Part-3 Final Chapter Ep-04

(Maki's POV)

On the night before my own individual exam, I was in my room making final preparations for everything I would need the next day.

Spread across the top of my study desk were my exam admission ticket, student handbook, writing utensils, amulet, reference books, wallet, charger, and handkerchief, all of which I packed into my school bag one item at a time.

I had already registered the route to the university in the map app on my smartphone.

The train schedules had been saved in the app as well.

The preparations were complete.

All that remained now was to settle my nerves for tomorrow.

As I sat alone in my quiet room thinking about that, I realized there was still one thing left unresolved.

Lately, something had been lingering in the back of my mind, something I still hadn't managed to sort out.

I glanced toward the clock on my desk.

The time was 9:15 PM.

She probably wasn't asleep yet either.

Even though I was supposed to always be by her side, and even though we'd grown up together all this time, there were still parts of Mari that existed within a worldview I simply couldn't comprehend.

Up until then, we'd never even properly talked about romance, yet the moment we entered high school, she started scheming to pair me up with someone.

Even though she considered me her highest priority, she was strangely oblivious when it came to the subtleties of my own feelings.

But in the end, she sparked a rivalry with Godaiin-kun, recklessly pushed herself during the sports festival, and showed me a side of her that was undeniably cool.

...And after all that, she confessed to me.

Just when I thought that was the end of it, she somehow convinced herself that practically anyone and everyone would fall for me if given the chance, and even went so far as to keep Inuino-kun, who'd shown affection toward her, at a distance.

Seriously, I just don't understand her.

A quiet laugh escaped me before I knew it.

One way or another, that girl had dragged me around quite a lot ever since we entered high school.

Though I was fully aware I'd dragged her around just as much.

I didn't know what exactly was causing the anxiety Mari was carrying, but if there was something making her anxious, then I wanted to free her from it.

Because surely, the only person who could do that was me.

After all, Mari loved me, right?

『Sorry, could we meet up for a bit right now?』

Since it was already late at night, well, if she turned me down, that would've been fine too.

The message I sent with that thought in mind was marked as read almost instantly, and her reply came back right away.

『Eh, right now? Sure, but...』

"Fuhaha, she's actually willing to come."

I laughed despite being the one who'd sent the message.

Things like, tell me what you need through text.

Or better yet, call me.

Or even, it's already late at night.

If you wanted to come up with reasons to refuse, there were more than enough.

Even so, if I told Mari I wanted to see her, she'd still come meet me, even at an hour like this.

『Then, I'll head over to the front of your house.』

The moment I pressed send, I dashed out of my room without even waiting for the message to be marked as read.