Five minutes after Kotomi Izumi and Yui Yuigahama left the auditorium—
"Kotomi, I bought your lemon–grape perfume drink, and Yui, I got you a peach one... huh?"
Yukino Yukinoshita returned to the backstage area carrying a paper bag with three cups of drinks, but Kotomi Izumi was nowhere to be found. She froze, looking around for a while, but couldn't spot her anywhere.
Not only Kotomi—soon she realized Yui Yuigahama was gone too.
"Where could they have gone? They didn't message me either. Did they go to the restroom together?" Yukino frowned slightly. Just thinking about Kotomi and Yui leaving together without telling her filled her chest with a faint, sour jealousy.
While she was still wondering where they might have gone, a familiar voice called out to her from nearby. It was Amano.
"Hello there, good afternoon, Yukino! That was an incredible performance just now. I didn't expect you not only to play the piano but to handle the keyboard so fluently too. Honestly, I'm a little embarrassed—I always thought you didn't have any interests outside of studying."
Yukino didn't know many people at Sobu High, but Amano was one of the few exceptions—mainly because she was the library manager. Every time Yukino borrowed books from the library, she would see Amano sitting behind the counter, reading a novel.
Her long black hair was usually braided into two neat plaits, paired with plain glasses that gave her the impression of a quiet literary girl. However, lately Amano seemed to have changed a little—perhaps she'd fallen for someone, or maybe she just wanted a new look—because she had stopped wearing her glasses and switched to contact lenses.
"Hello, Amano-senpai. What brings you here?"
"Oh? Right, you probably didn't see me earlier. While you were preparing backstage, I was in the control room adjusting the lighting. The stage spotlights, fog machines, and other equipment all needed someone to operate them, and that someone was me. Oh, by the way, Yukino, remember I asked if you'd be interested in taking over the library manager position? Have you thought about it yet?"
Amano was a third-year student about to graduate. Since the library manager position was relatively easygoing, she didn't have to resign early like club presidents or members did when their third year began.
Some students even resigned as early as the end of the second semester of their second year, but Amano's role was different. She only needed to submit her resignation paperwork about two weeks before final exams.
She had been the library manager since her first year and had held the position all the way through third year without interruption—mainly because no one else really competed for the job.
After all, while being a library manager was relaxing, it could also be quite dull. On any day the library was open, the manager had to stay from the end of the second afternoon class until around 5 p.m.—the time when most club activities ended and students went home. The library manager was usually the last student to leave the school.
Even if the library was completely empty, as long as it was open, the manager had to be there until closing time.
So the position was one of extremes—those who liked it really liked it, but for those who didn't, every minute felt like agony. Amano clearly belonged to the former group; otherwise, she wouldn't have stayed in the job for three full years.
Still, graduation meant she would soon have to step down.
When the time came, library managers usually had two choices: they could either serve until the very last day of their term and then return their manager's badge to the supervising teacher, or they could hand it in early.
The library's supervising teacher was a seventy-six-year-old woman—the first physics teacher in Sobu High's history. She had spent decades teaching there, welcoming generation after generation of new students and seeing just as many graduate.
After retiring from teaching, the elderly supervising teacher remained deeply attached to Sobu High. However, because of her age, she could no longer handle the physical demands of teaching physics. The school board therefore reassigned her to a quieter position as the library supervisor, with the same salary she'd received as a physics teacher—allowing her to spend her twilight years peacefully.
Whenever a physics teacher called in sick, she would even volunteer to substitute for a class.
Many retirees grow restless after leaving their work, and this elderly woman was no different. Giving her a light, easy position in the library allowed her to stay active and content. Under normal circumstances, she would've retired completely, enjoying her pension at home.
Returning to the topic of the second resignation option—the process was mostly the same as the first, except that the outgoing library manager could recommend a student to take over the position. If that recommendation was approved, the graduating manager would receive extra credit points toward their final record, which could be quite helpful at graduation.
Amano intended to choose this second option—to recommend someone suitable for the position before leaving, earn the extra points, and graduate smoothly.
And the student she thought most fitting for the role was Yukino Yukinoshita.
When faced with Amano's question, Yukino merely shook her head, politely but firmly refusing again. "I'm sorry, Amano-senpai. I'm not interested in becoming the library manager. Please ask someone else."
A hint of disappointment flickered in Amano's eyes, but she quickly smiled and said, "I understand. Ah... never mind. I guess the extra credit will just be left to fate. Honestly, I'd say my high school life has been pretty fulfilling—no real regrets... except for that one thing."
"That one thing?" Yukino asked, rare curiosity showing in her voice.
After a brief pause, Amano gave a wry smile. "Actually... there's something I never told you. From the very first moment I saw Kotomi, I fell in love with her. It was exactly like those novels that describe love at first sight with a thousand poetic phrases."
"Eh?" Yukino's eyes widened in disbelief.
Amano... liked Kotomi Izumi?!
Before Yukino could even process the shock, Amano continued with a bitter laugh. "So, last week, I confessed to her. And as you can probably guess... she turned me down, clean and simple. I had expected it, though—because she already has someone in her heart."
For Yukino, it was yet another revelation that shook her to the core.
"W-Who is it?" Yukino asked, her voice trembling slightly.
Amano shrugged, her expression a mix of resignation and admiration. "I don't know who that person is... but I have a pretty good guess. The person in Kotomi's heart—it's you, Yukino."
It felt like a surge of electricity coursed through her entire body. Yukino's heart pounded violently, her whole being overwhelmed by a rush of excitement and fear. The idea that she might be the one Kotomi loved—the one in her heart—was something Yukino had longed for deep down.
Her mind went blank, her composure gone. Instinctively, she blurted out, "Amano-senpai, do you know where Kotomi and Yui went?"
"Kotomi and Yui? They left just a bit ago. From the direction they went, I'd say they're heading toward the fountain."
"The fountain... I see. Thank you, Amano-senpai!"
Without another word, Yukino dashed off.
She didn't even understand why she was in such a rush—only that something deep inside her was urging her forward.
It was as if a voice within her heart whispered urgently: If you don't find Kotomi and Yui soon, the fragile harmony among the three of you will shatter beyond repair.
At the same time—
Kotomi Izumi and Yui Yuigahama were walking along the edge of the fountain pool. Despite the lively atmosphere of the cultural festival, this part of campus was quieter, tucked away from the noise. The laughter and chatter from afar seemed like echoes from another world. There was bustle over there, and serenity here.
The fountain occasionally sprayed upward, sending gentle splashes into the air. If it were summertime, sitting on the nearby bench would've been the picture of peace.
"It's over now... our cultural festival," Yui murmured softly.
"Yeah, we gave it everything we had—and we got the crowd's cheers in return. It feels great!" Kotomi stretched, still lost in the afterglow of applause and excitement.
"For me," Yui said quietly, "the happiest part was being able to perform on stage with you."
"Oh, is that so..."
Kotomi had intended to respond casually, but before she could finish, Yui spoke again.
"Because I like you, Kotomi."
Her eardrums seemed to tremble with the impact of those words.
Kotomi felt as if someone had struck her chest with a single, powerful blow. The raw emotion contained in Yui's simple confession pulsed through her like waves of heat and air colliding inside her lungs.
Yui stood before her—slender neck, delicate and adorable face, breathing quick and shallow as if she didn't want Kotomi to notice her nervousness. Her cheeks glowed pink under the fading sunset.
Behind her, the fountain sprayed upward again, and the twilight sunlight refracted through the droplets, bathing Yui's pale peach hair in a soft halo of gold.
She was beautiful. Radiantly, heartbreakingly beautiful.
"I like you, Kotomi—not as a friend, but as... a lover."
"Yui..."
Kotomi slowly reached out and took Yui's hand.
Soft, slender, and cool to the touch.
Normally, Yui's hands were always warm. But now, out of sheer nervousness, her fingers were cold.
Kotomi followed the line of her arm upward until her gaze met Yui's tearful eyes—eyes glimmering faintly with emotion, the tears trembling but not falling.
"Kotomi, please... answer me properly. Do you like me—or not? Please. I've tried so many times to gather the courage to tell you this, and only today have I finally managed to do it. Every word I say feels like it's draining away the courage I've built up... So, before it's all gone, please—give me an answer. Okay?"
Kotomi was dazed for a moment. She had always known Yui's feelings for her. What she hadn't realized was how much effort and bravery it took for Yui to speak them aloud. She knew how self-conscious and timid Yui could be—how she carried the burden of supporting her family alongside her mother, wondering if she even had the right to fall in love.
Ever since the day she realized her feelings for Kotomi, Yui had been gathering her courage, little by little, every single day.
Looking at her now—standing here with her heart bared—Kotomi realized something. Somewhere along the way, Yui had already found her way into her heart.
"Looks like I'm the one who's late after all. I'd planned to tell you my feelings first... but in the end, you beat me to it," Kotomi said with a gentle smile. Then she added softly, "Yui, I like you too."
The moment Yui heard those words, her lips curved into the brightest smile, and tears finally spilled down her cheeks. But these were not tears of sadness—they were tears of joy.
"I'm so happy... You accepted my confession! So that means... that means we're lovers now, right?"
"That's right. I'm so happy—starting from this moment, I have the cutest girlfriend ever: you, Yui." Kotomi smiled as she reached out and gently stroked Yui's cheek.
Yui's eyes shimmered with emotion as she gazed at Kotomi, her entire world reflected in those tear-bright eyes.
Yui's cheeks turned a deep shade of red, her breathing growing shallower, her lashes damp with tears.
She gripped the front of Kotomi's shirt tightly, as if afraid that Kotomi might disappear from her sight the very next second.
Then, in one sudden motion, Yui pulled Kotomi toward her.
Her soft, peach-colored hair brushed across Kotomi's forehead.
Their foreheads touched lightly.
And Yui Yuigahama's tender lips pressed against Kotomi Izumi's.
It was Yui's first kiss—awkward and innocent.
A long moment passed. Only when the fountain burst upward again, sending a shower of sparkling water into the air, did the two finally part.
Yui's cheeks were still flushed, her teary eyes glimmering with joy as she whispered softly:
"Kotomi... we just... kissed, didn't we?"
"Yeah... we did. My heart's beating so fast right now—it's almost absurd."
"Mine too... it feels like it's going to jump right out of my chest."
The two pressed their foreheads together again like a pair of shy children.
A kiss always seems to happen when you least expect it.
"C-can we... kiss again?" Yui asked, her eyes full of hope.
"O-okay... mm—!"
Before Kotomi could even finish speaking, Yui's lips were once again on hers.
From the direction of the auditorium, fireworks exploded into the sky—a celebration marking the end of the cultural festival's performances.
The bursts of light illuminated the sky above them.
And there, by the fountain, the two of them kissed once more—unseen by anyone.
Except one.
Across the fountain, Yukino Yukinoshita stood frozen, holding a paper bag with three drinks. One was the lemon–grape perfume drink Kotomi had wanted for so long. Another was Yui's favorite peach juice. The last was an orange soda—one Yukino had often seen Kotomi drink and wanted to try herself.
Although Yukino never particularly enjoyed playing the piano, performing together on stage with Kotomi and Yui had felt truly beautiful.
Such moments of happiness were only possible because of Kotomi's invitation in the first place.
When she bought the drinks, Yukino had planned to hand them over with a simple "thank you."
But after hearing from Amano that Kotomi's heart belonged to her, Yukino's heart had overflowed with words she wanted to say.
When she first heard that Kotomi might like her, Yukino had felt both joy and excitement welling up so strongly she could barely contain it. In that moment, she didn't want to hide her feelings anymore. She just wanted to run to Kotomi—to answer her feelings.
But now... neither the drinks nor those words reached her.
She stood motionless, staring through the mist of the fountain at Kotomi and Yui, who were embracing and kissing on the other side.
The fountain wasn't large; the distance between them wasn't far. Yet at that moment, it felt impossibly vast.
"No... that's not true... Kotomi's heart isn't with me at all. It's Yui she loves..."
Her voice trembled as she whispered the words.
"I really am a fool. I should've noticed their feelings long ago. If I had, I wouldn't be standing here making such a fool of myself."
Turning quietly, Yukino began walking back the way she came. Only when she felt the wetness on her cheeks did she realize—she was crying.
Tears streamed silently down her face.
When she returned backstage, she kept her head lowered so no one would notice. Finding a quiet, empty corner, she sat down and placed the paper bag with the three drinks beside her.
If she stayed here long enough... Kotomi and Yui would surely come back, wouldn't they?
When they did, maybe the three of them could laugh together again—just like before.
—But.
Feeling her trembling heart, Yukino couldn't help but wonder:
From now on, could the three of them really stay as they once were—bound by that promise of a beautiful world that belonged only to the three of them?
—
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