Chapter 147: I will love you forever

The ski trip was wonderful. Mizuki pretended to be jealous of how close Aya and I were, and Aya, amused, would tease her relentlessly. I played along, clinging to Aya just to rile Mizuki up. But… every time I tried to go back to the slopes and learn how to ski properly, I’d end up coming back down in tears from the muscle pain.

It had been a truly fun and carefree three days. Returning to my normal routine felt strangely empty. I stared out the train window, watching the scenery blur by, and murmured,

“Are you going to be busy again when we get back, Aya?”
“For a while, yes. But it’s all for our future, for when we return to school.”

“Aya…”

We gazed at each other, lost in our bittersweet conversation, when—

“Hey, are you two going to completely ignore me?! Aya-ring, Rina-tan!!”

Mizuki flopped down onto our laps, interrupting our moment. We looked at each other and burst out laughing. The Shinkansen sped towards Tokyo, oblivious to our conversation, carrying us back to the familiar cityscape of towering buildings and bustling streets.

****

The following week arrived. Starting school in late January… it was a first for me, even including my past life.

It felt strange being at school at this time of year, and the students still seemed to be in winter break mode, their faces sleepy and unfocused.

The short winter break had left everyone feeling sluggish and listless. Most were still in denial that school had started again. I also felt a twinge of sadness, returning to this atmosphere.

But… I had Aya.
Aya was no longer shy or hesitant. After our public declaration at the ball, we were practically an official couple. Her blue eyes, when she looked at me, seemed to burn with an intensity that made my heart race.

I no longer stole glances at her through the window. Now, it was me who looked away, flustered by the intensity of her gaze.

“Rina.”
“Y-Yes…?”
“Cute.”
“Eek!”

Aya smiling, me blushing. It had become a familiar scene in Class 2-3. My classmates would just roll their eyes and give us looks that were a mix of envy and exasperation. ‘There they go again…’

Being one of Takamari Academy’s Four Beauties wasn’t just a title anymore; it was a reality.

The only other first-year who held that title was Kasumi from the middle school division. I briefly wondered what would happen if someone even prettier than me enrolled next year. And someone would enroll.

The protagonist’s younger sister. A high school sophomore falling for his middle school freshman sister… it was a common trope in romantic comedies.

I stopped thinking about the protagonist’s sister. The third semester, the “spring semester,” was supposed to be a relaxed one, a transition period between winter break and graduation. But the teachers, as always, were moving quickly through the curriculum.

And there was another set of exams…!

Everyone in the classroom looked exhausted, staring blankly as the teacher droned on. I was no exception. I slumped over my desk, utterly drained.

“Ugh…”

After class, I dragged myself to the student council room, which was bustling with activity, preparations for the upcoming graduation ceremony.

Graduation was in early March, over a month away, but the preparations were already underway. The student council members were busy with the yearbook, flower arrangements, selecting a student to give the graduation speech, and countless other tasks.

“Rina, you’re here. Can you take a look at this?”

Tachibana-senpai handed me a thick stack of documents as soon as I walked in. I sighed, holding the heavy stack. There was no such thing as a relaxing third semester at Takamari Academy.

But something was different. I accidentally dropped my pen, and it rolled over to Shiraishizuka-senpai’s feet.

“Oh, I’m sorry!” I said, and Shiraishizuka-senpai, who had been organizing documents nearby, quickly waved her hand.

“No, no! Kurosawa-san, you don’t have to pick it up. I’ll get it!”

It was a minor incident, easily overlooked, but the senpais were being overly cautious around me. It was undoubtedly because of Aya’s actions at the ball.

“It’s okay, Shiraizuka-senpai. It was my fault…” I said, smiling awkwardly, but she still seemed uncomfortable.

I knew, from the spring festival incident, that the Shiraizuka family wasn’t as powerful as the Asakuras or the Yukikawas. Even in the novel, no family could match their influence.

And then Aya, the heir to the Yukikawa family, walked into the room.

“Rina, there you are.”

Aya’s voice was warm and affectionate, but the atmosphere in the student council room instantly froze. Shiraizuka-senpai stood up abruptly, pushing her chair back slightly. Tachibana-senpai, who had been flipping through documents, paused and looked down nervously. Arisu turned away, her face expressionless, pretending to look out the window. Some members avoided eye contact altogether, staring intently at their paperwork.

Everyone seemed wary of Aya. She glanced around, taking in the atmosphere, then smiled faintly and sat down beside me, seemingly unfazed.

“Rina~ How are the graduation preparations going?”
“They’re almost done.”

I tried to lighten the mood with a bright smile.

“Aya, did you prepare gifts for the senpais?”
“Yes, I already did. So, if you’ll excuse us, everyone?”
“Uh, w-what?”

Aya took my hand and led me out of the room.
Aya…! What was going on?!

****

Aya smiled, as if she had a small gift for me, and held out her phone.

“Here, Rina. A present.”

But the words on the screen were no small gift. It was far beyond anything I could have imagined.

[Anti-discrimination law passed.]

“…Eh?”

I felt breathless. Was this why Aya had been so busy during the break? To give me this?

‘Did you think I’d be happy that you did this?’

I should have said that, but… My heart swelled with emotion, and tears blurred my vision. I couldn’t stop them from flowing.

“…Rina, why are you crying?”

Aya looked at me, her expression filled with concern, and I buried my face in her embrace. I whispered, my voice trembling,

“Aya… you… you really did it?”
“Yes. No one can stop us now. There’s nothing to be afraid of anymore, right?”

I nodded, tears streaming down my face as I clung to Aya. I didn’t know if it was relief, joy, or a mixture of both. But my heart was pounding.

Marriage might still be difficult. Societal prejudices wouldn’t disappear overnight. But Aya gently took my hand and touched the promise ring on my left ring finger.

“Rina, remember? I gave you this ring during the spring festival.”
“Of course I remember. I promised I’d never take it off.”
“This ring… has a special meaning.”

Aya looked at me, her deep blue eyes gazing into mine.

“It’s… a kind of spell, a promise that I’ll never leave you.”

“A spell…?”

“Yes. A spell to bind us together, so we’ll never be apart… So I can always be with you.”

Aya squeezed my hand tighter.

“So you don’t have to be afraid anymore.”
“Aya…”

My heart ached with emotion. With Aya by my side, I felt like I could overcome anything. I wasn’t afraid anymore, not with her.

“I’ll never leave your side either, Aya.”

I meant it. I realized I was smiling, a smile that mirrored Aya’s.