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

“Can You See Me as a Man?” Yoru replied that she could.

“So? What will you do with that information?”

“…No, it’s nothing.”

I wondered why I had asked that question. Could I see Yoru as a woman? Definitely, I could. I could still recall Yoru as a man, but now, the Yoru in front of me is undoubtedly a woman.

“…Did I make you uncomfortable?”

“……………”

Yoru didn’t say anything… or rather, couldn’t say anything, and let out a wry laugh. Then she looked at me with eyes full of resolve and suggested we stop by a nearby park. Silently, I followed her.

“……………”

We sat on a bench in the park, not speaking for a while, but eventually, Yoru broke the silence.

“…Yuki, you know, since I became a woman, you’ve been my support.”

“…Me?”

“Yeah.”

Yoru started talking with a soft smile.

“When I became a woman, I didn’t know how to live. Then you came along. Your words, saying nothing would change and that you’d always be there, saved me.”

I remembered that moment vividly, without needing a detailed explanation. I was just worried about Yoru and didn’t want her to do anything rash. My words weren’t just for show; I meant them.

“Yuki.”

“Yeah?”

“Back then, and even when I visited, your words to me felt almost like a proposal.”

“…Ah, that’s true.”

Now that she mentioned it, those words did sound like a proposal. Realizing this made me feel incredibly embarrassed, and I tried to look away, but Yoru wouldn’t let me, placing her hand on my cheek.

“Since then… to be honest, I can’t stop thinking about you. I want to live for you, Yuki, who said you’d be there for me.”

“…That is…”

Yoru didn’t stop speaking.

Her grip on my cheek grew firmer, her unwavering gaze as if forbidding me to look away, and she didn’t blink once as she stared into my eyes.

“I get upset seeing you talk to other women. I feel uneasy when you’re not around… I realized, I probably love you, Yuki.”

“…!”

Her confession was straightforward.

I was startled by her words, yet… I couldn’t imagine a scene where I loved Yoru back. But lately, being with Yoru had been making me feel something different.

“…Does it creep you out? After all, I was originally a man… and now I’ve burdened you with such heavy feelings.”

“No, it’s not that I’m troubled…”

That’s right, I’m not exactly troubled.

Just a bit surprised and confused… But then again, considering Yoru’s increased physical closeness since becoming a woman, it makes sense.

“Hey, Yoru, can I hug you?”

“Eh――”

I wrapped my arms around Yoru.

She fit snugly against my chest, small and trembling… I see, so that’s what it was all about.

“Holding you like this feels calming… I’ve never had a girlfriend, and you’re the first I’ve ever done this with.”

“O-Okay…”

As I said, there’s a definite sense of calm in my heart.

It’s a strange feeling, wanting to stay like this forever. Despite Yoru being a woman now, our deep bond remains unchanged. It’s because it’s Yoru that I feel comfortable and at ease by her side.

“…I feel calm too… Hey, Yuki.”

“What’s up?”

“I… want to be your woman, Yuki.”

“!?”

Her whispered words in my chest seemed to carry a mysterious power. The echo of her voice lingered in my mind. I had thought Yoru was dissatisfied with being treated as a woman, but… Hmm.

“Hey, Yoru.”

“Hmm?”

Yoru didn’t lift her head from my chest.

In a way, my words at that time may have bound her to me. My words had saved a desperate Yoru, but at the same time, they had tied her… Seriously, why am I overthinking this much now?

“Let’s be together.”

“…Is that okay?”

“Yeah. After all that’s been said, I can’t just push you away.”

“It feels like you’ve been led to this decision, though.”

“Indeed.”

I chuckled and peered into Yoru’s face.

I tapped her forehead lightly with my finger, eliciting a small ‘ouch’ from her.

“What are you doing?”

“That’s right. You led me to this decision… so stay by my side forever. I’ll be by yours too… okay?”

“…～～～～～～！！”

Thinking about it, Yoru has always been cool.

I admired her, thinking I wanted to be like her. I’m not cool, nor can I confidently say I’m someone who can offer reassurance… but still, I want to protect the Yoru in front of me.

“…I’m glad I was your best friend. But… can I agree to your words? Can we take our relationship to the next level? Can I love you to my heart’s content?”

“…Man, what a cool thing to say.”

“Shut up,♪ Shut up, you idiot.♪”

…Really, she’s both cool and cute.

“So, starting tomorrow, we’ll be in a new relationship.”

“Yeah. Looking forward to it, Yuki!”

I nodded along with Yoru’s smile.

Mom, Dad, Aunt, Uncle, and my friends, including Kanase, will surely be surprised. But still, it’ll be fine.

“…Yes! Now, I can love Yuki as much as I want.♪”

I forgot to ask what Yoru murmured in her ever-beautiful voice.