Hayashi Megumi and her best friend

“Wow…”

The moment we stepped into the fitting room, Akari, walking beside me, let out a soft gasp of admiration.

I didn’t say anything out loud, but I couldn’t help but stare, completely captivated.

Ichi, dressed in pure white, looked utterly beautiful, completely different from before. No, that’s not right. Ichi has always been beautiful, ever since way back.

But this feeling, what do you even call it…?

“Even a horse looks good in fine clothes?”

“Meg, that’s probably not it.”

Akari’s words made me narrow my eyes, silently agreeing. I shouldn’t just blurt out the first phrase that comes to mind.

“Hey, hey, Ichi! Can I take a picture?”

Akari was unusually excited.

Maybe seeing our old friend looking so stunning had her all giddy.

“Sure.”

“…Um.”

Their gazes turned to me as I let out an ambiguous sound.

“Can I take one too?”

Looking away from them, my cheeks flushed as I spoke.

When I stole a glance, both of them were grinning at me.

“Meg, still such a tsundere!”

“Right? So cute!”

“W-What’s that supposed to mean?”

What’s so funny about wanting to take a picture of something beautiful?

The moment I let my honest feelings slip, this happens.

“…I hate you both.”

I pouted, sulking.

“Wah, wah, Meg, I’m sorry, I’m sorry!”

Ichi panicked.

“Kyaa, Meg, you’re adorable!”

Akari, as usual.

Seriously, what’s with you, Akari?

While Ichi comforted me, I shot Akari an exasperated look.

Seeing this scene, I couldn’t help but recall the past.

…It was just like back in high school, when the three of us used to hang out all the time.

Back then, we were always like this.

Whenever I let my true feelings slip, they’d tease me, Ichi would comfort me, and Akari would laugh like she was having the time of her life.

What the heck.

Ichi’s getting married, and I was scared that it would break the bond between the three of us. I couldn’t bring myself to be genuinely happy for her.

But I was wrong.

Even after Ichi gets married, our relationship won’t change.

Sure, we might not get to see each other as often.

But when we do meet up, we can still act like idiots and have fun like we used to.

“Ichi.”

“Hm?”

“You look absolutely beautiful.”

“…Thank you.”

Ichi’s smile, wrapped in her dress, was just like it was back in high school. I doubt I’ll forget that face anytime soon.

Right now, for the first time, I think I was truly able to celebrate Ichi’s marriage from the bottom of my heart.

On the way back, Akari and I were in Ichi’s car again.

Unlike earlier, I was in the passenger seat. No special reason. I just felt like it. That’s all.

Akari was asleep in the back seat.

She must’ve been exhausted.

“Sorry about today. It was a long trip from Tokyo, wasn’t it?”

Ichi said.

“…Hey, Ichi.”

“Yeah?”

“There’s something I need to tell you.”

“What is it?”

I hesitated.

Ichi was as close to me as Akari was. So I’d always thought I’d tell her if I got the chance. Not to make her feel sentimental or anything. Just because she’s my friend, and I thought she deserved to know.

…But was it okay to burden Ichi with something heavy when she’s at the peak of her happiness?

I’d been wrestling with that thought for a while.

But seeing Ichi again today, unchanged from before, I made up my mind to tell her.

“I dropped out of college.”

“…I see.”

“My ex… he was abusive. He’s behind bars now.”

Ichi drove in silence.

Maybe telling her now was a mistake.

“That must’ve been tough.”

Ichi finally spoke.

“Not really…”

“What about now?”

“…Now? Haha, you might be a little shocked.”

“…Wait, don’t tell me.”

At a red light, Ichi stopped the car and looked at me.

“Are you with Yamamoto?”

“…How’d you know?”

How did she figure it out?

“Well, you said I’d be shocked, so… that’s the only thing I could think of.”

“That shocking, huh?”

“Yeah. I mean, you two could not get along back in high school. Akari and I were pretty worried about you both.”

“…Haha.”

I see.

I really made them worry, didn’t I?

Ichi, too.

And Akari.

And… Yamamoto, too.

“So, Yamamoto, huh? Did he help you out?”

“Yeah. We ran into each other by chance, and he let me stay at his place.”

“Still?”

“…Yeah.”

“Whoa. That’s… kinda jealous-worthy.”

…Suddenly, I remembered a conversation I had with Yamamoto some time ago.

“Hey, Ichi?”

“I liked him.”

Her answer came instantly.

Even though I hadn’t said everything yet.

“…I see.”

Overwhelmed with guilt, I looked down.

Akari, still in the back seat, seemed to be fast asleep.