"What's wrong Miyoko?"
"Mina...you was trying today something, weren't you?"
"N-no, I'm fine, It's not that important..."
(Actually, it's really important.)
I decided to first hear what she had to say,
Then.
She's sitting sideway on the scooter, as she leans close, wraps her arms around my waist and hugged me lightly.
Burying her face against my back, she embraces me.
"M-Miyoko?"
(W-what? Why is she hugging me all of the sudden?)
"W-what's the matter? Didn't you have something you wanted to say...?"
"Yes...give me a minute."
"I'll say it properly."
"O-okay."
She takes a deep breath.
"I...I...."
"No...."
"Mina...."
"Y-yes?"
"Let's always..."
"Always...stay best friends."
"Oh..."
(Best friends huh...)
Stiffen, unable to answer her unexpected words.
(Why is she hugging me then...)
(What does she mean by...let's stay best friends?)
Her voice, forced with cheerfulness, quivers.
"Mina..."
"Hm?"
"I always have such a good time even we we're young, I can be myself when I'm with you, Mina."
"What about you, Mina?"
"Um...O-of course, I enjoy being with you, Miyoko."
"Today was also a lot of fun..."
"Yeah...I figured, me too."
"That's why, Mina..."
"It's best that we stay this way, don't you think?"
(Stay this way.)
The moment I register the words, I feel as If something is pressing against my chest.
Being best friends, living in the Famille' together. Falling in love with her...
"Mina?"
But if she desire us to be friends...just friends. If acting on my desires would destroy our relationship, then...
"...Of course..."
"A-ahahaha...."
"So your answer is...of course."
I can't fight against the current.
"We'll always be...best friends."
"Yeah...."
"Thank you."
(I guess...this is the way it should be...)
Or so I try to convince myself.
Passing the river bank and onto a pedestrian street, we stop at the red light. I pull the brakes on my scooter and turn around...
"Miyoko?"
I involuntarily swallow my breath. As I see tears quietly fall from her sad eyes.
"W-what's the matter?!"
"Huh?" she looks at me confusedly.
"You're crying..."
Having not realized herself that she had been crying, she panicky wipe her tears with her sleeve.
"A-ahahahaha! I-I just have something in my eye!"
(Really?)
"M-Miyoko?"
"I'm fine! Don't worry."
"B-but..."
An awkward silence falls between us.
(Miyoko.)
"Hey, Mina..."
"Can you drop me off at the station?"
"Huh?"
"I have something...I need to do..."
Obeying her without question, I stop my scooter in front of the station.
"Is here alright?"
"Yeah..."
As we part ways, she somehow seems so helpless.
She wears a fragile expression on her face, as id she might start crying at any moment...
(Why does she look like that?)
"Alright, thanks for taking me here."
"S-sure...by the way, what is it you need to do?"
"Huh! Th-that, well..."
"I-I just have somewhere I need to go!"
"Sure you don't need me to take you there?"
"No need, I'm fine!" she gives me a forced smile.
Then...
"See you..."
"Y-yeah..."
She disappears into the crowd of people...and soon I can no longer see her.
Afterwards still feeling confused, I return alone to the house.
(Today was a lot of fun, but...I guess we're better off as friends...)
(She even said so herself...)
Suddenly, Raika approaches me.
"Huh? Mina?"
"R-Raika?"
"Weren't you with Miyoko?"
"Yeah I was..."
"She said she had something she needed to do, so I dropped her off at the station."
"Huh...?" she looks at me puzzlingly.
"Oh...we did check out date spot locations."
"We went into a lot of places and gives me a lot of tips."
Suddenly, the expression on her face changes. Her usually gentle countenance is replaced with a sharp, piercing glance.
"Raika?"
"Mina..."
"Y-yes."
"You're an idiot aren't you?"