because I feel guilty.

I’m caught in a situation where two girls have feelings for me, and I’m hiding it from both of them while failing to give either a clear answer.

“I’m back!”

Miya-chan returns. Asaka-san smoothly pulls away.

“Alright, time to sing!”

Miya-chan sits on my other side, sandwiching me between them. As she fiddles with the Denmoku, she starts picking songs. For a while, Miya-chan and Asaka-san take turns singing, occasionally coaxing me to join in. But my mood doesn’t lift.

“I’m heading to the restroom for a bit.”

Asaka-san gets up. Since Miya-chan’s on the other side, she doesn’t try to squeeze past me this time and instead goes around the table to leave the room.

“♪~”

Miya-chan’s happily belting out an anime song. Watching her, I start to think.

“…”

Should I talk to Miya-chan about this?

Miya-chan’s outside this messy triangle, and she’s close to all three of us. She’d probably listen and take it seriously. Maybe she could even help smooth things over between Mahiru-san and Asaka-san.

But as soon as I think that, I shake my head vigorously.

No, no way.

Dumping this on Miya-chan won’t solve the root of the problem, and she’s already got enough on her plate with exams coming up. She’s been studying hard every day, and I don’t want to burden her with extra stress.

I guess I have to figure this out on my own. But Asaka-san or Mahiru-san—one of them will end up hurt if I choose the other.

Honestly, I don’t think I have romantic feelings for either of them, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t see them as women. Back at the Shonan villa when Asaka-san snuck into my room at night, I shamefully got… excited. I saw Asaka-san as a woman then.

That moment made it crystal clear that these “brats” I used to know aren’t just brats anymore—they’re beautiful young women overflowing with charm.

Both physically and emotionally, the girls from my memories have grown into stunning women. But falling for someone ten years younger, someone I’ve known since they were kids, doesn’t feel… normal.

“I’m back.”

Asaka-san returns.

Mahiru-san will probably join us tonight. What kind of answer should I give her when that time comes…

“Alright, that’s it for today.”

“Thank you!”

The gym echoes with the voices of the club members. It’s five in the afternoon. As the others head to the clubroom, I approach the advisor.

“Um, excuse me.”

“What’s up, Ryuushaku-san?”

“I need to talk about something.”

“What is it?”

“It’s about the scout—”

Five-thirty in the evening.

We settle the bill and leave the karaoke place. The sky is a deep indigo, with the darkness of night creeping closer. As we walk through the dim parking lot, Miya-chan suddenly stops.

“Huh?”

Miya-chan pulls out her phone and stares at the screen.

“What’s wrong, Miya-chan?”

Asaka-san, walking right behind her, places both hands on Miya-chan’s shoulders with a playful pat.

“Mahiru-san says she’s got practice late today, so she’s skipping dinner.”

“What!?”

“Well, practice is practice. Mahiru-chan’s aiming for the Spring High, after all.”

“Ugh, but Asaka-san’s finally back!”

Mahiru-san’s not coming?

“Hey, Miya-chan, could you try calling Mahiru-san for me?”

“Huh? Why?”

“Just do it, please.”

“Fine, fine.”

Miya-chan presses the phone to her ear, gazing absently at the starry sky. After about a minute, she lowers the phone with a disappointed look, as Mahiru-san apparently didn’t pick up.

“No answer. She’s probably still practicing.”

“I-I see.”

After her confession last night, Mahiru-san bolted out of the car like she was escaping. She hasn’t responded to any of my messages since, and now she’s canceling on dinner tonight…

Putting it all together, I can’t help but feel she’s avoiding me. No, she’s definitely avoiding me. Even though her confession came out of nowhere, I couldn’t give her any kind of answer, and she might be angry about that.

“…Ha.”

I let out a sigh.

Yuu-nii’s acting really weird.

What’s got him so troubled?

When he found out Mahiru-chan wasn’t coming, he looked visibly shocked, and it’s kind of odd that he asked Miya-chan to call her instead of doing it himself.

Is something going on with Mahiru-chan?

…Hmm.

 

3

 

Sunday, just past noon.

“Hello, Asaka-san?”

“Oh, Mahiru-chan! What’s up?”

Hearing Asaka-san’s voice fills me with guilt.

“I, um, I’ve got club stuff today too, so I can’t join everyone.”

“Aw, that’s too bad. We didn’t get to hang out yesterday either, and I was hoping to see you tonight.”

“S-sorry. W-well, bye then.”

“Wait, Mahiru-chan.”

“W-what?”

“It’s about Yuu-nii.”

“Y-Yuu-nii?”

“Yeah, Yuu-nii seems kinda down, like something’s troubling him.”

“—!”

“Mahiru-chan, do you know anything about it?”

“N-no, I don’t know anything. Break’s almost over, so I’m gonna hang up now.”

“Okay, sorry for asking something weird.”

“W-well, then.”

“Yup, good luck with practice. Bye-bye!”

The call ended, and the cold, mechanical beep, beep echoed in my ears. Staring at the screen displaying “Call Ended,” I let out a sigh.

Lying on my bed, I’m consumed by self-loathing. Truth is, there’s no club practice today. It’s my first completely free day in a while.

The sunlight streaming through the window is relentlessly bright, too dazzling for me right now. As I absentmindedly stare at my phone screen, it suddenly switches to an incoming call. An unknown number.

“Hello?”

“Hey there. Is this Ryuushaku-chan? This is Yoshimura from Kumamoto Empress.”

“Oh, hi.”

Yoshimura… that’s the middle-aged scout I met before, right?

“I heard from your coach. You want to hear more details, huh? That’s great to hear!”

“Uh, it’s not like I’ve decided anything yet. I just wanted to know more about what it’s like.”

“No worries, no worries at all! I’m just glad you’re interested.”

Yesterday, I asked my coach to get more details about the scout offer from Kumamoto Empress.

“We’re actually heading to Shizuoka next Saturday for an away game. If it’s okay with you, Ryuushaku-chan, maybe you could drop by to check it out? You can see our players up close. The location is—”

I grab a pen and notepad, jotting down the address of the civic gymnasium Yoshimura-san mentions.

“Alright, looking forward to seeing you next week!”

The call ends, and I set my phone down by my pillow.

‘Always keep “running away” as an option in your head.’

That’s what Yuu-nii said to me on my birthday.

‘Facing tough or painful things head-on is important, of course, but sometimes there are things effort alone can’t fix.’

‘Sometimes, running away is just as important.’

I can’t go back to the way things were with Yuu-nii anymore. I didn’t mean to confess or anything, but with everything going on with Asaka and the scout offer, my emotions just spilled out.

Now that he knows how I feel, I can’t face Yuu-nii the same way. No more bantering like siblings, no more hanging out casually—it’s just not possible anymore.

But I don’t have the courage to hear his response either. The thought of him rejecting me is so terrifying, it paralyzes me…

My call history shows a bunch of missed calls from Yuu-nii. But I don’t have the guts to pick up.

If I take the scout offer and volleyball gets even busier, maybe I won’t have to see Yuu-nii at all.

Running away isn’t a bad thing. Yeah, it’s not…

＊

Monday.

“Mahiru, let’s grab lunch.”

Miya was standing at the classroom doorway.

“Oh, sure.”

We settle into a secluded spot in the cafeteria.

“Mahiru, you’ve been super busy lately, huh?”

Miya said, munching on her sandwich.

“Yeah, aiming for Spring High, you know.”

“Must be tough, not even having weekends to hang out.”

“…Haha.”

“By the way, yesterday was wild. Asaka suddenly wanted to go to Fuji-Q Highland, you know? That haunted maze thing? I thought I was gonna die. Me and Asaka were clinging to Yuu-nii the whole time—”

Miya chatters away cheerfully.

“Was Yuu-nii having fun?”

“Huh? Oh, he was screaming his head off too.”

“Not the haunted house, I mean Fuji-Q Highland.”

“Hmm, now that you mention it, he didn’t seem all that excited to go. Maybe he was tired?”

Yesterday at lunch, Asaka told me Yuu-nii seemed out of sorts. I’m probably putting a burden on him because of me.

“Mahiru, you seem kinda down.”

Miya peered at my face, her expression full of concern.

“Just tired, that’s all.”

“…Okay.”

What would Miya say if I told her I confessed to Yuu-nii? She’d probably be shocked, but knowing Miya, with our long friendship, she’d listen and be there for me. Still, since she’s connected to Yuu-nii, I hesitate to bring it up.

“This weekend’s packed with club stuff too?”

“…Y-yeah.”

“Got it. Don’t push yourself too hard, okay, Mahiru?”

Miya flashed an innocent smile.

After that, I stopped going to Moonnight Terrace, and time just slipped by. Yuu-nii kept trying to contact me, but I couldn’t muster the courage to respond.

I threw myself into volleyball to avoid thinking about him, and before I knew it, it was Friday. Once today’s over, the weekend’s coming. Asaka will probably go see Yuu-nii again…

Lunch break on the last day of the school week.

Miya had a Mystery Club meeting, so she quickly finished lunch and headed to the clubroom building. Lingering in the cafeteria felt restless, so I decided to take a walk outside and made my way to the entrance.

Under a cloudy sky, I wandered aimlessly. On the field, some guys were playing soccer, and along the tree-lined path, a couple sat shoulder-to-shoulder, eating their bentos.

Before I realized it, I’d ended up in the courtyard. No one else was around. I plopped down on the grass.

“Haa…”

And then—

“Wah!”

Someone suddenly grabbed my shoulder, and a voice startled me right by my ear.

“Eek… Oh, it’s just you, Yuuhi-chan.”

Golden hair, clear blue eyes, and refined features with a hint of British heritage.

Togami Yuuhi was looking down at me.

＊

Massive chest, porcelain-pale skin, and plump thighs. Spotting Mahiru-senpai wandering alone aimlessly, Yuuhi decided to secretly tail her.

Mahiru-senpai didn’t notice Yuuhi and sat down on the courtyard grass, facing away. Thinking it’d be fun to play a little prank, Yuuhi sneaked up and startled her, getting a bigger reaction than expected, which was kind of thrilling.

“Did I scare you?”

“Yeah, you did.”

Yuuhi sat down next to Mahiru-senpai, who was sitting cross-legged.

“What’s up? Why’re you out here?”

“Just… you know.”

Mahiru-senpai’s voice sounded a bit stiff. Her expression was gloomy, not at all like her usual vibrant, sun-in-the-middle-of-summer vibe. If anything, she felt heavy, like this overcast sky. It was as if her usual energy was hidden behind thick clouds.

What’s going on with her?

“Got something on your mind?”

“…Can you tell?”

“Oh, totally. You’re giving off a completely different vibe than usual.”

“…The thing is, I confessed to someone I like.”

“…Oh, wow.”

“…”

“…”

“…”

“…”

“…”

“…Wait, WHAAAT?!”

“Shh, don’t yell so loud!”

“Oh, s-sorry! Uh, so, this person you like… is it a guy?”

Mahiru-senpai buried her face between her knees and mumbled a soft “Yeah.”

So cute. No, wait—

A shock like a bucket of water dumping on her head coursed through Yuuhi’s body.

Yeah, I figured as much.

No matter how close they are, Miya-senpai’s just a friend, huh? I kinda suspected it, but yeah, they’re just friends. I must’ve misread how close they seemed.

“…Haa.”

“You got something bothering you too, Yuuhi-chan?”

“Oh, no, it’s fine. Don’t worry about it. I’m totally crushed, but don’t mind me.”

“O-okay.”

And then Mahiru-senpai started talking.

Her voice was frail, nothing like her usual self, yet the words poured out like a dam had burst, unstoppable.

She’d been hiding her feelings for so long. She was terrified that confessing would change their relationship. And then, unintentionally, her feelings slipped out to him.

She must’ve been dying to tell someone, bottling up all this pain on her own. That’s what Yuuhi realized.

“—And I didn’t mean to, but I ended up saying I like him.”

“That’s how it went, huh? So, what did he say?”

No way there’s some idiot out there who’d turn down Mahiru-senpai’s confession. I mean, who wouldn’t want to enjoy every inch of that volleyball-honed body?

“…”

“Mahiru-senpai?”

“I haven’t heard his response yet. Or rather… I don’t want to.”

“…Huh? Don’t want to hear it? What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It’s just…”

Even if it was an accidental confession, not hearing the response seems kinda off. Once your feelings are out there, isn’t it only natural to hear what the other person has to say? There’s no avoiding it.

Whatever the outcome, you’ve gotta face it. Plus, not hearing his answer would just leave you stuck in this foggy mess, right?

If it’s a no, then it’s a no—you’d at least get closure. And honestly, I can’t imagine any guy turning down Mahiru-senpai’s confession.

Oh, maybe she’s trying to focus on volleyball right now and keep romance on the back burner. She did say she’s aiming for Spring High.

But what came out of Mahiru-senpai’s mouth was something Yuuhi never could’ve predicted.

“…I’m scared.”

Her voice trembled, as if she were standing in the middle of a frozen tundra. Her eyes were glistening with tears.

“Scared…?”

“If his answer is… if he says we can’t be together…”

A single tear rolled down her cheek, her voice now tinged with the sound of crying.

“I wouldn’t be able to stay by his side anymore. I just wanted to be near him, and I finally got to be close to him, and I meant to keep my feelings hidden forever, but now that he knows… If he says he doesn’t like me, I won’t be able to stay by his side anymore.”

“Mahiru-senpai, it’s not like you’ve been rejected—”

“That’s why I don’t want to hear it!”

Mahiru-senpai’s voice echoed under the cloudy sky.

“So, what’re you gonna do?”

“Nothing. I’m fine with things as they are.”

“You’re just gonna leave it without hearing his answer?”

“Yeah.”

“But if you keep avoiding it and see him like that, won’t it just be awkward for both of you—”

“I won’t see him.”

“Huh?”

“If I see him, I’ll have to hear his answer, right? So I’m just not gonna see him.”

“Not see him?”

“I’m busy with club stuff anyway, and there’s the scout thing too.”

“…”

No matter how busy you are with club or future plans, you can still talk over the phone or text. Completely cutting off contact with someone, especially someone you know, is impossible.

“Mahiru-senpai…”

Is she just looking for an excuse?

Yuuhi could understand being afraid of the relationship changing. Keeping your feelings hidden forever is a valid choice, and Yuuhi could respect that.

But refusing to hear his answer? That’s just childish and reckless, and Mahiru-senpai has to know that deep down. She’s forcing herself to accept this messed-up situation.

“I’m gonna be blunt, but isn’t that just running away to make things easier for yourself?”

At Yuuhi’s words, Mahiru-senpai flinched, her back straightening.

“R-running away isn’t a bad thing!”

“I get it. Even I, Yuuhi, want to run away when things get tough. But you’ve got to face your challenges head-on!”

“…!”

“You tackle the hardship, give it everything you’ve got, and if it still doesn’t work out, then you can think about running. You already confessed, didn’t you? So, brace yourself and accept their answer.”

“…B-But if I get rejected, I might never see him again.”

“You’re not even planning to see him now, are you?”

“Ugh.”

“So, what’s your plan? Just drag this out without hearing his answer? Where’s that going to lead?”

“That’s…”

“What’s the one thing you, Mahiru-senpai, want most?”

A breeze swept through, rustling the branches softly, wrapping Yuuhi and the others in a lukewarm gust. How long had they stood there like that? Mahiru-senpai stayed silent, staring intently at the grass beneath her feet.

“…-rever.”

“Huh?”

“I want to be with him… forever.”

Her voice, squeezed out like a confession, rode the wind and melted into the cloudy sky.

 

4

 

—Saturday, just past nine in the morning.

The sky was overcast.

Leaving Shizuoka Station, I headed toward the gymnasium Yoshimura-san had told me about.

It was just a few minutes’ walk from the station.

Yesterday, Yuuhi-chan lit a fire under me, and I think I’ve finally steeled myself. No matter what answer Yuu-nii gives me, I’m ready to accept it with grace.

My deepest wish is to be with Yuu-nii forever. To make that happen, I need to hear his response.

Whether it’s a yes or a no, I have to face Yuu-nii’s feelings head-on.

I don’t want to think about getting rejected, but if Yuu-nii turns me down, I’ll swear off love for good. I’ll dedicate my life to volleyball and keep moving forward.

The spacious parking lot had two large buses parked in it. From what I’d heard, this was the final tune-up match before the season kicked off in October, against a Shizuoka team. Stepping inside, I spotted Yoshimura-san right away.

“Hey, I’ve been waiting for you, Ryuushaku-chan!”

“Hey, it’s been a while.”

Rubbing her round belly, Yoshimura-san guided me inside.

“They’re in the middle of a practice match right now. Feel free to watch.”

“Got it.”

Inside the gym, the match was buzzing with an intensity that didn’t feel like just practice. The ball zipped back and forth, and the players on the bench were shouting encouragements with full force.

I climbed the stairs to the second floor, leaned against the railing, and watched the game.

“That libero out there is our star player, Koharun—Hanayama Koharu. You know her, right?”

I’d hoped to watch alone, but for some reason, Yoshimura-san tagged along. Well, if I’m going to join this team, I guess I’ll need to get along with her, so I can’t exactly brush her off.

Hanayama Koharu was petite but moved with sharp precision, diving for every tough ball with relentless tenacity. Her drive for the ball was unreal.

“Wow…”

The match ended with a victory for Kumamoto Empress. After a break, they’d swap players and go again. I was supposed to be introduced to the Kumamoto Empress players afterward, but a last-minute interview popped up, so I was sent to wait in a separate room.

As I zoned out, waiting, a woman walked in.

Long chestnut hair, a striking figure, and a face so perfect she could’ve been an idol. She wore a red libero uniform with a towel draped around her neck.

“Oh, you’re the girl who was watching earlier, right?”

It was Hanayama Koharu.

I stood up to greet her.

“H-Hi, I’m Ryuushaku Mahiru.”

“So you’re the famous Ryuushaku-chan! I’m Hanayama Koharu, nice to meet you!”

“Nice to meet you too, Hanayama-san.”

“Just call me Koharu.”

“Okay, Koharu-san then.”

“Yoshimura-san was making a big fuss about finding an amazing rookie.”

“Haha, well…”

“No need to be so stiff, take a seat!”

As she spoke, Koharu-san plopped down across from me.

“Yoshimura-san mentioned you’re from Kita High, right?”

“Oh, yeah, that’s right.”

“I’m a Kita High alum too! Man, that takes me back. My little sister’s a third-year there now.”

“Oh, you mean Rin, right?”

“You know her?”

“Yeah, we’re pretty close.”

“Wow, small world!”

Koharu-san was like a ray of sunshine, so warm and open even with someone she’d just met. Talking to her made my spirits lift, like I was soaking in her energy…

How could someone like her not get along with her sister?

“Rin’s always been such a clingy kid—”

“Um, this might be rude to ask, but I heard you and Rin don’t get along so well…”

“W-Wait, who told you that?”

“Rin’s boyfriend.”

“What?! Rin’s got a boyfriend?!”

“Yeah.”

“That little sneak! She didn’t even tell me she’s got a guy!”

“Did you two have a fight or something?”

“Hmm, not exactly a fight… more like a difference in values, I guess.”

Koharu-san narrowed her eyes, gazing off into the distance with a sigh.

“What about you, Ryuushaku-chan? Got a boyfriend?”

“N-No, I don’t.”

I waved my hands in front of my face.

“…That reaction screams you’ve got someone you like.”

“Huh?”

“Your face is bright red!”

Koharu-san grinned mischievously.

“I love it, so youthful! Takes me back to high school.”

“Did you, um, have a crush or anything back in high school, Koharu-san?”

“Oh, totally. I know it’s weird to say about myself, but I was very aware of how cute I am. Super confident in my looks. But when I confessed to my first real crush, I got shot down right out of the gate.”

The words got shot down hit me like a weight on my chest.

“But I didn’t give up. I kept going after him.”

“Huh?”

“I tried everything, switched up my approach, you name it. Looking back, it was exhausting!”

Koharu-san crossed her arms, nodding to herself.

“But you got rejected that first time, right?”

Isn’t rejection supposed to be the end of the line for love?

“Yeah, but I couldn’t imagine being with anyone else. More than anything, I didn’t want to live with regrets. It’s a one-shot life, you know? Giving up on my feelings just because I tripped once felt like such a waste.”

“…!”

In that moment, something inside me shifted, like a spark igniting.

“It wasn’t easy, but in the end, we started dating, and we’re still together now—”

“Yo, Hana-chan, come here for a sec!”

Another player called out, and Koharu-san stood up.

“Alright, catch you later!”

“Oh, sure.”

Left alone, I mulled over Koharu-san’s words.

A one-shot life. Giving up would be such a waste.

“…”

I’d always thought a confession was a one-and-done deal. Yes or no, heads or tails, a single moment that decided everything. But giving up on my feelings after just one try…

“A waste… huh.”

Glancing out the window, I noticed the once-cloudy sky had cleared into a brilliant blue.

 

5

 

Sunday.

The long stretch of cloudy skies finally broke by yesterday afternoon, giving way to crisp autumn sunshine.

The breeze was chilly, but the strong sunlight balanced it out perfectly. Despite the pleasant weather, my heart was still stuck under a gray cloud.

I sighed as I cleaned up the terrace seating.

“Haa…”

It’s been over a week since I last saw Mahiru.

She’s been telling Miya and Asaka that she’s busy with club activities, but it’s obvious Mahiru’s avoiding me. No, she’s probably mad. She won’t pick up my calls or reply to my messages, and she hasn’t set foot in Moonnight Terrace.

I deeply regret how I handled her confession last Friday night. When I heard Mahiru’s feelings, I was so shocked I just froze up, unable to respond properly. That’s got to be the main reason.

This past week, I’ve been thinking a lot—about Asaka, too.

Accepting one of their feelings means rejecting the other. And the three of us aren’t strangers; we’ve been tied together for a decade. Whether I choose Mahiru or Asaka, the one left behind will suffer, and our relationship will fray. I can’t stand the thought of two people who used to be close fighting or resenting each other because of me.

I’ve got no experience in love myself, but back in Tokyo, I heard plenty of horror stories about love triangles from colleagues and clients.

So, I thought, if Mahiru and Asaka’s bond would break because of me, wouldn’t it be better to reject both confessions? That feels like the safest choice.

They’re still high schoolers—just kids. It’s wrong for them to be hung up on an old guy like me.

Yeah, exactly. Mahiru and Asaka will probably meet way better guys in the future. They shouldn’t get stuck on someone like me. They’re like adorable little sisters to me, and I’m a whole decade older. They’re both gorgeous, kind girls—way too good for me. They’re still in high school, with endless possibilities stretching out before them.

I keep telling myself that.

“…Phew.”

This feels like the best answer I can come up with right now. It might not preserve our relationships exactly as they were, but it should avoid the worst-case scenario.

Even if rejecting their confessions means they’ll hate me or things get awkward, this is the cleanest resolution I can think of.

The question is timing. When should I do it? Sooner’s better than later.

Mahiru and Asaka don’t know yet that they’re both in love with the same person—me. If I talk to them one-on-one and gently let them down, they won’t have to fall out over liking the same guy.

Finishing up the terrace cleanup, I returned to the shop. Miya, who’d been studying in my room, had come downstairs. Apparently hungry, she was digging into a strawberry parfait at the counter. It was just past three in the afternoon—perfect snack time.

“Miya, how’s studying going?”

“Good!”

Munching on her parfait, Miya looked blissfully content.

“Oh, by the way, Mahiru and Asaka are coming by later.”

“Huh?”

Asaka had mentioned she’d drop by around evening because of some family stuff. Mahiru, on the other hand, hadn’t responded to any of my attempts to reach out…

“Mahiru too?”

“Yup. She said her club’s off today, so she’s coming with Asaka. Got a Line message about it.”

“I-I see.”

Mahiru’s coming…

It’s been over a week since that night she confessed, and we haven’t seen each other since. I tried going to her, but she always had an excuse—club activities or something else—and dodged me. She ignored my calls and messages, too. But now, today, she’s coming to see me on her own.

A wave of happiness mixed with anxiety washed over me. How am I supposed to face her? If we meet, we’ll have to talk about her confession, but that needs to happen somewhere private, away from Miya and Asaka’s eyes.

“Hey, where are we eating tonight?”

Miya asked about dinner.

“Haven’t decided yet. Got any place in mind?”

“Hmm, I’m in the mood for something Japanese.”

“Says the girl eating a parfait.”

“Exactly because I’m eating a parfait, I’m craving Japanese food!”

“Alright, alright.”

Maybe I’ll take them to a soba shop.

And then, just past five-thirty in the evening, Mahiru and Asaka showed up together.

“O-Oh, Mahiru.”

“What’s up, Yuu-nii? Your face looks all stiff.”

Mahiru acts just like her usual self, unchanged.

“Yuu-nii, where are we going for dinner?”

Asaka asks.

“Oh, uh, I was thinking maybe some soba.”

“Sounds nice.”

“I’m kinda craving something heartier, though.”

“It’s fine, Mahiru-chan. Soba places usually have katsu-don or stuff like that too.”

“Oh, yeah, good point! Alright, Yuu-nii, let’s go!”

“Y-Yeah, sure.”

“Miya-chan, let’s get moving.”

“Yup.”

Their natural behavior, as if that confession from the other day never happened, catches me off guard. I’m thrilled to see Mahiru after so long, but honestly, confusion outweighs the joy.

What’s going on?

For the past nine days, Mahiru’s been avoiding me, hasn’t she? Yet here she is, acting as close as ever, like nothing’s changed. I’m relieved to see her so lively, but… what is this?

With a heavy knot in my chest, I lead the three of them toward an old soba shop in the shopping district. On the way,

“Hey, didn’t you go to Fuji-Q last week? I totally wanted to go too.”

Mahiru says, pouting a little.

“Mahiru’s been all about club stuff lately, huh?” Miya chimes in.

“Next time our schedules line up, let’s all go together!”

Asaka says, glancing up at me with a “Right?”

“Y-Yeah, sounds good.”

We finally arrive at the soba shop.

“Yuu-nii, you drinking tonight?”

“Nah, I’m good for today.”

“I’ll take two seiro soba, a big katsu-don, and a tempura platter.”

“You eat like a horse, Mahiru, as always.”

It feels like our usual routine is back, and my heart swells with warmth. But then I remember—I have to give a painful answer to Mahiru and Asaka’s confessions soon. There’s no way Mahiru isn’t thinking about it too. She must’ve come to see me today because she’s ready to talk about her confession.

Today, I’ll give Mahiru my answer and make it clear I can’t return her feelings. Then, later, I’ll tell Asaka the same—that I can’t accept her feelings either.

Yeah, this is the right move. This is the best solution.

After dinner, we head from the shopping district to Sengen Shrine, strolling through its grounds. The quiet precinct, draped in the dark curtain of night, echoes with the sounds of wind and insects. Stars twinkle in the sky, and a beautiful moon casts a divine glow.

As we walk, I mentally rehearse my response to Mahiru. Then we make our way to Fujinomiya Station to see Asaka off.

“See you next week, then.”

“Byeee!”

“Later.”

Miya and Mahiru wave, and I give a small wave from behind them. Asaka passes through the gate and heads to the platform. After that, I drop Miya off at the Haruyama house, leaving just me and Mahiru.

We walk side by side through the night streets.

“…”

“…”

We move in silence, not heading anywhere in particular, just letting our feet carry us. Both of us know what we need to talk about. That rainy night’s confession—it’s time to address it. But how do I even start?

Before I know it, we’ve ended up in front of Moonnight Terrace.

“…Wanna keep walking a bit?”

“Yeah.”

We end up at a nearby park. Sitting on a bench, we both look up at the sky. The moment has finally come. My body tenses with nerves.

“Hey, Mahiru—”

As I start to speak, Mahiru cuts in, overlapping my words.

“Yuu-nii, I’m sorry.”

“Huh?”

“For, y’know, ignoring you all this time.”

“Oh, no, it’s not a big deal…”

“I didn’t actually plan on confessing or anything.”

“What?”

“I got so scared thinking about what’d happen if you rejected me, Yuu-nii.”

“…”

“I thought it’d be better to just keep my feelings hidden forever, but then I blurted it out without thinking.”

“Mahiru.”

“But since I said it, I knew I had to hear your answer. Except, if it was a ‘no,’ I didn’t want to face it, so I avoided you and ignored your messages… I’m sorry.”

“Oh, so that’s what was going on.”

“Sorry for acting like such a kid.”

I completely understand where Mahiru’s coming from.

She was worried about our relationship changing. But the answer I’m about to give isn’t one she’ll be happy to hear. I have to steel myself here.

“Mahiru, I—”

“So, I’m not gonna hear it right now.”

“…What?”

“I bet you still see me as a little sister, don’t you, Yuu-nii?”

Mahiru turns to face me. Her big eyes lock onto mine, holding my gaze captive.

“So for now, let’s put it on hold.”

“H-Hold?”

“I’m not listening to anything but a ‘yes.’ I’m not giving up—not until you like me back, not until you see me as a woman.”

“Mahiru, what are you—”

“I don’t know how you feel right now, Yuu-nii, but if it’s not a ‘yes,’ don’t say anything. Not that I’d give up even if you said ‘no’—I’m not backing down, not in this one life I’ve got.”

What am I doing? Wasn’t I supposed to tell Mahiru ‘no’?

Why can’t I say anything?

“So when you fall for me as a woman, when you’re ready to date me, then give me your answer. I’ll wait as long as it takes.”

And then, as Mahiru’s face draws closer, there’s a soft chu sound, and a gentle sensation brushes my cheek.

“I love you.”

With that, Mahiru stands up quickly.

“See ya tomorrow!”

Her figure darts off, disappearing into the darkness of the night.

The lingering sensation of Mahiru’s lips on my cheek.

Her words—“I’m not giving up”—carry a resolve that hits me hard. Her voice and tone were calm, but there was a fierce determination, like a predator chasing its prey.

As I stare into the night sky, something dull and heavy seeps into a corner of my mind. It spreads, filling my entire head.

It’s not unpleasant. It’s almost like a sigh of relief, a sense of calm.

What is this feeling, exactly…?