Chapter 120: How did it turn out like this? (3)

After leaving the merchandise shop, Arisu said she wanted to go somewhere I liked. But I couldn’t think of anywhere to go with Arisu, especially without Aya. I hadn’t planned on having a date with her, after all.

As I looked around, the Tokyo Tower caught my eye.

“Hmm, a view from up there wouldn’t be bad.”
“Do you want to go to Tokyo Tower?”
“Sure.”

Arisu followed my gaze and pointed at the tower. I nodded, and we took a taxi.

By the time we arrived, the sun was beginning to set. The light was fading, so we could go up now and come back down before dinner. I didn’t want to spend the entire evening with Arisu.

We reached the observation deck. The Tokyo cityscape stretched out below us.

The city, bathed in the warm glow of the setting sun, was a breathtaking sight. Arisu, standing beside me, asked cautiously,

“What do you think?”
“…The view is amazing.”

Arisu smiled faintly at my reply.
I rarely went to high places in my past life due to my fear of heights, but now, I didn’t feel any fear at all. There was a slight thrill, a sense of danger – ‘What if I fall?’ – but I wasn’t paralyzed by fear like before. The panoramic view was exhilarating.

“I like it too. I’m glad I got to see this beautiful view thanks to you, Rina.”

Arisu smiled at me. We stood there in silence, enjoying the scenery.

The city lights began to twinkle as dusk settled. The red and orange hues of the sky deepened into a rich indigo, and lights flickered to life below.

Streetlights illuminated the streets, and windows in the buildings glowed one by one. Then, as if orchestrated, car headlights turned on simultaneously, creating a magical spectacle. Seeing the city lights bloom from this height was a rare and beautiful sight.

“Wow…”

I gasped involuntarily. Arisu was also mesmerized by the view.
But even as I watched her, a pang of guilt tugged at my heart.

After today, we wouldn’t be spending time together like this anymore.
I unconsciously touched the ring on my left ring finger.

‘Aya…’

I whispered Aya’s name and took a deep breath.

“So, Rina.”

Arisu turned to look at me. The city lights twinkled in the distance, and the setting sun cast a warm glow over the horizon.
Arisu knelt down slightly and held out a small box.

“Will you go out with me?”

My heart sank. I’d expected it, but it still surprised me. My hands trembled slightly, but I quickly composed myself.
I looked at the box in Arisu’s hand and slowly reached out.

Click.

I closed the box with both hands and pushed it back towards Arisu. Then, without a word, I held up my left hand, showing her the ring on my ring finger.

“I have Aya.”

There was no hesitation, no doubt. My decision had already been made.

Arisu’s eyes wavered, and her hands trembled slightly. She slowly lowered her head, as if in pain.

“I see… That’s what I thought.”

Her voice was filled with resignation, not sadness or resentment. She’d probably expected this outcome from the beginning. I sighed inwardly, watching her expression.

“I’m really sorry, Arisu.”

Arisu smiled weakly.

“It’s okay. I knew, but I wanted to hear it from you.”

She put the box away and walked towards the railing, gazing at the Tokyo sunset.

“So Yukikawa was the only one for you after all. I knew from the start, but… I’m still jealous.”

Arisu murmured softly. I took a step towards her.

“You’re a good person, Arisu. So please, stop worrying about Aya and me and… live for yourself.”

Arisu nodded slightly.

“Yeah, I should.”

After a moment of silence, she smiled at me.

“Thank you… for the date today. I’ll cherish the memory.”

I smiled awkwardly. The word “date” still felt strange, but since this was the end, I decided to accept it.

“Yeah, I had fun today too. Thank you, Arisu.”

We said our goodbyes and slowly made our way down from Tokyo Tower, keeping a few steps between us. I couldn’t tell what she was thinking, but I felt a sense of relief.

In the elevator, Arisu remained silent for a while.

“Let’s not be awkward around each other in the student council room.”

She finally spoke, and Arisu looked up and smiled faintly.

“Okay. I want to be comfortable too.”

We reached the ground floor and stepped out of the tower, greeted by the bright city lights. It was completely dark now. With the Tokyo nightscape behind us, we walked in opposite directions. I glanced back at Arisu. Her retreating figure looked small and lonely, but I didn’t have the emotional capacity to comfort her.

‘Goodbye (Sayonara).’

I said silently and turned to leave.
And there, standing before me, was Aya.

“Rina.”

I jumped, startled, as if I’d seen a ghost. Aya, standing a short distance away, had tears in her eyes. The crowd around us seemed to disappear, and it felt like we were the only two people there.

Aya slowly took my left hand and looked at the ring on my ring finger. Then, her face lit up with a bright smile.

“I knew I could trust you, Rina.”

I finally came to my senses.

“Aya… what’s going on…”

Aya looked away, a sheepish expression on her face.

“Actually… we made a bet. That you wouldn’t waver, no matter what Arisu did.”

My jaw dropped.

“A… bet? About me?”

I felt a pang of betrayal, but looking at Aya’s face, it quickly melted away.

Because… Aya was beautiful.

If she were just ordinarily pretty, I might have been angry. But Aya’s beauty was otherworldly. If she hadn’t been born into a wealthy family, she would have been a model or an actress. How could I be angry with someone so beautiful and perfect?

“I put you through a lot, Rina.”

Aya stepped closer, and my heart raced, my hands trembling slightly. I took a deep breath and held her hand.

“Seriously… Aya… That was mean.”

I said, pouting slightly, and Aya took my hand.

“I know. I was mean. So tonight, I’ll do anything you want.”
“Then spend tonight with me, Aya.”
“Of course. Not just tonight, but for the rest of our lives, as I promised.”

Aya looked at me with warm eyes. The Tokyo nightscape twinkled softly around us, and I felt the warmth of Aya’s hand in mine. The night air was chilly, but being with Aya made the cold disappear.

Hand in hand, we walked away from Tokyo Tower, the brightly lit city embracing us in its dazzling embrace.

“By the way, Aya.”
“Yes? What is it?”
“About that bet… with Arisu… Were you serious?”
“I didn’t start it… It was Yurika-senpai and Mizuki’s idea. I didn’t expect it to turn into this.”
“Why did you go along with it?”

I pouted, and Aya put her arm around me.

“Because I trusted you. But I was also worried.”
“Worried? Why?”
“Rina, you don’t realize how charming you are. And Arisu is popular with the girls, so I was worried you might… waver.”
“…There’s nothing for you to worry about, Aya.”

My face warmed, and I squeezed Aya’s hand tighter.

“You’re the only one I like.”

Aya blushed and looked away.

“Rina, you’re good at… saying embarrassing things.”
“You’re even better at it, Aya.”

We laughed, looking at each other. As we walked, my stomach growled.

“…Oops.”

Aya chuckled. “Come to think of it, Rina, you haven’t had dinner yet, have you?”

“Ah, well, that’s true…”
“Dinner’s on me. Anything you want?”

I thought for a moment, then looked at Aya and asked,

“Can we go somewhere expensive?”
“Anything you want, Rina.”

Aya smiled gently and led me away. We entered a quiet, elegant restaurant.
Aya looked at me, a playful smile on her face as she rested her chin on her hand.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Just… You look especially beautiful today, Rina.”
“You’re not so bad yourself.”

We burst out laughing.
A comfortable silence followed our laughter, and I spoke softly,

“Aya.”
“Yes?”
“Will you… keep liking me?”

Aya looked flustered for a moment, then answered with a warm, gentle gaze,

“Of course. You’re the only one for me, Rina.”

Aya reached out and took my hand again. The day felt like a long, strange dream.
And as always, I felt most at ease when I was with Aya.