Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/822139845923627658/episodes/2912051596386802075
The opening ceremony was over.
Everyone filed out of the gym and headed back to their classrooms.
Amid the crowd, Mashiro and I were walking side by side.
“‘Haa…’”
We both yawned at the same time without meaning to.
When our eyes met, Mashiro looked away awkwardly.
“…What? Are you that happy we yawned at the same time? Are you an idiot?”
“Don’t call me an idiot based on a hypothetical.”
“It’s fine. If I’m wrong, I’ll take it back. That’s why it’s a hypothetical.”
“Once you’ve said it, taking it back doesn’t really mean anything, does it…”
Besides, knowing Mashiro, she probably won’t apologize anyway.
“Are you sleepy?”
“W-well… I mean, I went to bed late last night. It’s only natural.”
“True, I only ended up getting about two hours of sleep.”
“Yeah… but don’t talk about that at school. There are people around…”
“So what? It’s fine now, isn’t it?”
“Huh?! …So you have that kind of kink, Kensuke? You’re the worst. That’s gross.”
“I was just joking…”
Just as we were talking like that, someone suddenly tapped my shoulder.
The same thing happened to Mashiro; a face popped up from behind her.
“Hey you two, you’re standing pretty close together, aren’t you~?”
“Whoa! W-what, it’s Hase?”
“Hey, Yae, you gave me a scare.”
“I’m the kind of person who gives everyone a surprise. How about it? Isn’t that entertainment?”
“What is that? Are you into that now?”
“Life is entertainment!”
“…Ah, right.”
Mashiro is completely dumbfounded.
However, Hase seems to be having a blast, completely unfazed by it all.
“I mean…? I guess once you’ve built up memories over a summer together, you really do change as a couple, don’t you?”
“Change? Have we changed?”
“Absolutely, beyond recognition. There’s just… this certain vibe that only couples who’ve done that kind of thing can give off, you know?”
““!!!”””
“W-what are you talking about, Yae? You’re acting weird this morning.”
“Well, Mashiro’s right. Or rather, you’re as tactless as ever, and that’s not something you should be saying just to tease…”
“…I see. Ohhh. Got it.”
“What do you mean, ‘got it’!?”
Hase grinning and Mashiro getting angry.
Deciding that saying anything more would just dig my own grave, I decided to keep quiet.
Right after summer break ended, it’s really noisy.
But I realized I don’t actually mind this noise.
“Finally over…”
After school.
I walk alone down the hallway in the evening.
Right at the start of the new semester, between being on duty and committee work, I hadn’t been able to go home until this late.
Mashiro’s probably already gone home, so I’ll just have to walk home alone, feeling a bit lonely.
Thinking that, I walked into the classroom and couldn’t help but widen my eyes.
The classroom was bathed in orange light.
The white curtains billowed softly, and the sounds of club activities drifted in from the distance.
Right in the center of this scene, which looked like something out of a movie, she was sitting at my desk, gazing out the window.
Her lustrous black hair fluttered in the breeze, and her profile was so beautiful it left everything else in the dust.
She noticed me and narrowed her eyes in a displeased expression.
“You’re late, Kensuke.”
She was the only one in the classroom looking at me.
“Why are you here, Mashiro…? Didn’t you go home?”
“…I got roped into all sorts of things, so I waited here for my poor childhood friend right after summer break ended. For you, Kensuke, isn’t that the best reward?”
“…You really know me.”
I walked toward Mashiro.
“But lately, I feel like I’m the one who’s always being kept waiting by you, Kensuke. Once I realized that, I started getting really annoyed halfway through, and I figured I’d have to get you to buy me some sweets on the way home to even things out. Of course, one for every year I’m older.”
“Stop with the Setsubun stuff.”
“Anyway, I’m looking forward to it.”
“Eh…”
Seeing the look of reluctance on my face, Mashiro snorted and turned away.
……As I thought, my childhood friend really is a queen.
“Come on, let’s head home.”
Mashiro tried to stand up.
But I stopped her—
“…………”
After a moment, I pulled away.
Mashiro seemed taken aback by the suddenness of it and turned bright red.
She trembled and glared at me fiercely.
“W-what are you doing all of a sudden! And at school, no less…!”
“Was that a bad idea?”
“W-well…”
“Was it… no good?”
“…………Well, it’s not like it was bad or anything…”
Mashiro, pouting as she mutters this, is still cute.
The two of us, Mashiro and I, walk out of the classroom side by side.
We walk down the empty hallway.
“Hey, Kensuke. Can I come over to your place again tonight?”
“Sure… but, wait, you’re not seriously asking for tonight too, are you…?”
“N-no, that’s not it! Why would I… b-but, if you really insist, Kensuke… I might just consider it.”
“Nah, but I’m sleepy…”
“Huh? Don’t you have the right to say no?”
“I don’t have the right to say no…?”
“It’s always up to me. I’m the one in charge.”
“Huh? But I was completely in charge last night, wasn’t I?”
“Hmph! …Shut up, you idiot.”
The path continues on.
▽ ▽ ▽
—Five years later.
After finishing the dishes, I sit down next to Mashiro.
The familiar sofa sank deeply beneath me.
“Good work today.”
“If anyone should be saying that, it’s me. Dinner tonight was exquisite. As expected of the great Master Mashiro.”
“Flattering me like that won’t get you anything, you know? Besides… it’s just ‘bride training’—my mom’s been drilling it into me.”
“Bride-to-be training… that’s so typical of you, Mariko .an”
Mashiro sipped her tea and set the cup down on the table with a soft clink.
Her lustrous black hair swayed gently.
It was cut just above her shoulders, and I’m still not quite used to this length. But…
“As I thought, Mashiro, you look good with both long and short hair.”
“Of course I do. I mean, it’s me, right? Mashiro? The only thing that doesn’t suit me… well, that would be defeat.”
“Defeat, you say…”
Is this girl still so full of fire at twenty-two…? No, she’ll probably stay combative for the foreseeable future.
“Anyway, Yae contacted me the other day. She said that at the seminar drinking party, Kensuke was drunk again and bragging about how much he’s into me.”
“Huh? Wait… I don’t even remember that.”
“…Haa. You really need to fix that drinking habit of yours. It’s just plain embarrassing.”
“Hahaha… Should I go see a doctor or something?”
“Fix it on your own.”
Even if you tell me to fix it… I don’t even remember it.
“What are you going to do? You’re about to start working, aren’t you? There’ll be company parties and stuff all the time… If you go on about me every time, people are going to be turned off.”
“T-true… I’ll try my best. I’ll power through it.”
“Do just that.”
If it’s an order from Mashiro, I’ve got no choice but to figure something out.
“And another thing.”
“There’s more? What is it now—”
“I hear a female junior was sitting next to Kensuke at that drinking party, wasn’t she?”
“Eek!!”
Mashiro’s demeanor shifted completely.
Her voice was low and cold, resonating deep in my gut.
“I hope I’m wrong, but… you weren’t having a fun little chat with her, were you?”
“No, I didn’t! I didn’t! In fact, we barely spoke at all! That much I can guarantee!”
I straightened my back and said this. Mashiro stared at me intently, then released her intimidating aura as if satisfied.
“…Alright. Then that’s fine.”
Over the past five years, I’d been thoroughly trained regarding women other than Mashiro. She truly is the Queen. She’s far too skilled at keeping people under her control.
“One more thing.”
“She’s really piling it on…”
“I’d like to decide on a date for the apartment viewing soon.”
“Oh, right. I’ll come up with some possible dates by tomorrow.”
“Seriously, I’m worried we’ll be able to live together with that kind of lax attitude… You’re not a college student anymore, you know? Do you understand that?”
“Y-yes… I understand.”
“Get your act together.”
“……Yes.”
Come to think of it, I feel like Mashiro’s been lecturing me a lot lately.
I guess that makes sense. We’re not students anymore, after all.
“……I see. From now on, we’re going to live as ‘two people,’ aren’t we?”
“That’s right. So……”
Mashiro rests her head on my shoulder.
“I’ll be in trouble if you don’t pull yourself together. Because we’ll be together… forever from now on.”
Mashiro’s soft voice sinks deep into my heart.
“Ah, you’re right.”
I lean against Mashiro too, savoring this peaceful moment.
“……Alright.”
“Huh?”
I stand up and pick Mashiro up in a princess carry.
“K-Kensuke?”
Holding the bewildered Mashiro, I carried her straight upstairs and laid her on the bed.
Mashiro curled up, her slender body shrinking beneath the covers.
I leaned over her, resting both hands beside her face.
Then, as if she’d sensed my intentions, Mashiro glared at me.
“……We did it yesterday, didn’t we?”
“So what?”
“……Sigh. Seriously…… Kensuke, you really are hopeless.”
Mashiro wrapped her arms around my neck.
“Kensuke, you really are a pervert. Or rather, you’re way too lustful toward me. I don’t hear about this very often, you know? We’ve been dating for five years, and the frequency hasn’t changed at all.”
“That’s just how much I love you, Mashiro. And I always will.”
“! …Well, if that’s the case, then I guess it’s fine.”
Even though her words are sharp, she can’t hide her expression.
“Seriously, Mashiro, you’re so cute.”
“I know.”
“But lately, it’s frustrating that I’m starting to get used to this kind of thing…”
“…What are you talking about?”
Well, I’m the one who got her used to it, though.
“But hey, you are still cute.”
“……I know.”
I couldn’t help but laugh at Mashiro’s defiant expression.
Drawn in by my laughter, Mashiro’s cheeks softened too.
The two of us laughed on the bed.
No matter how many years pass, no matter how much things change, I think the core of who we are will never change. And even if things do change, there’s no doubt we’ll always be “the two of us.”
“Hey, Kensuke.”
“What?”
“……Hehe, nothing.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
We’ll keep living in this world together like this, forever.
Today, tomorrow, and—beyond.
(The End)
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