At the nearby park, I see Rin sitting on a bench, staring at the ground. The background is illuminating her, so she seems like a princess locked away in a castle...
At least that's what I think since she doesn't seem to be too cheerful.
"Hey."
I call out to her, but her round pupils are already staring at me. A smile returns on her regal face, bringing a sense of life back to her.
"Good evening."
"Sup."
Rin bows as I take a seat beside her. The bench is hard and cold, but it gradually warms up.
"Sorry for calling you out so quickly like this."
"It's fine."
About now is when I would normally crack one of my 10-20 jokes, but I restrain myself. Because of that, Rin doesn't say anything at all, as the sounds of the night pierce our ears. Sometimes, the aroma of food being delivered somewhere would drift to my nose. As the world continues its unyielding routine, I start to feel on edge.
Why did Rin sound so depressed on the phone?
Why did Rin call me here?
Why does Rin seem so dejected now?
Those questions pop into my head and just as quickly disappear, the answers dissolving into the void. It's a heavy stalemate, I can't take it anymore.
"You know..."
"I feel so hopeless..."
Before I can even ask a question, I'm greeted with an answer. Her words have a clear nuance to them as I catch my breath. I glance at Rin, her face full of melancholy and her hands creating wrinkles in her skirt.
"Tohru-kun..."
She closes her mouth to steel herself, and she starts speaking again.
"Tohru-kun, you've faced so many obstacles and worked so hard to achieve your dream. Your hard work is paying off and now you're publishing and going to be a pro author..."
With each word, a different memory pops back into my head.
Those days where I spent the whole day reading on how to improve.
Those days where I copied down the entirety of those books.
Those days where I would upload a new chapter everyday without fail.
"I was always watching you, supporting you whatever way I could. I was so happy... I couldn't have been any happier."
Rin gives a deep smile with those words.
"Without any data to back me, I had my own personal prediction... no, rather a wish."
With that, Rin continues.
"That you would be an amazing author. Whether it becomes a manga, anime or whatever, you'll be able to reach so many people... Without a doubt, you'll be a best-seller."
"You're really overestimating me."
"That's my wish... But I'm sure it'll be a reality."
Because of her unwavering resolve, I feel a happy, itching sensation well up within me as I scratch my head. I'm sure having my heart and the back of my head connected would have been nice in this case.
"But with that, I just wonder why..."
Her tone of voice changes.
"I want that to happen from the bottom of my heart... but on the other hand, I feel so incredibly lonely."
"Lonely?"
I ask her that, but Rin doesn't return my gaze, instead focusing her attention on the ground below her.
"It feels like you're really, really distant.."
Ah, I understand now. All the questions I had before are finally answered with that one statement.
"Sorry, this must be pretty sudden..."
She probably didn't plan on saying that and that it would bother me. Before I could come up with anything to say, I wrap my arms around her back, as if it were the most natural thing to do.
"T-tohru-kun?"
My heart is throbbing, experiencing the heat and scent I love so much. However, Rin's slender body seems much smaller today, as if my chest were being squeezed by straw rope.
"Firstly, I want to apologize for making you so lonely."
I think back when we were walking home from the cat cafe. On that rainy day in grade two, if Syrup wasn't there, there was a chance we would never have crossed paths. Rin clung onto my shoulder as she told me that, saying she felt incredibly lonely thinking about it. Of course, I understand why more than anyone else.
Rin Asakura, she has a cool and collected exterior and seems like the type of person who isn't fazed by anything. However, deep down, she's an incredible lonely and fragile girl.
"To be honest, I was just too elated. I didn't consider your feelings at all."
"You don't need to apologize!"
She grabs my shoulders, holding me tight.
"This is just all me overthinking everything... I know no matter what happens to you in the future, you'll stay by my side. I know you would never abandon me, but..."
"I understand."
I rest my chin on her small shoulder, reassuring her.
"I understand your feelings too, Rin."
I hear Rin catching her breath.
"That's because I feel the same way too."
Her smarts, athleticism and artistic talents, having improved them so much, everyone at school praised her, labelling her as a superior beauty. The fruits of her labour paid off. And for me, someone who occupies the lower half of the school caste system, I remember Rin feeling ever-so distant. Even as I'm holding Rin right now, those emotions still bombard me. As I laid it all out for her, Rin shakes her head.
"I'm not that great at all. The only reason I was able to work so hard was because of you, Tohru-kun."
"Same for me."
She stares at me with wide eyes as I say that.
"It's only because of you, Rin, that I was able to get this far."
That's what I believe from the bottom of my heart
"Nira-san was always by side, supporting me along the way."
"You know... hearing that name again is kind of embarrassing."
"Well, I like it."
"Oh, come on."
Her white cheeks are flushed red.
"Regardless."
I clear my throat, making sense of the words I'm about to say.
"No matter what happens, I don't intend on abandoning you, Rin. Well, I can understand that you might be worried that something will change."
For example...
"In the future, we might be going to different universities. There's a high chance we'll go on different paths. And because of that, we'll end up diverging and where we end up in life might be very distant from each other. However..."
There's one simple thing I wanted to convey with all of this.
"No matter what stands in our way, no matter what changes, our relationship will never change."
I guess you could call it a mutually respecting relationship. We know each other inside out because of that strong bond, it's something that can't be easily destroyed. This is a type of relationship that goes beyond simple love, it's a relationship born out of genuine mutual desire. It's a bond stronger than any chain, so will any minute changes cause a dent in it? Of course not. I'll say it however many times I have to, it'll never change.
"I'll be with you, forever and always."
It's something I won't just say here and now to reassure her, it's something I'll continue to say for as long as I live.
"I love you so much, Rin."
That one thing is the basis of everything.
...
Our eyes meet and maybe 10 seconds pass in silence.
"Really..."
Her voice is gloomy.
"You're all I have."
From the corner of my squinted eyes, I see a glint of light.
"What are the odds, same here."
"It's not a coincidence, it's fate."
"Hmm... if you put it that way, that sounds romantic."
Rin becomes all bashful. She smiles as if she were a baby getting a head pat.
"I really am overthinking things."
Separating herself from me, Rin stretches her arms in the air as she lets out a moan. The trapped princess has now escaped and greeting her first taste of sunlight in a long time. It feels like the clouds cast over Rin have finally cleared away.
"Tohru-kun."
Our eyes meet.
"Once again, I just want to say..."
She has the most beautiful smile on her face.
"Congrats on being published!"
My eyes are feeling all hot and it's not just my imagination. I'm sure Rin was looking forward to saying that. I've also wanted to hear those words. That's why I'll do my best, it really is all thanks to Rin. I realize that this couldn't have happened by myself as words float to my mind. No matter what gift Rin gives me, I'll return the favour with a simple two words.
"Thank you."
____________________________
Author's Note: At long last, I can finally reciprocate Rin's last words in this chapter.
"Thank you."
And with that, I have a BIG ANNOUNCEMENT! "Forever and Always, My Childhood Friend is the Cutest Girl in the World" will be published in Light Novel form!
Tohru, Rin and Karen will be drawn at last!
It will be published by Kadokawa, under the Fujimi Fantasia Bunko label!
Full Metal Panic and Seitokai no Ichizon are two of my favorite works growing up and I'm honored to be under the same label as them. Full Metal Panic in particular is my favorite work of all time and being under the same label just makes my heart dance.
Anyways…
I didn't expect to have the same title as Tohru and be put in a similar situation… but wow. I truly have to thank all of you for your support, it means the most to me! Thank you so much, from the bottom of my heart. All of you helped me along the way. And now that I am a pro in manufacturing sweet syrup, I intend to write even more sweet stories!
The release date and illustrator will be announced shortly, so I hope all of you will be patient until then.
Now that my work will be published, I hope more people will have the opportunity to read it. Again, I can not thank everyone enough for their comments and feedback!