Epilogue: The celebration

“Jeez… I was wondering when you’d finally say it, but to pick that moment, huh…”

Akito says while sipping his melon soda.

“Haha, I was shocked too! Congrats, Kouki-kun!”

“So… it’s finally happened…”

“Congratulations, Kouki.”

“Yeah… congrats.”

Akitsu, Hayato, Makoto, and Kanou follow suit, offering their blessings.

Amidst it all, Touno, the only one visibly upset, sits in front of me, Aisa, and Yuuki, eating her omurice and grumbling.

“Yuuki-chan, Fujino-kun, could you at least think about me a little?! Geez…”

“Sorry…”

“My bad…”

“Me too…?”

“The omurice is delicious, so I’ll forgive you… but still, ugh!”

Touno’s anger seems to soften as her stomach fills, so for now, I’ll just keep bringing food to smooth things over.

The master’s kindly letting us use the ingredients freely.

We just have to cook for ourselves. The master and Akemi-san have retreated to the house, probably thinking we’d feel awkward with them around.

“Seconds?”

“Please! And something we can all share!”

“Got it.”

I take the empty plates and head to the kitchen.

“I’ll help…”

“Yuuki.”

Seeing Yuuki rush over, Akitsu teases Aisa.

“Oho? You okay with that, Aisa?”

“W-Wait, I’ll help too!”

No need to turn it into a competition…

“Hehe… things are getting heated, huh?”

“Ugh… shut up!”

Manami joins in the teasing, coming to the kitchen to help with washing and cooking.

“Yuuki…”

In the not-so-spacious kitchen, I feel a strange awkwardness and freeze up.

“…Mm.”

Yuuki says nothing but smiles, raising both hands. When I meet her high-five, my body naturally starts moving, one step at a time.

“Yay, right?”

Her gaze peeks up at me, and my heartbeat quickens. It feels like meeting a new Yuuki—different from the one who clung to my clothes when she first transferred, different from the heroic Yuuki of back then.

“Yuuki-kun, you were amazing today.”

“…Thanks.”

Manami says to Yuuki.

“Now that the heartbreak alliance is official, if Onee-chan shows any openings, we’ll share intel and make our move, right?”

“Yeah… I’ll watch at school, and Manami-chan, you watch at home…”

“Right!”

“Wait, you two?!”

“Haha!”

Watching their half-serious banter, I feel a bit awkward and focus on the cooking in front of me…

Still, it’s good to see Yuuki in high spirits.

“Hey, Kouki! Say something!”

Instead, Aisa, a little teary-eyed, smacks me. Well, I’ll take it in stride and make it up to her later…

◇

After the kitchen banter, I make parfaits and bring them to everyone.

“Ooh, looks delicious!”

“Mm… tasty.”

Even Kanou, who’s quick to dig in, praises it, and I breathe a sigh of relief.

The group’s a bit scattered since there’s so many of us, but Akitsu pulls us together.

“Well! Yuuki might be a bit bummed, but today’s a victory party and a celebration for Aisa and Kouki-kun!”

Akitsu says, holding a parfait and steering the conversation. Kanou’s as laid-back as ever. Aisa, seated next to me, is blushing and fidgeting.

“When did it start? I had a hunch when I saw you two at the movie theater.”

“Yeah, I saw you guys taking purikura together too.”

That was the same day…

“So, by the fireworks…?”

“Come on, you could’ve said something at the start of the second term!”

“My bad… it was the day of the fireworks festival. That’s when we started going out.”

I confess honestly. Kanou, who I thought was engrossed in her parfait, chimes in.

“You two already had that couple vibe at the barbecue.”

“Well, Aisa’s been making heart-eyes forever, so…”

Touno, laughing along with Kanou, has this… motherly look.

Aisa’s usually the perfect honor student, but she can be adorably hopeless at times. Touno’s expression comes from knowing that and looking out for her.

As I’m leisurely mulling this over, Akitsu suddenly drops a bomb.

“So, who’s getting together next, huh?”

The air shifts instantly. For a moment, everyone’s eyes dart in different directions, but nothing more happens.

“It’s not fair to talk about stuff Yuuki-chan doesn’t know, right? Sorry!”

Touno tries to smooth things over, but Yuuki responds.

“No… I want to know more.”

“…This girl is just too cute.”

Touno can’t help but hug her, and Yuuki lets it happen.

They’re so close… even though Touno was mad earlier.

“Well, these two are still full of openings, so maybe your chance’ll come soon.”

Akitsu grins mischievously, and Aisa, reacting next to me, grabs my arm tightly.

“God, you lucky jerk.”

Hayato nudges me, but Akitsu drops another bomb.

“Hayato-kun, doesn’t this mean you’re finally free to move on?”

“What?!”

Hayato panics. Just watching him, I get it.

Yeah, makes sense. For someone as popular as Hayato to stay single this long…

“No, Kouki, it’s not like I was trying to steal her or anything! Just… I’ve always kinda liked her.”

“Well, you were pushing for them to get together quick at the fireworks.”

Makoto piles on.

“You could tell just by looking at Takanishi’s face who she would be happiest with.”

Hayato’s a good guy through and through.

Aisa reacts differently to his words.

“Was I… that obvious?”

“““Yup.”“”

Everyone nods in unison.

“Was I the only one who didn’t notice…?”

“Well, it’s hard to see when it’s about yourself.”

Akito’s words—comfort or something else—fill the café with laughter.

It was a happy day.

Aisa squeezes my hand and whispers so only I can hear.

“I’m so happy.”

Those words alone fill me up.

I’m blessed with great friends, a great childhood friend, and… an amazing girlfriend.

“We’re going on the school trip with this crew, right?”

“Gonna be a big group!”

“Even if we split into two groups, we’ll just meet up anyway.”

“Can’t wait!”

As everyone chats about what’s next, I realize something.

Maybe it’s because things have settled for us that I can see it now.

Yeah.

We’re not the only ones holding onto those frustrating, unspoken feelings.