Afterwards, we left the adults and returned to the venue to continue our work.
The party went off without any major problems, thanks to Tomoo-senpai's precise instructions.
Although we couldn't participate directly in the party, we also felt the excitement. After all, it was a rare event where various schools were able to socialize with each other and there were various games with interesting prizes, so it was quite enjoyable to see them.
"Alright, that should be everything! Thank you very much for all your cooperation! Everyone can go home now."
It seemed like we could leave the rest of the work to the venue staff, so we were free to go home.
The students were asking for the party to be held again next year and after seeing Tomoo-senpai running around busily for the whole duration of the party, I would love to participate as one of the attendees instead of the staff.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Umi."
"Mm. How'd it go?"
"Perfect. We only need to warm it up a bit."
I showed her the contents of the paper bags I carried. Tomoo-senpai gave me permission to take the leftover food and drinks, so I didn't restrain myself.
To be fair, after I returned to the venue, I had to work my ass off, so I didn't get the time to eat during the party.
There were some rare brands of soda that weren't sold at the convenience store, so both Umi and I were excited about it.
This much food should be enough for our planned after-party.
"…By the way, Umi, where's everyone else?"
Amami-san, Nozomu and Nitta-san were supposed to join us for the after-party, but they were nowhere to be seen.
"Ah… Um… Yuu and Nina went to the karaoke together and Seki was called by the President…"
In other words, we were all alone.
"I-I see…"
"M-Mhm…"
This meant that we had to eat five people worth of food by ourselves.
"…Anyway, we should go to my house first…"
"Mm… But, can we stop by my place first? …I'm sick of wearing this dress already…"
"Sure. I'll say hello to Sora-san while I'm at it."
With that, it was decided that we would be spending the night together.
We cried and laughed. We let out all of our emotions along with my family and friends, but everything up to this point was merely a prelude for me.
My real work would start now.
* * *
I went to Umi's house to ask for permission to hang out a while longer with Umi, but to my surprise, it wasn't Sora-san who greeted us at the door. It was Riku-san.
"If you're looking for mom, she said she got a call from a friend and went out for a drink. Seriously, that old hag should act her age."
"I see…"
In addition, she left a message to me 'I'll borrow Masaki-san for a while', I guess Mom went with her, huh?
Since I've troubled her enough for today, I should let Mom do whatever she wants.
I need to give her some space too.
And there was my Dad… I don't know what will happen to his relationship with Minato-san. Will she stay as Dad's subordinate or will Dad accept her feelings?
Either way, that had nothing to do with me anymore. Whatever they decided, I hoped that they would be happy with their decision.
And I hoped that the thing I did today would end up a good memory for my parents.
"Well, I've told you everything, so I'm going back to my room."
"Ah, okay. Thank you, Riku-san."
"…Don't sweat it."
He sounded blunt, but Riku-san was a kind person too. I guess being kind is a trait of the Asanagi Family. All he needed to do was to get a job and he would be perfect, but too bad he seemed to have no intention of doing so.
After that, Umi came. She was wearing her oversized jacket and a long skirt. This was pretty much her loungewear, but I guess my house was pretty much her second home now.
I felt strangely happy.
"Let's go."
"Mm!"
We left her house while holding hands and started walking along the familiar street together.
The snow had stopped tonight and the moonlight faintly lit our path.
"What are you looking at, Umi?"
"Hm? Just the pictures we took earlier. You wanna see?"
"Sure."
I had the pictures saved on my phone, but why would I take it out at this moment just to see the pictures? I looked over Umi's phone.
"…I smiled properly at least… Thank God…"
"This one looks really good. You should put this one inside the album later."
On the screen, there was a photo of the Maehara Family members, smiling with four high school students surrounding them.
I used to hate it when people took pictures of me. It felt embarrassing to be exposed to other people's eyes because I had a complex about myself.
But not anymore.
Umi was here with me. She helped me overcome that complex, she told me that dull and awkward face I made in photos looked nice and that boosted my confidence a little.
Ever since, I started thinking that it wouldn't be that bad to get my pictures taken if it could make her happy.
"You know what, Umi?"
"…Yes?"
"I love you."
As we passed the familiar railroad, I told Umi about my feelings.
It was near the spot back when Umi confessed to me. I wasn't aiming for this though, it was a coincidence that we were here.
"…As a friend?"
"As a girl, of course."
I failed to say those words back on our first date and ever since that day there wasn't a good time to say it to her.
Back then, my nervousness took over and I failed to express myself properly, but now I felt calm.
I could feel the warmth of her hand. If possible, I don't want to share this warmth with anyone else.
I wanted to treasure her and I wanted her to treasure me. I wanted to prioritize her more than anyone else and I wanted her to prioritize me more than anyone else.
After everything that happened tonight, this feeling of mine grew even stronger.
"I don't know what will happen in the future… If we continue to be together for a long time, we will fight eventually and maybe there will be a time when I don't want to see you anymore… But, even if that happens… I'll try to do my best to stay by your side…"
I wished that this peaceful moment would continue forever, but I knew that it was impossible. Life wasn't that kind, after all.
Everyone would suffer at some point in their lives.
"Anyway, Umi… I want you to become my lover… Sure, I'm a whiny, spoiled and unreliable guy, but if it's for you… I'll do my best to make you happy."
I held her hand firmly.
"Also, Umi… Thank you for always prioritizing me… I love you…"
"…"
Umi nodded her head a little.
I noticed that her eyes were wet.
"Umi, are you crying?"
"Sniff… Shut up you idiot! Of course I would cry if you say something like that to me! Try to put yourself in my shoes, I bet you'll cry too! Idiot!"
"Who knows~ But Umi, come here for a second."
"Mm…"
I placed the paper bags on the ground and pulled her into my chest.
"…Maki, it's warm…"
"I'm glad to hear that… Haha…"
Seeing Umi sobbing like a little girl in my arms, I couldn't help but laugh at her.
"…Maki, you bully. Even though I restrained myself from laughing back then…"
"I knew it, you were secretly laughing at me back then. Well, that just shows how compatible we are, don't you think?"
"I guess so. We're now the crybaby duo."
"Your naming sense is still awful."
"But it fits us!"
We messed around with each other like usual while gradually moving our faces closer.
"Umi…"
"Maki…"
""——""
Thanks to the train's bad timing, we couldn't make out what we said to each other.
But we were close enough, we could read each other's lips at this distance.
""I love you.""
And so, from now on, we stopped being friends and started to be lovers.