NOVEL NEXT Chapter 91
“Wow…”
As soon as we entered the fitting room, Akari let out a small sigh of admiration next to me. I too was captivated, though I didn’t voice it.
Itchan, clad in a pure white dress, looked entirely different from before—she was stunning. No, that’s not right. Itchan has always been beautiful. But this, how do you say it…
“A cloak makes the monk?”
“Meg, I think that’s not quite right.”
I squinted in agreement with Akari’s words. It’s not like I don’t know what the phrase means.
“Hey, Itchan. Can we take a picture?”
Akari seemed unusually excited. Maybe seeing her old friend look so beautiful had put her in high spirits.
“Sure.”
“Ah…”
Both their gazes turned towards me as I muttered vaguely.
“Is it okay if I… take one too?”
Trying to avoid their stares, I said this with flushed cheeks. When I quickly glanced at them, they were both grinning at me.
“Meg, you’re as tsundere as ever!”
“Right? Isn’t she cute?”
“W-what’s your point…”
What’s so funny about wanting to take a picture of something beautiful?
This is what happens when I occasionally reveal my true feelings.
“…I hate you both.”
I pouted in annoyance.
“W-wait, Meg, I’m sorry!”
A flustered Itchan.
“Kyaa, Meg is so cute!”
The usual Akari.
Seriously, what is wrong with her, Akari?
I was comforted by Itchan as I stood dumbfounded by Akari’s behavior.
Seeing this scene reminded me of the past.
…That is, the times when we three used to hang out a lot during high school.
Back in high school… we were always like this.
Whenever I showed my true feelings, they would tease me, Itchan would comfort me, and Akari would laugh joyously.
What is this?
I was afraid that Itchan’s marriage would break our three-way relationship, and I couldn’t genuinely be happy for Itchan’s wedding.
But I was wrong.
Even after Itchan gets married, our relationship won’t change.
Of course, we’ll have fewer opportunities to meet.
But when we do get together, we can fool around just like old times.
“Itchan.”
“Hmm?”
“You look beautiful.”
“…Thank you.”
Dressed in her wedding gown and smiling like she did in high school, Itchan’s face is something I’ll likely not forget for a long time.
Perhaps for the first time… I truly celebrated Itchan’s marriage from the bottom of my heart.
On the way home, Akari and I were once again in Itchan’s car.
Unlike before, I sat in the passenger seat. I didn’t feel anything special, I just wanted to. That’s all.
Akari was sleeping in the back seat.
She must have been tired.
“Sorry about today. It was tough coming from Tokyo, wasn’t it?”
Itchan said.
“Hey, Itchan.”
“Hmm?”
“There’s something I have to tell you.”
“What is it?”
I had been hesitant.
Itchan was as good a friend to me as Akari. So, I thought I would tell her when I had the chance. I didn’t want her to get sentimental, but as friends, I felt it was something she should know.
…But now, should I burden Itchan, who is at the peak of her happiness, with my troubles?
That’s what I had been thinking.
But today, having met Itchan after a long time and seeing her unchanged… I decided to tell her.
“I quit college.”
“…I see.”
“My ex-boyfriend was a domestic abuser. He’s in jail now.”
Itchan drove in silence.
Maybe I shouldn’t have told her now.
“It must have been hard.”
Itchan finally said.
“It wasn’t so bad…”
“What about now?”
“…Now? Now… ha-ha. This might surprise you.”
“…Don’t tell me.”
At the red light, Itchan stopped the car and looked at me.
“You’re with Yamamoto-kun?”
“…How did you know?”
How did she figure it out?
“No, well, if you say it would surprise me… I couldn’t think of anything else.”
“Is it that surprising?”
“Yeah. Because back in high school, you two were on really bad terms. Akari and I were quite worried.”
“…Ahaha.”
I see.
So that’s… something I need to apologize for.
To Itchan.
To Akari.
And to Yamamoto.
“So you were saved by Yamamoto-kun?”
“Yeah, we bumped into each other by chance, and he sheltered me at his place.”
“Even now?”
“…Yeah.”
“Hya… that’s… kind of jealousy-inducing.”
Suddenly, I remembered a conversation I had with Yamamoto a while ago.
“Hey, Itchan?”
“I loved you.”
She answered immediately.
Even though I hadn’t told her everything yet.
“…I see.”
I lowered my gaze out of guilt.
Akari, in the back seat, still seemed to be asleep.