Hasegawa Saori felt her heart grow warm. She turned her head to look at the smile on the young man's face, and a sweet feeling surged from deep within her chest—a tingling sensation that spread from her curled toes all the way to the top of her head.
Her body relaxed completely. She realized that if it was Shiratori Seiya, even the most embarrassing things wouldn't feel shameful at all.
Thinking about what he'd just said, she hesitated for a moment, then couldn't help but ask:
"Does Seiya like Saori?"
Upon hearing this, Shiratori Seiya wiped her left foot clean with a rag, tucked it gently into his embrace, then lifted her other foot and responded casually:
"Does that even need to be said? Why wouldn't I like her?"
"But everyone says Saori is an idiot."
"Hmm. She is an idiot."
Hearing him admit it so freely, Hasegawa Saori's slender brows furrowed. A sour, prickly feeling rose in her chest.
She suddenly felt a little unhappy.
But looking at Shiratori Seiya, she realized he wasn't mocking her at all. His clear eyes flickered with genuine curiosity as he asked:
"Eh? Does Seiya like idiots?"
Shiratori Seiya glanced at her, sensing that this question carried more weight than it seemed. He thought carefully before answering.
"No one likes an idiot. But Saori, you're not just an idiot. You have brighter qualities—so bright that even the 'idiot' part of you ends up looking cute."
"So it's Saori I like. Even if she's an idiot... I like Saori."
"Oh."
Hasegawa Saori nodded seriously, turning his words over in her mind like a puzzle she was determined to solve. After a long moment, she asked again:
"Then what are Saori's strengths?"
"Too many to count..."
Shiratori Seiya was about to elaborate, but he saw the girl staring at him expectantly—her eyes practically sparkling with anticipation.
He realized what was going on and couldn't help but laugh.
"You really want to hear me praise you that much?"
"Is it not allowed...?"
Biting her lip, Saori turned and bumped his shoulder gently with her forehead.
"Saori will be happy."
"If Saori is happy... isn't Seiya happy too?"
"Alright then. I'll make you happy today."
Seeing this, Shiratori Seiya felt it was time to build her confidence. He paused his movements and looked her straight in the eyes, his voice turning serious.
"Saori, listen carefully. Even though people always say unkind things about you, I want you to always remember what I'm about to say."
"Strong athletic talent. Pure hearted. Persistent. Able to endure hardship. Good-looking..."
He counted them off on his fingers.
"Most importantly, your talent in Kendo is the strongest I've ever seen. And you love Kendo. In that area alone... I don't think anyone is better than you."
As Shiratori Seiya listed her strengths one by one, Hasegawa Saori's eyes gradually brightened. The tingling sensation that had faded earlier came rushing back into her heart, stronger than before.
She asked, almost disbelievingly:
"Is Saori... really that outstanding?"
"Of course. Even if you don't believe in yourself... please believe in me. You will definitely become famous in the future. Next month's competition will be the beginning of everything."
Saying this, he suddenly paused and looked at the girl.
"Does Saori want to become famous?"
Meeting Shiratori Seiya's expectant gaze, Hasegawa Saori nodded vigorously.
"Yes! Saori will work hard to become famous."
"You will."
Shiratori Seiya smiled, lowered his head, wiped the girl's feet clean, pulled on her new white socks, and then slipped her feet into the new shoes.
"Eh?"
Looking at her new shoes—at the young man tying her shoelaces for her—Hasegawa Saori's eyes widened in surprise. A wave of joy crashed over her. She couldn't help but ask:
"Um... about the Hentai thing... Seiya doesn't need it anymore?"
Hearing this, Shiratori Seiya looked up at her with a half-smile.
"So Saori was really looking forward to the Hentai thing, huh?"
"I'm not looking forward to it at all!"
Saori pouted playfully, wiggled her new shoes, and her eyes sparkled with pure delight.
Suddenly, as if remembering something, she turned to Shiratori Seiya.
"What about Seiya?"
"What?"
"What is Seiya's dream?"
Shiratori Seiya was caught off guard by the question. After a moment, he smiled softly.
"To see Saori become famous. My dream should be fulfilled too."
....
Whenever Hasegawa Saori rested, she often wondered what her life would have been like if she'd never met Seiya.
Her mind would probably be blank. Lifeless. Going through the motions each day, following the path others laid out for her—and yet, even then, she wouldn't be able to keep up with everyone else's pace.
Poor grades. Always slow to react. Unable to fit in. And it seemed like neither teachers nor classmates really liked her...
She wouldn't have been sad, exactly. But such a life definitely couldn't be called happy.
What does it feel like to be admired?
Hasegawa Saori didn't know. But being looked at by Seiya with those expectant eyes? That made her happier than eating roast chicken.
.....
That night, Hasegawa Saori put away her bamboo sword just like she had for the past several days. She slipped on her shoes and secretly snuck out of her house alone.
Swish. Swish. Swish.
The moment she stepped outside, a fierce wind carrying fine rain lashed against her face. But Hasegawa Saori didn't mind.
Standing at the foot of the mountain, she began to walk—following the training route Shiratori Seiya had mapped out for her—heading toward the summit against the wind.
She was fast. Before long, she'd already climbed one-third of the way.
But the rain grew heavier. Large drops the size of soybeans pelted her face, gradually blurring her vision. Her clothes soaked through, clinging to her skin. The ground beneath her feet turned to slippery mud...
Yet Hasegawa Saori's pace quickened.
After that day, she had decided. She must achieve effort no less than anyone else.
It wasn't about saying "this much is enough." She had to strive endlessly—unlimited effort. Otherwise, she wouldn't be able to live up to Seiya's expectations.
"Saori..."
She thought she heard someone calling her from behind.
But before she could process it, the whoosh of the strong wind rustling through the leaves completely drowned out that faint sound.
Crack.
Suddenly, the sharp snap of a breaking branch exploded through the air. Hasegawa Saori instinctively looked up—
A massive shadow was falling straight toward her.
She tried to stop, but her foot slipped. Her body tumbled uncontrollably down the slope.
Her mind went blank. She didn't know how to react. She just let herself fall.
"SAORI!"
The previously muffled voice became crystal clear. Hasegawa Saori turned her head—
Shiratori Seiya was lunging toward her.
He grabbed the girl's arm with one hand and hooked a tree branch at the edge of the slope with the other. He looked down at her, confirmed she was alright, and gritted his teeth.
"Saori! Hold on tight!"
Then Shiratori Seiya took a deep breath and tried to pull her up with all his strength.
But the moment he applied force, the branch reached its limit.
CRACK.
The sensation of losing balance hit instantly.
Damn it!
Shiratori Seiya cursed in his heart. He raised his left arm to grip the slope, trying to slow their descent.
RIP.
A sharp, searing pain shot through his left arm. He had no time to think. He just pulled Saori tightly into his arms.
The two of them slid down the slope together.
Hasegawa Saori looked up blankly at the young man holding her. She felt the warmth of his body through the rain-soaked clothes.
Tears—mixed with rain—streamed down her face.
That day, she knew.
She had to marry Shiratori Seiya.