Chapter 48: Taking a Photo with My Childhood Friend

Taking a Photo with My Childhood Friend

In front of the restroom, as I waited for Aya, I recalled her inner thoughts from earlier.

‘I’m the only one… receiving so much. It’s always me.’

It was a mixture of sadness and pain.

Despite knowing how much I’ve been saved by Aya, how much I’ve received from her, she probably doesn’t understand. It’s needless worry.

Suddenly, the sight of a couple happily posing together at the purikura corner caught my eye. Next to them, another pair was laughing while playing a crane game. Everyone seemed content.

But surely, being in a relationship is a continuous series of these small misunderstandings. One person might feel indebted or lacking, trying to fill that void, seeking understanding, and it leads to a cycle… Gradually, the gap in each other’s hearts deepens.

Somehow, I can anticipate that kind of future. Thanks to repeatedly simulating the future using the power of intuition, I can see the various futures that grow like a snowball from these small misunderstandings.

That’s why I want to dispel Aya’s current anxiety quickly.

Even if I were to convey, “I’m receiving just as much from you,” through words, her heart would likely remain uneasy. Not just words, but gestures and actions are needed to make it abundantly clear.

Lost in these thoughts, Aya emerged from the restroom.

She walked with her usual cheerful expression, though a bit shy.

“Um… sorry to keep you waiting.”

She stopped at a distance that could be considered hugging. Not like childhood friends, but like lovers.

Truly, this lover has an endless stream of worries. I want to resolve them one by one.

I placed my hand on Aya’s chestnut hair.

“Boyan…?”

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I gently stroked her head, slightly impolite. I hope to someday fill this childhood friend’s heart with so much self-affirmation that it overflows with happiness.

“Hey, what are you doing…”

With a slightly puzzled expression, Aya didn’t try to shake off my patting.

“Aya, before we head to the meeting spot, could we stop by the crane game?”

“Sure, but that’s unusual.”

Indeed, I’m not interested in crane games, nor have I ever played one.

“I have something I want there.”

Peering into the crane game together, I saw the same stuffed monkey with a ribbon that Aya had put on the windowsill on the first day of the cultural festival. Inside the machine, there was a monkey with a ribbon, probably a couple with the same toy as Aya’s.

“Oh, that’s the one I have. They even have a girl version.”

“Yes, I want that too.” Thanks for reading on ManaNovel!

Inserting a coin, I followed the directions like the couples did before. It’s a one-shot deal. But, I feel like I can get it. For the sake of having Aya by my side forever, intuition should be on my side.

“Wow, amazing!”

Aya exclaimed as the crane skillfully grabbed the stuffed animal’s tag and brought it to the retrieval slot.

I picked up the monkey girl that had fallen.

“Aya, this is a present for our anniversary. Take it.”

Offering her the stuffed animal, Aya’s eyes widened.

“Huh…? Um… Boyan, what is it?”

Aya’s surprise and joy-filled emotions come through.

“For me, being able to hold Aya… it’s a special day.”

“Me too… it’s an important day. Well, you were a bit forceful, Boyan.”

“I’m sorry about that.”

“No, you were forceful, but you’ve always been gentle… Thank you for the present.”

Aya tightly hugs the stuffed monkey.

I should be the one thanking her. Because Aya is by my side, every day is enjoyable, and I can keep going. Thank you always, I’m grateful.

“It’s more of my thanks. I’ve been receiving so much.”

“Well then, it’s mutual. Look, thanks to Aya’s support, we managed to defeat the final boss.”

I create the shape of a gun with my hand.

Still, Aya doesn’t seem convinced. Her lips are tightly sealed.

This should be enough to make today’s message to her clear. By doing this every day, I can gradually make her feel it.

Moreover, if I don’t leave soon, I might lose control and kiss her right here, unable to resist her intense gaze.

I start walking towards the exit, and Aya follows behind me.

“Also, today is another anniversary.”

“Huh?”

“It’s the anniversary of the day Aya first drowned in the river.”

I say it with a hint of jest.

“Wha…!?”

Aya exclaims with a surprised voice. During the second day of the school trip, Aya fell off the raft during a rafting experience and nearly drowned. I often still recall her tearful, snotty face when I pulled her up.

“What’s with that!?”

Aya catches up to me, glaring at me discontentedly. While her pouting face is adorable, saying more might just make her angrier.

“Since you’ve nearly drowned in both a pool and the sea, with this, you’ve completed the set for water-related mishaps.”

“I’ll learn to swim by next summer.”

Summer, huh.

I’m looking forward to a beach date during the summer. I realize I’ve never seen Aya in anything other than her school swimsuit.

I don’t want to show that to anyone. I wonder if you can rent a private beach.

“Boyan.”

“Hmm?”

Aya tugs at the hem of my shirt.

“I want you to teach me.”

“Ah, of course.”

It seems like I’ll get to enjoy Aya in a swimsuit multiple times.

“Oh, Aya’s here! Hey, you’re late!”

Kanappe and the others wave at the entrance.

“Sorry!”

Aya runs over.

Once we join up, we leave Spochi and start chatting again near the entrance. Kanappe and the other outgoing folks are discussing whether to go karaoke or to a family restaurant.

I intend to head straight home, of course.

The bright lights of Spochi behind us cast our shadows long. Another shorter shadow moves closer to my shadow.

“Boyan, look.”

Aya shows me her smartphone screen. It displays the purikura we took earlier.

“Amazing, you can transfer it to your phone.”

“I’ll send it to you later, Boyan.”

That’s nice. If Aya doesn’t mind, I might even use it as my wallpaper.

“Will you set it as your wallpaper?”

“I’m not sure… I look a bit odd, but you’re funny, Boyan.”

Seeing me looking like I’m making an announcement of engagement, Aya chuckles.

Suddenly, Aya’s gaze lifts as if she noticed something.

“Sorry, Boyan, just stay still.”

“Huh?”

“Just stay like that, Boyan.”

As Aya steps back and forth, her emotions start to show joy. Eventually, she stops at a slight diagonal step ahead and raises her elbow slightly.

“Just stay like that, Boyan.”

Holding the smartphone near her chest, she takes a photo with a snap. After checking the screen, she murmurs, “Good.”

“I’m going to set this as my wallpaper.”

Aya shows me her smartphone with a happy expression.

There, my long shadow and Aya’s shadow were side by side. It looks like Aya’s hand is just gently touching my back.

“… It’s not like we’re holding hands or anything.”

“Hehehe, isn’t it like I’m cheering you on, saying ‘Do your best, Boyan?’”

Aya seems satisfied, so I guess it’s fine.

“Will you send it to me later?”

“Sure!”

Aya’s fingers run across the screen, setting the wallpaper. For a moment, I catch a glimpse of her current wallpaper. It’s the Great Buddha we saw during the school trip.

“Aya, you still had that as your wallpaper?”

“Yeah. It’s my favorite.”

“Is it okay if you change it?”

“Yeah, it seems like my wish might have come true.”

“I see.”

I wonder if she made a wish or something.

Indeed, the power of this Great Buddha is immense.

My pocket vibrates with a buzz. It seems I’ve received a notification on my phone. Taking it out, I see that Aya has sent me the photo from earlier.

For some reason, the two shadows seem to be smiling.

For the first time in my life, I set a photo as my wallpaper.