Chapter 35 Past ⑨

Now finally able to focus solely on their studies, the two of them continued to improve their grades.

At this point, it was no longer a matter of whether they’d pass or not, but how perfectly they could conquer the exam.

When the time finally came to take the entrance exam for their first-choice high school, both of them handled the academic test and interview without a hitch.

“Not that I need to ask, but… you’re feeling confident, right?”

“The questions weren’t that hard. I’m just super worried about making stupid mistakes.”

“Even if you did, you’d still be fine. I mean, it’s you we’re talking about.”

Though Reika said that, the week leading up to the results was still filled with restless days.

And in the middle of all that, their junior high graduation arrived.

At the graduation ceremony, students all around the school were taking pictures together.

But for Satoru, who had no friends and kept to himself, there was no one he 

could take pictures with.

He wasn’t really in the mood for anything, but after taking a few family photos and while he was packing up his things—

“Satoru. Do you have a moment?”

Reika came up to him and called out.

“Go on. I’ll take all your stuff home,” his parents said, nudging him forward.

With that, Satoru followed Reika to the back of the school building, where no one would see them.

“We finally graduated. It’s been… what, a year? No, more like half a year since we met. A lot’s happened.”

“Yeah. Though most of it… well, some of it might’ve been my fault.”

“Heh, the root of the problems wasn’t you. But you definitely spiced things up with all the drama. Still, you’re the one who made it possible for us to laugh like this now.”

“It hurt a bit getting here, but… yeah, it turned out alright.”

They each reflected on everything that had happened.

Now that things had calmed down, looking back on it all—though it was only a few months ago—it felt like a distant memory.

“I’m getting sentimental, but we’re going to the same high school, you know.”

“You say that, but I might fail, you never know…….”

“Why are you so lacking in confidence? You seriously have an anxiety disorder…”

Reika sighed at Satoru’s usual self-deprecating attitude.

“I wonder… will I still be able to be by your side in April…”

No matter how exasperated Reika was, Satoru couldn’t help but feel that if they didn’t both get in, he might lose his chance to stay by her side.

That anxiety was eating away at him.

“Satoru. This might seem sudden, but… would you grant me a request?”

“Huh? A request from you? Sure, if it’s something I can do…”

Though a bit confused by Reika’s sudden request, Satoru nodded.

She took a small breath, and then spoke.

“If we both pass… I want you to go out with me.”

“…Huh?”

Satoru couldn’t immediately process what he’d just heard.

“…That’s seriously the worst possible reaction to a girl’s once-in-a-lifetime confession. I’ll cry, you know.”

“Sorry, my brain’s just… overloaded.”

“It’s not that complicated. I’m just saying I want to be your girlfriend.”

Looking back, she had told him she liked him not long ago.

Since then, they had both been so focused on exams that the meaning of her words had been put on the back burner.

Now that she had said it again, a flood of emotions—excitement, embarrassment, disbelief—came crashing down on him.

“…You sure you want someone like me?”

“Who else but you? No one has ever cared about me as deeply as you have. You’re strong, kind, pure… I couldn’t bear to let someone else have you.”

“Wow… I’ve come a long way. Not that anyone else would agree with that assessment.”

“You never know when someone else might notice how wonderful you are. So? What’s your answer? Will you go out with me?”

Even someone like Reika couldn’t stay calm when making a confession.

“…Yeah. If you’re okay with someone like me, then… go ahead and do whatever you want with me.”

“…Thank you. That makes me really happy. In that case, I won’t hold back—I’ll make you mine completely.”

“This might sound clingy, but… what if I don’t pass? What happens then?”

“If that happens, I’ll change my plans and go to whatever backup school you’re attending.”

“That’s sweet of you, but I’d feel bad for your mom…”

“Then let’s do this. If one of us doesn’t make it and we end up at different high schools, then along with dating, we also get engaged.”

“…Huh??”

“And we’ll spend every weekend together. That way, even if we’re apart during the week, we won’t feel the distance.”

“R-Right…”

Reika, once the floodgates opened, spoke without hesitation about things that were kind of crazy.

At first, Satoru was dumbfounded. But partway through, it actually started to become intesting.

“So basically, no matter how things turn out, I’m officially yours now.”

“Exactly. You’re mine. I’m going to dye the white-you with my colors. Bit by bit, I’ll make you cooler, make you fall even harder for me, and turn you into my ideal man. So be prepared.”

“You’re a dangerous girl, huh…”

“There’s no running now. I’m going to keep loving you forever. So let me color your heart with mine, okay? I’ll make you happy.”

With that, Reika gave him their first kiss.

“…You don’t waste any time, do you?”

“Well, if you realize you can finally make the person you love yours, wouldn’t you get a little eager? That was your first kiss, right?”

“Obviously. I never had anyone to do it with.”

“Perfect. I want to leave my mark on someone completely untouched like you. It’s ideal.”

Reika said that with a cheerful smile.

“Just as I want to make you into my perfect man, I want to become your perfect woman. So… what kind of girl do you want me to be?”

“What kind, huh…”

Taking a moment to reflect on everything that’s happened, Satoru eventually replied:

“I think… the way you are now is best. You, just being yourself—how you’ve always been—is my ideal.”

“That’s kind of a generic answer.”

“Maybe. But I feel like it’s you, just the way you are now, that made me want to stay by your side. If you changed, even with all our memories, it might not feel the same anymore.”

“…I see. That’s actually pretty sweet.”

“So just keep being you and keep loving me like you have been. As long as we can grow even closer while staying the same… I don’t need anything more.”

“Got it. I’ll keep doing what comes naturally—whatever I feel like doing with you.”

“That’s perfect. Over time, I’m sure everything will settle into place.”

Satoru said this with what he thought was cool confidence.

But a moment later, Reika couldn’t help bursting into laughter.

“But by that logic… right now, I’m absolutely brimming with the desire to make you mine. Which means, deep down, you want to be mine too, right?”

“Ugh… you’re really getting the upper hand here.”

“Hehe. But this feels right. Like we truly understand each other. And that makes me really happy.”

“…Yeah, same here.”

Although they officially started dating a few weeks later, once they had both been accepted to the same high school, this was the moment where their relationship took another step forward—and began to take the shape it would hold from then on.