Chapter 28: Final Chapter

Although the event was ticketed, today was Christmas Eve.

　I looked to my right and to my left, and the place was packed with people.

“I don’t want you to get sidetracked,”

“Y-yes.”

　I clasped Asuka’s right hand tightly.

　The night is completely over after eighteen o’clock.

　The stars were hardly visible, but the area was filled with decorations as beautiful as the starry sky.

　Electric curtains covered the streets.

　Looking around, there were only families or couples.

　We were probably the only ex-couple in the area.

“…… Did you want to come here?”

　Asuka asked anxiously as she looked around.

“Yes. Ah, you don’t like it?”

“No, not really. Ah, right. The ticket price.”

　Asuka starts to look for her wallet in her bag.

“No, it’s okay.”

“No, it’s not. These things have to be done right.”

“No, I got this from a friend as a gift.”

“Is that so?”

“Yeah. So don’t worry about it.”

“…..I see. You brought your ex-girlfriend because there was no one else to go with you?”

Asuka tilted her head slightly.

Long hair danced softly in the air.

“You got it wrong. I wanted to invite you, Asuka.

“….I don’t know what you’re thinking, Hiroto.”

　Asuka’s cheeks were stained with vermilion, and she looked away and muttered a potty-mouthed, “Let’s go.

“Shall we go?”

” Y-yes”

　I reasserted my hold on Asuka’s hand and began to walk slowly.

　The air is almost overwhelming, but I try my best to keep my composure. What should I do. I can’t think of anything to talk about. ……

“T-this is the first time for me to see the illumination with Hiroto, isn’t it?”

　I was at a loss for a topic when Asuka spoke up first.

“Have you ever seen the decorations in the neighborhood before?”

“I have, but this is the first time I’ve seen such a proper illumination.”

“Ah, now that you mention it.”

“I didn’t think there was any place that Hiroto and I had never been.”

　Asuka muttered to herself.

　I also agreed with her words.

　Asuka and I went to many places.

　Although we were limited by our financial resources as students, our parents gave us extra allowance, and we even went away on family-related trips.

　Looking back, I really had a lot of experiences.

“….There are many places We’ve never been to, like skiing for example.”

“Oh, indeed. There are no winter sports around here. Have you ever been skiing, Hiroto?”

“Only once, I think. I was still in elementary school, and I skied on mostly flat terrain.”

“Hmmm. But Hiroto is very athletic, so I’m sure you will be able to handle it.”

“Don’t pressurize me. ……”

“When I was with you, you were my coach… I’m sorry. It was nothing.”

　Asuka’s voice trailed off and she hurriedly shook her head.

　We’ve already broken up.

　If things continue as they are now, there is almost no chance that we will go skiing together.

　Walking down the street decorated with lights, I slowly begin to speak.

“—-I think I’m probably very timid.”

“Timid?”

“Yes. I have low self-esteem and never thought I could go out with Asuka.”

“What’s that? You approached me persistently, didn’t you?”

“Is that so. I was just talking to you.”

“That’s enough. Hiroto was the only guy who talked to me. You really are an eccentric.”

Thinking back to the past, I smile and laugh.

“I think it’s other people who are strange. It would be crazy to leave an interesting girl like Asuka alone.”

“You’re not making fun of me?”

“I’m not. I’m complimenting you.”

“I don’t feel like I’m being praised.”

　Asuka said in an unfaithful manner.

　But, it doesn’t mean that she is really angry. The edges of her mouth are slightly loose.

“Because of my shyness, I would make elaborate plans and ask Asuka out on dates, but Asuka would always mess up, or be late, or even come in crazy early, so it was always difficult for me. Things never went the way I wanted them to.”

“Ugh…… sorry.”

“No. But it was fun, and I couldn’t contain my feelings, so I confessed them to you. Well, things didn’t go as planned that time either. I was just worried for a long time. I didn’t know if Asuka would accept me. I was afraid that Asuka would reject me. That’s why.”

　When she accepted my confession, I was so happy that I almost died.

　When Asuka and I became lovers, I felt like everything was rewarded.

　At the same time, I was afraid that this relationship would end.

　That’s why

“When you told me that you were breaking up with me, I think I was so afraid of being dumped that I listened to what you said.”

　Asuka gently drops her gaze and squeezes her pants.

“…………. Y-ou know, Hiroto.”

“Hmmm?”

“I love Hiroto, I love you, I can’t help it, I was so scared!　I was afraid that someone would take Hiroto away from me. Unlike me, Hiroto has many friends and acquaintances of the opposite sex. I was afraid that Hiroto would easily dump me.”

　Asuka spoke her mind as if she was trying to squeeze the words out of her mouth.

　Asuka is the only person I have ever liked as a member of the opposite sex.

　But she didn’t understand that.

“That is why I didn’t want Hiroto to be friends with other girls.”

“…… You should have talked to me about it.”

“Yes….. As a result, I was binding Hiroto. Because of my restraints, I gradually lost my standards and made Hiroto listen to me by saying, ‘I’m breaking up with you. I’m really sorry. I thought Hiroto would understand if I talked to you properly.”

“No, I was the one who couldn’t say what I hated because I didn’t want Asuka to hate me. I’m sorry for keeping it bottled up by myself.

　I think it’s a trivial problem, like a misplaced button.

　A little discussion would have solved it.

　However, if I may make one excuse, both Asuka and I were too inexperienced.

　We were each other’s first lovers, immature children who did not even know the society.

　Our world was too small, and we were at an age where our values could easily change.

　However, I feel that we have grown up a little since we broke up.

　We arrive in front of the huge Christmas tree.

　This is the main stage of this illumination site.

　You have to lift your head right up to see the top.

　People around us were taking pictures, chatting, flirting, and so on.

　But they all seemed to be having a good time.

　This place seems to be okay.

　No one cares about us.

　They only care about their families and partners.

　I let go of Asuka’s hand and looked into her eyes seriously.

“This place is supposed to be a good matchmaking place.”

“……. I-is that so”

“Well, I think they just made it to attract customers.”

“R-right. It’s not a shrine, and I’d rather you didn’t take the liberty of telling me what to do.”

　Asuka is acting suspiciously and flustered, saying one after the other.

“Uhm I—“

“…….”

　As she scratched her neck, sweat oozed from her entire body.

　The temperature has dropped so low, but my body is still hot and flabby.

　Even though it’s my second time, I’m surprisingly nervous.

　Okay, I’ll tell her.

　I’ll tell her what I think—.

“So…you like sukiyaki, right?　Asuka.”

“Heh, yeah. I usually like it.”

“I see. Yes.”

　I’m acting suspicious.

What a tongue-in-cheek thing I’m doing.

　What if I don’t confess now ……

　The main illumination is here.

　There is no other place to confess except here.

　I’ve been through a lot, but I’ve come this far and I’m ready.

　I can’t stumble at the crucial moment!　

“…… Fufu.”

“W-What?

“No, it’s nothing. “

“It doesn’t look like “nothing” to me”

　Asuka smiled softly and took a step closer to me.

“I don’t think I have a good personality.”

Looking me up and down, she looks at me.

“I am selfish, egotistical, I say everything out loud, and I think I am very possessive. That’s my personality. Even if I wanted to fix it, it’s not easy.”

　Asuka lowers her gaze and tightens her lips.

　When she looks up again,

“But you know what, I don’t think I’ll ever make the same mistake again.”

　She declared, as if expressing her determination.

　I let my hardened expression relax.

　Asuka looked at me anxiously.

“Are you sure you’re okay with me?　Won’t you regret it?”

　We had been together for over two years, and she seemed to know exactly what I was going to say. Well, I think it was obvious to everyone.

“I—- love Asuka. I fell in love with Asuka with all of Asuka’s personality factored in. I became unsure of my feelings and broke up with Asuka on the spur of the moment, but I’ve never disliked Asuka. It took me a long time to realize that I really like Asuka.”

“Hiroto,……”

“Please go out with me again.”

“…………”

I told her how I was feeling right now, without hiding it, and I conveyed it to her head on.

　Asuka gasped and fell silent for a while.

　Time feels slower than ever before in my life.

　One second feels like an hour, and my breath catches in my throat.

　I tightened my lips and waited for Asuka’s response.

　Then, with a thud, Asuka hugged me.

“A-Asuka?

“I gave up. I thought I had to look forward, and I was trying my best to break off my feelings for Hiroto!”

“…………”

“But if you say that to me, I can’t give up on you!　I also love Hiroto!　I love you so much!”

　Asuka, not paying attention to the eyes of those around her, is pouring her heart out.

　I gently put my hand on her back.

We went through a lot of trouble, mistakes, and detours to get to this point.

　From the outside, it seems so simple, so trivial, so trivial that there must have been a shortcut.

　But I feel that I was able to grow one thing through this relationship.

In the future, I am sure we will clash again.

　But at least we can respect each other. I think we have become that kind of relationship.

“A-are you sure you’re okay with me?”

“Yes, I am. I want Asuka.”

“……Eheheh. You can’t take it back now, you know.”

“O-ou. But, as expected, it’s time to move on.”

The people around us are paying attention to us.

　Asuka’s voice is so clear. Even though there are many couples, they are indeed conspicuous.

“No, don’t let go of me. “

“Release me”

“No.”

“Damn it”

　She was in the mode of wanting to be spoiled.

　Asuka doesn’t listen to me at times like this.

　Well, it’s okay. At least for today.

“Can I ask you something?”

“What?”

“How far did you go with Sakura-san?　Oh, no, I don’t mean to blame you for what happened during the breakup, but I’m still curious.”

“—-We kissed once.”

“……. Hiroto really does things that aren’t what they appear to be.”

“Gohohokoho!　No, it was done by surprise. And I don’t really have an excuse.”

　When I said goodbye to Sakura, she kissed me by surprise, saying, “Because I want to have memories at the end.”

　I was able to hide this matter from Asuka.

　But I don’t want to be in a relationship where I have to hide things.

　Asuka looked at me reproachfully with an unfaithful expression on her face.

“I’m just a little pissed off, so let me slap you once.”

“No, I thought you weren’t going to blame me for what happened during the breakup ……”

“But some things piss me off!　Therefore, let me clear my head once and for all!””

“R-Really?”

　Well, if I were in the opposite position, I can imagine how Asuka would feel.

Although I don’t think I’d want to slap her, though.

　I closed my eyelids tightly and forcefully.

　Asuka moves away from me and slaps me on the cheek forcefully.

　She touches my cheeks as if she is wrapping her hands around my cheeks.

　The next moment, I felt a familiar sensation on my lips.

　We kissed for about five seconds, and Asuka looked embarrassed.

“Overwritten.”

“…….”

　Damn, my girlfriend is too cute!　

“L-let’s go. It’s almost time.”

“Wait.””

　Asuka turned bright red, but she acted tough and tried to walk away.

　I grabbed Asuka’s left hand and held her back.

“Eh?”

“One more.”

　I can’t end up being beaten.

　I’m already conspicuous enough to the people around me.

　I was not going to let her get away with it.

　I grabbed the back of Asuka’s head as she turned around to face me, and fixed her in position. This time, I took her lips from mine.

　Asuka’s eyes widened in confusion, but she soon relaxed and leaned into me.

　When we finished kissing, Asuka leaned forward.

“……It’s so unfair that you did it so suddenly!”

“Asuka did it first, no?”

Asuka stared at me in annoyance.

Defeated, she hit me with her gaze. I felt funny, and the corners of my mouth naturally relaxed.

　The area around the house became noisy and crowded.

　It wasn’t because of us.

　I look up and see that snow is falling from the sky.

“Snow ……. Did you expect this much?　Hiroto.”

“I didn’t. I mean, it’s long gone from my assumptions.”

　From the beginning, things haven’t been going according to my plan.

　But the surprise of snow falling was a nice betrayal.

　Just in time.

I’ll give it to her at this time.

　I went through my bag and pointed a palm-sized box at Asuka.

“Will you accept this?”

“What, a present?”

“Yes.”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t prepare it. Can I have it?”

“I want Asuka to receive it.”

　For Asuka, spending the same time with me today must have been unexpected.

　It’s no wonder she didn’t have a Christmas present ready.

　Asuka received the box from me and checked the contents with trepidation.

“…….A ring?”

“It might be a little heavy, but I wanted to give it to you, Asuka.”

“I’m so happy,…… Thanks, Hiroto!”

“O-ou”

　Asuka’s smile bloomed the best smile of the year.

　The destructive power was outstanding. This was enough to get me in return.

　Asuka looked at me with an ecstatic expression.

“Hiroto put it on.”

“Can’t you put it on yourself?”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about?　I mean, don’t be shy now after you gave me something like this.”

“Ugh. Well, I guess so.”

　Asuka holds out her left hand.

“Do you know where you’re going to put it?”

“Thumb, I guess.”

“Not funny with that joke.”

“Yes, I’m sorry.”

　A straight point is made.

　I know which finger Asuka wants me to put it in.

I put the ring through the ring finger of her left hand.

“Eheh, thanks.”

“You’re welcome.”

　I can no longer look directly at Asuka’s face.

　I turned my head to the day after tomorrow and tried to maintain my composure.

　Asuka happily leaned closer, looking at the ring on her left hand.

“I’m …….I’m sure I’ll continue to annoy Hiroto with my selfishness.”

　I know that.

I’ve factored that in, and I’m attracted to Asuka.

“I’ll be fine. I’ll scold you if you go too far.”

“Yes, I will be in your care …… Then, I want to make one more request.”

When Asuka started out that way, she closed the distance between us.

She put her hands on my shoulders and whispered in my ear.

“Stay with me forever.”

　This is another …… selfish request.

　I don’t know if I can fulfill it or not.

—Right, I hope I can.

[End]