One day, my best friend suddenly turned into a sickly girl from the TS

“Hey, Uozumi-kun.”

“What’s up?”

One day, in the classroom, Kanase approached me. At that moment, my friends, including Yoru, were out, possibly in the restroom. We had walked partway together, but we had split up due to the difference in genders. Yoru never seemed bothered by the occasional disapproving looks from juniors and seniors.

But let’s put that aside for now.

Kanase speaking to me was common, so I responded normally.

“Are you free after school today, Uozumi-kun?”

“Yeah, why?”

I didn’t have any particular plans for the day.

I hadn’t arranged to hang out with Yoru and the others. I told Kanase I was free, and she seemed pleased.

“Do you want to go out for a bit?”

“Like a date?”

“Nothing like that.”

“……………”

“Don’t look so shocked when you’re the one who asked.”

Her straightforward response surprised me, though I knew she probably didn’t mean anything romantic by it. Maybe she wanted to talk about Yoru.

“I’ve been pining over a man who’s now a woman. Listen to my woes.”

“Alright, count me in.”

So, that’s the situation.

We agreed to meet at Kanase’s favorite café after school and then parted ways. Later, after school, I saw Yoru caught up with some girls as I left the classroom. I asked Shindo to let Yoru know I was going.

“Going out with someone?”

“Something like that.”

“Hmm, have fun then.”

“I don’t know if it’ll be fun, but okay.”

With that, I left the classroom.

I met up with Kanase, who had already arrived at the café.

“Thanks for coming.”

“No problem.”

The café had a nice atmosphere, being her regular spot.

“The cakes here are delicious, and the tea is the best.”

“Alright, I’ll have that then.”

I ordered what Kanase recommended.

The staff were very friendly, and the place had a great vibe. I was enjoying the cake and tea when Kanase exploded.

“I hoped that with time, my feelings would get through!! But… but… ughhh!!”

“Well, yeah…”

Kanase liked Yoru.

She never rushed things, slowly garnering Yoru’s interest. I’ve been consulted about it a few times, but Yoru didn’t reciprocate her feelings in the end.

“Kanase, you’re beautiful and have a great personality. I never thought you’d be turned down.”

“Yeah, I know. I’m beautiful and considerate… a great catch!”

“Don’t say that about yourself… but you’re right.”

Her arrogance was just part of her charm.

Kanase made a face women shouldn’t show, and I chuckled while continuing with my cake.

“Recently…”

“Yeah?”

“Watching you with Asahina-kun… I’ve been feeling envious.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, you seem to… care about him.”

Care… Yes, Yoru are important to me.

I understand Yoru’s difficult time, and I can’t just leave her be.

“You look like an ideal couple.”

“…Couple!?”

Couples are like that. Men and women are like that. What is she saying?

“It’s strange, right? Yoru used to be a guy.”

“But now she’s a girl, right? Biologically, there’s nothing odd about that.”

“…True.”

But Yoru doesn’t want to be treated like a girl.

And to think of Yoru as a woman… Well, I can see her that way, but it’s still… Sigh.

I couldn’t help but sigh deeply in my mind.

“But Yoru is still my best friend, no matter what.”

“…Right, that’s fine too.”

TS disease is such a complicated condition.

After filling in on small talk and snacks with Kanase, we left the cafe and headed downtown.

“My parents usually come home late, so I often prepare dinner.”

“Is that so?”

I continued to accompany Kanase with no particular agenda. As we were walking together after her shopping was done…

“Yuki?”

“Huh?”

“Oh?”

I heard a voice calling me from behind and turned around to see Yoru staring blankly at me and Kanase.

“Yoru.”

“Asahina-kun.”

“…”

Surprised for a moment, Yoru quickly regained her composure and spoke up.

“So you were with Kanase? On a date or something?”

“It’s not like that.”

“Right. It’s not a date.”

It wasn’t a date, but Yoru’s fleeting, gloomy expression worried me.

“Then, I’ll be going. See you guys.”

“Hey, wait…”

I reached out to Yoru, who was turning away but then hesitated… Sometimes, a bad feeling can drive a person to act. I excused myself to Kanase and ran after Yoru.

“Wait, Yoru!”

“What?”

Yoru turned around, looking unwell.

But seeing her like that, I couldn’t just say sorry and goodbye.

“…Let’s go home.”

“…Okay.”

We didn’t have much to say to each other.

We walked side by side in silence until we reached the point where our paths diverged.

“Yuki…”

Finally, Yoru broke the silence.

“Would a girl like Kanase be better?”

“What?”