It was as if a voice kept urging Masuzu in her heart: Say it! Now's your chance—if not now, it'll be too late!
The chance to muster the courage to change, to step closer to the truth, to touch the light she once didn't dare reach for…
If she fled now, Masuzu would forever be a coward who deceived herself.
She could never connect with others sincerely, always living in suspicion and calculation, deceiving others and herself, basking in loneliness with an arrogant gaze—she hated that Natsukawa Masuzu more than anyone. She hated that kind of maturity.
So, she kept questioning herself until she shed all disguises and let the answer in her heart surface—
(If I take this step, can I also have friends?)
(If I take this step, can I laugh with them too?)
(If I take this step, can I face my feelings as sincerely and honestly as she does?)
(If I can… can I become his girlfriend?)
"…"
Her fists quietly clenched at her side. Her lungs inhaled the oddly scented steam. Her consciousness grew hazy for a moment, as if dizzy from the heat.
"I want to be your friend. That's what makes me different from before."
(I said it!)
Realizing she'd voiced her heart, Masuzu's heartbeat suddenly quickened. Her gaze instinctively darted to the corner of the wall. Her ears seemed unable to hear anything from outside. This nervousness surpassed even the moment she kissed him.
Swallowing hard, she moistened her dry lips. "Maybe you'll find it strange… No, I find it strange myself. What's someone who always toys with others' feelings even saying? So shameless…"
After crossing the hardest threshold, the remaining words, though halting, flowed out like water breaching a dam.
"But I'm still jealous of you… Jealous that you can be honest with your feelings like Yuu. You can admit without hesitation that you want to be kind to someone, to like someone. You're never afraid of suspicion or deception. You get closer when you want to get closer. Your words and actions always follow your heart… You know? That's what's most lacking in my world. It's like a pearl hidden in a rock. I want to take it, but I'm afraid it's a trap. But there are two—"
Her increasingly rapid words suddenly stopped.
Slowly, Masuzu lowered her head. She propped her elbows on her thighs, sighing long while holding her forehead.
"…Sorry, my feelings are a mess right now. I don't know how to express them properly."
"If it weren't for Yuu, I might never have known how comfortable and peaceful it is to interact with someone openly… These words might sound harsh to you, but if I hadn't asked him to be my fake boyfriend that day, forget talking with you or Yukinoshita-san. I might've stayed an outsider, alone, without meaningful memories until I graduated and left Japan."
"Wanting to be your friend might also be because I want to repay the change he brought me…" As if suddenly understanding her issue, she smirked, mocking herself. "What a selfish reason. So typical of me."
Masuzu shook her head, preparing to leave.
"Sorry, Yuigahama-san. Forget what I just said—"
"Does the reason matter?"
As soon as those words were spoken, a soft body drew closer. With a surprised expression, Yuigahama gently hugged her.
Their warm skin touched. Yuigahama tightened her arms, speaking softly. "Didn't I once say I cared about you because I wanted to know more about Yuu-kun? That's true."
"That feeling is selfish. If that's called selfish, then every girl in love is part of a super selfish group… So, the reason doesn't matter at all. You did it because you wanted to. That's enough."
"…"
Silent, hesitant, confused.
Though Masuzu sat still like a statue, Yuigahama held her calmly, conveying warmth through her body, as if quietly saying something with her actions.
Masuzu leaned against her chest, closing her eyes, silent for a long time. Then, she slowly parted her dry lips:
"You're saying… words so similar to his."
"Really?"
"Yeah. Just like a life coach. It makes me question whether the beliefs I've built all this time are right."
"It's not that complicated." Yuigahama smiled gently, stroking her head like soothing a child. "It's just easier to do it. Who made Natsukawa-san so difficult anyway?"
"Difficult? Compared to Yukinoshita-san?"
"Hmm… Equally difficult?"
"Haha, she's quite something too."
Amused by her puzzled expression, Masuzu suddenly sat up straight. She gently pushed Yuigahama away and turned to face her.
They smiled at each other. Their eyes were clear and honest, as if they could see straight into each other's hearts.
"So, Dango-chan…" Masuzu gathered her courage, not looking away. "Would you like to claim the throne of Natsukawa Masuzu's first friend?"
"You're still so arrogant…"
Yuigahama sighed in resignation but extended her hand, grinning widely.
"Of course!"
"As long as you don't mind your friend being your former love rival!"
"…"
Masuzu blinked her large eyes, slowly withdrawing her outstretched hand. "You didn't mention it, so I didn't think about it… Honestly, I'm a bit hesitant. Let me think it over."
"Hey!"
Even the soft-hearted Yuigahama couldn't help but bare her teeth and shout.
Masuzu mischievously stuck out her tongue, grabbing Yuigahama's hand and swinging it. "Just kidding~ Let's be good friends, Dango-chan!"
Yuigahama pouted, complaining, "Natsukawa-san… No, Masuzu-chan, don't keep making annoying jokes like that."
Masuzu shrugged innocently. "Sorry, I can't help it. It's an instinct embedded in my DNA, like a vampire craving bread or Stand users being drawn to each other!"
"Annoying instinct!"
The steam in the sauna was foggy. Though they were close, their faces were slightly blurred.
Even so, one thing was clear to them at that moment.
—Masuzu and Yuigahama, from love rivals born of lies, officially became good friends who had soaked in a hot spring together.
"…"
"Oh, Dango-chan, I have one question."
"What?"
"How can I believe that this feeling is what's called love?"
"Eh~ That's such a philosophical question. I'm not sure I can give an amazing answer."
"It's fine. I just want to hear your thoughts."
"Hmm, let me think… Well, love, dreams, or family—when those strong feelings arise, they're often accompanied by pain. Right?"
"Yeah, that's why people unconsciously reject them."
"But I think meeting those extraordinary feelings is the greatest treasure of my life."
"…Sorry."
"I told you, no need to apologize. Yuu-kun fell for you himself; you didn't steal him from me… Just follow your heart! After that, maybe you can name the feeling you have now."
"I'll remember that. Thanks, Dango-bahan."
"You're welcome, Masuzu-chan. Keep it up!"
Anyone can be changed by those around them. And because of their changes, that person changes too.
Like gears… Perhaps that's the shape of fate.
Yuigahama nodded as if enlightened, then couldn't help but grin proudly.
"I can think of such deep stuff. Am I as smart as Yukinon now? I'm pretty amazing!"
The hot steam filled the sauna, but the stone under their feet still felt cool.
Following her new friend, Yuigahama waved enthusiastically at Yukino in the hot spring pool, then dashed toward it.
She didn't care that her towel slipped off in the air. With two marshmallows bouncing, she charged toward her.
The pain in her chest seemed to have never existed.
Only the satisfaction of completing a mission warmed her entire heart.