After the festival ended, Orihara-san and I left the school and walked down the street together as the sun began to set.
“It looks like Ura and Ibusuki...have decided that they’re going to go out together.”
“What, really?!”
“I just got messages from both of them. It looks like Ura was the one to ask her out, and Ibusuki said okay.”
“Oh wow, that’s great! I’m so glad for them... Ura-kun sure did do his best.” Orihara-san had a genuine smile on her face.
I was also truly happy. You did good, Ura.
“So, Ibusuki-san liked Ura-kun too, huh?”
“It sure looks that way.”
“Even though they may fight a lot, I think they really are a good match. I think they’ll definitely make a good couple.”
“...Hopefully.”
“Huh? Wh-What do you mean?”
“Well, I mean... It looks like there’s already trouble.” I showed Orihara-san a text from Ura on my smartphone that said, “Save me, Momo! This stupid woman’s talking about announcing our relationship to the whole class at the after-party! What should I do?! Hurry up and come save me! We’re friends, right?! We’re pals, right?!”
“W-Wow... I don’t know what to say except wow...”
“Looks like they’re in for a rough ride.” I just texted him a sticker and then switched my smartphone to silent.
Good luck, Ura. There’s nothing more I can do. All that’s left is for you to do your best as a boyfriend.
“Speaking of after-parties...your class isn’t having one, Momota-kun?”
“We aren’t. Apparently, most of the first-year classes don’t have one. I think Ura’s class is just doing it because they really came together as a class for the festival.”
“Oh, I see. Well, that’s good.”
“That my class isn’t having an after-party?”
“Huh? Uh, I just mean...don’t worry about it!” a flustered Orihara-san said and waved her hands.
“Anyway, Orihara-san, shouldn’t you go home soon?” We had walked a long way away from the school. Since Orihara-san had parked her car in the visitor parking lot, we had to go back the way we came. Since the sun had started to go down, I figured it was about that time.
“L-Let’s walk a little bit more. Okay? It’ll be fine, right?”
I couldn’t possibly turn down a request like that. We walked along leisurely, with her leading the way ever so slightly, until we arrived...there.
“This is...” She’d led me to a park at an underpass that had nothing but benches and a sandbox.
“It takes you back, doesn’t it?” Orihara-san said in a somber voice.
“Did you want to come here?”
“Yes. It’s been a while since we’ve been here.”
There was something warm and nostalgic welling up in my chest. For both of us, this was a very special place. It was where I enjoyed Orihara-san’s boxed lunch after our shocking first meeting, and it was where I told her my feelings.
“Wow, this sandbox brings back memories,” Orihara-san said. She ran toward the sandbox. “This is where you made that sandcastle for me, right?”
“Yeah, with Ura and Kana’s help...” It was a handmade sandcastle that we lit up with Christmas lights from home. It was economical and the best I could do as a fifteen-year-old. At first, the plan was to have them light up the tree when I snapped my fingers after I finished reading a poem that started with “I’ll put a spell on you.” However, the lights came on too early by mistake. “There was a certain charm to it. It was nighttime, so somehow it had a nice ambience to it.”
“No, it was really well made. I...was really moved, and I was so happy that I didn’t know what to do...” She squinted her eyes and had a blissful smile on her face.
I was also thinking back on that night. It feels like it was a long time ago, but also like it was just yesterday. Our relationship...our forbidden relationship between a fifteen-year-old and a twenty-seven-year-old started from that moment. A lot happened after we started dating, and we overcame a lot of challenges together. A lot of things changed as well. However...there’s also something that hasn’t changed. Something that hasn’t changed, hasn’t faded, and has only become brighter since that night...
“...Hey, Momota-kun, since we’re here, how about we sit on that bench over there?” Orihara-san pointed to the bench she’d been sitting on when I confessed to her. However, I didn’t take her up on her offer.
“Hime,” I said, calling her by her name, which I rarely used because I still wasn’t used to it.
“Huh?” Orihara-san had a surprised look on her face as I caught her off guard and knelt before her. Then I took her hand.
“I love you, Hime,” I said as I looked up at her. “I’ve loved you ever since we first met.”
While some things change, some things stay the same. While some things become more fragile as time goes by, some things become stronger. I don’t know what will happen in the future. However, no matter what happens, I want to believe that this feeling that I swore to on that night and that I hold in my heart will never change.
“Please, stay by my side for the rest of my life. Please, be my princess, and be only mine.” I felt embarrassed, but I couldn’t stop the feelings that were overflowing from my heart.
“Kaoru-kun...” Orihara-san said my name with a look of overwhelming emotion on her face. She looked like she was about to cry as she looked down at me. “Did you...just confess to me again?”
“I guess I was inspired by Ura’s hard work.”