♡
"...Idiot."
Day after day, nothing changes even though I keep coming to see him.
No matter how many times we touch, I can't tell if the distance between our hearts is growing closer or drifting further apart.
How much longer will we keep doing this?
How much longer can things stay like this?
"...Goodnight."
I murmured, still facing away from him.
But all I heard in return was his sleeping breath.
A little relieved.
And a little disappointed.
I closed my eyes, clutching the keychain he had given me.
---
◇
"...Nn."
When I woke up, the sky outside was still dim.
But Karin was no longer beside me.
When did she leave?
She seemed pretty upset yesterday.
Whatever the reason, maybe it was my fault for keeping her waiting without saying anything.
Next time, I should let her know beforehand… No, I guess it'd be simpler just to ask for her contact info.
But would she even give it to me?
She doesn't seem like the type for that.
"...Huh?"
As my eyes adjusted to the darkness, I noticed something sitting on the desk.
It was a sandwich on a plate, wrapped in plastic.
And next to it, a piece of paper.
"A thank-you for the keychain."
Just that one line, written in neat handwriting.
"...You didn't have to go to all this trouble."
I scratched my head as if to wake myself up from my drowsiness.
Then I picked up the sandwich and took a bite.
---
◇
"Morning, Minato! Hey, look at this – isn't it cute?"
At morning homeroom, Yumekawa came right up to me and showed off the keychain hanging from her bag.
"That's the one I won yesterday."
"Geez, you're so unimpressed. So, what did you do with yours, Minato?"
"...Nothing. No way I'd put it on my bag."
"Aww, but it's cute. Well, I guess you never seem interested in romance anyway."
"What does that have to do with the keychain?"
"Huh? You didn't know? There's this charm going around – if you carry Lover Rabbits merch, things will go well with the person you like."
"Don't 'going around' me. Never heard of it."
Not like I even knew that brand's name until the store manager told me.
But the charm really did seem popular.
Looking around, I spotted rabbit keychains and pin badges hanging from a few classmates' bags.
If charms like that actually worked, nobody would ever struggle with love, I thought to myself as I headed to my seat.
And then, for some reason, Asou-san's face came to mind.
"Morning."
Just then, Karin walked into the classroom.
And of course, Yumekawa was the first to call out to her.
"Morning, Yuzu. Oh! You've got one too!"
At Yumekawa's surprised, loud voice, I looked over at Karin.
A keychain dangled from her bag.
The rabbit keychain I'd given her yesterday.
So she did like it.
But if she's wearing it, that means she has someone she's interested in…
"What's the big deal, Arisu? I can put a keychain on my bag if I want."
"Hehe, we're matching! Hey, does Yuzu have someone she likes too?"
"What are you talking about?"
"Huh? You don't know? That's weird – I thought it was popular…"
Yumekawa tilted her head, looking a little baffled. Karin, seeming slightly exasperated, quietly took her seat.
Well, I guess that figures.
I can't picture Karin believing in a silly charm like that. And anyway, does she even… get involved in romance?
Someone like Yumekawa might have a crush, but Karin?
Her type, huh.
If someone like that ever appeared, what would happen to us?
Would she naturally stop coming over?
…Nah, thinking about it's a waste of time.
Even if I asked, she'd probably just say, "What? Gross."
She'll probably come over again tonight.
And just like always, we'll hold each other, and then she'll leave.
That's fine.
For now, that's enough.