Chapter 57
I wanted to do something.
Something I could do for Yuu, who was struggling.
I don’t know what’s happening, and I don’t know what’s troubling Yuu either.
Someone like me might not be able to do much.
Maybe, from Yuu’s perspective, I’m just being intrusive.
I’m terrible at communication. The fear that I might step on a landmine without realizing it lingered in my mind.
…But I couldn’t just wait.
Sitting around hoping something would change—that’d make me no different from who I used to be.
It’d be the same as when I used to crouch alone in the dark.
…Ever since meeting Yuu, so many things happened.
We went shopping together. We traveled together.
Through those joyful days, I learned one thing:
If I want something, I have to act.
It’s obvious—like how a baby bird won’t get fed if it just sits there with its beak open.
If I hadn’t gathered the courage to go shopping with Yuu that day at the start of summer, I might still be stuck in that loop of just going between home and school.
If I hadn’t planned that trip, those happy memories would never have existed.
Thanks to Yuu, I finally understood something so simple—something any normal person who isn’t a shut-in would know.
…So now, I’ll do what I can.
Because I want Yuu to smile. Because I don’t want to see that sad, downcast face.
I decided—I’d act.
“…I’m home.”
I opened the door and stepped inside.
Just back from school, the warm air of the house seeped into my chilled body.
“…Welcome back.”
Yuu peeked out from the living room door, voice softer than usual, smile more subdued.
…Still no good, huh?
It’d been ten days since November began.
No matter how much time passed, Yuu’s state didn’t improve—if anything, it worsened.
Lately, Yuu wasn’t just spaced out—the smiles had grown rare, replaced by a downcast, almost tearful expression.
…Yeah, I had to do something.
I’d even naively hoped the problem might resolve itself while I was at school, but of course, nothing that convenient would happen.
Seeing Yuu’s shadowed face, my hand tightened unconsciously.
The bag I was holding rustled loudly.
“…? Shin, what’s in your hand?”
Noticing the sound, Yuu tilted their head, eyes dropping to the bag.
“Ah… I brought a little something back.”
No point drawing it out. I walked to the living room and handed the bag over.
Yuu opened it on the table and pulled out the contents.
“This… cake?”
“Yeah.”
Opening the box inside revealed an assortment of cakes—a bit much for two people, but I figured skimping wouldn’t help, so I’d bought extra.
“They look delicious.”
“Glad you think so.”
I’d decided to do what I could for Yuu this morning.
At school, I’d racked my brain for ideas, but nothing special came to mind.
In the end, I settled on the most basic solution: a gift.
This cake was the first step.
It might’ve been too cheap to count as a real present, but… pathetically, I didn’t know what else to do.
Clothes or accessories—the usual gifts—were beyond my knowledge.
I figured I’d leave those for when we went out together next time.
“What’s this for?”
“Well—”
The question made me hesitate. How should I answer?
Yuu clearly didn’t want to talk about what was wrong, so maybe I should avoid the topic…
…No, honesty’s better.
Even if Yuu doesn’t want to say, I want to know what’s happening.
“—I bought it because you’ve seemed troubled lately.”
“…Huh?”
I met Yuu’s widened eyes squarely.
“I don’t know what’s bothering you. But I want to help.”
“…”
If something sweet could distract Yuu, even a little, that’d be enough.
I’d heard sweets were good for stress relief.
“…Why?”
“Yuu?”
Yuu’s whisper was almost inaudible. I leaned in.
“Why? Why would you… want to help me? I’m… I’m not…”
Yuu’s voice trembled, face still lowered.
…Why?
The answer was simple. It didn’t even require thought.
“Because you’re important to me.”
“…Important?”
“Yeah. You’re precious to me, so I want to help.”
“…”
Yuu is my precious best friend.
That’s why I want to see Yuu smile.
“If there’s anything I can do, just tell me.”
“…Okay.”
A small nod, a quiet reply.
After that, we ate the cakes together.
At first, Yuu kept staring down, but as we talked, that gaze slowly lifted—until finally, a relieved smile appeared.
…Yeah. I really do love Yuu’s smile.
I vowed to keep working to see it again.
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