Bizarre Love Triangle - Epilogue

Epilogue : The 1/2 Kiss

“First of all, I will try to talk with my parents and doctor.”

Akiha said as she walked next to me.

“I can’t promise anything, but I’m sure they’ll cancel the hospitalization. If both, I and Haruka explain it to them properly.”

“I see…”

While I’m still not out of my mind, I’m a little relieved at that.

I exhaled deeply and looked up at the sky.

“I’m glad then…”

The eastern sky, which has begun to turn into an indigo one, and the pale yellow sunset that remained in the west.

Precisely at this timing, an airplane flew over the clouds, pulling them apart.

The main street was crowded with students going home and women shopping, but once I turned off the main street, I found myself in a quiet residential area that looked like a provincial city.

“…I was also relieved when Sudo-san and Shuji-kun accepted me.”

Akiha spilled out these words with her cheeks slackening a little.

“I told Haruka that she didn’t have to hide it, but I was still worried about her.”

It had already been more than three hours since Haruka had revealed herself.

In the beginning, both Sudo and Shuji seemed to be very flustered, but they eagerly listened to Haruka’s story, and then Akiha’s, who had replaced Haruka later on… and finally, they understood her past.

“T-then, you’re saying you use notes to convey what has happened to you every time? So that the other classmates wouldn’t notice…”

“Well, I still haven’t completely grasped the situation but, after a while, you’ll go from being Haruka-san to Akiha-san again, right?”

And then in the end. Shuji said with a regretful face that looked like he was about to cry, “I’m sorry for not noticing that” while Sudo on the other hand was already crying, tears spilling out from her eyes as she said, “From now on, don’t hide it anymore…”

“Thank you, I will convey it to Haruka too…”

Akiha’s eyes also seemed to glisten with tears as she replied.

Now, the situation has calmed down for the moment.

Haruka will not have to hide herself anymore.

Akiha will also not have to hold all the pain within herself like she had been doing until now.

And, I also don’t need to force myself to pretend to be someone else anymore.

But at the time we were leaving,

“…Speaking of which, after hearing Haruka’s story, Yano-kun’s confession earlier was a bit too lackluster in comparison.”

Sudo retorted to me for which I couldn’t reply back at the too sound argument.

“Nevertheless, there’s nothing more happier for me if my courage was able to push Haruka ahead.”

“And then… I have to apologise to Haruka too. That girl had to go through such painful things all because of my misunderstanding.”

“Well, that’s true. I’ll apologize to her too. It’s half my fault. And as long as Haruka doesn’t mind… I’d like to start helping her be happy again.”

“…That’s right”

Nodding, Akiha looked down at her feet.

“The future that awaits her will never change, right? So, at least until then, I want her to spend her life happily at least.”

“Yeah, you’re right. But…”

“…But?”

Akiha turned to look at me whilst tilting her head.

Her eyes, which seemed like they were light years ahead, stared at me. While feeling the rising of my heartbeat through the palm of my hand, I looked into her eyes,

“…From now on, I also want to help Akiha.”

Akiha’s eyes widened.

Her white face quickly turned into a red one.

“Not only Haruka but Akiha too, I really want the both of you to be happy… So I hope you can tell me anything you want to.”

“…I see”

Akiha hurriedly diverted her eyes and looked down.

And then said,

“Yano-kun is also sly. You can say that to two girls at the same time…”

“Maybe so…”

“Be careful, to not get resented one day”

“Yes, I will keep that in mind”

“…And, um…”

Suddenly, Akiha’s words started to falter.

And then said as she looked down at her feet.

“…About the confession”

“…Yes”

The sudden change of topic sent a sense of tension down my spine.

Yes, I know it’s a little late, but I had confessed my feelings to Akiha.

“I was wondering what kind of reply I should give… that, should I go out or should I not.”

“…Yeah, well, you’re right. As for me, I’m serious.”

“…I see”

Akiha’s face turned red and she looked down.

“And so…”

“I’m prepared, so tell me…” 

“Well…”

She stammered.

Then, in a squeezing voice, she said to me who was mentally preparing myself,

“…I will consider it positively”

“…what?”

“I’m sorry, I haven’t sorted out my feelings yet. But really, I will consider it positively… It would be great if you could wait for a while.”

“…I see”

For a moment, I was disappointed.

I feel like I have been let down… but, yeah.

That was the only thing that happened between us a while ago.

It would be a little too fast to ask for the answer here and now.

“…okay, I understand”

We have a little more time left.

So, I think we should think it over slowly.

It’s enough for now that she said she would consider it positively.

She suddenly looked at her wristwatch to check the time,

“…I guess it’s about time we have to change”

“The next we meet… will be at school tomorrow. Somehow I feel a little embarrassed…”

“Haha, I’m sorry…”

“It’s all right, really. Thank you so much for today.”

With that said, Akiha turned around and stopped, then bowed her head deeply.

“Please take care of me and Haruka from now on.”

“Yes, same here.”

“See you tomorrow.”

Saying that, Akiha turned around and turned her back to me.

A few seconds later, she turns around and looks straight at me.

Then,

“…Hey, Yano-kun”

“Hmm? What?”

“Can you tell who I am right now?”

“…Huh”

I couldn’t help but raise my voice in an absurd manner.

“Which one… aren’t you Haruka?”

The personality should have already switched from Akiha to Haruka just now.

She had just hidden her face earlier.

It’s just… certainly I don’t know the “precise time” of when they actually switch.

Although I know roughly how many minutes it is, I haven’t been able to grasp the concrete timing or how many seconds it actually takes.

And then – I looked at her again and was surprised.

…I don’t know.

The tone of voice and the expression on her face were deliberately kept in the middle of both their expressions.

I don’t know if it’s currently Akiha or Haruka.

“….fufufu. It seems like I have done well. You shouldn’t underestimate my acting skills.”

And with that, she took a step forward.

“You know, Yano-kun? We’ve been through a lot of hard times because of our dual personalities. That’s why I think we can be forgiven for a little bit of foul play.”

“…Foul play?”

When I asked her, She tip-toed a little.

And as if she was talking in private, she naturally brought her face closer to mine——–

———She kissed me on my lips.

I felt a short, soft touch on my face.

The sweet smell of her hair tickled my nose.

The circuits in my head started thinking at a very high speed.

W-W-Why that all of a sudden? 

Which one is it!? Akiha? Haruka?

Which personality was the one who kissed me?

My brain starts to overheat without knowing what’s happening anymore. Questions poured out my mind one after another, and I couldn’t control them.

Sweat broke out all over my face.

My arms and legs trembled in disgrace.

She looked at me, unable to move, and said happily as her face turned bright red.

“I like you, Yano-kun”

✳✳

T/N : v1 ends here. Rest is the afterword which I will add when I make a rough epub. (as another will be made when it’s completely edited.) I will share the link later.