Hayashi Megumi’s Binary Choice

From the heroine’s perspective (how many times now?)

Thanks to Yamamoto, I got to see the view of the skyscraper cluster.

If I closed my eyes for a moment, that scene would come rushing back to my mind, filling me with a joyful feeling.

It was a precious experience. That much was obvious without needing to say it.

Just how much more would Yamamoto give me?

To think that I, who hated him in high school, would grow this close to him. To think I’d feel gratitude toward him.

Affection.

…To think I’d feel that.

If you told the high school me about this… she’d probably make a terribly sour face.

And she’d shake her head, insisting such a future was impossible, before diving back into her usual lazy routine.

But now, I feel a slight tinge of regret.

I should’ve faced Yamamoto more back in high school.

If I had, I’m sure I would’ve been drawn to him.

Looking back now, I’m absolutely certain that’s how it would’ve been.

…God, I’m such an idiot.

Still, I can make up for it now.

And it’s thanks to someone who taught me the importance of facing things head-on that I realized this.

While eagerly awaiting the first paycheck from my part-time jobs, I had already made up my mind about something.

As a way of saying thank you, I wanted to go out somewhere with Yamamoto.

What would make Yamamoto happy?

Planning a date while thinking about that was incredibly fun.

…Come to think of it, when I went on dates with my ex, I always felt like I made him go along with my plans. He was the type to care about appearances, so he let me do whatever I wanted when we were out.

…In other words.

In other words… what I’m trying to say is.

Wanting to plan a date to make the other person happy—this was the first time I’d ever felt that, and it was with Yamamoto.

I felt a little guilty bringing up Akari’s name when I invited him out.

But since she got to have Yamamoto all to herself back in high school when I couldn’t… Akari would forgive me just a little, right?

With that self-granted absolution, I invited Yamamoto out.

I called it an “outing” instead of a date… because I was too embarrassed to say I wanted to go on a date.

Once, I tried to leave Yamamoto’s apartment. With a sense of farewell, I asked him out on a date back then.

…It’s strange.

Back then, I could say I wanted to go on a date, but now I can’t bring myself to say it.

That’s how much my heart is fixated on Yamamoto.

If I said I wanted to go on a date with him now… I’d probably imagine the scene and grin like an idiot. Or I’d get all flustered. Either way, I’d only manage to make an embarrassing face.

That’s why I couldn’t even say, “I want to go on a date.”

…Even though I’m such a coward, causing trouble for Yamamoto and even getting carried on his back… is it really okay for me to feel this fulfilled right now?

I got to see a beautiful view with Yamamoto.

I got to eat dinner at a stylish restaurant with Yamamoto.

And I got to watch a famous theater troupe’s performance with Yamamoto.

…That alone was enough to make me feel complete.

“That was amazing, wasn’t it?”

“Yeah, it was incredible.”

At the venue.

Mingling with the crowd of people who came to see the play, we were heading home.

Honestly, the performance was phenomenal.

Even Yamamoto, that guy who can nitpick anything, was at a loss for words, so you can imagine just how amazing it was.

“…Yamamoto.”

“Hm?”

“Don’t get too hooked, okay?”

“…Huh?”

Yamamoto gave a vague response.

He’s… the type to get really obsessed with things. While watching the play, I kept glancing at him sitting next to me, and I could sense a hint of that side of him, so I figured I’d warn him.

But I didn’t expect him to actually be on the verge of getting hooked, so I gave a wry smile.

After being jostled on a packed train for a while,

we kept talking excitedly about the day’s events. Embarrassing stories, moving moments, silly anecdotes—there was no sign of running out of things to talk about.

“Yamamoto, hurry up! We’re gonna miss the transfer!”

“Worst case, we just catch the next train, right?”

The train transfer.

While I was panicking, Yamamoto was infuriatingly laid-back.

“Ugh, come on!”

I grabbed Yamamoto’s hand and started running.

Sure, he’s right that we could just catch the next train, but if we could make it in time, getting home sooner would be better, wouldn’t it?

Yamamoto has school tomorrow.

Since I dragged him out for the whole day, I wanted to make sure he got some rest.

“Come on, run!”

“Ugh, fine!”

We ran and made it through the transfer station’s gate.

We barely made the connection.

We were back to being swayed by the train.

“We made it, huh?”

“Yeah.”

Even though I made him run, Yamamoto didn’t show the slightest hint of being annoyed.

My ex probably would’ve gotten mad, and I wouldn’t have even tried something as bold as pulling him along to run in the first place.

It was because it was Yamamoto that I did it.

…I’m really taking advantage of his kindness, aren’t I?

A sudden thought crossed my mind.

Maybe one day, divine punishment will come for me.

Even so, I surprisingly didn’t mind.

If I’m happy now, that’s enough.

That’s what I thought.

“Oh, Yamamoto-kun?”

It was at that moment.

On the train taking us to the station nearest our apartment, a woman called out to Yamamoto.

She was someone I didn’t know.

“…Irie-san, right?”

When Yamamoto called her by what seemed to be her name, a dark emotion surged through my heart.

Just who is this woman?

Yamamoto doesn’t have a wide circle of friends. Especially not out here, away from our hometown…

I remembered the mixer Yamamoto went to the other day.

Could she be one of the girls from that mixer?

“Wow, what a coincidence!”

Her voice sounded forced.

“What’s up? It’s pretty late. Don’t you have school tomorrow?”

She glanced up at him.

“…And who’s she?”

Then she shot a hostile look at me.

Oh, I see.

This girl… she likes Yamamoto.

I realized it instantly.

After all, she seemed a little like me in some ways.

“Is she your girlfriend? Oh, did I interrupt something?”

Her gaze spoke volumes.

She was sizing me up.

As if to say there’s no way someone like me could be Yamamoto’s girlfriend.

All I could do was watch the situation unfold.

A flicker of fear passed through me.

…Because, like her eyes suggested, we’re not actually dating.

What would Yamamoto say?

No matter what he says… I don’t want to hear it.

If Yamamoto says we’re just friends… I’ll probably get hurt.

And if he says we’re lovers… I’ll probably get mad at him for lying.

Because Yamamoto hates those kinds of lies.

It’s not like him to do something so distasteful.

Even though it’d make me happy… I’d probably still complain to him about it.

In other words, no matter what he says, there’s no answer that’ll make me happy.

…So, what will Yamamoto say?

“Nah, she’s not my girlfriend.”

“Oh, really?”

“She’s family.”

The girl’s eyes widened. She looked back and forth between our faces.

“…Like, your sister?”

“No, not like that.”

Yamamoto groaned, probably struggling to figure out how to explain it.

“…It’s complicated.”

In the end, he gave a wry smile and brushed it off.

“…I see.”

“Yeah.”

“Well, see ya.”

“Huh? …Yeah, see ya.”

The girl walked away from us, looking a bit disappointed.

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