◆Riran◆
Ugh, I’ve done it now.
Even though I was the one who said it was okay for Kotono-chan and Noa-chan to come along... I wonder if Akito is fed up with this.
Looking at Akito’s back as he stands in line for the grilled skewer stall, I let out a soft sigh.
Then, Noa-chan, who was standing next to me, also sighed.
It seems she’s feeling down because Akito scolded her earlier.
As I was thinking that, Kotono-chan, who was next to Noa-chan, poked Noa-chan’s shoulder repeatedly.
“Come on, Noa. You have to say it properly.”
“I-I know.”
Noa-chan took several deep breaths and called out, “Riran-senpai.”
“Um, I’m sorry. Truly...”
“Ah, no, it’s fine. I should be the one saying sorry.”
“N-No, it’s not just that... I’m sorry about what happened earlier, but also about today in general.”
“About today?”
I tilted my head. I wondered what she meant by 'about today.'
“See, normally, this would have been Senpai and Riran-senpai’s first summer festival date... but because of my selfishness, I came along... So, I wanted to apologize.”
Ah, so she was worried about that.
It’s a bit mean of me, but I was a little surprised. She actually cared.
“Riran-tan, I’m sorry too. Forgive me.”
“...Fufu. It’s okay, Kotono-chan, Noa-chan.”
Of course, it would be a lie to say I didn’t care at all.
I was looking forward to my date with Akito, and I wanted to make memories with just the two of us.
Even so, the reason I invited them was—
“I told this to Akito already, but I suggested this because I was thinking of you two.”
“...Thinking of us?”
“Us?”
“Yes. Next year, you two will also be able to see your own ‘Red Thread of Fate.’ And then your fated person will appear. When that happens, your feelings for Akito might change, right?”
In reality, there might be cases like Hiyori’s.
A special pattern where, even after recognizing their fated person, they continue to love the person they’ve always cared for.
But that’s not guaranteed.
It might be a Peach Thread, or Vermilion... there’s even a possibility of Dark Scarlet.
If that happens, their feelings of truly loving Akito will change.
The current feelings will change. You could even say they’ll be lost.
That... would be too sad.
“You won’t know what happens after the change until it happens. If that’s the case, then it’s better to cherish the feelings you have now and make plenty of memories... that’s what I thought.”
This is my own regret.
I’m connected by a red thread now, but before that, I had nothing but regrets.
The fear that my feelings for Akito would disappear once the red thread appeared.
And the anger at myself for not being able to be honest even though I knew that.
All of that combined—regret.
If I hadn’t been connected to Akito by the red thread.
My feelings of loving Akito probably would have vanished.
I won’t say anything optimistic like ‘as long as things are good now.’
Current feelings belong only to the current self. They don’t belong to the future self.
Even if these girls go their separate ways in the future and look back on these feelings with nostalgia.
I absolutely don’t want them to have regrets.
“So, let’s enjoy today. Okay?”
“............”
“............”
...Eh, why the silence?
Come on, give me some kind of reaction. This is kind of embarrassing.
As I was flustered, wondering what to do, Kotono-chan and Noa-chan hugged my arms from both sides.
“W-What is it?”
“Riran-senpai, from today on, please let me call you Ane-san!”
“Riran-tan, I’ve fallen for you! Right now, I’ve totally fallen for you, Riran-tan!”
“Huh!?”
W-Why did it turn out like this!? I don’t get it!
With their eyes sparkling, the two of them pressed closer and closer.
W-What is this—!?
◆Akito◆
Whew, the line was longer than I thought. I kept everyone waiting.
“Hey, sorry for the wait... wait, what are you doing?”
When I returned to everyone, for some reason, Kotono and Noa were clinging to Riran’s arms.
What is this situation?
“A-Akito, help me...!”
“Akito-senpai! From today on, I’ve decided to stan Riran-senpai... no, Ane-san! Let’s do stan activities together!”
“I’ve fallen for Riran-tan too! She’s just as cool as you, Big Bro!”
“???? Uh... isn’t that fine?”
“Don’t just cast aside your logic!!”
No, I don’t understand the situation at all.
...For now, I guess they’ve become friends, so it’s fine...?
I look at the two girls who look satisfied clinging to Riran, and Riran, who looks troubled but doesn’t seem to hate it.
...Somehow, I’m starting to want to cling to Riran too.
“Hey, you guys, Riran is my fated person. I won’t allow you to cling to her without my permission. Move. It’s my turn to cling.”
“Ah! Then why don’t you just cling together with us, Senpai! That way, Senpai is happy because he can cling to Ane-san. Ane-san is happy because she’s being hugged by Senpai. Kotono and I are happy because we can cling to Ane-san and also be hugged by Senpai. It’s the optimal solution where everyone ends up happy! How about it!?”
“...That might be good.”
“IT’S NOT GOOD AT ALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!”