The Love of My Childhood Friend, Who Has Overcome a Terminally Ill Diagnosis, Is Overwhelming
……Still, why is Kanade asking me if I’ll stay by her side from now on?
It’s true that the other day, we both realized how special we are to each other.
That’s partly because we’ve been childhood friends since we were little… but more than anything, it’s because we once shared both the good times and the bad.
In other words, the relationship between Kanade and me… is close to what you’d call a comradeship.
Is that really the case?
A comrade-in-arms is supposed to be a partner who has shared difficult work.
But… while what we went through together was tough… it was certainly nothing you could call “work.”
If that’s the case, then our relationship can’t really be called that of comrades-in-arms.
…And above all, you wouldn’t normally ask someone you merely shared a difficult experience with to stay by your side forever…
…What on earth is she thinking right now, holding my hand and resting her head on my shoulder?
Is she waiting for my answer?
Or is she just bored at the moment?
Kanade doesn’t say a word.
…After mulling it over, the first question that popped into my head remains unresolved.
But… the answer to Kanade’s question, which I’d been pondering along with that doubt, had solidified.
“Of course we’ll be together forever.”
I don’t know if the words I just spoke… are the answer Kanade was hoping for when she asked.
But… I felt like this was the right thing to say.
“…Really?”
Kanade’s grip on my hand tightened.
“Akkun. Are you really going to stay with me forever?”
“Yeah. We’ll be together forever.”
“…Do you really understand what ‘forever’ means, Akkun?”
I felt like Kanade’s voice was trembling slightly.
“Of course I do.”
“…Then, I’m going to live in this house from now on, okay?”
“Why not?”
“I’m going to hold your hand the whole time, okay?”
“That’s fine.”
“I’ll take a bath with you, and go to the bathroom too… We’ll be together all the time, okay?”
“That’s fine.”
“N-no, that’s not okay…!”
Kanade suddenly let go of my hand.
For some reason, her face was bright red.
……Why on earth?
“……Well, if we hold hands the whole time, I won’t be able to cook, will I?”
Ah…… I see.
“That’s too bad.”
“……Yeah. It is.”
We both looked dejected…… After a while, we left the house to meet up with Takagaki-san.
On the way, it suddenly occurred to me.
……Wait, did I just blurt out something completely outrageous a moment ago?
Well, that can’t be right.
After all, I’m smart. I’m at the top of my class.
“Akkun. Akkun.”
On the train platform, Kanade called out to me.
“Once we get to the station closest to the café where we’re meeting, let’s stop by a convenience store, okay?”
“Huh? Oh, yeah. Sure.”
It was a sudden suggestion.
What on earth does Kanade need at a convenience store?
Well, convenience stores are the kind of place you just wander into even if you don’t need anything… but stopping by one right before meeting someone feels a little off. It’s also a bit tight timing-wise, considering our meeting time.
“…Akkun. You brought the SD card with the airplane photos from the other day, right?”
“Huh? Oh, yeah, I guess.”
When I made plans to meet Takagaki-san today, Kanade agreed on the condition that I hand over the data from those photos.
That’s why I brought the SD card with me…
“So what?”
“Since we’re here anyway, let’s print out the best photo at the convenience store and give it to her.”
“…Oh.”
“I think Ayaka-chan would be happier that way.”
“…You’re right.”
Soon, an announcement echoed across the station platform, and a train slid into the station.
“So then, Kanade.”
“What…?”
“While we’re on our way to our stop, let’s… decide together which photo to print.”
“…Okay. Sounds good.”
We boarded the train.
Maiasa