Hayashi Megumi’s Best Friend’s True Intentions
The car was silent. The red light finally turned green, and Ichi started the car.
The engine hummed as the car moved forward.
For a while, we just stared blankly at the scenery ahead, carried along by the moving car.
“Meg, why do you think I did it?”
Ichi finally spoke.
But her words weren’t an answer to my question.
I felt a little irritated. I’m trying to have a serious conversation here, and she’s dodging it like that. I know that’s just how she is. But I couldn’t let it slide.
…Maybe back in high school, I wouldn’t have gotten this worked up over something involving Yamamoto.
“Why are you asking me?”
“…Haha. Harsh as ever.”
A shadow crossed Ichi’s face.
Right now, she clearly wasn’t her usual self.
…Could it be?
Even before I asked her, I had a hunch about why Ichi invited Yamamoto to the wedding.
But if that was really the reason she invited him…
If Ichi invited Yamamoto to the wedding just to show off…
I think I’d probably despise her.
“…I want him to see me, Meg. In my wedding dress.”
“…Ichi, you—”
“That’s right… That’s right. Because of him, I’m who I am today.”
I was speechless.
Her unexpected answer left me unable to say a word.
I didn’t understand what Ichi was talking about.
Because of Yamamoto, she’s who she is today?
She and Yamamoto only dated for a short time in high school.
I couldn’t believe someone she was with for such a brief period could have done anything to change her so much.
“I’ve got this carefree, flaky personality, right? Back in middle school, it was even worse. I didn’t take studying seriously, and if I wasn’t in the mood, I’d show up late without a second thought.”
Ichi’s past.
It was a time I didn’t know about.
“I got obsessed for the first time. I wanted to beat Yamamoto.”
“…Ichi.”
“Getting that absorbed in something—it was so much fun. Working hard could actually get you results. …That’s when it started. That’s when I began to take things just a little more seriously.”
The car kept moving forward.
“Taking things seriously…”
It kept going, never stopping.
“If Yamamoto hadn’t changed me, I probably would’ve drifted away from you and Akari, too. I used to think hanging out with friends was such a hassle. But when I started paying attention, really looking at things, I realized—having friends, being able to open up to them—it’s such an amazing thing.”
Ichi’s face was a little different than usual.
It wasn’t serious or heavy.
It was the kind of fun, cheerful expression that suited her so well.
But it was completely different from high school… It was a mature face.
“Meg.”
“What…?”
“I love you.”
“…Me too.”
“Stay my friend forever, okay?”
…It looks like I got it wrong.
It wasn’t just that I couldn’t fully read Ichi’s feelings.
Ichi and Yamamoto were only together for a short time.
So I thought there was no way Yamamoto could’ve changed her.
That assumption—that was my mistake.
…God, I’m such an idiot.
Even I was changed so much by just two months with Yamamoto…
I was such a fool.
“Of course.”
I smiled at Ichi.
Behind that smile, deep down… I was thinking.
Yamamoto, you’re really something, aren’t you?
For the first time, I felt genuine respect for the boy who changed us both.
Finally!
For the first time!
We’ve surpassed 20,000 points!
Alright, time to sleep!!!
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