Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

[ Roka’s Last Chance ]

The gentle chill of the early spring breeze carried flower petals along with it, letting them flutter gracefully through the air.

A certain girl, with rose-pink hair and grayish-blue eyes resembling a sunless sky like today, had her face lightly touched up with makeup, just enough for school to tolerate.

Wearing a standard Japanese school uniform, a white short-sleeved shirt and a bluish-green pleated skirt, she appeared to be nothing more than an ordinary high school girl. If there was anything that set her apart, it would probably be the soft pink knitted vest she wore to keep out the cold.

That girl… was spacing out.

My gaze drifted outside the window as I found myself thinking about something. It’s March now, which means that in just one more month, I’ll be moving up from my first year of high school.

—Ayatsumugi

“I wonder… will I be in the same class as Iroha again in second year…”

I muttered so softly that no one should have heard me. But perhaps because I was too lost in my thoughts, I barely noticed him calling out to me.

“Ayatsumugi, Ayatsumugi!”

“Ah! I’m sorry!”

I hurriedly stood up as soon as I realized. That’s right, it was the teacher calling me.

“What were you spacing out about?”

“It’s nothing. I’m really sorry.”

“Please pay attention in class.”

I bowed my head before sitting back down, while the gazes of my classmates, including Mami and Iroha, were directed at me.

How embarrassing…

My name is Ayatsumugi Roka. I’m sixteen years old, turning seventeen this year. I’m a high school student. My hobbies are following fashion magazines and doing makeup, and I also run a channel about those things.

“I didn’t expect Roka to have a spaced-out moment like that.”

Waiting for me in the hallway was a girl wearing the same uniform as me, but with a long-sleeved yellow cardigan as her distinguishing feature.

She always had a gentle smile on her face, so soothing that if you stared at her too long, you might just fall asleep.

She is my best friend.

Isayama Mami.

“Don’t tease me, Mami.”

We chatted idly as usual. It was a meaningless conversation, but it helped calm me down.

“Where’s Iroha?”

“She said she had something urgent, so she went home first.”

“I see.”

Normally, Mami and I are always together. We’ve been childhood friends, and our houses are close, so we always go to school and head home together.

As for Iroha, we’ve known each other for about a year now. Her house is much farther from school, so we usually have to wait for her, but it seems today was different.

I walked home with just Mami, and before long, we arrived. My house is an ordinary standalone home, not luxurious, but not shabby either. You could say we’re a middle-class family.

“I’m home.”

“Welcome back.”

My mother’s voice called out from the kitchen in response. After finishing the usual routine, I sat down at the desk in my room.

My room has cream and white walls in a tone that isn’t too bright, making it easy on the eyes, with some sections decorated with cream-brown marble panels.

At the same time, fashion magazine posters and books are neatly arranged on the shelves. The lighting is quite bright, since I need it for doing makeup.

And of course, there’s my makeup zone, a small dedicated space in my room with two main desks placed side by side. One is for makeup, filled with cosmetics.

The other is the desk I’m sitting at now, used specifically for streaming. It’s a fully equipped PC setup, complete with streaming gear like a microphone, lighting, and a camera.

That’s right, me sitting here at 7:30 PM means it’s time for my weekly trend update livestream.

“If you only wear plain clothes, life gets dull! It’s your beauty influencer ROKA here~ How’s everyone doing? Hope you’re all well?
We’re back again with our weekly segment, a recap of trends from the past week… Lately…”

And so, the stream carried on.

I’ve been making videos and doing livestreams like this for over a year now. Since it’s a niche channel focused on fashion and makeup, most of my audience are women.

『Wow, Roka, is that a new outfit?』

“Ah, Sophia1217, hello~ Yes, I just got this outfit recently.”

I greeted a regular viewer like always.

Of course, sometimes there are male viewers too, asking for advice on choosing outfits for their girlfriends. That’s kind of cute.

『My girlfriend has brown hair and likes to wear it in a ponytail. What kind of outfit should I get for her?』

A message from Homurahihihi.

“Hmm, let’s see… A long-sleeved white shirt with small ribbon ties at the cuffs for a neat look, paired with a brown checkered pinafore would be nice. It gives a sweet yet mature vibe.”

『Th-thank you so much! This channel is amazing!』

And sometimes there are people trying to flirt too.

『Hey pretty, do you have a boyfriend?』

“Ah… that’s a bit personal, so I’ll have to refrain from answering.”

But I don’t have any particular problems with it.

Until Sophia1217 sent another donation message.

『May I ask? What motivated you to start doing makeup?』

The reason I started doing makeup…

I’ve never talked about it before. But if I’m being honest, it’s a bit too embarrassing.

Hmm… okay, keep this a secret, alright?

I… have someone I like.

Sakayori Iroha.

She’s an outstanding student who excels at everything. Everyone admires her, both fellow students and even the teachers. But my feelings are different from theirs.

It was a long time ago, on that day when I met her after school. Back then, I was just a gloomy, plain girl who wasn’t even confident in her own appearance, the complete opposite of who I am now.

And yet, she said this to me:

“I’m not sure if I’m going too far, but I think you’re very beautiful, Ayatsumugi. If you added just a little makeup, I think everyone would fall for you.”

At that moment, my eyes widened in shock. It was the first time anyone had ever called me “beautiful.”

From that day on, I decided to change myself. I started taking care of myself, paying attention to fashion and makeup, transforming from a girl with no confidence into someone people admire.

Before long, I became a beauty influencer, to give confidence to people like I once was.

All of these wonderful things that have happened, I owe them to Iroha’s words that day.

Iroha isn’t just cute or brilliant, she’s kind, too.

The way she never gives up on her goals or her fate became my inspiration.

To me, she is a “light.” Just looking at her face makes me feel like I can overcome anything.

At some point, “makeup” stopped being just something to comfort myself. It became a way of trying to tell Iroha that
“Please look at me.”

Every time I think about her, my chest fills with warmth, as if my whole body is bathed in the sunlight she gives me.

I’m completely, hopelessly in love.

Even so, I don’t have the courage to say it out loud. I thought maybe I could hint at it instead, so I bought earrings. I once read that wearing a single earring on the left side means you like the same gender.

“Yeah! This should work.”

I smiled to myself in front of the mirror the first time I tried them on.

But unfortunately, even after all that, Iroha didn’t notice.

Even though I’ve grown more confident in my appearance, deep down I’m still Ayatsumugi Roka, the same crybaby who can’t even face her own feelings.

In the end, the stream concluded with nothing more than, “I’ll keep it a secret for now,” without anyone knowing what I truly felt.

After the stream ended, I relaxed a bit, changing into a white T-shirt and comfortable shorts before heading downstairs to snack in the living room, scrolling through my smartphone to check social media.

Once I was satisfied, I turned off the TV with the remote and returned to my room again. I picked up a carefully stored smart contact lens case, put them on, and

logged into Tsukuyomi.

Tsukuyomi is a virtual world created by Runami Yachiyo. She’s a top-tier streamer that Iroha adores. Her singing skills are at a professional level. I drop by to listen occasionally myself.

But that’s not why I logged in today.

“Roka, over here!”

A girl with an avatar resembling a flying squirrel, wearing a cream poncho and a short yellow skirt decorated with various foods, was bouncing energetically.

That was Mami.

As for the tall woman with deer antlers, wearing a cropped top layered with a gray long-sleeved jacket and a bright pink-and-green skirt, that’s my avatar.

The small white fluff in my shoulder bag is a digital pet resembling a Japanese weasel, named “Chiku,” after Chikuhodo, the makeup brush brand I use.

“Hey there, little one.”

I gently stroked its chin in greeting. It closed its eyes with a blissful expression, making me smile without realizing it.

“What’s with you? You’re late today.”

Mami’s voice snapped me back to reality, and I walked over to her.

“Sorry, sorry. A lot of things came up.”

Just as I finished speaking, another avatar logged in, wearing a blue Japanese-style outfit mixed with a rock aesthetic. She had fox ears and purple hair blending with her outfit. Her overall look was kind of like a ninja crossed with a guitarist.

“Iroha.”

“Roka, Mami, did I keep you waiting?”

“Not at all. I just got here too.”

“I see.”

The three of us sat down at a reserved table. This place is a riverside café

known as “Tsukuyomi Kawadoko.”

The café is simply decorated with low chabudai tables, tatami mats, and deep red umbrellas. Its highlight is the falling cherry blossoms, creating a beautiful view.

Iroha let out a deep sigh the moment she sat down.

“Iroha, you look tired. Is it your part-time job?”

“A little, but don’t worry. It’s nothing I can’t handle. Besides, Satoshi, the shop owner, even gave me a bonus, so it’s worth it. Haha…”

And she didn’t say anything more.

That’s another side of Iroha that few people get to see. Even though she appears to be a perfect beauty on the outside, at her core, she’s still just a girl who gets tired.

She always forces a smile no matter what comes her way. That kind of determination is admirable, but Iroha tries too hard.

She lives as if she’s willing to push her body to the breaking point, and I can’t help but worry.

Even though I always remind her not to overdo it when we walk to school together, it’s like she never notices my feelings at all.

Because she’s stubborn and always wearing a face that endures pain, I find myself wishing more than anything

that Iroha could be happy.

※

“Alright, after this I’ll be handing out the future path survey forms. You have more than half a year to submit them, so there’s no need to rush.”

During one homeroom class, our homeroom teacher, Tachibana-sensei, handed out the forms. They asked about which university we wanted to enter and what field we wished to study.

That was when I started seriously thinking about my studies. My grades are around average, and I’ve never put in much effort academically since my main goal is to become a famous influencer. Even so, I can’t deny that studying is something important that shouldn’t be overlooked.

Next year I’ll be in my third year of high school, and I’ll graduate in two years. When I think about having to part ways with Iroha after graduation, it makes me feel a little sad. Besides, I almost failed the last exam.

Because of that, I decided that I would start taking my studies seriously from today. So…

“Huh? You’re signing up for summer classes?”

“Yes.”

Tachibana-sensei looked slightly surprised after I told him I wanted to attend extra classes. Please don’t make a face like you’re thinking, “Roka, of all people, is going to study seriously?” That’s rude.

“I see. Then do your best.”

He replied with a gentle smile.

“Thank you very much.”

I bowed my head in gratitude before leaving the staff room. Was he a little happy just now?

And so, things turned out like this. Of course, even with summer classes added to my schedule, I absolutely can’t let my streaming slip. I quickly finished my summer assignments so I could fully relax on days without classes.

My daily life continued like this. Going to school, streaming, chatting with friends, and occasionally playing games. It was a happy time that passed by so quickly.

Until the day she appeared. Kaguya.

That day, Mami and I had planned to take Iroha out for pancakes as a thank-you for helping us with exam notes, which saved us from failing.

Why pancakes? Because Iroha is extremely frugal when it comes to money. She always buys cheap food, so we thought treating her to something delicious might make her happy.

Kaguya-chan introduced herself as Iroha’s younger sister. As for my first impression… she was a bright girl who charged headfirst into everything, quick to learn, and adorable. She felt like the kind of little sister you’d want to dote on.

Just a few days after meeting her for the first time, Kaguya suddenly grew close to me and asked me to teach her various things. Of course, I was more than happy to help.

“Yay! Roka is the best!”

With a smile that innocent, it would feel cruel to refuse. We did makeup together and chatted like close friends. It was a really fun time.

After that, the four of us, Iroha, Mami, Kaguya, and me,

made plans to go to the beach together in early August. I personally chose a bright orange swimsuit for Kaguya. It suited her golden blonde hair, which shone like the sun. As for Iroha and Mami, they used the same swimsuits from last year.

It’s a bit of a shame I didn’t get to see Iroha in a cute new swimsuit, but buying one for her would be beyond my allowance.

“All done.”

“Thank you so much, Roka.”

“You’re welcome.”

I’m so happy that Iroha smiled at me.

As I let my thoughts wander, my fingers moved through Iroha’s hair, weaving it into a ponytail with a slight outward curl at the end, perfectly matching her pastel green halter-neck swimsuit.

That image of Iroha, beautiful like a guardian spirit of the forest, is something I still remember clearly, just like a year ago.

After finishing Iroha’s hair, I moved on to Mami, while glancing at Kaguya floating on an inflatable ring, rambling about how her follower growth had slowed recently.

After getting to know Kaguya for a while, one thing became clear to me. She and Iroha were unusually close. Even Mami and I, as best friends, couldn’t compare. What made them so close, I wonder?

But more importantly, Iroha’s expressions had begun to change. Even though she still pushed herself as hard as ever, her face now showed a variety of emotions, along with genuine smiles that were rare before Kaguya appeared.

Kaguya often begged Iroha to join her streams, compose songs, and do many other things. At first, Iroha tried her best to refuse, but in the end, she always gave in.

“Eazyha.”

She’s still the same soft-hearted Iroha as always.

Not long after I finished Mami’s hair, Kaguya and Iroha started playing around. A crab from beneath the rocks chased Iroha, sending her running into the sea, though it didn’t help much. The sight of her flustered like that was cute, endearing, and funny enough to make me smile.

Mami and I exchanged glances as a signal, then circled behind Kaguya and grabbed her so she couldn’t run.

“What kind of magic did Kaguya-chan use to change you this much?”

“Huh? I don’t know.”

Looking back on it,

I already knew that Kaguya wasn’t really Iroha’s younger sister. From how flustered they were when they met at the café, to the nature of their relationship that didn’t feel like siblings at all.

And when I was choosing her outfit, Kaguya’s skin tone didn’t resemble someone from Tsukiji at all. People from Tsukiji usually have slightly tanned skin, but hers was pale, as if she had never been in the sun.

Iroha was lying. I could tell. She’s never been good at lying in the first place. Even so, I still wanted to believe her words.

That’s why… I also realized that

“Kaguya likes Iroha.” Not in a friendly or sisterly way, but romantically. Of course, Iroha herself probably hasn’t noticed.

To be honest, it’s a very difficult feeling to explain.

Half of it is happiness, seeing Iroha become more cheerful. Just seeing her smile is enough to satisfy my small heart, as if I’ve received a blessing from a goddess.

The other half is a mix of darker emotions. Fear, pain, and a sense of helplessness.

I feel a little jealous of Kaguya. She’s the only one who can make Iroha shine like that, while I can’t do anything for her at all. Watching the person you love suffer while being unable to help is so painful that it makes me want to cry.

I’m afraid of losing Iroha, yet at the same time, I want her to be happy. I don’t want my selfishness to ruin her beautiful smile.

I started to wonder… maybe cheering for the two of them is the best thing I can do.

I once heard that “pure love” is a love that doesn’t require you to be part of it. It’s about wanting to give happiness to the other person without expecting anything in return.

What I’m feeling right now might be that kind of “pure love.” Because just seeing Iroha happy makes my heart race endlessly.

I’ve decided…

I’ll support Kaguya-chan. Even if my love doesn’t come true, I still want Iroha to keep smiling.

Please…

be happy for my sake too.

That was what I was thinking as I looked toward Kaguya-chan, my gaze filled with emotions too complex to fully comprehend.

※

I started seriously supporting Kaguya’s activities, because I believed that if she could win the Yachiyo Cup, Iroha would definitely be very happy.

But it seems we’ve hit a dead end.

As I sat absentmindedly on a three-seater sofa, staring blankly up at the ceiling,

Iroha’s avatar logged in and sat down beside me. I quietly glanced at her without saying anything. Ever since we returned from the beach trip, we hadn’t seen each other for a while.

The place we were in now was Mami’s poolside house in the virtual world of Tsukuyomi. It was a pretty nice place to relax.

“Tch~ Come out here, Mikado! Let’s fight!”

Kaguya, frustrated with her ranking still being far behind Black onyX, raised her fist to the sky as if punching the air and shouted that out.

An idea suddenly came to my mind.

“Ah, that's not a bad idea. How about Kaguya challenging Mikado to a game match?”

“Just what you'd expect from Roka. That's a genius idea!”

Challenging Black onyX would attract attention even if she lost, so either way, it would be worth it.

“No way. There's no way he'd accept a challenge like that. He's a pro gamer, you know? The skill gap is obvious.”

Iroha objected, and she was right. The other side would surely know that a challenge at a time like this would just be riding their popularity, so they’d definitely refuse.

Unless…

they were the ones to issue the challenge themselves.

Time passed quickly, and the promised day arrived. The showdown of the century. Black onyX vs Kaguya & IroP.

In order for Iroha and Kaguya to face Black onyX, we needed a third member. As frustrating as it was, I had to admit that my gaming skills were terrible, so the third member became Mami.

I sat in the stands as a spectator, cheering for the three of them. But just a few minutes before the match began,

“Mami, sorry about this. But today, I won't be able to hold back.”

“He even knows my name~”

Mami fainted the moment Mikado called her name. What is wrong with you, Mami! The match hasn’t even started and you’re already out?

I stood up from my seat instinctively, drawing a few glances from the people around me.

It couldn’t be helped. Looks like I’d have to go in as a substitute.

Suddenly, a giant tamatebako box fell from the sky.

“Ta-da! Did someone call for me~?”

Yachiyo appeared on the battlefield.

That’s… the rumored Yachiyo support system. I had heard about it before. The conditions and the chances of appearing, everything about it was a mystery.

But appearing at this moment meant she would be replacing Mami. That’s a relief. Compared to that, even if I went in, there would barely be any chance of winning.

While thinking all that, I moved as well. Whether I was going to play or not, I still had to drag Mami off the field.

“Excuse me, please let me through. That’s my friend.”

Come to think of it, should I really be calling someone who faints over their idol my friend?

However, before I could reach her, Mami’s avatar had already been transported to the entrance area.

Yachiyo’s doing, I suppose. I lifted her onto my back and hurried back to my seat.

Then the first game began, while Mami was still unconscious.

Less than a minute into the match, there was already a surprise. Mikado revealed that he was Iroha’s older brother. I couldn’t believe that Iroha was connected to someone that famous. Even with my 100K level following, I couldn’t compare to them.

Putting that aside, Iroha’s team was completely defeated in the first game. Black onyX was truly strong.

“Huh? What? What happened? What about the match?”

Ah, Mami finally woke up. Just in time for the second game.

“It started a while ago. Yachiyo is playing in your place.”

In the second game, thanks to Kaguya’s creative strategy and her coordination with Yachiyo, they managed to catch up and even the score.

As for the third game, it was tough. They won last time because it was an unfamiliar strategy, but the same trick wouldn’t work twice on a pro gamer.

Even so, Iroha and Kaguya kept fighting with everything they had, eventually pushing the match to the final stage. A decisive battle against Mikado in the top lane.

The two of them were at a disadvantage at first, but through their synergy and a well-planned strategy, they managed to take Mikado down.

Iroha’s expression, as she soared through the air alongside a black hawk, bathed in the orange light of the setting sun, her smile filled with pure joy, was without a doubt a smile of true happiness.

Every spectator was thrilled by their coordination. Of course, that included me. That smile, as if it held enough energy to illuminate Iroha’s entire world, made my heart burn so intensely that tears began to fall on their own.

“It’s truly beautiful.”

I covered my mouth with both hands to hide a smile so wide it might frighten someone.

I really made the right choice supporting Kaguya. As long as Kaguya is there, Iroha will be able to smile.

And that’s all I need.

※

After the KASSEN battle that day, although Iroha lost the game in a rather unfortunate way, they still managed to win the Yachiyo Cup and earned the right to perform in a concert together with Yachiyo.

In addition, Iroha and Kaguya moved to a new place, living in a towering luxury condominium. Compared to the shabby apartment she used to stay in, the level of security was completely different.

I used to worry whether it was really okay for a girl to live alone in a place like that. But now that Iroha had moved somewhere safer, I felt relieved.

I wonder what Iroha will look like in her concert outfit? Just thinking about it makes me so excited I can hardly wait!!

I grabbed the money I had saved in my Fuju pay to buy the best seat tickets. After all, the chance to see Iroha dancing cutely like that might only come once in a lifetime.

So I had to go all out.

“Huh? I don’t need to buy a ticket?”

“That’s right. This concert is meant for everyone to enjoy together, so Yaccho isn’t charging anything~♡”

That’s what the receptionist, a split body of Yachiyo, told me on the way into the concert.

In the end, I had no choice but to sit in regular seats with Mami.

I waited eagerly, gripping a cyalume stick in my left hand, while my right hand clutched my skirt in excitement.

Mami, noticing how strange I was acting, spoke up.

“Aren’t you more nervous than the performers at this point?”

“That’s not true at all!”

I replied while pouting slightly, my face a bit flushed.

In the next moment, all the spotlights gathered at the center of the stage.

Yachiyo appeared, dressed in a modern kimono-style idol outfit, with a sleeveless black top and an elegant long white skirt, both cute and refined at the same time. Beside her were Kaguya and Iroha in matching outfits.

But because it was so dark, only Yachiyo’s face under the spotlight could be clearly seen.

Before the performance began, everyone used neon blue glow sticks, a well-known rule, before switching to their oshi’s color when the concert started.

This time, there were three colors. Pink for Yachiyo, yellow for Kaguya, and neon blue for Iroha.

As the neon blue lights drifted through the air, Yachiyo began her opening speech, as if gently comforting everyone like always.

“It's alright. Everything will be okay. No matter how lonely the road may be, the 'wonderful memories' will always shine and guide the way.
I want this moment to become a memory you'll never forget...
So, how about dancing with me?”

The lights went out for a brief moment, before the entire stage lit up again. The audience switched their glow sticks to their oshi’s color.

Of course, I didn’t change mine.

No matter what, my color will always be Iroha’s neon blue. I’d never change it, even if it killed me.

『Sekai ide~♪ Ichiban ohimesama~♪ Sou iu atsukai kokoroete~~ Yo ne ☆』

Then, Yachiyo’s beautiful voice rang out, the opening of World is Mine marking the start of the concert.

In the brief moment I saw Iroha’s face, with her left-side ponytail and wearing the same outfit as Yachiyo, my eyes locked onto her alone.

Iroha’s flustered movements and nervous expression stood in stark contrast to the brightness of Kaguya and Yachiyo, making it almost amusing.

The two of them started teasing Iroha mid-performance, to the point that Kaguya fell to the ground. Even Yachiyo let out a small laugh.

Still, the melody continued, accompanied by pinkish-red light effects falling like rain.

“You can love me the most in the world~!”

Yachiyo shouted before the next verse. Kaguya made cute gestures while singing on the floor, then stood up and danced in a quirky way that made everyone laugh.

As a performance, it was full of mistakes and things unbefitting of professionals. But somehow… why was it so fun? All three of them were smiling brightly, expressing themselves freely.

And because of that, the audience, including me, couldn’t help but feel the joy and have our hearts race along with them.

If Fuju’s emotion detection system was still active, they’d probably have earned enough from this live to build a mansion.

『Hey baby ♡』

Just those two short words from Iroha made my eyes widen, and I smiled like someone about to faint from happiness before the first song ended.

World is Mine is a song about a selfish princess. Thinking about it now, maybe Iroha could be my “princess”? She really is hard to please, after all.

In that instant, my mind was flooded with embarrassing thoughts, like lightning striking my head or a lightbulb suddenly appearing above me.

What am I even thinking!? All I can imagine is Iroha in a princess outfit! Now’s not the time for that!

I shook my head hard, trying to get rid of my bright red face, which felt like it was ripening like a tomato.

After that, they performed many more songs. I waved my glow stick gently throughout. It was a short but overwhelmingly happy time. With each new song, Iroha grew more expressive.

Next was the final song, a new original titled Ex-Otogibanashi.

『Ima wa mukashi Dare mo ga shiru Monogatari~♪』

Iroha had gotten used to the stage and was no longer nervous. She smiled and swayed along with the rhythm, in perfect harmony with Yachiyo and Kaguya. In that moment, I couldn’t take my eyes off her.

Iroha’s radiant beauty made my whole body burn, as if my blood was being boiled by her flames. Before I knew it, tears of joy were streaming down my cheeks and dripping from my chin.

Even if they were just digital tears, my feelings were real. If this had been in real life, my makeup would’ve been completely ruined.

I laughed softly at myself, sending a gaze toward Iroha that she would never see.

During the chorus, the three of them lined up, raised their joined hands to the sky, and finished with a beautiful, perfect pose.

The fans’ cheers roared loudly, almost deafening, yet it didn’t feel unpleasant at all.

It was such an incredible live concert that my consciousness began to fade. I couldn’t even think of the right words to describe just how amazing it was…

“Roka! Roka!”

A voice calling me and a gentle shake brought me back to my senses. It was Mami.

“The live is over.”

“Ah… yeah. It was an amazing live, wasn’t it?”

“Right? Everyone was so cute, it made my heart melt~~ But that last part felt kinda scary, didn’t it?”

It seemed I got too absorbed and lost consciousness, so I didn’t know what “the last part” she mentioned was.

When I logged out, I saw a piece of news. It was about a signal disruption that happened at the exact same time as the live.

When I checked online, I found reports of something strange happening near the end of the concert, which I hadn’t noticed at all because I had lost awareness at the time.

“What… is that?”

A strange avatar, shaped like a white humanoid with an eerie lamp-like head, had appeared mysteriously on stage. Even though Yachiyo managed to control the situation, how they appeared remained unknown.

There was a post that said this:

That’s worrying. Maybe I should send Iroha a message?

When I asked her, she simply replied, “Everything is fine. Don’t worry.”

Well… maybe it was just part of the performance or something. I didn’t think too deeply about it and let my head fall onto the pillow.

Then I pulled my body pillow into an embrace, smiling shyly at myself. My body felt so warm, my heart wouldn’t stop racing.

The image of Iroha when she said “Hey baby ♡”

still lingered vividly in my mind, refusing to fade.

※

The next morning,

I went to my summer classes as usual, but something felt different. I was in an unusually good mood, smiling nonstop all day until evening, when I headed back home.

Of course, I saw Iroha at school too. We were attending the same summer classes, after all. But she seemed strangely absent-minded today, so I didn’t approach her.

「Group Chat」

Mami: Hey Roka, are you done with summer classes yet? Come gather at Tsukuyomi right away.

Just as I collapsed onto my bed, a message came in. It was from Mami, who was living carefree and not attending summer classes like the rest of us.

I sat up and picked up my phone to reply.

Roka: Let me change first. I’ll log in in a bit.

Oh right, maybe I should talk to Mami about today.

「Private Chat」

Roka: I feel like Iroha wasn’t very cheerful today. Maybe it’s because of what happened at the end of the live?

Mami: Probably. At times like this, eating something delicious helps. Let’s go have dinner at a fancy restaurant!

That answer is so like Mami…

Roka: U-um, I don’t think Iroha would agree to spend money on that.

To be honest, I’ve also spent a lot on clothes recently, so my wallet’s pretty empty too.

Mami: Hmm, then how about the four of us go out somewhere?

Mami sent an image file:

It was a general news page from Tachikawa.

『Fireworks Festival』

Roka: A fireworks festival? That sounds nice. If the four of us go—

Before I could finish typing, a thought suddenly crossed my mind. A fireworks festival is held at night. People wear yukata, eat delicious food, and it’s a romantic setting, perfect for expressing one’s feelings.

If Mami and I went along, we might just get in their way. So…

Roka: Actually, on second thought, I think it’d be better if Iroha and Kaguya go together, just the two of them.

Mami: Huh? Why? Wouldn’t it be more fun if we all went together?

Seriously, Mami… even though she has a boyfriend, she doesn’t understand something this delicate. That won’t do.

Roka: Well, you know, they just did a live together, right? They probably have a lot to talk about. It’d be better to give them some time alone.

Mami: Oho~ so you mean “that kind of thing,” huh? Got it.

Looks like she finally understood. Took her long enough.

Mami: By the way, when are you logging in?

Roka: Don’t start a conversation then! I can’t change clothes while typing!

Mami: You’re the one who started it!!

Ah… that’s true.

After finishing everything, I put on my smartcon and dove into the world of Tsukuyomi. As usual, we met at our regular riverside café.

I chatted idly with Mami for a few minutes before Iroha logged in.

"Iroha's performance!"

"We were so moved we almost cried!"

Mami and I pressed our cheeks together, brimming with excitement. And it wasn’t an exaggeration. Whether it was during the live or just thinking about Iroha’s smile now, my eyes were already starting to well up.

At first, we talked about random things to keep the mood from getting too heavy.

"I give it a perfect score."

I also transferred some Fuju to Iroha. It was meant to be the ticket fee I had prepared. I really didn’t feel right watching such an amazing show for free.

Then, once Iroha let her guard down, Mami and I began our plan. We exchanged a quick glance and followed the script.

"Then the timing is perfect."

"Exactly~"

I raised my hand and drew a rectangle in the air, opening an image file in Tsukuyomi.

Of course, it was the fireworks festival poster Mami had just sent me.

"Since it's the end of summer, how about going to see the fireworks, Princess~?"

I spoke in a suspicious tone, like the old woman in Snow White offering a poisoned apple.

I don’t know what I was thinking just now, calling Iroha “Princess" Maybe I got carried away talking about the concert earlier.

"Sounds good, right? Tsukuyomi is fun and all, but wearing a real yukata, holding a fan, and going around visiting every single festival stall sounds nice too~ Don't you think?"

Mami added perfectly according to the script. This was the deciding moment.

"What do you say, Iroha?"

"Yeah, sounds good. It's only about an hour by train, right? We're all going together?"

Hook, line, and sinker.

"Non non. We have an important mission to complete, so we can't go."

"Because we barely touched our summer homework."

"So—"

"We'll leave the rest to you~"

As soon as we finished, Mami and I immediately logged out, not giving Iroha even a moment to respond. A perfectly synchronized move!

When I opened my eyes, I returned to the real world. I hadn’t turned on the lights before logging in, and now it was already evening.

In the dim room, only a faint light from a lamp illuminated the space. As I walked to turn on the main light, I caught sight of my reflection in the mirror.

My steps came to a halt.

The expression on my face was hard to describe. A faint smile mixed with eyes filled with sorrow.

I made that decision because I wanted to see Iroha happy.

But it ended up becoming a double-edged sword that pierced my own heart.

It seems…

I still haven’t been able to let her go.

※

Today was the first day of the new term. Seeing Mami again in her school uniform made it feel like the summer break had been incredibly long.

It’s not strange to feel that way. After all, so many things had happened over the past two months.

That morning, I still wore my usual cheerful smile, without realizing even in the slightest…

that a massive storm was about to arrive.

The first sign of that storm was Kaguya’s graduation announcement post, uploaded on that very same day.

Mami and I immediately messaged to check on her out of concern.

『Kaguya-chan, what's wrong? If something happened, you can talk to us』

But Iroha only replied,

"Thank you. It's okay."

Then later that evening, Iroha sent another message.

"I'm sorry for saying it was okay.
Because the truth is, it's not okay at all"

We arranged to meet in Tsukuyomi. By the time I arrived, many people were already there. Yachiyo, Mami, and even the Black onyX group, including Mikado Akira.

When Iroha logged in, the meeting began. She told us everything about Kaguya.

That she was an alien. That she came from a gaming utility pole. And that someone would soon come to take her back.

It all sounded unbelievable, but Iroha wasn’t the kind of person to lie about something serious. And more importantly… she had changed.

The Iroha I used to know would never bow her head and ask for help from so many people. But now, she was bowing to all of us.

Maybe that’s why everyone chose to believe her, despite how unimaginable it all sounded.

"Whaaat〜 So Kaguya-chan really is a princess from the moon.. I get it now!”

Mikado Akira crossed his arms and nodded repeatedly, though it was questionable whether he really understood.

"So she wasn't actually from Tsukiji after all, huh~"

"Even when we went to the beach, her skin stayed pale the whole time"

Mami and I added reasons that supported her story, even though we had already realized it before.

"Yachiyo, do you think you could protect Kaguya?"

"I've checked everywhere, but I still don't know where they might enter from next. Sorry"

Even Yachiyo couldn’t do anything…

At this point, I didn’t want Kaguya to disappear either. No matter what, she’s an important friend to me. No… more like a little sister.

"Then how about canceling the live altogether, and Kaguya-chan just never logging in here again for the rest of her life?"

I suggested that idea. If the Lunarians really are digital beings, then it would make sense.

“I’ve thought about that already… it won’t work.”

Iroha replied with a sorrowful expression.

In the end, the only thing we humans could do was face them head-on. It couldn’t be helped. I decided to join as well, because if she disappeared…

Iroha would definitely be heartbroken.

I logged out immediately after the meeting ended.

Just as I reached up to remove my smartcon, my fingers felt something wet at the corner of my eyes.

What… is this? Am I crying?

Even though I had always thought that it didn’t matter if I wasn’t happy. Even though I knew from the beginning that they weren’t really sisters, and that they loved each other deeply.

I knew from the start that I was the one who would lose.

So what is this feeling?

My chest felt tight, I couldn’t breathe, and it felt like my whole body was being torn in two. So this is what it feels like…

I gently wiped away my tears with the back of my right hand, but they kept flowing.

Could this be heartbreak? This is the first time I’ve ever felt it. Why am I only realizing it now?

For a brief moment, the image of that lamp from that day appeared in my mind.

A small lamp that seemed to give me hope. Even though its flame was faint and close to going out, it felt warm in the middle of a snowstorm.

I see… it’s because I still had hope.

I still hoped that I could be happy. I still hoped that I could stand beside Iroha.

But when Iroha herself confirmed that what I thought was true… it felt like that hope was instantly extinguished.

I really am…

such a selfish person.

※

Time flowed on mercilessly, as if in the blink of an eye, and the day of Kaguya’s graduation arrived. September twelfth.

The six of us gathered at the KASSEN field. Mami and I waved cheerfully at Kaguya, trying to keep her from feeling sad.

Before the battle began, clouds like crimson roses fused together beneath Tsukuyomi’s moonlight, just before they appeared.

—Lunarians

I cooperated with everyone as best as I could, but the enemy was far stronger than us. Mami and I, the least experienced, were the first to fall, before everything began collapsing rapidly.

If even Black onyX and Iroha, considered the strongest players in the game, couldn’t handle them, then it meant we never had a chance in this fight from the very beginning.

After Kaguya-chan vanished along with the clouds, the atmosphere immediately grew tense.

Iroha’s expression, her eyes, and even her voice were filled with negative emotions beyond explanation.

"Everyone… thank you for your hard work. I’ll… head back first. Sorry."

As her halting words ended, Iroha’s avatar slowly faded away.

In that moment, the only ones who reached out to her were me and Mikado, her older brother. My body moved on its own, driven by instinct. Something told me we shouldn’t leave her alone.

But it was already too late. I couldn’t grab that hand. Everyone quickly logged out after her and discussed what to do next. In the end—

Mikado: Let her be alone for a while.

I understood that it was the right thing to do, but no matter what, I still wanted to reach out to her. That night, I could barely sleep, thinking about Iroha, holding onto a small hope that I would see her at school the next morning.

However, reality was not so kind. When homeroom began, my gaze immediately went to Iroha’s seat.

And it was empty.

This was the first time Iroha had ever missed school. The girl who valued studying more than her life chose not to come. It felt… suffocating in a way I couldn’t describe.

"Hey, Roka, let’s message Iroha."

Mami must have been just as worried as I was. No, everyone from that day probably was. But even after sending messages, there was no reply from her.

That only made me more anxious, to the point where even swallowing food felt difficult.

That night, heavy rain poured down. The sound of raindrops crashing against buildings was frantic, like a storm raging and pouring emotions onto us. The dim sky, where nothing outside could be seen clearly, made my heart unstable.

The rain continued into late morning of the next day before gradually easing around noon.

Mami and I tried contacting Iroha again, but the answer we received was still silence. We were so worried, until Mami typed something.

Mami: Could it be that she’s already dead..?

That message made my heart stop for a moment. A chill spread from my fingertips throughout my entire body.

No, no, no, no! Iroha… there’s no way.

I hurriedly shook off that thought. If Iroha were to die here… I wouldn’t… I wouldn’t be able to go on living.

I quickly opened the location of Iroha’s home that I had saved in my smartphone, and headed there immediately without telling anyone.

I couldn’t endure it anymore.

If that day I had reached out and grabbed her arm, and told her “everything will be okay”… then maybe she wouldn’t have to suffer like this. I’m such an idiot. I should have stopped her back then, but instead I let her go. This is all my fault…

As soon as I arrived at Iroha’s luxury condominium, I stood in front of the building entrance. People around me glanced at me with strange looks.

When I looked down at myself, I realized my long-sleeved shirt was completely disheveled, and my hair was a mess. I must have rushed here without thinking.

As a beauty influencer, it was an utterly pitiful appearance.

But I didn’t care anymore.

"Hah… hah…"

I caught my breath a few times before continuing.

"This apartment uses an auto-lock system, so…"

I reached out and pressed the intercom installed by the entrance. Iroha’s room number was—

"168"

After confirming, the ringing sound began.

— Beep

It was only a short signal for a few seconds, but every time it rang, my heart pounded.

— Beep

I held onto hope that Iroha would respond.

But in the end, the sound stopped.

She didn’t answer me.

I tried pressing the same number again, and again, and again, but the result was the same. Eventually, the security guard noticed something unusual and approached me. I had no choice but to apologize for standing there and leave just like that.

Right now, I feel lonely, in pain, and overwhelmed with sorrow beyond words. Iroha… will she be okay?

Feeling completely drained, I sat down on a dark brown bench near my house, absentmindedly staring at the orange sky and the sun sinking below the horizon.

Then, a message came through.

Mami: Roka! Roka! Where did you go? Why aren’t you replying?

It was from Mami. I picked up my phone to reply, but for some reason, my fingers had no strength. Every tap on the keyboard felt difficult.

Roka: Sorry. I went to Iroha’s apartment, but it seems like I couldn’t reach her.

Mami: That was too reckless! Wait for me, I’m heading to your house now.

Home… yeah. It’s about time I go back. Mom will scold me otherwise. I walked home with my head down, and when I arrived, I spoke in a faint voice.

"I’m home…"

No response came back.

Right… both my parents have been busy with work these past two weeks. I completely forgot.

I sat hugging my knees at the entrance where we change shoes, until Mami arrived three minutes later.

She rushed in and hugged me, who was drowning in sorrow, immediately understanding the situation.

"I’m sorry, Roka… what I said must have made you worry even more. I’m sorry."

Mami gently stroked my head, slowly calming me down.

That’s not it, Mami. Even if you hadn’t said that, I would have thought the same. Sorry for making you feel guilty.

Ten minutes later, after I regained some composure, I invited Mami inside to sit and rest while we talked about Iroha, until she suggested an idea.

"Then how about we go check BAMBOO cafe tomorrow?"

"You mean Iroha’s workplace?"

Even though I knew deep down that in her current condition, there was no way she would go to work, I still wanted to look for her, even if the chance was less than one percent.

"Good morning~"

A clumsy-looking young employee greeted us. She had dark brown hair neatly tied back, wore a black uniform with white stripes, a coffee-brown apron, and a clean-looking green beret. It wasn’t a bad outfit at all. I’d give it an eight.

She looked about a year younger than us. But wasn’t that greeting a bit strange? It’s already afternoon.

"Table for two, right? What would you like—"

Before she could finish, she suddenly slipped and fell to the floor, as if tripping over an invisible banana peel, while a clipboard spun through the air. I quickly caught it before reaching out my hand to her.

"Ow, ow, ow…"

"Are you okay?"

"I-I’m so sorry, that was very rude of me."

She took my hand and stood up. Once everything settled, I got straight to the point since I didn’t want to disturb other customers.

"Excuse me, we’re not here to eat today. We’re looking for an employee named Sakayori Iroha. We’re her friends. Do you happen to know her?"

"Of course! Sakayori-senpai is basically the backbone of this place. But lately, we haven’t been able to reach her. Last Friday was total chaos because of that… did something happen?"

"I see… so she really hasn’t been coming to work. We haven’t been able to reach her either. Sorry for the trouble."

While I was speaking seriously, Mami kept staring at the menu, practically drooling.

"Hey Roka, since we’re already here, trying something wouldn’t hurt—"

"Don’t even try. We didn’t come here to eat."

As I dragged Mami out of the shop, the employee called out.

"My name is Azuma Mio. Please come visit again sometime. We’re having a pumpkin festival right now."

She gestured toward a sign at the lower right of the counter.

"Got it! Thank you for your help."

In the end, we barely got any clues, so Mami and I parted ways and went home.

But! I’m not giving up yet.

I quickly grabbed my smartcon and searched through Tsukuyomi again. Maybe Iroha was venting her emotions by beating someone up in KASSEN. That possibility isn’t zero, right? Thinking positively, I went around asking people everywhere until late at night.

In the end, since I couldn’t find her and was exhausted, I went to sleep and left the rest for tomorrow.

※

Today is Monday. I woke up early and headed to school with Mami as usual. The moment we stepped into the hallway—

the person we had been waiting for appeared.

Iroha.

"I’m sorry I didn’t reply to your messages!
I’m really sorry! I truly am! I mean… how should I say this… I’m really sorry!"

She ran straight toward us and bowed her head in apology.

My feelings at that moment were all mixed together. I was happy that she came back, but also angry that she made us worry this much.

"You ignored us pretty harshly"

Mami pretended to be upset.

"We were about to storm your house, you know"

I puffed my cheeks and acted sulky as well.

Right now, she must already have more than enough on her mind. So Mami and I agreed to keep it a secret that we went out looking for her.

"I’m sorry! I’m really sorry!"

Iroha bowed even deeper. That’s enough teasing. Mami and I exchanged glances and thought the same thing.

"We just—"

"As long as we know Iroha is alive, that’s enough"

Those were the words I had wanted to say for the past three days. No matter what happens, as long as I know that she’s still alive, I’m more than happy.

When I looked at her face closely, Iroha seemed worryingly thin and worn out.

After Mami reached out and touched her cheek, she suggested that we go out to eat together this evening.

I agreed, pulled out my phone, and quickly arranged everything. I won’t let go of Iroha a second time.

And then suddenly, Mami said—

"Actually, how about that? The pumpkin-themed campaign at BAMBOO Cafe! I’ve been wanting to go!"

Are you still thinking about that place?

"Wait, isn’t that where Iroha works part-time? She probably wouldn’t want to go there”

"No problem. We can go."

Iroha didn’t seem to have any issue with it. Maybe I was just overthinking. While we were talking about dinner, the bell suddenly rang.

Mami and I immediately started running out of habit since we hadn’t put our bags away yet. If we didn’t hurry, we’d be late for class.

But Iroha suddenly stopped in her tracks, as if lost in thought. And for some reason, she—

rushed forward and hugged us.

"Ahhh!"

I let out a loud yelp, not out of surprise, but from happiness. This was the first time I had been this close to Iroha. My cheeks instantly turned red like a traffic light.

But when I looked down at her tearful expression, that embarrassment turned into sadness.

"I’m sorry."

"Huh, Iroha?"

"I-I’m sorry."

"What’s gotten into you?"

Tears began to well up in her eyes. She didn’t say anything else, just kept apologizing over and over. Did she find out that we went looking for her?

"Iroha, that’s enough."

"Don’t cry, love you so much"

I ended up saying “love you so much” without even realizing it.

Why is that? The old me wouldn’t even dare to say “like,” but now…

In the brief moment I blinked, Kaguya’s image appeared in my mind.

I see… it’s because of Kaguya. Because of her appearance—

I finally understood my feelings for Iroha. I’m afraid of losing her. I’m afraid I won’t be able to see her face again.

I finally understand now, just how much I love her.

"Thank you… Roka, Mami."

The tears Iroha had been holding back overflowed, and neither Mami nor I could hold back anymore. The three of us embraced each other, crying in the middle of the hallway.

The overwhelming feeling of missing her, the love I feel for her, and the concern that never reached her—

all of it was washed away by those tears.

Ah… if anyone saw us right now, there would definitely be some strange rumors again…

I thought that,

while holding Iroha tightly in my arms.

That evening, while I was reading my textbook, a message from Iroha came in.

Iroha: I’ll be taking a few more days off from school, but I’m fine. Don’t worry.

Mami: Okay~ But what about dinner tomorrow?

Roka: We can just postpone it. Let the princess be satisfied first, then we’ll talk. But make sure you eat three proper meals!

Maybe it’s because we were able to ‘cry our hearts out’ together? That’s why I felt like everything would be okay. Iroha will definitely get better.

However,

even though I believed that, it wasn’t true at all.

This storm was far from over.

※

The rain began to fall once again. It was just like that day, a violent downpour raging as if trying to hint at some ominous sign.

I sat alone, focused on reading under the desk lamp. When I glanced at the bottom-right corner of my PC screen, it was already close to midnight.

My friend list, including Mami and everyone else, was completely offline. I guess it’s about time for sleep…

Thinking back on it, what Mami did that day was pretty amazing… She even touched Iroha’s cheek and stayed calm when she was hugged. There’s no way I could do that.

Just as I was about to shut down my PC, a message suddenly came in.

Iroha: Roka… can I stay over at your place?

Huh? Huh? Why? Iroha wants to stay over at my house, even though it’s raining right now? What happened to her?

A surge of anxiety suddenly welled up inside me.

I quickly tossed aside my headphones and typed a reply immediately.

Roka: Of course. I’ll be waiting.

Whenever Iroha wants to be alone, I will trust her words.

Whenever Iroha needs someone, I will reach out and help her.

That is the belief I have in her.

Not long after, the doorbell rang, prompting my body to move as I stood up and walked to open the door.

Standing there was Iroha in green pajamas, her entire body soaked with rain.

"Wait! Why didn’t you bring an umbrella? You’ll catch a cold. Hold on a second!"

I hurried to my wardrobe, grabbed a towel, and handed it to her.

"Thank you…"

Iroha took it and dried herself just enough.

"Come inside first. I’ll prepare some clothes. The bathroom is over there."

"Mm."

She replied in a lifeless voice.

Iroha changed into the clothes I prepared, a simple outfit of a T-shirt and long pants.

We moved to the guest room, or rather the living room I usually use. Iroha sat silently on the grape-purple sofa, not saying a single word.

While the late-night TV program continued playing, I turned to look at her. Her face looked like it was breaking apart into pieces. Her cheeks were cold, her body stiff, her expression completely empty.

This was the first time I had ever seen Iroha look this sad. It felt like…

she was screaming,

‘Please kill me.’

That expression made my chest ache as well…

"I’ll… go make some warm milk. It’ll help warm you up."

She didn’t respond, only nodded slightly.

I handed her a white plastic cup. Iroha took it and drank slowly.

After some time passed, silence once again filled the room between us. It was an unbearably suffocating situation.

Even so, I didn’t want to just sit there quietly and let her suffer alone anymore.

"Iroha… do you want to talk about it?"

"…."

"Ah… I do. I really, really do."

And that’s where our conversation began.

"Over the past few days, I’ve been spending my time finishing the song I left unfinished with Kaguya."

"Mm."

"Even though I completed it and sang it, the first time… I could hear Kaguya’s response. But after that, no matter how many times I tried, it never happened again."

I didn’t say anything.

"I keep seeing Kaguya everywhere in the room we used to share. She’s cheerful, and just as silly as always."

"I see."

Her voice began to tremble.

"I tried to endure staying in that room because I didn’t want to trouble my brother any more than this. But in the end, I couldn’t take it. I can’t even close my eyes when Kaguya’s voice keeps running all around the room like that.
I… I miss Kaguya. Roka… what should I do?"

As soon as those words ended, Iroha broke down in tears.

My left hand reached out to her automatically, just like that day. But this time, I won’t let her go again.

My body moved on its own. I pulled Iroha into an embrace and gently stroked her head. Her body was soft… and very warm. Since I’m bigger than her, I could wrap my arms around her completely.

I don’t even know if doing this will help at all, but it’s the only thing I can do. It’s such an embarrassing thing… something the old me would never have done.

Ah… I really have changed this much.

"Roka… can I keep living on… without Kaguya…?"

Those words made me pause for a moment. Honestly, I wanted to tell her, “Of course you can, because you’re Iroha.” But that would be too cruel for her right now. So instead…

"It’s okay, Iroha. You don’t have to be strong all the time. If you feel like crying, then cry. I’ll stay right here with you."

Words of comfort, without blaming her for coming here, without rushing or forcing her to be strong, just staying by her side.

"That’s enough… thank you…"

"Okay."

I loosened my arms. Iroha pulled back slightly, and a faint smile appeared on her face.

It was only a small, gentle smile. I couldn’t fully call it a happy one, but her expression was much better than before.

"I used to think Kaguya was the only one who understood me. But it seems I was wrong.
Roka… you’re very important to me. You’ve supported me, and you’ve always been my emotional anchor. I’m truly grateful for that.
That’s what I thought, back when we talked in the hallway."

Her words made my eyes widen even more. Honestly, I felt so happy I wanted to scream. But that might make Iroha, who was grieving, feel worse… so I held those feelings back.

"You’ve changed, Iroha. The old you wouldn’t have shown this kind of weakness."

"Well… you’re right. I feel like I’ve changed a little too."

Iroha’s smile grew just a bit wider.

I took a deep breath before saying it.

"Then tell me everything."

"Huh?"

"Everything about Kaguya that I don’t know. I want to get to know that Kaguya better. The one who changed you."

Iroha looked slightly shocked.

"I didn’t expect you to have such a selfish side, Roka. Sure… I’ll tell you myself."

After that, we talked for several hours.

About the selfish Princess Kaguya. A girl who always caused trouble, who dragged others into all sorts of difficult situations, and was a bit careless. Even so, she was still someone gentle… and lovable.

As Iroha talked about Kaguya, her eyes were filled with warmth. Her expression was happier than anything I’d seen before, and I couldn’t help but feel happy along with her.

Hearing all this, I think I understand now. Kaguya is very different from me. She’s bright, and always gives Iroha the push she needs.

What an unfair girl.

"So, what do you think about Kaguya, Roka?"

Iroha’s sudden question caught me off guard. I could just answer it normally… but I’m not going to show my hand first.

"That’s a difficult question. Can you promise me something? If I answer that, you have to answer my question too. An equivalent exchange."

I held out my pinky finger to her, as if presenting a contract for her to sign.

Iroha let out a small sigh before speaking.

"Alright. I promise."

She hooked her pinky with mine, and I began.

"Well… at first, I thought Kaguya was a really strange kid. But after she stayed with us for a while, everything around us became more fun. I really like that about her."

"That’s true."

"To me, Kaguya feels like a little sister. She’s clingy and selfish, but somehow it’s fun being around her. Overall, I think she’s really cute."

"I see. Thank you."

I glanced at Iroha’s eyes, which sparkled faintly.

"Alright, my turn. It’s a simple question. Just answer Yes or No.
Iroha, do you love Kaguya? As in, romantically?"

Iroha paused for a moment. She lowered her gaze, as if thinking about something.

"…Don’t you already know the answer?"

"I just want to be sure."

"Yes… I really do love Kaguya."

"I figured."

We kept talking about many things after that, until…

"Roka… becoming friends with you is the luckiest thing to have happened in my life."

Friend… huh. A friend… I see.

Those words slipped from Iroha’s lips, and in the very next moment, she drifted off to sleep from exhaustion.

I smiled at her warmly.

Iroha’s sleeping face was as beautiful as a sleeping princess. For a brief moment, the thought crossed my mind… that I wanted to kiss her.

But I can’t do something like that.

Just as my hand was about to reach out to stroke her head, her sleepy murmur made me freeze.

"Kaguya… don’t be so mischievous…"

Even in her sleep, her dreams were still filled with Kaguya. I pulled my trembling hand back.

I can’t just let her sleep here, can I? I carefully lifted Iroha as gently as possible. It was a bit embarrassing, but… it had to be this way.

I slid one arm under her knees, and the other behind her back, then lifted her up.

A princess carry.

Iroha is lighter than I expected.

Of course, I could still feel the weight of a seventeen-year-old girl, but it was manageable. Or maybe… she hasn’t been eating much lately? Is that why she feels this light?

I walked slowly and carefully, carrying her to my mother’s room to let her rest, then pulled a large blanket over her.

"Good night, Iroha."

I turned off the light in that room before heading back to my own bedroom.

The moment my body touched the bed, all kinds of feelings rushed in at once.

Embarrassment over what I had done, happiness that Iroha had opened up to me this much, and a small trace of sadness… at being called "a friend."

Even so, I didn’t feel like crying at all.

Because this was the best night of my life.

And I will never forget it for as long as I live.

※

Dawn of a new day arrived, along with the sound of a bicycle passing in front of my house. Its wheels splashed through the rainwater left from last night, making a clear noise.

— Splash!

The girl with her hair tied in a ponytail, wearing a dark brown apron, chopping green onions in the kitchen… that’s me.

Normally, my mom is the one who cooks, so I’m not very good at it. But after being told,

— If you ever become a bride someday, cooking skills are the most important thing!

After hearing that, I was basically forced to practice cooking. My skills are… probably good enough to make something for myself when I’m home alone.

Soft footsteps came down from the second floor.

"Good morning, Iroha."

"Oh no! I accidentally fell asleep… I’m sorry, Roka. I have to hurry back home and get ready for school—"

I grabbed her hand.

"Wait! Today is Saturday."

"Huh?"

Once she calmed down, I had her sit and wait at the dining table. Then I served breakfast. Of course, it was just a simple, classic Japanese-style miso soup.

"How is it?"

"Mm… it’s good."

"Really? That’s a relief. I don’t cook often, so I wasn’t confident about the taste."

After we finished eating, Iroha spoke again.

"About last night… sorry for bothering you."

"I told you it’s fine. Besides, my parents haven’t been home lately. I’ve been so lonely I could die."

My body instinctively turned my face away from her, and I guess Iroha did the same. Too many embarrassing things happened yesterday… we couldn’t bring ourselves to look at each other.

"Hey, Iroha."

"Hm?"

"About your apartment… I think Mikado wouldn’t mind if you moved out. He really cares about you, you know. Try relying on others a bit more."

She looked at me, then closed her eyes with a small smile before opening them again.

"Yeah… you’re right. That crazy big brother of mine spoils me too much anyway. I guess I should go back and start packing."

"Can I help?"

Huh… this warm yet suffocating feeling…

Did I really just say that because I don’t want to be apart from Iroha?

"Eh~ But I’ve already bothered you enough, Roka. That wouldn’t be good…"

"Please."

There it is again. Another selfish request.

"Mm… alright. Let’s go."

We changed into clothes that were easier to move in. Of course, Iroha didn’t have a change of clothes, so I let her wear mine instead. A black-and-white dress with a small shoulder bag. It suited her so well. She looked absolutely adorable.

After that, Iroha contacted Mikado Akira and explained everything. He approved her request instantly without even taking a second to think. What a kind older brother… I’m honestly a little jealous.

"Make sure the new apartment you choose is safe for you, okay? Don’t forget that."

When I said that, Iroha nodded and chose a slightly cheaper place that was still safe enough for a girl to live alone.

Then we took the train back to Iroha’s apartment. Thinking about the distance carefully, running all the way from there to my house is actually really far. Back then, Iroha must have been in so much pain that she ran without thinking…

"We’re here."

Her voice pulled my drifting thoughts back to reality. When I stepped inside, I froze for a moment. The place was spacious and filled with so many things. Especially that tanuki figure… it really caught my eye. From what I heard, was that something Kaguya bought?

Iroha and I started packing up some things while waiting for the movers.

Of course, we chatted a bit in between. Like how Iroha talked to her mom earlier but ended up getting scolded non-stop, and how she promised her mom she would find something she truly wanted to do. Honestly, her mom sounds kind of frustrating.

Eventually, we stopped in front of Iroha’s keyboard.

"This is the keyboard you use to compose music, right?"

"Yeah. I used it to compose the song Reply"

"The one kaguya sang at the graduation live?"

"Yeah… but it’s the latter half that I couldn’t finish before."

"Oh…"

I stared at it with sparkling eyes. Noticing that, Iroha continued.

"Do you want to hear it?"

"Can I?"

And just like that, her slender fingers began to play a beloved melody, while she softly sang along.

『Kono isshun wo saikou no paatii ni shiyou~♪』

As the final note faded, her fingers stopped, hovering over the keys. Iroha’s eyes widened, as if she had realized something.

She turned around and looked at the empty space behind her. I wonder… was there a “Kaguya from the past” standing there, one I couldn’t see?

"I understand now. This isn’t over yet. This story still has more to come. I’ve found what I want to do!”

She spun back to face me, her eyes shining brighter than ever. They were so beautiful… I could fall in love with her all over again.

"Playing that just now made me realize… even though Kaguya is no longer here, her voice still echoes within me. Kaguya is still alive in my music.

That’s why… I want to keep composing songs, so people can come to know who she was. No matter how much time passes, that’s what I want to do."

"Kaguya-chan would definitely be happy."

I smiled in response to her voice.

This is how it should be. This is the Iroha I fell for. Strong, determined, more than anyone else. Just seeing her able to smile again… that alone makes me happy.

※

Several months have passed since that day.

The three of us, me, Iroha, and Mami, returned to living our daily lives like before. Of course, there were some changes as well. The one who changed the most… was me.

In April of 2031, we officially became third-year high school students, our final year before graduation.

"Iroha, what path are you going to choose for your future?"

Mami asked a question that felt strangely familiar, like something I had heard a long time ago.

"For university, it’s definitely going to be Todai. As for my major… probably faculty of music. I want to keep composing music, after all."

Her words made me realize something.

I only have one year left to spend with Iroha.

Getting into Todai is incredibly difficult. If I keep living like this, then someday… I’ll have to part ways with her.

Of course, we could always stay in touch online. But going to school without seeing the person I love… just imagining it makes my chest ache.

So if I want to stay with Iroha—

"I have to get into Todai."

I muttered to myself, quietly enough that the two of them probably couldn’t hear.

And from that moment on, my all-out study routine began.

I cut down almost all of my other activities and devoted myself entirely to studying, including attending as many extra classes as I could.

Even my streaming schedule was reduced to once a week, or sometimes even once every two weeks. There were some complaints from my fans, but once I explained that I needed to prepare for university entrance exams, everyone understood and cheered me on. They really are such kind fans… it honestly touched me.

Even though I used to criticize Iroha for living like this, now I’m doing the exact same thing. Overworking myself to the point where I barely have time to rest. After experiencing a similar lifestyle, I finally understand just how much effort and endurance Iroha has always put in. It makes me admire her even more.

"Hey, Roka, want to go to that pancake café today—"

"Sorry, Mami. I have extra classes today."

"Eh?! You already had classes yesterday though!"

I ended up turning down my friends’ invitations almost every time. It kind of made me feel like a bad person. But all of this is for my future.

Though sometimes…

"Roka, don’t you want to take a break?"

Iroha would ask with concern.

It made me really happy. But I’m not pushing myself as hard as she does. For me, my health is important too.

After struggling and working tirelessly for nearly a year, my grades skyrocketed to the point that even Tachibana-sensei was surprised.

"Hmm… if you keep this up, you should be able to get into Todai."

And then, graduation day finally arrived.

It was March, in the season of spring. Before long, the cherry blossoms would bloom. A time of transition in the year that is both beautiful… and a little sad.

I walked out of the ceremony hall, holding a black diploma tube. There, Iroha was waiting for me. Of course, she had ranked first in the class. Just like I’d expect from her.

We stood beneath a tree just beginning to bloom, like the relationships of people growing alongside those flowers.

We faced different directions, standing still as time quietly passed by.

If you ask why I seemed so restless, it’s because…

I planned to confess my feelings to Iroha today.

Ahh… just thinking about it makes me blush. I’ve thought this through carefully. Graduation really is the perfect moment for a confession.

My fingers tapped against each other like a pendulum swinging back and forth, counting down the time.

Go for it, Roka. You can do this. Just say it, “I love you,” like that day.

I took a deep breath, then began to speak.

"Iroha… there’s something important I want to tell you. Can you listen?"

"Sure. What is it?"

My heart started pounding, my face turning red like a tomato.

"I…"

My heart pounded even harder, like it was about to burst out of my chest. Say it, Roka. Just say it!

"I love…"

Just a little more.

— Do you really think you can replace Kaguya?

Huh? A voice echoed inside my head. It was a voice I knew all too well. Of course… it was my own.

But another version of me, standing right behind.

— Are you sure you can make Iroha happy? Someone as selfish as you?

I’m not sure…

— If Iroha rejects you, it won’t just be heartbreak. You’ll lose her as a friend forever. Think about it carefully.

Lose Iroha forever… If I confess now and get rejected, will I never be able to talk to her again…?

No… no, no, no, not like that!!!

I screamed inside my own head.

"Roka, are you okay?"

It seemed like I had lost myself for a moment.

When I came back to my senses, I felt warmth on both sides of my face. My hands were holding my cheeks. I quickly pulled them away and lightly shook my head.

"It’s nothing."

"You just said ‘I love…’ something, didn’t you?"

"Uh, about that…"

Emergency cancel on the confession plan. I hurriedly pulled out my phone and started scrolling through the news to cover it up.

Hurry, hurry! Anything will do!

And then, my finger stopped on a page.

『Hanami Event for April』

This is it! I tapped on the event page and held the screen out for Iroha to see.

"I love hanami event, Do you want to go together?"

It was an incredibly clumsy invitation, as I tilted my head slightly to the right.

That look in her eyes…

Iroha stared at me, her eyes widening just a little. It was a mix of happiness and slight shock, as if she was seeing someone else overlapping with me.

"Mm, sure. Let’s go together."

And then she smiled, brightly, accepting my invitation.

"We’re inviting Mami too, right?"

"Uh…"

Mami, huh. Going together would be fun, but I want to be alone with Iroha. So… forgive me, Mami.

"I heard Mami already has plans with her boyfriend. She probably can’t come."

That was a lie. In reality, Mami hadn’t made any plans to celebrate after graduation.

"Oh, I see. That’s too bad."

"Yeah, it is."

Right after we finished gossiping about her, she appeared behind us.

"What’s up, you two?"

"I wasn’t saying anything!!!"

"I didn’t even ask anything yet."

"…"

I ended up screaming out of panic that the truth might come out.

"We were just talking about going to a hanami festival. It’s a shame you can’t come, Mami."

"Huh? I’m actually free thou—"

I quickly covered Mami’s mouth and whispered into her ear.

"Just go along with it for now. I’ll explain later. I’ll treat you to a meal."

"Say no more, boss."

Mami whispered back, giving me a thumbs-up. Iroha, meanwhile, looked slightly confused.

"Yeah, that’s too bad. But anyway, let’s take some graduation photos!"

"Yeah! What kind of pose should we do?"

I hurried to steer the conversation away so it wouldn’t seem suspicious.

"Maybe just a normal pose is fine?"

Iroha replied.

"Eh~ that’s boring. Oh! Let’s do tokusatsu poses. I watch them with my little brother a lot. Boys really love that kind of thing."

But we’re not boys…

"I’ve watched some with my brother too. Like Kamen Rider and stuff."

"Perfect. Then I’ll be Super Sentai, and since Roka is the tallest, you’ll be Ultraman."

"Wait, I didn’t even agree—"

In the end, I got dragged into it anyway. On the count of three, we struck our poses together.

Mami pointed both her arms to the right.

Iroha pointed to the left with her right hand.

And I raised my right hand up toward the sky.

When we finished, it looked so ridiculous that the three of us burst out laughing together. It was the kind of laughter we might not hear as often from now on.

These three years I’ve spent with them… have truly been the best time of my life.

I’m really glad I got to meet you both Iroha and Mami.

※

Hanami is an activity where people gather in parks to picnic for lunch or drink sake while watching cherry blossoms fall.

A young woman in a mustard yellow cardigan, a sakura-colored long skirt, black stockings, and a striking red scarf stood out like a hanami event mascot.

The girl looking left and right, waiting for someone, was me.

As a beauty influencer, I think the colors of this outfit are way too loud and don’t match at all. I’d only give it six points. If this were a normal outing, I would never wear something like this.

But there’s a reason I’m willing to wear a six-point outfit. It’s because this outfit is from one of my favorite songs, a Vocaloid track by a producer like IroP. I wonder if she’ll notice?

"Ah, Roka, have you been waiting long?"

I immediately turned toward the source of the voice the moment it reached my ears.

The sight before me was Iroha with her long hair down, wearing a white and yellow dress with a wide-brimmed white hat, tied with a red ribbon and decorated with yellow lily ornaments. It was an adorably neat look, like a girl in a sunflower field. She was so cute it made me want to pick her up.

Come to think of it, Iroha doesn’t usually dress in this kind of style. It’s pretty rare. And more importantly, isn’t that a new outfit?

Normally, Iroha doesn’t really buy clothes, so you can more or less predict the style of what she wears. But this time, it’s something new.

Looking closely, it kind of resembles the black-and-white dress Kaguya wore the first time we met at the café. If she wanted to wear this kind of style, she could’ve just chosen that outfit.

Or maybe Iroha was worried I’d feel uncomfortable if she wore something connected to Kaguya, so she bought a new outfit specifically for this.

No, no… that’s probably just me overthinking it.

"Not at all, I just got here not long ago. By the way, is that a new outfit? It’s really cute"

"As expected of Roka, the fashion queen. You could tell at a glance"

"What kind of nickname is that?"

Iroha glanced over my outfit briefly, her eyebrow twitching for a moment, but she didn’t say anything. This outfit of mine isn’t so eye-catching that it looks weird… right?

We found a nice spot to sit and have lunch. I started by opening the bag I brought and spreading out a light green picnic sheet that blended simply with the grass.

Before long, the spring breeze carried the cherry blossoms, and petals began to fall.

Since I wanted this to be a special date, Mami suggested that we each make a bento and exchange them. It sounded like a pretty fun idea.

Huh? Did I just think of this as a “date”? This is bad… I can feel myself starting to blush again. Going out together like this, just the two of us… even someone watching from the moon would know it’s a date.

"Roka, this is my bento"

"Ah, um… and this one is mine"

We exchanged our bento boxes.

Iroha opened hers first. Inside was homemade fried rice, little sausages shaped like flapjack octopuses, and an omelet arranged in the shape of a fox—her Tsukuyomi avatar.

"Amazing… you really put a lot of effort into this. Thank you, Roka"

She smiled excitedly, like a child who had just gotten a new toy. It felt like my chest had just taken a critical hit.

"I humbly accept your praise, milady"

I replied in a voice like a servant attending a princess. Then I opened the box Iroha had prepared for me.

It was bamboo rice with carrots and rolled omelet, along with salt-grilled salmon. The simplicity of it was almost surprising.

"Sorry I didn’t make it myself. Even though I live alone, I mostly just eat cheap food or whatever I can get for free, so my cooking skills are basically nonexistent.

And I didn’t even know what you like to eat. But this is a Kyoto-style spring bento. I wanted you to experience the taste of my hometown, so—"

I let out a soft laugh and smiled widely.

"Hehe, Iroha, you’re just as cute as ever when you get flustered. I get it, I get it. Someday, let’s go visit your hometown together"

"Y-yeah"

Iroha quickly turned her face away in embarrassment and focused on eating her bento.

Normally, people drink sake during hanami, but since we’re not old enough, it’s orange juice for us. Even if Iroha’s surname is “Sakayori” she’s no exception!

After we finished lunch, with a slight sense of awkwardness lingering,

Just as a strong breeze blew past carrying pink petals with it, our conversation finally began.

"I knew it. When you invited me, Mami wasn’t actually busy, right?"

Our hands were resting very close together.

"So you figured it out?"

"Mami isn’t the type to plan that far ahead. It wasn’t convincing from the start"

I fell silent for a moment, wondering if I should bring that up.

"Actually, Mami and I figured it out the first time we met Kaguya at the café. That kaguya isn't from Tsukiji. I guess that makes us even, right?"

"What? Then you should’ve told me earlier. I tried so hard to hide it, it was exhausting"

"Hehe"

We laughed together. Then my fingers brushed against Iroha’s. I tried to pull them away, worried she might not like it, but she held on tightly instead.

Her fingers… even though they belonged to an eighteen-year-old student, they were rough. It’s not surprising. Iroha has worked hard all this time and put her hands through a lot.

"Hey, Roka… your outfit is from the song Sentimental Love Heart, right?"

Iroha turned to me and asked simply.

"Heh~ I knew you’d notice, Iroha"

"Why did you choose this song’s outfit? Because it has sakura too?"

"That’s part of it. But the reason isn’t anything complicated. I just like the song"

As soon as I finished speaking, sunlight began to shine down on us. We must’ve been sitting here for too long. Maybe it’s time to head back.

"Alright, let’s take a photo before we go"

I quickly stood up, letting go of Iroha’s hand, wanting to cut the conversation short. I’m not ready to confess my feelings to her yet.

"O-okay"

Iroha stood up as well, and I began counting down.

"Three..."

The wind blew softly.

"Two..."

Petals danced in the air.

"One"

Sakura fubuki.

The moment I pressed the shutter, all the cherry blossoms fell at once, forming a breathtaking wave of pink petals.

That scene reflected in both mine and Iroha’s eyes. Our hair fluttered in the wind just like the blossoms. It was so beautiful I couldn’t imagine ever forgetting it. It became a treasured photograph.

Thinking back, it’s already been about two years since that day I zoned out and got scolded. Seriously… embarrassing memories like that never fade.

I turned to look at Iroha standing beside me. Her expression was filled with a mix of emotions.

A single petal landed softly on her hair.

"You’ve got a sakura petal on you"

I reached out and gently removed it, and our eyes met.

My heart pounded wildly, completely out of rhythm, like the beats of a novice drummer.

Right now, Iroha was more beautiful than anything I had ever seen. Her bright, round eyes, her lips slightly parted in surprise… it was such a wonderful sight that I wouldn’t mind staring at it for thousands of years.

I wish time would stop right here.

In the end, I was the one who looked away first. I couldn’t handle how cute she was.

Someday, will I be able to make she fall in love with me?

※

A few weeks later, I took the entrance exam for the University of Tokyo. As expected, it was incredibly difficult, just as I had imagined. But the results of hard work never betray you.

I gave it everything I had during the exam, and now I’m anxiously waiting for the results.

The faculty I applied to was Economics. Since I plan to work in marketing for cosmetics in the future, it seemed like the most suitable choice.

"So, how did it go, Roka?"

"I don’t know yet. You passed, right, Iroha?"

"Top three"

"As expected of you~"

"Don’t tease me"

While I was joking around with Iroha, a man who looked like a professor approached me.

"Hello, are you Ayatsumugi Roka?"

"Yes, that’s me"

"Could you please come with me for a moment?"

I didn’t object and followed him. Inside the room was a long table, with three adults seated there, including the man who had just called out to me.

"Please have a seat"

"O-okay…"

I didn’t accidentally do anything strange, did I?

"Alright, let’s begin. Asami, if you would"

"Good afternoon, Ayatsumugi. This will be an interview for admission. We’ve already reviewed your exam results, and they are quite impressive."

I swallowed nervously. Normally, Todai doesn’t conduct interviews, which means my case must be extremely unusual to be called in like this.

"However, what we’re curious about is your high school academic record. Looking at your GPA, we noticed that in your earlier years, your performance was around average. However, in your final year, your grades improved dramatically. We’d like to ask about the reason for that.”

The reason? What should I say…? Should I give a fake answer like, “It just suddenly started making sense to me~”? Or maybe, “I hit my head on a gaming utility pole and woke up a genius~”…?

No, no… if I said something like that, I’d probably get kicked out before even enrolling. I guess I have to tell the truth…

"There’s someone I want to meet. She’s a genius, and I’m sure she’ll get into this university. I didn’t want to be apart from her. That feeling became the driving force that made me study this hard"

"Huh??"

The three of them looked at each other, and the male professor let out a laugh.

"Don’t laugh. You’ll discourage her"

Another female professor, whose name I didn’t know, scolded him.

"Sorry, sorry. What we meant was the reason you were able to learn so quickly—like study techniques or something. I didn’t expect an answer about motivation. That really caught me off guard"

He laughed again. Seriously, what a rude professor. After calming down, he walked over and held out his right hand to me.

"You passed. Welcome to the Faculty of Economics"

Even though I was a bit annoyed at him, I was so happy that I passed that I gladly shook his hand.

When I walked out of the room, Iroha was waiting there.

"What happened, Roka?"

"Iroha, I…"

I put on a sulky face, building up a bit of suspense.

"I passed!! Yay~"

"I knew you could do it. Congratulations"

Iroha clapped lightly for me, and with things turning out like this, I didn’t hesitate to say it.

"Iroha, let’s be roommates!"

"Eh? That’s so sudden. I haven’t even decided where to live yet—whether to rent a place or stay in a dorm…"

"Go with the dorm, trust me!"

"...Okay"

"Yes!"

I dropped to my knees, clenched my fists, and celebrated with all my might. Lately, I feel like I’ve started to figure out the trick to getting Iroha to go along with my requests. She’s still just as Eazyha as ever~

Iroha smiled. Her expression resembled the one I saw back at graduation—the kind of face that looked like she was seeing someone overlap with me. But this time, it felt different.

"Seeing that pose reminds me of my old self"

"You used to do something like this too, Iroha?"

"Yeah. Back when I was extremely happy… because I thought something troublesome would finally disappear"

Why does that sound like the exact opposite of my happiness about getting to live with her…? But whatever. Just thinking about sharing a room with Iroha makes me happy.

This is the result of my hard work. Thank you, oh god of studying.

— No problem, kid. For the sake of yuri, I bless you.

Huh… I feel like I just heard a reply from some old, bearded god who looks a bit like Zeus.

— Hey! Don’t call me old! I’m not that old!!

Sorry~

While I was chatting with the imaginary god, Iroha spoke up.

"But in that case, I’ll have to find a new job too"

"I totally forgot about that. Todai is pretty far from Bamboo Cafe. You’ll probably have to switch anyway"

"Guess it’s time to say goodbye to Mio-chan. I’m a little worried about her"

Iroha rested her chin on her hand, looking genuinely thoughtful.

"Mio-chan will be fine. She’s been improving, hasn’t she?"

"She hasn’t broken any plates these past few months, but once in a while… she still ends up spilling a whole pitcher of water on customers…"

Hearing that, I’m starting to worry about the café’s future…

"Then let’s celebrate at Bamboo Cafe today. My treat. Let’s invite Mami too!"

I immediately called Mami without waiting for Iroha’s response.

※

I dragged my suitcase, packed full of clothes, into my new room. This was my first time living somewhere other than my own home, but for Iroha, she’s probably already used to moving around.

After starting university, a lot of things changed. Campus life turned out to have more free time than I expected, so I was able to seriously return to being an influencer again after being inactive for so long.

My regular fans like Sophia1217 and Homurahihihi, along with other members, warmly welcomed my return. It felt like the ultimate healing space, just like before.

I also heard that Homura is about to get married to his girlfriend. Time really does fly~ I congratulated them in advance with a bright smile.

Back when I had just moved in, I remember being pretty useless. Getting lost, not being able to do simple things… but Iroha patiently taught me everything step by step. I could really feel her kindness.

The two of us did so many things together. going shopping, going out, or sometimes being so busy with studying that we barely talked at all. Even so, it was a time filled with nothing but memorable moments.

There was one time when Iroha said,

"Do you want me to make a song for you?"

I was so happy back then, it was like I’d gone crazy with joy. In the end, I got two songs. One was a jingle for my livestreams, with a vibe similar to something you’d hear at a fashion show. I absolutely loved it.

The other one needed lyrics. Of course, I don’t really sing that often, so the result turned out… kind of half-baked. It became a dark chapter in Ayatsumugi Roka’s history that I’d rather bury forever…

If someone else sang it, it might’ve turned into a masterpiece, honestly.

But then Iroha said,

"What matters is whether we had fun with it."

And just like that, my absolute disaster of a work leveled up from an ordinary trash bag to a golden trash bag.

Ever since the day we went to the hanami together, it feels like Iroha hasn’t looked so down anymore. Well… except when she’s stressed about studying.

I wonder… does this mean I’ve managed to make her happy?

And then one day—

On my way back to the dorm after class, I heard there was a new crepe shop that had opened near Todai, so I decided to stop by and check it out. I was planning to buy something for Iroha too.

But then, my attention was suddenly drawn to a certain maid café with the slogan:

"A café for all kinds of animals, for lovers of fluffy creatures."

One of the staff members was energetically waving to attract customers…

Huh?

No way… that can’t be right. Am I seeing things? No, there’s no way I’d mistake my own goddess for someone else.

"Iroha?"

"Roka..!?"

There’s no doubt about it the person standing there was Iroha, dressed in a classic black-and-white maid outfit. A frilly skirt puffed out in layers, delicate lace decorating the entire dress, white stockings with garter straps… and on top of that, an orange ribbon and a headband shaped like fox ears.

She gave off a feeling that was cute, elegant, and sexy all at the same time.

Cute, cute! Way too cute!

Oh no… I feel like I’m about to get a nosebleed. I quickly pulled out a handkerchief and covered my nose. Of course, it wasn’t actually bleeding it just felt like it might.

While the two of us stood there at a loss for words, frozen stiff like we were about to have a staring contest, another staff member—who seemed a bit older than us—took the opportunity to drag both me and Iroha into the shop.

"Right this way, please~"

Before I knew it, Iroha and I were already sitting at the same table. We both looked down at our knees, gripping our skirts tightly with both hands.

"Sakayori-san, please focus on your work."

"Y-yes…"

With that, Iroha got up, went to grab a menu, and handed it to me. The atmosphere was harder to describe than ever.

Was it awkward? Yes.
Was it embarrassing? Also yes.
Was I extremely happy? That too.

"W-what would you like to order, milady… kon!"

Kon? Iroha made a little fox gesture with her hands and added a cute animal-like tone at the end of her sentence. That must be part of the café’s concept…

Looking at her face, bright red and practically steaming like the sun, I couldn’t bring myself to meet her eyes.

This is too much… this is on a completely different level of embarrassment compared to when I went to Bamboo Cafe and she was the one serving.

"I’ll have… omurice, and a strawberry drink…"

"U-understood. Please wait a moment."

Then she hurried off, giving me a bit of breathing room. The other staff member who had dragged me into the shop watched the whole exchange with a satisfied expression.

"You’re Roka, right?"

"Huh? I haven’t told you my name though?"

"Heh, you’re even prettier than I expected."

What does that mean?

"Oops, I forgot to introduce myself. I’m Tamao, the owner of this place."

"T-the owner?"

Her appearance… how should I put it? Tamao had short brown hair, and for a woman, she looked very cool. About the same height as me, with a bit of a tomboy vibe.

Even though I thought she looked older than us, she didn’t seem like a full-fledged adult. At first, I assumed she was just a senior or something. I didn’t expect the owner herself to be wearing a maid outfit with cat ears like this.

"She’s been working here for quite a while now. She’s exceptional, both in service and ability. The only problem is that she’s a bit shy when it comes to acting cute."

"I see…"

"Sakayori-san has told me about you too. She said—"

"Your omurice and strawberry drink are ready."

Before the owner could finish, Iroha came back with the food.

"N-next, I’ll cast a spell… What would you like me to write?"

A spell? Don’t tell me she’s going to do that…

No, wait. Hold on. There’s no way my heart can handle this. If her cuteness sends me straight to the hospital, who’s going to take responsibility?

"No, it’s fine—"

"Write her name with a heart, Sakayori-san."

Tamao-san!

"Understood."

Iroha had no choice but to obey. In the end, she did as she was told.

With her small hands, she carefully squeezed the sauce, forming the words ‘ROKA ♡’

"Make it delicious~ Make it delicious~ Moe moe kon!"

Ah… so this is how wonderful it feels to be alive. Mom, Dad, thank you for bringing me into this world. After nineteen years… I finally understand. This is the moment I’ve been waiting for all along…

…Wait. I’m not dead.

"Excellent. In that case, make yourselves comfortable."

Having stirred things up, Tamao walked away, leaving just me and Iroha alone.

"Do you want to sit?"

I decided to say something, anything, to keep the atmosphere from sinking any further.

"Okay."

I kept sneaking glances at her, only to quickly look away each time. No matter how many times I looked, Iroha really was beautiful.

"Why did you end up working here? This doesn’t really seem like your style, Iroha."

"I couldn’t really help it. I tried applying to normal cafés, but everywhere was full. This was the only place still hiring. If I didn’t take it, I wouldn’t have any money, so… I had to."

"I see… Sorry for bothering you."

"It’s fine. This was just a coincidence, right? Besides, if I had told you beforehand, things probably wouldn’t have escalated like this."

She was right. Even in a situation like this, she still carried herself with that same maturity. It was one of the things that made me fall for her.

Since I’d already ordered, it would be a waste not to eat, so I slowly worked through my meal while chatting casually with Iroha. Before long, the atmosphere returned to normal.

"Thanks for the meal, Iroha. Hang in there, okay?"

That was what I said before leaving the shop. Iroha closed her eyes, tilted her head slightly to the right, and gave me a pure, heartfelt smile.

"Mm. Please come again next time."

It was another unbearably cute smile… one I wanted to tuck away in my very own “Iroha Cuteness Collection.”

※

Our daily lives returned to normal… or at least, that’s what I thought.

That was until one email arrived. The moment I opened it and read through the contents, I was completely shocked.

"Huh!? Is this for real!?"

I was so startled that I jumped up and stepped back, the scraping sound of my chair making Iroha turn around immediately.

"Roka, is something wrong?"

"Iroha… I got scouted!"

That’s right. After being an influencer for nearly three years, I was finally approached by a cosmetics company I actually use. On top of that, they even offered me a modeling job.

"Wow, congratulations! That’s amazing, Roka!"

Iroha’s praise was the greatest reward of all. But this was only the beginning. There was still so much I had to do.

Without hesitation, I replied to the email at lightning speed. My heart was racing with excitement. This was my dream job, the one I’d been waiting for all this time. Of course I couldn’t stay calm.

And just like that, my journey of growth in the fashion industry ignited from that single message. I worked so hard that sometimes I almost completely forgot about my studies.

From morning to night, I went in and out of the company, working alongside the people there. It took some time to adjust, but since it was something I was good at, it didn’t take as long as I expected.

My popularity skyrocketed, unstoppable, like a comet. It was a shame that I had less time to spend with Iroha, but this was my dream. Of course I was going to give it everything I had.

"Iroha, I have to go out for a photoshoot. I’ll bring back something delicious for dinner."

I was fully made up, with a luxurious black bag slung over my shoulder. Just as I was about to open the door, a hand grabbed onto my clothes.

Iroha looked at me as if she wanted to say,
‘Please don’t go’ but instead—

"Take care."

Then she let go, with a faint smile.

In my hurry, I didn’t notice the expression on her face at that moment, and I left for work right away.

However, after I came back, Iroha’s attitude began to change.

Actually, not long before that, Iroha had been invited to join Tsukuyomi Company, led by Runami Yachiyo, as a composer. Producer name IroP.

That made her just as busy as I was. This growing distance did make me a little worried, but that’s just how adult life is. I didn’t think too much of it at the time, not until the moment she grabbed my clothes earlier.

Iroha started avoiding me…

I don’t know why, but she was clearly trying to avoid talking to me. Sometimes she’d say she had classes, other times that Tsukuyomi Company had called her in, but the timing of her disappearances felt too suspicious.

The anxiety was so overwhelming that I couldn’t even focus on my work.

— Ayatsumugi! Ayatsumugi!

"Yes? What is it?"

"Could you change your pose, please? You seem a bit distracted. Would you like to take a short break?"

The photographer in charge of me looked both concerned and slightly worn out.

"I might be a little tired, but I’m fine. I’ll rest after we finish this."

This isn’t good. I can’t let it stay like this. No matter what, I have to talk to Iroha and get to the bottom of this.

That evening after work, I went to wait for Iroha near the Faculty of Music building where she studies.

But… the sight in front of me—

was Iroha talking with another woman I had never seen before. They laughed together like they were close, then waved goodbye.

In that moment, a thought suddenly crossed my mind.

Is this going to happen all over again…?

In the end, will I just stay afraid, unable to confess my feelings to Iroha, and then she’ll fall in love with someone new again… just like with Kaguya?

No, no! I don’t want that!

Anxiety, fear, and a pounding heart that made it hard to breathe all rushed into my body at once.

This is bad… dark thoughts are starting to consume me.

‘That voice’… it’s back again.

It’s the voice of another me, the one I heard on graduation day. The voice of fear.

I drew a deep breath into my stomach, centering myself to prepare for what was coming.

It’s true that I’m afraid of losing Iroha. But I’ve changed. I’m not the same Roka I was a year ago. I’ve grown up, and this time, I’ll face this problem head-on.

Come at me, my dark side. I’ll answer your questions myself.

— Do you really think you can replace Kaguya?

No. I’m not replacing Kaguya. I am myself, Ayatsumugi Roka, the one who loves Iroha the most.

— Are you sure you can make Iroha happy? Someone as selfish as you?

I can. I always have. The smiles Iroha shows when she’s with me could never be fake.

Besides, Sometimes being selfish for your own happiness isn’t wrong.

— If Iroha rejects you, it won’t just be heartbreak. You’ll lose her as a friend forever. Think about it carefully.

If I confess and she rejects me, then I’ll accept it. Besides, the moment I fell in love with my best friend, I had already lost her as just a friend long ago. I’ve always seen Iroha as a woman.

After everything that happened with Kaguya, I finally understand. Getting rejected after confessing… will never hurt more than never having the chance to confess at all.

After hearing my answers to all three questions, my dark self smiled, then slowly faded away.

— Excellent.

Those were the last words it left behind.

This must be… my “Last chance”

※

The sound of knocking echoed through the room, but there was no response. Iroha slowly opened the door and stepped inside.

I didn’t hesitate. I took advantage of that moment—

and pushed Iroha down onto the floor.

Our bodies hit the ground with a thud, but I had already laid out a blanket beforehand, so neither of us got hurt.

I straddled over her, holding both of her wrists firmly. Tight enough that she couldn’t break free, but not enough to hurt her.

"Roka, w-what are you doing!?"

Iroha panicked, her face flushed bright red.

"Iroha… I love you."

I finally said it. Such a simple sentence, yet so incredibly hard to speak.

No… I finally managed to say it. All the feelings I had kept bottled up for so many years, the pain and the love I felt for her—I’m going to tell her everything, right here.

"Iroha, do you know? Every morning when I wake up and put on makeup, it’s because I want you to call me cute. I want you to look at me."

Wait… my tears. this is only the first line. Why are they already falling so fast?

"Iroha, do you know how much it hurts, all the worry I could never bring myself to tell you? I just want you to be happy."

Stop already, stupid tears… I’m starting to have trouble breathing.

"I love you, Iroha. I’ve always loved you. Do you remember the day we first met? Back then, I was just a coward, someone who had no confidence in herself. It’s all because of your words that I’ve come this far."

My hands began to lose strength, my whole body trembling. Even so, I kept going.

"I love you, Iroha. When Kaguya appeared, I told myself that as long as you were happy, that was enough. That’s why I quietly stepped back and supported you both. Do you know how painful it was? Watching Kaguya make you smile, while I couldn’t do anything at all."

I let go of her.

"When Kaguya left, I thought maybe I’d finally have a chance to tell you how I feel. But in the end, I was too afraid… and now you’ve met someone new. Iroha… I don’t want to lose you. I want to stay with you. I want to love you forever…"

Ah… I can’t see anything anymore. My tears are blurring everything. Did they fall onto Iroha’s beautiful face? I’m sorry.

I wiped them away with both hands—

and then, something I never expected happened.

Iroha suddenly leaned in and kissed me.

The softness of her full lips against mine made my body react before I could even process it. I wonder what kind of expression I had on my face. Was I so happy it felt like I had reached heaven? I have no idea.

All I remember is that I was happy. So happy, it felt as vast as the stars in a galaxy.

The tears of sadness were washed away, replaced by tears of joy.

Our faces were so close, and the warmth of Iroha’s breath began to blur my consciousness.

Then Iroha spoke.

"You dummy, that’s not it at all! That girl is just a classmate from my faculty. I’m sorry, Roka. Even though I thought I had already understood how important you are to me, in the end, I’m still the same clueless Iroha."

I see… so I was the one who misunderstood.

"Roka, you’re really beautiful, you know? I’ve always thought that. When you wear your school uniform, you’re cute. In a swimsuit, you’re sexy. When we went to the hanami together, that outfit… you were trying to tell me you loved me, weren’t you? And even in your Tsukuyomi avatar, you’re more beautiful than anyone else."

Aahhh, that’s enough, Iroha… stop praising me already. I’m so happy I feel like I might burst.

"I’m always grateful for your kindness. Even though I never noticed it before, you’ve always been there supporting me. When you saw me having fun with Kaguya… it must have hurt you a lot. I’m sorry for that too."

I didn’t say anything.

"It’s not like I never felt anything for you. After the day we went on that date, I could feel the love you had always given me.

But the reason I hesitated and couldn’t say anything… was because I felt guilty toward Kaguya. I didn’t think I had the right to be happy anymore. When I realized I had feelings for you, Roka, I tried to avoid you."

Why would you do something like that…

"When you weren’t around, I felt lonely. I missed you all the time. My head was filled with thoughts of you, to the point I felt like I was going crazy. I-I’m sorry."

So that’s how it was… that’s why she looked like she didn’t want me to leave that day.

In the end, we were more alike than I thought. Both of us were afraid, too afraid to speak our true feelings.

"Iroha… the one who should be apologizing is me. I’ve loved you all this time, yet because I kept hesitating, I ended up hurting you this much."

"Roka…"

"I don’t want you to forget Kaguya. I don’t hate her at all. In fact, I’ve always been grateful to her. She was the one who made you smile again. Kaguya has been a source of motivation for me.

And I believe… what Kaguya wanted most was to see you smile, Iroha. So please… could you let me be the one who makes you smile?"

Iroha’s eyes widened, trembling as if tears could spill at any moment.

"Roka… thank you. Do you remember the day I stayed over at your place?"

"Of course I do. That was the best day of my life.”

"That day… if you hadn’t comforted me, Roka, I might have… gone back to being the same lifeless Iroha as before. So you saved me. The feelings I’ve been carrying all this time have finally begun to fade. You’re right… I should keep living for myself, and for the person I love."

Iroha’s expression changed. Her eyes were filled with determination, along with a smile of happiness.

"I love you, Roka."

Her words shattered the emotions I had been holding back all this time. I don’t even remember what happened after that. All I know is that I hugged her and cried… cried so much. And I probably said “I love you” more times than I could count.

But no matter what happened, my feelings finally reached her. So let me say it one more time.

"I love you too, Iroha."

We hooked our pinkies and made a promise, just like that day—that from now on, we would always share our true feelings with each other, and never keep secrets again.

And just like that, I started dating Iroha.

At last… we became a couple.

※

Time is something unpredictable. Sometimes it moves as slowly as a turtle, and other times as fast as a snap of the fingers.

The place where Iroha and I are standing right now is a special one. If we count from the day Kaguya returned to the moon, it’s already been ten years.

I’ve become a full-fledged brand ambassador, while Iroha has become a composer for Tsukuyomi Company

We’ve both become well-known, to the point that sometimes it’s difficult just to go out. If we get recognized, we’d probably get swarmed by fans like a pack of zombies.

The moment the door opened, Iroha spoke up.

"This room hasn’t changed at all… even after ten years."

"Yeah… not at all."

That’s right. The place we’re standing in now is the luxurious apartment Iroha used to live in.

Of course, it was Iroha’s idea to come back and live here again.

At first, I objected, worried that it might cause her condition to relapse. But she told me it would be fine, so I chose to trust her and agreed to move in together.

"We’re back, Kaguya."

The moment Iroha said that, I felt like I saw a figure run past us—a small girl with beautiful blonde hair and a bright smile, like a sunflower. She didn’t say anything. She just smiled.

"Iroha… that just now…"

"You saw it too, right, Roka?"

"Yeah… I saw it clearly."

We held hands and smiled back at the girl. On both of our ring fingers, we wore matching rings.

"Hey, Iroha… aren’t you going to change your last name to Ayatsumugi?"

"Huh? Why?"

"Well, then your name would become… Ayatsumugi Ayaha."

"That character in my name is read as Iro not aya!"

"Eek~ Oniha, scary."

"I’m not a member of Black onyX!!"

We teased each other like usual, laughing together.

And within that laughter, there were only the two of us… and one girl quietly watching over us.

From here on, we’ll live together happily—

a true happy ending.

END

[ Bonus ]

"Coming, coming! I’m opening the door now—ah, Iroha! Roka! Welcome~"

"Yachiyo… why is your room such a mess?"

"Can’t be helped, the cleaning service only comes every Wednesday."

"But today is Thursday! Didn’t you just make this mess yourself!?"

"Ehehe."

One day, I got the chance to visit Yachiyo’s room together with Iroha. In person, she was a young woman with long white hair, messy like someone who rarely bothered to tidy it, wearing an oversized black T-shirt. And her room looked like it had just gone through a war.

It was the complete opposite of her image in Tsukuyomi. If her hardcore fans ever saw this, they’d definitely be shocked. Well… that “hardcore fan” is standing right next to me.

My wife, Sakayori Iroha, was currently scolding the world’s number one streamer, Runami Yachiyo.