Following Iroha's gaze, Yuu turned around.
Wearing a light blue kimono with feather (wing) pattern decorations, her long silver hair fluttered gently in the night breeze. Her small and cute face, but without much expression, the girl stood on the sidewalk not far from them, radiating an inorganic feeling like a doll.
She seemed to have just finished touring the festival. She was still holding a bowl of yakisoba in her hand. The noodles were drizzled with bright red sauce, mixed with the white color of tofu and green of scallions...
Yuu was truly shocked.
Was there really someone selling mapo tofu yakisoba?! If it were at a Chinese restaurant, that would still make sense, but at a festival stall like this, wasn't it usually soy sauce or miso yakisoba?
Could it be that Kanade bribed the vendor so they specifically launched a new dish...
"S-senpai, what should we do?"
Before Yuu could continue his fantasies, Iroha nervously pulled the hem of his shirt. While the girl across slowly walked toward them, she whispered in panic, "I'm not ready to tell Kanade that we're dating..."
The sound of geta stepping on the ground was like deadly musical notes. Her heart beat faster and faster as her close friend approached. Various bad speculations took root and grew wild in her mind. It made Iroha increasingly afraid to face what would happen, even thinking about pulling Senpai and running away.
Anyway... even though Kanade never expressed her feelings, she also never showed any intention to date.
However, observers see clearly. As the closest friend who spent the most time with her, Iroha could still see some clues.
When together with Yuu, Kanade's expression would become more lively and cheerful. Her eyes would unconsciously follow him. The opposite-sex topics they talked about privately were always about him. She also had unconditional trust in him.
She often made physical contact with him unconsciously, and never actively pulled away when they were close. Although she might feel embarrassed when realizing it, next time she would do the same thing, as if they indeed should be that close.
Although Kanade was innocent, that was undoubtedly a feeling called attachment.
No one understood it more clearly than Iroha.
—When a girl falls in love with someone, what kind of expression will unintentionally appear.
But thinking about it, falling in love with the same person as a close friend wasn't rare in various gossip and love stories.
So, although her feelings were mixed, Iroha didn't feel too shocked. She just never brought up this issue, letting their three-way relationship continue developing like this.
And in the not-too-distant future, would she become the losing dog who couldn't get love?
If it weren't for Senpai treating Kanade as his little sister, if it weren't for Senpai suddenly becoming active without reason... Perhaps now, there would be no place for me to appear.
However, contrary to what she imagined, the current reality was that Iroha successfully surpassed her friend. Before others even realized love, she had made Senpai submit to her, and seized the possibility of Kanade dating Senpai.
If others knew about this, they might consider her a third party stealing a lover, reproaching her for seducing a man clearly liked by her friend, and deliberately dating him.
Although it was unreasonable, among women, this was commonplace—clever girls like her were always careful to avoid such situations, and tried not to associate with controversial men. When a man liked by another girl confessed to her, she always had to rack her brain thinking of ways to refuse so as not to cause trouble.
Because sometimes, just because you're liked by someone, even though you're not interested in them at all, doesn't mean their secret admirer will let you off. They'll pour dirty water regardless of whether it makes sense or not.
If it weren't for really liking Senpai, Iroha wouldn't dare be that close to Yuu. For this, she even had to conflict with a group of secret admirers and their fan clubs, winning countless battles until today...
Recalling it, those were truly extraordinary and unforgettable experiences.
Set that aside for now.
In short, Iroha didn't want to be forced to sacrifice her friendship with Kanade just because she was dating Yuu.
She also didn't want to be looked at with accusing and sad gazes by Kanade, feeling like a scumbag who betrayed her close friend, and tortured by conscience every moment.
So, facing Kanade who suddenly appeared before the two of them, Iroha couldn't hold back her panic. She felt like a third party caught cheating by the legal wife on the spot, trying to find reasons to defend herself—
When she was clearly the official girlfriend just acknowledged!
"Mental preparation? What preparation is needed, just tell her directly?"
Yuu glanced at her like an ant on a hot pan, his expression somewhat strange, as if not knowing what to comment.
"Huh?" Iroha raised her eyebrow sharply. She unconsciously raised her voice, complaining to him dissatisfied, "How could it be that easy! This is a major crisis that could destroy the friendship of us three. Senpai is really stupid and insensitive!"
"The insensitive one is you..."
Ignoring his sneer, Iroha propped her chin, racking her brain as hard as she could.
"If we didn't kiss on the spot, maybe we could find other reasons, but it's also hard to explain why the two of us went out alone without telling... But if we directly say that we went out on a date and confessed, Kanade might not be able to accept it..."
"You're so worried you've lost your senses. Calm down and think carefully, who is the person walking toward us now?"
Yuu sighed long and cut off her crazy fantasies with a very helpless feeling.
Honestly, this was the first time he saw a girl rush to feel herself in a love drama before him.
Couldn't Iroha think carefully, with Kanade's personality, what would she say to her friend and Senpai who finally officially started dating?
"Iroha, as one of Kanade's few friends, you should understand her better than anyone... So, do you really think the scene you're worried about will happen with her?"
"This..."
Iroha was stunned in place. Her consciousness seemed doused with cold water, and her eyes gradually became clear again.
Indeed, she had previously assumed Kanade would be like other cunning girls, cutting off relations with her because the man she liked was stolen. Friends would become enemies, and it would take several novel volumes to reconcile, perhaps never returning to how it was.
But this was clearly wrong.
Kanade wasn't someone else. Just as we can't equate human mentality with angels.
If it were Kanade, if it were her innocent and kind-hearted friend...
Yes, she wouldn't think that far at all. She would only sincerely give blessings for their relationship!
"Ugh... What was I thinking, misunderstanding by myself..."
After understanding all this, Iroha covered her face and smiled wryly from exhaustion.
Seeing she had emerged from that strange logical circle, Yuu shrugged and smiled. He greeted Kanade who came approaching:
"Good evening, you also came for the fireworks festival?"
"Good evening." Kanade nodded lightly and stood before the two of them, "Dad and Mom said they wanted to take me out more often while my condition is better."
Her pale golden eyes blinked. The girl's voice was still soft and melodious. After a pause, she continued in a slightly regretful tone: "Sorry, I forgot to tell you beforehand."
Yuu said straightforwardly: "No need to apologize. In fact, we're the ones who came here secretly to date. We were worried you'd misunderstand."
Kanade tilted her head slightly: "Date?"
"Yes, date."
Yuu gripped Iroha's cold and slightly sweaty small hand, and looked directly into Kanade's clear and transparent eyes: "Iroha and I have formalized our relationship. From now on, we are a couple."
"We didn't tell you we'd come to the fireworks festival today because we wanted to be alone and express our feelings. I hope you don't mind."
When that sentence finished, Iroha couldn't help but scream internally: Senpai, you're too straightforward~~~"
Then, upon seeing Kanade shift her gaze, she immediately dismissed all unnecessary emotions, biting her lower lip. With a mixed expression and slightly flushed face, she nodded at her and said in a hesitant tone:
"I... I've always liked Senpai since long ago. So, I, uhm, am dating him..."
She didn't know what she was saying, her sentences didn't connect... But Kanade should be able to understand her meaning.
"I see... Congratulations, Iroha."
Sure enough, after being slightly shocked, Kanade smiled faintly. She offered the yakisoba in her hand: "I heard things like this should be celebrated. But sorry, I only have mapo tofu yakisoba I bought before the stall closed... If you don't mind, please accept it."
"Eh? Ah... Thank you, Kanade." Accepting the yakisoba confusedly, Iroha thought hard and finally could only make one sneer, "What should be celebrated isn't dating, but marriage or pregnancy..."
"Is that so? I thought everything should be celebrated..." Kanade pursed her lips confusedly. She quickly dismissed that question and turned to stare at Yuu. In a soft and melodious voice, she said to him very seriously, "Yuu-senpai, Iroha has truly admired you since long ago, and she's been secretly working hard to follow you. So... you must make her happy!"
"Rest assured, I know." Hearing her unusually strong tone, Yuu couldn't hold back a smile. He stroked the girl's small head, "And you don't need to worry about how to interact with us in the future, or whether to maintain distance. Just do as usual."
"Whether Iroha is jealous, or we two suddenly want to be alone, we'll tell you honestly. Just relax."
"That's good then."
As if she really was worried about this, Kanade sighed in relief while holding her chest. The corner of her mouth became softer and more relaxed: "I don't want to distance myself from you two... But I also feel bad if I become a nuisance between you."
"No, something like that won't happen!" Iroha shook her head and said firmly, "Kanade will always be my friend, whatever happens in the future... I also want to always be with you! Even though my relationship with Senpai has changed, our friendship won't change at all!"
This sincere declaration of feelings was perhaps the first in her sixteen-year life.
When that sentence came out, Iroha was still slightly embarrassed. Even so, when their eyes met, she didn't intend to avoid it. She stared straight into her eyes, trying to convey her feelings.
"Thank you, Iroha. I'm so happy you said that!"
Kanade smiled more happily.
As if never seeing her smile so brightly, the two people before her were stunned for a moment.
On her usually expressionless face, now bloomed a calm smile, as soft and pure as moonlight.
"Whatever happens, we are friends... and I will always love you both."
"..."
Moved tears glistened in her eyes. Iroha pursed her lips tightly and nodded firmly like a chick pecking rice.
"Mhm! It won't change at all!"
Looking at the time, Kanade bowed slightly to the two of them.
"Alright, my parents are already waiting. I'll excuse myself first."
Her gaze vaguely swept over their clasped hands. She lowered her eyes slightly, converting all emotions into the curve at the corner of her lips, smiling slightly with resignation and liberation.
Her small and slender figure was wrapped in a fitting yukata. Her body shape wasn't too good, but her graceful posture was still like an oil painting with delicate strokes, which should be hung in the highest place in an art museum, becoming the most beautiful yet loneliest artwork.
Seeing her like that, for some reason, Iroha unconsciously asked:
"Kanade, are you okay with this?"
"..."
Kanade stopped her steps.
She turned around under the dark night. Her fluttering silver hair was like spilled moonlight, but her pale golden eyes held loneliness and gentleness Iroha couldn't understand.
"Yes, this is already good."
"What I've obtained is already enough. The remaining time, I hope I can entrust to Iroha."
"You must be happier than anyone."
After saying that, Kanade stepped forward without hesitation, continuing to walk toward the distance on the sidewalk, until disappearing under the twinkling night lights.
She never looked back, gazing at those two figures so important to her.
"Kanade..."
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
After that, Yuu fulfilled his responsibility as a boyfriend and safely escorted Iroha home.
They walked side by side on the road shrouded in night. Light lengthened the shadows of their interlocked index fingers. Their footsteps were deliberately slowed.
Although it was just the two of them, and they should take advantage of the quiet street to do something intimate to celebrate the first day of their relationship, Iroha instead lacked enthusiasm. She lowered her head, looking gloomy, as if something was bothering her mind.
She didn't ask, and Yuu also didn't ask. He just silently walked by her side, waiting for the moment when the girl wanted to pour out her heart.
The flow of time seemed to lose meaning. After an unknown amount of time, the two stopped in front of a Japanese-style house with the nameplate Isshiki.
"Hurry home and rest. Don't overthink."
Not saying much, Yuu held her cheek, stroking it twice like dough, then released it while smiling.
Iroha swayed slightly. Her lips pursed with slight loss. Finally, she leaned forward with slightly flushed cheeks. Her forehead rested on Yuu's chest.
"Senpai..."
Yuu hugged her shoulders and said gently with an affectionate expression: "Mhm, I'm here."
Like a little girl afraid of loneliness, Iroha hugged his back. While rubbing against his chest, she unconsciously whined: "I'm no longer confused about dating. After all, Kanade is a very good person. How could she be angry just because I'm dating you..."
Yuu asked carefully: "Then what are you worried about?"
Stopping her recharging movements, Iroha looked up: "What did Kanade's last few sentences mean?"
"..."
Furrowing his brow, Yuu pondered but didn't answer her question directly. He just pinched her small straight nose: "Whatever it means, tomorrow will arrive. She also already promised to interact with us as usual."
"You looking anxious and worried now, that instead disappoints her expectations and trust in us, you know?"
"Ugh..." Sighing while holding her head, Iroha still found it hard to let go, "...I feel, when she said that, she was already prepared to say goodbye to us."
Yuu shook his head: "How could that be. She's not a protagonist in a tragic drama. Besides, regardless of whether Kanade has romantic feelings for me or not, even if she does, it's impossible for her to say she'll act as usual after knowing I'm dating you, then leave without news the next day, right?"
"That's true too..."
Iroha thought about it carefully. Indeed, that wasn't something the Kanade she knew would do...
Could she be worrying too much?
"Rest assured, even if she really does leave, I'll be responsible for bringing her back."
Seeing the girl's eyes no longer as bright as before, Yuu said seriously: "Kanade isn't just my highly valued kouhai and friend, but she's also the close friend always idolized, admired, and loved by my girlfriend, right?"
"So for both our sakes, wherever she goes, even to the ends of the earth and corners of the sea, I'll catch her back!"
(If she really must leave, she must explain the cause and effect properly before I can let her go!)
Yuu tried using this confident and firm attitude to eliminate the worries entangling his little girlfriend's heart.
However, he was met with her cruel sneer: "Senpai, the way you talk really sounds like kidnapping. I don't want to visit you in prison as a family member."
"Don't talk as if I'll definitely end up in prison..."
Iroha sighed resignedly. She folded her arms at her waist and puffed out her chest. Her expression returned to bright and relaxed. Her crisp and spirited voice said to him:
"Alright, I understand!"
"Understand what?" Yuu asked curiously.
"As Senpai's girlfriend, I can't be hesitant and wishy-washy here!—Right, time will solve all problems!"
"You say it proudly, when in the end you're relying on time..."
Yuu slapped his forehead and rolled his eyes, but he truly felt relieved.
Seeing Iroha finally feeling better, he waved his hand and turned to step into the alley shrouded in shadows behind him.
"I'm going home first. Go to sleep soon."
"..."
He waited a moment but didn't hear her answer.
Yuu turned around confusedly and saw her pouting, staring at him with a dissatisfied expression.
"Senpai, is that all?"
"Huh?"
The warm yellow light from the lamp at the entrance illuminated her face. The girl's cheeks radiated a charming red glow.
Iroha pretended to impatiently remind him: "Huh what? Is there something you forgot to do?"
Her slightly pursed and red lips, like freshly ripened cherries, looked tempting.
Yuu was only stunned for a moment but quickly understood her meaning and laughed out loud.
"I didn't expect you'd be this bold..."
"Th-this has nothing to do with being bold. This is purely a normal thing done between couples!"
"Yes, yes, yes, right, right, right..."
With embarrassed and nervous feelings, Iroha closed her eyes and raised her small pretty face.
Yuu held her soft and warm shoulders. His fingers gently pinched the slender arm under the yukata. He could feel light trembling, but it wasn't fearful rejection.
That was a shy and hopeful reaction from a girl.
So, he lowered his head, melting all his thoughts in the endless high sky, walking side by side with the girl on moist and warm white clouds, emptying consciousness, enjoying the happiness and attachment from intimate communication with his partner.
Stars and moon peeked from behind dark clouds.
Moonlight illuminated the two of them, pulling their merged shadow very long, very long...