4 days until release!!
The next day, and the day after that.
Ryūya continued to be absent from school due to poor health.
“Hey, Neika. Answer me.”
During lunch break, I called Neika to the back of the school building and cornered her with a kabe-don. Naturally, I used both hands so she couldn’t escape.
“Hieee! Akky, your face is scary... H-Here, smile, smile! Nico☆”
“Huh?”
“Sorry-chan.”
“Now, now, Akito, calm down...!”
I snapped back to reality when Riran pulled me away.
I accidentally got irritated... I’m the worst.
Calm down. I need to be the cool, calm Akito.
“...Sorry. I'm a bit emotionally unstable...”
“No, no. I understand how you feel, Akky. But I'd be happy if you could also understand Ryūya's feelings.”
“Yeah. Even so...”
That’s why, being avoided like this makes me even more concerned...
When I fell silent out of awkwardness, Neika awkwardly looked away.
“...To put it bluntly, Ryūya's spirit is worn out right now. He hasn't been able to look forward yet.”
“Even though I’ve forgiven him?”
“It's a matter of the heart. No matter how much you forgive him, Akky, Ryūya's own heart hasn't forgiven himself. You understand that, don't you, Akito?”
Well... that might be true.
Despite how he looks, Ryūya is a fairly sensitive guy.
Especially when it comes to friendships; this has happened often since middle school.
“Still, he usually bounces back in a few days, but this time it's quite severe.”
“That's because it's you, Akky.”
“Me?”
“To Ryūya, you're his best friend. If his best friend ended up like that because of him, isn't it impossible to ask him not to shut himself away?”
...I couldn't say anything back. She was too right.
“But I don't want things to stay like this.”
“I know. Ryūya is saying the same thing at home. So just a little longer. Please wait just a little longer for him.”
“...I understand.”
If Neika says so, I'll leave it to her.
Neika bowed apologetically and left the back of the school building.
“Akito, are you okay...?”
“...Riran, come here.”
“What? Kya...!”
I pulled Riran close and buried my face in her neck.
I hugged her tightly, feeling her presence with my whole body.
Perhaps because I hugged her so suddenly, Riran's body temperature rose and she stiffened up.
“A-A-A-Akitoooo!? W-What...!?”
“Sorry, Riran. Let me stay like this for a little longer...”
If I don't do this, I feel like I'll lose it from the loneliness.
Sensing that, Riran took a deep breath and slowly wrapped her arms around my back.
“There, there. It's okay, it's okay.”
“...Mm.”
“You two are really good friends. Your friendship won't break over something like this.”
“...Mm.”
Hearing her say that made my heart feel lighter.
I don't want my relationship with Ryūya to end like this.
I want to talk like before. I want to do stupid things like before. I want to hang out like before.
“What should I do...”
“Hmm... honestly, I don't know.”
“I guess so.”
“Yeah. I don't understand why you're moping around and worrying about this.”
“...Eh?”
When I looked up, Riran had a smile like a holy mother on her face.
She gently stroked my cheek and gave me a light kiss.
Tenderly, as if to envelop me.
While I was the one stiffened by the surprise kiss, this time Riran snuggled into my chest.
“Who are you?”
“Eh...?”
“Who is it?”
“...Akito... Sanada Akito.”
“That's right. You're Sanada Akito. What have you always done in times like this?”
Until now... what I’ve done until now in times like this...
“...Confront it. Head-on.”
“Exactly! You've always solved everything that way, haven't you? I'm counting on you this time too.”
“...Yeah.”
That's right. Moping around like this isn't me.
I'll talk to Ryūya properly. And move forward.
That's who I am.
Riran pulled away and poked my chest as if to emphasize her point.
“Ah, but do it after you've calmed down. If you go now, it looks like it'll turn into a fight.”
“Yeah, I know. Well, I'm heading to Ryūya's place now, so I'm leaving early.”
“Were you even listening!?”
“Yeah. As long as I don't fight, right? I get it, I get it. Tell Sanzenin-sensei for me.”
“Wait, Akito—!”
I waved to Riran, climbed over the fence behind the school building, and escaped.
I ran toward Ryūya's house.
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