I have a best friend who I love and cherish more than anyone else in the world.
Her name is Asanagi Umi. The day we met is still etched so clearly in my mind. I used to be the girl who couldn't fit in, always crying by myself in some corner of the school. Then, like a prince from a fairytale, she reached out to me. Umi is an adorable girl, but back then, she was just so incredibly cool—far cooler than any of the boys who were only obsessed with their own looks.
Umi was my idol. She was the natural leader of every group, always taking charge and guiding everyone. On top of that, her grades were outstanding. Unlike a slacker like me, she was a true hard worker.
I desperately wanted to be like her. I wanted to be surrounded by friends, trusted by the teachers, and have the courage to reach out to anyone in trouble, to any girl crying alone, just like she had for me.
So, I tried my best. With my role model right beside me, all I had to do was imitate her. And whenever I was lost, my best friend was there to teach me.
Even if I fail, I'm not alone. That thought motivated me to keep pushing forward.
Before I knew it, I had become the center of our class. Me, the girl who just a short while ago had been hiding in the corner, trying to be as invisible as possible.
"It's so much fun being with you, Amami-san!"
"You're always so energetic!"
Every time I heard those words, a wave of happiness washed over me. I was shining, just like her. I felt like I had gotten a little closer to the person I admired so much.
—I'm so happy for you, Yuu.
As I learned to smile brightly for others, Umi would praise me with a gentle smile and a pat on my head.
It was a simple compliment, so typical of her, but it meant more to me than any other words of praise.
People around me might call me the "best" or whatever, but I never saw it that way.
Rankings like second or third didn't matter to me, but in my heart, Umi was, and always will be, overwhelmingly the "best."
I'll work hard to catch up to her, to become a girl worthy of standing by her side—
That was me, until recently.
I had only seen her strengths, completely oblivious to the struggles she hid. My insensitive words and actions only hurt her more. I never realized that my best friend wasn't a fairytale prince, but a normal girl, just like me.
A friendship would normally crumble under such circumstances, but ours didn't. When things got awkward between us, a boy stepped in and helped bridge the gap.
He was a mysterious one. He never really stood out in class; in fact, I hadn't even spoken to him in the first six months of school. But when I finally did, his words had a way of hitting me with sudden realizations. His voice was quiet, yet his words carried an undeniable strength.
He seemed cold but was kind, unreliable but incredibly dependable when it mattered most. Looking at him felt like seeing the old me and Umi combined into one person.
Maehara Maki-kun. He was the other "light" that saved both me and Umi.
So, I understood why Umi was so head-over-heels for him. Just as she had been my "light," he was now hers.
To be honest, I was a little jealous at first. I had always believed that if my best friend was ever in trouble, it would be my turn to save her. I sulked in secret, feeling like he had beaten me to it.
But now, I know it was for the best.
"—Morning, Yuu."
"Mornin', Umi! And you too, Maki-kun."
"Morning, Amami-san."
Seeing their hands casually intertwined brought a small smile to my face.
No matter what happens, I'll always be on their side— That was the vow I made to myself on that Monday morning.