48 - Determination

In the clubroom where we usually relaxed, the atmosphere was silent, accompanied by the faint sound of chewing, while soft light slipped through the open window.

Yuichi and I were now sitting next to each other, with me in the middle and Akane sitting on the far side. Each of us was busy eating our own lunch. The atmosphere had been awkward ever since that kiss happened, and no one wanted to start a conversation.

Even though it should have only been awkward between Yuichi and me, for some reason, Akane was also acting uncomfortable.

As I chewed on the lunch that Yuichi had prepared this morning, I admired every bite of the meal. Who would have thought? That Yuichi could actually cook.

...

Definitely wife material.

Akane stopped chewing for a moment before deciding to break the silence between us.

"Uhm... Yui-chan, Nagi-kun, did something happen between you two? Why do you both look so awkward?"

"NOTHING HAPPENED!"

Yuichi and I immediately answered in unison.

Coincidentally speaking at the same time, we then stared at each other for a few seconds before quickly looking away out of embarrassment.

"Eeeh..? If nothing happened, then why are you both acting all shy..." Akane said nervously, glancing at the two of us with a worried expression.

"Hmph!" Yuichi puffed her cheeks, still blushing.

There was no way I could tell Akane that Yuichi and I accidentally kissed yesterday. It was all because of that damn Kaito! If only he hadn’t pushed me by accident—

...

Wait.

Now that I think about it, shouldn’t I be thanking him instead?

After all, I was able to resolve the conflict between Yuichi and me at that moment... and I also got my... f-first kiss...

...

"Akane-san..." I called her name in a low voice.

"Let’s just say this is hypothetical, okay? What if two best friends accidentally kissed? What do you think they should do the next day?" I asked with full focus. Even though sweat covered my face, I gathered the courage to ask.

Yuichi immediately turned to me, her sharp eyes locked onto me.

Ignore it, ignore it, ignore it.

I had been feeling nervous in front of Yuichi all day, though I still managed to maintain a neutral expression using my face of steel. Even so, my heart was screaming in chaos.

I needed to figure out what to do next. Should I push forward like Chiharu said? Dominate without hesitation?

S-should I just confess to her now?

"Uhm... Since you're asking like that, now I’m getting suspicious. This isn’t about you two, right?" Akane asked before answering, her eyes scanning me.

"OF-OF COURSE NOT!" Yuichi quickly shouted, waving her hands in denial.

"Oh, okay! Since Yui-chan says so. Alright then, I’ll answer based on what I know." Akane clapped her hands together, looking like she understood.

She put on a thoughtful expression, placing her chopsticks aside before glancing back and forth between Yuichi and me. I held my breath, waiting for her response.

"Hmmm... If two best friends accidentally kissed..." Akane oddly emphasized the word "accidentally" while rubbing her chin. "I think there are a few possibilities."

I swallowed hard. Meanwhile, Yuichi also looked tense beside me.

Akane raised her index finger. "First! They pretend to forget and just act normal like nothing happened, though there's a high chance it'll be super awkward."

Oof. That was exactly what I had been doing, but clearly, it wasn’t working as I had hoped.

Akane lifted her second finger, now speaking with more enthusiasm. "Second! They talk about it directly, be honest with their feelings, and decide what to do next."

I gripped my spoon tighter. Talking about it directly? With Yuichi? I could barely stay conscious from embarrassment whenever I remembered that moment!

Akane raised her third finger. "Third! One of them starts avoiding the other because they're too embarrassed, which eventually ruins their relationship."

Yuichi and I exchanged glances again. We both knew that the third option was the worst outcome.

Then, with a teasing tone, Akane lifted her fourth finger. "And fourth~" She smirked playfully. "They realize they like each other and start dating~"

Yuichi immediately choked on her food upon hearing Akane’s words. I instinctively patted her back, while Akane chuckled softly.

"Why such a big reaction?" Akane teased, still wearing her mischievous smile.

Yuichi finally caught her breath again, though her face remained bright red. "T-that was too sudden!"

I averted my gaze, trying to hide the heat rising in my own face.

Akane let out a small laugh. "Well, it’s just a hypothetical scenario. Besides, if it did happen for real, there’s nothing wrong with best friends ending up together, right?"

I didn’t know how to respond.

I glanced at Yuichi, trying to read her expression. She was still looking down, gripping her spoon awkwardly. I couldn't tell what was going through her mind.

After a while, Akane finally stood up, stretching her arms. "Alright! I’ve bothered you two enough. I’ll be going now—I still have business with Chiharu."

Yuichi immediately looked up as soon as Akane said she was leaving. "Huh? You’re leaving? Just like that?"

Akane winked. "Hmm... I wonder why~?"

"I’m just giving you two some alone time. Hehe~"

Before I could even react, she quickly stepped out of the clubroom, leaving just Yuichi and me in silence.

Once again, the room was enveloped in stillness.

I could hear the ticking of the wall clock and, more terrifyingly, the sound of my own heartbeat.

I took a deep breath. Okay, this was it. I had to say something.

"...Yuichi."

She immediately tensed up when I called her name but still looked at me nervously. "Y-yeah?"

I bit my lip. "...What do you think we should do?"

She was silent for a few seconds, as if carefully choosing her words. "I... don’t know..."

I understood. I didn’t know either.

"But..." she continued softly. "I don’t want things to be awkward between us. I don’t want our relationship to fall apart."

I looked at her, feeling warmth and guilt swell in my chest.

God...

She’s so cute.

"Yeah, me too," I finally responded after a few moments of silence.

"Even so." Yuichi shook her head slightly. "I don’t want our relationship to stay the same either. Do you feel the same way, Nagi?"

Her eyes looked at me with hope, her face completely flushed, her lips trembling—while I had no idea what to do.

So Yuichi felt the same way as I did.

We couldn’t keep going like this.

One of us had to take the first step.

"I..."

***

Akane's POV.

As soon as I stepped out of the clubroom to give them some time alone, I quietly shut the door but remained standing there, eavesdropping on their conversation.

I had already discussed this with Kaito and Chiharu. Fortunately, our plan to bring Nagi and Yuichi closer had worked.

Though, I think Kaito went a bit too far... I mean, he actually got them to kiss.

Haha...

ha...

I clutched my chest tightly. For some reason, it hurt. Even though I had already resolved myself to help them.

My feelings for Yuichi hadn’t changed, no matter what her gender was now. I still loved her.

But even so, I couldn’t overstep my boundaries.

The only thing I could do now was to play my role—a supporting character, the best friend who brings the two protagonists together.

Yuichi once said that people don’t have fixed roles.

But after thinking about it over and over again, I realized that was wrong.

Because what am I, then?

Every story has a main character, and I am not the protagonist of this one. My role is to be a supporting character, and that is my responsibility.

As a supporting character, I have no right to step beyond my place.

Because the protagonists of this story are—

Nagi and Yuichi.

Once again, I reaffirmed my resolve.

"Alright!"

"I will bring them together. That’s the most important thing, and the only thing I can do now."

"I will definitely make sure they end up together," I murmured with conviction.

TO BE CONTINUED.