31 Yuria Nastin

Yuria had thought she might be there, somehow.

She took her time showering.

She took her time eating dinner.

She took her time returning to the dormitory.

Surely the girl would be crouched in front of the door without ringing the bell, so Yuria returned to her room later than usual.

There she was, as expected.

Sitting on the floor in front of Yuria’s door, knees drawn to her chest.

“May.”

When Yuria spoke her name, May stood up and wordlessly embraced her.

A height barely reaching Yuria’s chest.

The sound of sniffling.

“Don’t get snot on me.”

Yuria gently stroked May’s head to calm her.

“There, come in.”

“Sorry to intrude. Yuria.”

May’s voice, slightly dull.

Yuria sighed once, thinking, *Don’t let this throw off your rhythm.*

She couldn’t help but think—today, everyone’s been like this.

Still, if this moment had to be triggered by someone, it would be—

(Yes, it's the Instructor's fault.)

She had thought—after all, it was he who had been the first to hesitate. That was probably why the unease had spread to the two of them.

She had come close, despite knowing nothing of the circumstances.

"Ah, well, he's the squad leader, after all."

Muttered softly, just below the threshold of May’s hearing.

Maintaining interpersonal dynamics within the squad was the leader’s responsibility.

And consoling a friend in distress—this was something she wanted to do herself.

She also considered helping Kou while she was at it.

"Did Sasamori say something?"

When she asked, May flinched, her shoulders jerking.

It was unmistakable fear.

"Yuria... you know, don't you?"

"Nothing at all. I just happened to hear Sasamori ask for advice a moment ago. Said he wanted to apologize to a girl he'd hurt."

Recalling it made her irritation flare.

Especially since she now knew the girl in question was May.

She would follow, but she vowed to deliver a slap across his back if need be.

"Anyway, I just asked because I thought it might be about May."

"Ah, yes. That is a matter tied to my core. I cannot teach it lightly, even to Yuri."

"Right. I won’t ask. When May feels like speaking, she will."

May looked on the verge of tears, then said thank you.

Sometime. Yuri hopes May will one day speak of this hidden burden.

Whether it’s a consultation or a post-event report, it matters not.

She may rely on me, or not.

Just as long as she no longer carries it alone, in that small frame.

"So, Sasamori said he was sorry and ran off. Did he do something particularly awful in his apology?"

"Um, Yuri, how much has Kou told you?"

"Um, I think it's just that he wanted to apologize for misunderstanding something for ten years. Maybe he also said he wanted to apologize for the harsh words he'd spoken."

As she recalled the memory and answered thus, May exhaled as if relieved.

She hadn’t wanted Yuri to know about the clones.

"Actually, the root of the misunderstanding was my fault. Ten years ago, I deceived Kou."

"Hmm."

"I lied. I wanted to be hated. But I thought that was fine. I wanted Kou to believe that lie."

"Hmm?"

"But Kou realized the lie. He found out about the terrible things I’d done unconsciously ten years ago. He told me it was too late to fix anything."

"Uh-huh."

"I couldn’t understand it anymore. I just ran away."

"I see."

Yuria said she didn’t understand.

May’s account was filled with metaphors and substitutions, making the overall picture hard to grasp.

It’s a difficult story to grasp.

Likely just as hard for those involved.

So, as an outsider, I’ll reframe it into something simpler, childlike.

Because, boiled down, this issue reduces to a single matter.

“I don’t fully understand the situation.”

“Exactly.”

“Does May want to reconcile with Kou? Or not?”

That’s where it all comes down.

“Yes, I do.”

“Then next. Can May forgive what Sasamori did?”

She recalls Kou’s words upon the revelation.

His expression at that moment.

It was painful.

Heartbreaking.

She cried uncontrollably after returning home.

May thinks it was the most painful event she’s ever experienced.

But.

“I think I can forgive it.”

“Then it’s simple. Reconcile and end it.”

“It’s not that simple!”

May’s anger surfaces—accusing him of mockery.

Yuria responds without the slightest reaction.

"What's not simple about it?"

"Because I don't know if Kou will forgive it..."

"I told that to Sasamori too. I don't know anything about it either."

I don't understand the circumstances.

A person who doesn't understand can only answer as best they can.

"If they won't forgive just by saying sorry, then beat them until they do."

"Really... That's something I always say."

"Exactly. That's the kind of thing the usual May would say. Just force them to say 'yes'—Sasamori, whatever. Then make up. See, it works."

She finally let out a small laugh.

"Since you're at it, spit it out. You've known each other since ten years ago, right? Meaning you're childhood friends?"

"Yes, that's right."

Forcing the situation back into its usual atmosphere, as always.

That's all Yuriya can do.

What to do with Sasamori next. Reminding May of the goal she’d lost sight of.

How to cheer up her friend who’s fallen into silence.

“Then isn’t there anything? Like, getting married when we grow up?”

“Yuriya. You’re overthinking childhood friends.”

“But I’ve lost almost all my classmates from childhood school. Isn’t that natural?”

“We didn’t make any such promise.”

“Then what about your first love?”

May turned her face away at that question.

But Yuriya’s motion vision caught the redness creeping into her ears.

“Really? You did? You really did!”

“Yeah. So what? Is it wrong to have had a first love?”

“It’s not wrong at all. But you never even gave me a hint about who you liked. So I’m glad we can talk about it now. Come on. Tell me. What was it about them that you liked?”

Hugging May despite her resistance, she fires questions in rapid succession. No need to force things as usual anymore.

She is simply Yuriya Nastin, as always—loving nothing more than romantic talk.

First love stories of close friends? A favorite pastime. Impossible to miss.

“Nothing special, really. At first, it was just because he was kind to me.”

“Mm-hmm. That casual thing—your heart flutters, doesn’t it?”

“…Since we drifted apart ten years ago, I’ve just watched from afar.”

“Mm.”

“Watching Kou work so hard, all this time.”

“He’s actually quite the diligent one, isn’t he?”

“Just keeping one thing in mind all along. Since he started training school, he’s even started talking to me a little. I was content with that.”

May’s voice trembles.

“Why now… why remember now… why realize now… why reach out now, all of a sudden?”

Clutching onto Yuria, May speaks in fragmented breaths.

Running a hand along May’s back, Yuria says.

“Honestly, I still don’t get it. If Sasamori’s reaching out, it should be simple. Just take their hand. First love realized—perfect. No complaints. A happy ending, flawless.”

“It’s not that simple…”

“Exactly. That’s not where it ends. It continues after, so it’s not really an end.”

“No—that’s not what I meant.”

“That’s all. Nothing else is difficult. If it seems hard, you’re making it hard.”

Panting slightly, Yuria lays out her argument.

“Worry about what comes after when it comes. Don’t let go of the happiness you have now—there’s no reason to!”

“Yuria…”

"If you care that much, don’t pull away. I don’t know what problems you’re facing, but if you come to me, I can share your burden. I can listen to your complaints, just like before. If that’s not enough, we can cry together. So don’t give up."

Holding May’s hand tightly, Yuria speaks with fervor.

Clutching it with all her strength, as if trying to pass on even a fraction of her own heat.

Whether the warmth reached her or not—May stands.

"...I’m leaving."

It’s already well past nightfall.

Where she’s going is hardly worth asking.

"Alright. Do your best. I’ll cover for you with the seniors."

The moment has come to use the secret technique for sneaking out, taught by upperclassmen.

"Even if I grow up before you, don’t be jealous, okay?"

"Your spirit, your spirit."

Yuria watches May, now able to joke again, walk away.

Thought you'd be staying the night. Che—missed my chance to talk romance all night long.

Watching May leave the dormitory through the window, Yuria murmurs.

"Keep it up. Best friend."