Chapter 23: She Was Hurt

By the time we stepped outside the general store, though our outing had started late, the sun was already beginning to set.

We’d stayed longer because the shopkeeper treated us to tea after I finished picking a gift.

Apparently, it was the first time Akashi had ever brought a male customer inside.

The way she eyed me with suspicion… I wonder what that was about.

Still, even accounting for that, I hadn’t realized so much time had passed.

Unbeknownst to me, I must’ve been agonizing over things more than I thought.

I’d really ended up imposing on Akashi.

"Want me to walk you home?"

"...Is that okay?"

"Yeah. I’m the one who dragged you out this late."

Youta had mentioned it before—when it gets late, it’s a guy’s job to walk a girl home.

Besides, though it was half a year ago, Akashi was kidnapped by the Legion Brigade once.

I found out during our chat that her family’s still overprotective because of it.

In fact, when she left today, her father apparently made a fuss—

"I won’t allow you to go out alone with some guy!"

—or something along those lines.

Since I was the one who insisted on inviting her, this was the least I could do to make up for it.

"...Then, I’ll take you up on that."

She nodded, and we started walking through the sparsely populated shopping district.

---

"Maybe taking the south exit’s faster?"

That was about five minutes ago—the last thing Akashi said before falling silent.

Her expression looked like she was lost in thought.

Ever since seeing the accessory I picked, she’d been making that face a lot.

I’m not much of a talker, so I didn’t initiate conversation.

The atmosphere felt oddly tense, different from when I’m with Youta.

I just matched Akashi’s pace, walking wordlessly beside her.

Then, just as we were about to leave the shopping district—

"...The person you’re giving that accessory to…"

Akashi’s voice trembled, like she was fighting to keep her emotions in check.

It was so sudden, I stopped and turned to face her.

"Sorry if I’m wrong. But… it’s Luna-chan, isn’t it?"

"...Yeah."

I hesitated but answered honestly.

Whether she noticed my unease or not, Akashi pressed on in a probing tone.

"I thought so… When I saw the accessory, it just clicked. Of course you’d pick something with her in mind."

Her expression looked almost desperate.

I could only respond with silence.

"N-Not that I’m complaining! It just means you took my advice to heart, and that your feelings are really strong. But… but, you know?"

She paused, then locked eyes with me.

Her gaze burned with resolve—almost like a warrior stepping onto the battlefield.

I braced myself, watching her every move.

---

—That evening, my reason for going out was… kinda coincidental.

Mom asked—ordered—me to run to the shopping district and buy eggs.

I thought about dumping the errand on Hoshiko, but sadly, she wasn’t back yet—club activities ran late today.

I was annoyed, but then Mom hit me with:

"Y’know, the only reason we’re out of eggs is because Luna used them all up practicing cooking. We were supposed to have omelet rice tonight…"

Yeah, no arguing with that.

This wasn’t a coincidence.

It was definitely my fault.

Still, sacrificing all those eggs paid off—my skills have improved like crazy.

Having so much free time helped too.

It’s a shame I barely get to hang out with Haruto after school now, but…

Even Mom said I’ve reached the point where I could "be married off without issue."

—Well, her exact words were: "For simple stuff like tamagoyaki, onigiri, or sandwiches, sure. The rest? Still needs work." (She was half-joking.)

But while Mom used to make 90% of my bento, now about half of it’s my own work.

I still chicken out on fried foods, but at this rate, I’ll be cooking full meals solo soon.

And when that day comes, I’ll tell Haruto how I feel.

Turns out, waiting for him to notice was hopeless.

So I’ll say it outright.

That back when I first turned into a girl, it was hard—but now, I’m a proper girl through and through.

So he doesn’t need to worry anymore… that kind of thing.

I’m… really happy now.

Sure, I still get confused sometimes, but I can laugh like I used to.

The suffocating gloom from half a year ago feels like a lie.

Learning to cook gave me way more time with Mom.

Hoshiko still butts in annoyingly, but she does listen when I need advice.

And Dad—well, sometimes he’ll suddenly ask…

"Wanna play catch?"

...And just like old times, Mom and the others immediately jump in to scold him.

From their perspective, it must seem like:

"What kind of thing is that to say to a girl?"

But to me, it makes me really happy.

...Though, of course, we don’t actually play catch anymore.

They don’t just see me as Luna—somewhere in their hearts, they still see the boy I used to be, too.

And all of that… is thanks to him.

That slightly clueless guy who never stopped watching over me.

Sure, we’ve both fumbled our way through things, but he’s always left warmth in my heart.

Because he was there for me, I could still be me.

Just picturing his face as he happily scarfs down my bento makes me smile without thinking—

—Wait, no. If I keep grinning to myself like this, I’ll look like some weirdo.

I can feel a passing salaryman staring at me, probably wondering what’s wrong, so I quickly school my expression.

For now, I should focus on shopping…

Glancing at the list Mom gave me, I realize there might be a little money left over.

Maybe I’ll use the extra to pick up some new ingredients.

Gotta expand my repertoire so meals don’t get repetitive…

Lost in thought, I barely notice as the shopping district comes into view.

My eyesight’s really good now. I used to wear glasses in class, but these days, my vision’s 20/20 without them.

Spotting Haruto in the distance, I’m about to call out—

When a shock like a hammer blow slams into my skull.

There he is—standing face-to-face with a petite girl.

—Minami.

My brow furrows instantly.

Why is she here with Haruto? Alone?

My chest tightens, and I bite down hard on the inside of my cheek.

—No, they’re classmates. It’s normal for them to hang out.

Plus, they just worked together on a group project yesterday. For all I know, Yoshihiro might be nearby too.

My heartbeat thunders in my ears as I keep rationalizing.

I can’t make out what they’re saying—of course not, they’re too far away.

I take one step forward—

A sudden gust of wind howls past.

My hair whips across my face, and I grimace.

Maybe it’s the wind carrying her words, because one sentence cuts through the noise with terrifying clarity:

"I… I like you."

A firm voice, full of resolve—and it grates on my ears.

...I must be hallucinating.

I stumble back without thinking.

—No. There’s no way Haruto would accept.

Because this is Haruto. Oblivious, hopeless Haruto.

He’d probably just blink and say something like:

"Oh, so you wanna be friends?"

Half-wishful thinking, half-desperation—I focus on Haruto, straining to hear his response.

But then Minami murmurs something, and Haruto leans down.

Bending to her height.

Not a trace of discomfort on his face.

At the same time, Minami closes the distance between them. Her hand drifts toward his collar—

And Haruto… smiles at her.

The same soft smile he always gives me.

Nausea surges. I can’t watch anymore.

My chest burns, throbbing with every heartbeat.

Stop. Don’t look. My mind screams warnings.

But I’ve already reached my limit.

I (ore)—