“All right, fine, can’t argue with ‘a given.’ As long as it’s something I can answer, I will.”
“How many people have you dated up until now?”
“...That came from so far out of left field, I’m genuinely speechless.”
“You are not. You’re talking right now, aren’t you?”
“That was a quick and easy summary of the situation; doesn’t count.” I really, really hadn’t seen that question coming. I hadn’t had any clue what sort of question she would ask, to be fair, but still. “What’re you after?”
“Is that your next question? If I answer that, I get to ask you another one, you know?”
“The ‘givens’ in this world are pretty harsh, huh?”
“Incidentally, I also answered your question about the rule earlier, so I still have one extra question in the bank.”
“Not fair!”
“You have to answer my first question before anything else, though!” What is this, an interrogation?! I almost said that out loud, but I swallowed the words at the last second. I wouldn’t put it past her to answer it like an actual question and add another point on to her side of the board.
“How many people have I dated, huh...? Man, I dunno if I can even count that high!”
“By the way, if you lie, you have to swallow a thousand needles. Just so you know.”
“Your mind goes to some pretty brutal places for someone who looks so innocent.”
“Kids say that all the time; I’m not the one who came up with it. So? Go on, how many?”
“Zero, okay?! Zero!” I decided that dragging it out any longer wouldn’t gain me anything and answered bluntly and honestly. It wasn’t the most pleasant truth to have exposed, but I’d rather get outed as a virgin than have to swallow a thousand needles. Admitting it wasn’t gonna kill me, but sticking to my guns and getting a throat full of sewing supplies very well might.
“Oh, is that so?”
“Not much of a reaction, huh?”
“I only asked in the first place because I thought I might be able to get some relationship advice from you. You’re my senpai, after all.”
“Wait a minute, don’t go answering things that aren’t even questions! That was a statement—it didn’t count!”
“Oh, forget the question and answer thing. It’s getting in the way of us having a decent conversation.” Making up a rule then overruling it herself a moment later, huh? Somebody’s a free spirit. She’d once again caught my attention, though. Asking me for love advice? What? “You’re my brother’s best friend, so I thought I could come to you, but never mind, I guess...”
“Wait, what do you mean ‘never mind’? Why not just ask?”
“You literally just told me that you have no experience, didn’t you?” She shot a pointed look at me, but that wasn’t enough to make me back down. I mean, come on—Ayase was in love; of course I had to dig! Considering that I’d erased her memories, there was absolutely no chance that I’d be the target of her affections. That meant that this was my big chance to put her life back on track and undo the damage that the perverted old man and I had done! “You seem weirdly excited about this,” she added questioningly.
“There isn’t a high schooler out there who doesn’t like a little gossip every once in a while,” I countered.
“High school girls, maybe.”
“People do tell me that I’m really in touch with my feminine side.” No they don’t. The question for a question rule’s off the table, so I can lie without fear of needle-swallowing, right?
“Look, Ayase. Your brother’s a total chick magnet, and I’m his best friend, y’know? You saw what today was like—he’s practically drowning in girls, and he wouldn’t be living that sorta high school life if it weren’t for my support. Yeah, sure, I don’t personally have any dating experience, but that has nothing to do with being a good wingman! A genius pitcher who can throw a 160 kilometer per hour fastball needs a catcher who’s up to snuff to take the lead, and every famous goal that’s been scored only happened because of the efforts of whoever set it up!”
“So you’re saying you’re both a wingman and a shot-caller?”
“And I’m damn good at it too.”
Ayase paused, seemingly in thought, then nodded and smiled. “Are you, now? In that case, maybe I’ll ask for your advice after all.”
“Scratch the ‘maybe.’ Please take me up on this—you won’t regret it.” It was sort of weird for me—the person being asked for help—to say “please” like that, but it was a genuine request on my part. I wanted it to happen.
I had erased Ayase Hikari’s memories. I had plenty of reasons for doing it, mostly revolving around not dragging her into the cycle of misfortune I stand at the epicenter of. I don’t regret it, but that doesn’t change the fact that one-sidedly stealing that aspect of her future away from her was an utterly despicable thing to do.
As of that moment, though, she was starting to move forward again, with somebody other than me as her prospective partner, and I was happy to hear it. I was really, genuinely happy.
I couldn’t deny it—I was projecting Rei, the girl who had lost her life thanks to my meddling, onto Ayase. Maybe it was because she was my best friend’s sister, or maybe it was because my experience with Rei was what had driven me to help Ayase with her problems in the first place.
But in any case, I thought that maybe being Hikari’s wingman and helping her find a future for herself would finally let me pay back at least a little of what I’d owed Rei for so very, very long. It could be my tribute to her memory, not as a fated Hero who’d save the world, not as the protagonist, but as, well...
“Anyway, consider yourself in good hands! I’m a best friend sidekick; I’ve got you covered!”
“What on earth is that supposed to mean?”
I guess that was a weird thing to say. Hikari smiled in a “what am I supposed to say to that?” sort of way. Still, though, I couldn’t stop myself from breaking into a grin as well, unable to disguise how delighted I was.
Long ago, someone told me that it’s impossible to have too much hope. All your tiny little wishes—to eat something tasty, to read the next issue of your favorite manga, to have a nice dream at night... They all come together to form something more than just basic desires. They form your hope, and they’re what let you live a life that’s full of purpose.
In that moment, I felt like I’d finally gotten my hands on that very sense of hope. It was the hope that I wouldn’t just lead Kaito to a wonderful happy ending. I’d make it happen for his sister Hikari as well.
“All right, Ayase Hikari-san, let’s hear it. Who’s this person you have your eye on?”
“That’s a secret, at least for now. I’m sure you’ll be shocked when you find out, though, Kou-san!”
“Guess I’ll look forward to that.”
I’d watch over her, and I’d see her love be fulfilled with my own two eyes. Then and only then would I finally be able to take the first step down my own path and move on with the rest of my life, just like her. I was sure of it.