Silence Suzuka had always fallen into a certain misunderstanding.
She had believed that a person could only have one "best friend." Special Week always called Shirayuki her "best friend," while she called Suzuka "senior." That difference in address had always made Suzuka feel that her place in Spe-chan's heart was one level lower than Shirayuki's.
But it seemed that was not the case.
Special Week enthusiastically told her mother about recent events. She tightly hugged Suzuka's arm, showing the closeness between the two of them, and said, "Suzuka-senpai has always taken care of me. She's my best friend, and also my best senior!"
Seeing the relieved gaze Special Week's mother gave her, Silence Suzuka lowered her head.
"No... I'm the one who has always been taken care of by Spe-chan."
Knowing that Special Week was doing well at Tracen, her mother could finally feel relieved. As for Shirayuki, it was already work time, so she had no choice but to return to the café and serve guests. If there was time, she could still meet Special Week's mother. If not, then they would have to wait until next time.
Tokai Teio came over several times in the middle to talk to Shirayuki, but every time she got halfway through her sentence, she blushed and ran away. After a while, she would quietly come closer again without saying a word, leaving Fujiwara Shirayuki completely confused.
Finally, after Rudolf's closing remarks, Shirayuki saw off the last group of guests. She hurriedly searched around the school for Special Week and found her sitting with Silence Suzuka on a bench beside a flowerbed.
Seeing Shirayuki come over, Special Week happily waved.
"Over here!"
Silence Suzuka moved a little closer to Special Week and made space for Shirayuki.
"Spe-chan, I heard your mother came?"
"Mm, but she already went back."
"I see. I originally wanted to greet her."
"It's fine. By the way, what was Shirayuki doing?"
"A maid and butler café."
"A maid? I didn't get to see it! Is it still going?"
"No, the event is over."
"What a pity... Takoyaki, want some?"
"Yes."
Silence Suzuka looked at Shirayuki beside her, cheeks puffed as she ate like a little rabbit.
She remembered Special Week's mother asking her to take good care of Spe-chan. Almost without thinking, Silence Suzuka spoke.
"By the way, Shirayuki, when we were talking with Spe-chan's mother earlier, we mentioned our relationship. It felt a little embarrassing, being called Spe-chan's 'best friend' and all..."
Even Silence Suzuka herself did not know why she had said that. Perhaps the competitive feeling in her heart was at work. All this time, she had always placed Shirayuki and Spe-chan together, feeling that Spe-chan did not care much about her.
But what Special Week said earlier made Silence Suzuka understand.
In Spe-chan's heart, she occupied the same weight as Shirayuki. The way Spe-chan spoke about her to her mother was exactly the same as when she talked about Shirayuki that day. Perhaps when Spe-chan told her all kinds of stories from summer training camp, she had not been trying to compare who was better or worse. She had simply wanted to share happy things with someone.
It was Silence Suzuka who had been misunderstanding.
She had always felt like an accessory.
Her sadness had affected her thoughts, and before she could think carefully, she said those words.
Silence Suzuka regretted it a little. Would what she just said hurt Shirayuki? When she secretly glanced at Shirayuki's face, she found that Shirayuki was smiling.
"As expected."
The girl nodded. She had already heard it from Chiya, but since Suzuka-senpai had brought it up herself, Shirayuki naturally had to offer some thoughts.
"Suzuka-senpai and Spe-chan have a very good relationship. I know that. After all, that day, Suzuka-senpai specifically asked me to take care of Spe-chan a little."
"Is that so? When?"
"It was the last time the three of us went to the hot spring inn together. Spe-chan had fallen asleep, and Suzuka-senpai told me a little about her. She said she hoped I would pay some attention to Spe-chan's feelings and not let her feel lonely."
"Eh..."
Special Week looked at Silence Suzuka beside her. Suzuka blushed and turned her head away.
Wait. This was not quite how she had imagined it.
Logically speaking, after Suzuka showed Shirayuki her relationship with Spe-chan, Shirayuki should have been a little jealous. Even if she was not jealous, she should at least feel uncomfortable. But it was the exact opposite. Shirayuki had started assisting her instead.
This left Silence Suzuka at a loss. Shirayuki was not following the usual pattern at all. Did she not feel even a little jealousy?
Special Week lowered her head as if holding something back. Then she suddenly reached out and hugged Suzuka tightly.
"Suzuka-senpai, thank you... thank you! I'm really... very happy!"
"Spe-chan!?"
Silence Suzuka was hugged so tightly that she did not know what to do. She looked at Shirayuki with eyes that seemed to ask for help, hoping Shirayuki would do something about the emotionally excited Spe-chan. But Shirayuki simply continued speaking on her own.
"Suzuka-senpai is the type who quietly helps others. When she sees someone in trouble, she raises a hand to help, then quietly leaves without even telling the other person. When I was patrolling and investigating for the student council, I noticed Suzuka-senpai often habitually helps others. But when people thank her, she becomes a little unsure of what to do. Maybe this is the silent kindness that belongs only to a senior."
Shirayuki!?
Why say something like that now!?
Hearing Shirayuki's thoughts, Silence Suzuka suddenly felt that the version of herself who had been worrying all this time about her relationship with Spe-chan was like a fool.
It seemed that not only Spe-chan, but in Shirayuki's eyes as well, she was a very good senior. Shirayuki had also never seen her as someone competing for friendship.
So stupid. Too stupid.
How could I be this stupid...
Feeling distant because Spe-chan always talked about Shirayuki. So it was my own jealousy all along.
Looking at the white-haired girl beside her, who wore a gentle smile, Silence Suzuka suddenly felt that Shirayuki looked cuter than ever.
"Thank you, Shirayuki."
"Mm? Thank me? For what?"
"Thank you for making me realize that I was only being troubled by a very unnecessary problem."
Fujiwara Shirayuki was full of question marks.
Special Week, still in Suzuka's arms, reached out and pulled Shirayuki in as well. Suzuka's words had indeed moved her heart, but Shirayuki, who had always stayed beside her, was also her best friend. Both of them were incredibly important to her.
"Shirayuki, Suzuka-senpai, let's take a photo," Special Week said.
"A photo?"
"That's right. A photo symbolizing the friendship between the three of us!"
Last time, Suzuka had not been able to go out with them. Spe-chan wanted to make up for that regret. For them, it was not only summer that was precious. Even these small fragments of daily life were equally valuable.
"Let's pose together. How about Suzuka-senpai hugs both of us?"
"Me...? All right."
After all, she was the senior. It was only natural for her to stand in the middle.
Reaching out, she pulled Special Week and Shirayuki into her arms. This was the first time Silence Suzuka had been so close to Shirayuki. Before, she had never had a chance to look carefully, but now that they were pressed together, Suzuka finally realized that Shirayuki's features were as delicate as a doll's. And faintly, Shirayuki also had a captivating fragrance.
What is this?
So the one I had always felt uneasy about was actually such a cute child?
Silence Suzuka could not quite understand what had been wrong with her before. Now, it felt as though she had suddenly gained enlightenment and discovered Shirayuki's good points.
Looking at the soft, snow-like ears on Shirayuki's head, Silence Suzuka could not help reaching out and touching them. As a ticklish sensation came over her, Shirayuki moved her ears and leaned closer against Suzuka.
"Suzuka-senpai, that tickles."
"Sorry."
"No, it's fine. I don't dislike it. If senpai wants to touch them, you can. My ears are very soft."
Looking at the white-haired girl in her arms, giving off a charming scent and showing a pure smile, and Special Week beside her with a simple, joyful expression, Silence Suzuka suddenly had a feeling.
Maybe spending time together as three people was not bad at all.