Future Side Story July 7th, Rin’s birthday (1 year after the main story)

“Happy birthday, Rin!”

 

I said to Rin, who came to my home in the morning, as the first thing I said to her.

 

Rin blushed happily and said, “Thank you.” and then she brought out a cat plushie that she had hidden behind her back and showed it to me.
 

I had given her this cat, by the way.

 

“We have school today and you brought it with you?”

“It’s a memory of mine. Besides, if Towa-kun had forgotten it, I thought it would be a good opportunity to remind him.”

“No, I’m not going to forget your birthday.”

“Surprisingly, they say when things start to mangle, you forget about them, right? Then you start to crack…”

“That’s a scary thing, huh?”

 

It is true that familiarity is a frightening thing.

It is often said that even lovers, family members, and close friends have courtesy, and we must not forget this because we have become close to each other.

 

Yes… we should not take the happiness we have now for granted.

 

Rin’s words seemed to suggest such uncertainty.

 

“Do you remember? Last year’s birthday?”

“I won’t forget it. I was so nervous that my stomach acid was about to reflux.”

“Fufu…you certainly looked pale when I think back on it.”

“Well~, it was my first present. And at the time, I was thinking negative things, like, if I gave you a gift, would you get uncomfortable with it?”

“That kind of thinking is very Towa-like.”

 

When I think back on the past, I almost always think that I was horrible.

I was desperate, I stayed in my shell, I kept a protective lid on my disbelief, and now when I think back, it’s all thanks to Rin being by my side.

 

All I can do is … appreciate it…, I really do.

 

I reach out to pat Rin’s head ……, but she avoids me just in time and my hand cuts through the air.

And at the same time, a tender mass jumped at my chest.

 

“Hey. It’s not safe to hug me all of a sudden…”

“I couldn’t help but hug you. It’s a quintessential attraction. Exclusively for me, of course.”

“No, Rin’s exclusive use is nothing, because no one else is coming. That’s the difference between Kenichi and me.”

“There is no better time to be vigilant. Towa-kun’s stock has been on the rise since last year, so if you let your … guard down, it will be dangerous.”

“I don’t think you have anything to worry about, because I’m not interested in anyone but Rin.”

“…Ah… Mooo, don’t say something so plainly embarrassing …”

 

Rin’s face turned bright red and she was embarrassed. “Muuu!” and she slapped me, complaining about something.

I chuckled and took it all in stride.

 

“Rin’s birthday falls on Tanabata, so it’s easy to remember, isn’t it~?”

“That’s true. But for me, the fact that it’s “Tanabata” makes it a little bit more complicated.”

“Yeah? Is that so?”

“Yes. Originally, Tanabata is the day to celebrate the story of Orihime and Hikoboshi, the couple who were separated and were allowed to meet only on the seventh day of the seventh month of the year…”

“Ah, I remember that legend.”

 

It is a famous legend passed down in Japan.

Some people find it romantic, while others find it a tragic love story.

 

From the looks of things, Rin probably thinks the latter.

The proof is in the sad look on Rin’s face as she casts her eyes down.

 

“So, I kind of wonder if it’s possible for me to see my significant other only once a year…

“I see. So that’s what you meant …….”

“Fufu. When I think about it, I feel a little sentimental. When I think about my life now, I can’t imagine not having Towa-kun in it…”

 

Rin learned about my past.

As a result, she thinks she is fine, but she is still plagued by the “anxiety that comes from knowing”.

 

…I would have been happier if she did not know.

That’s because the less she knows, the less she has to think about it.

 

I patted Rin’s head, her expression clouded with anxiety.

 

Perhaps startled by the suddenness of the situation, her large eyes blinked repeatedly, and then her cheeks puffed out.

Her eyes seemed to be saying, ‘What are you doing all of a sudden?’ and she seemed to be complaining to me.

 

I smiled at Rin and patted her head gently this time.

 

“Well, perhaps the tale is true, but not the way I perceive it.”

“Well, is it?”

“It’s true that it has a once-a-year implication, but the way I see it, it seems to be saying, ‘Cherish your once-a-year opportunity’.”

“…”

“You know, these things can be a reminder or a lesson, right? That’s why I think Tanabata exists as a day for lovers and couples to reflect on themselves.”

 

Stories often serve as a kind of lesson to be passed on to future generations.

 

It is said that the reason for the separation was because they were so in love that they stopped working.

 

One theory that can be deciphered from this is that if you don’t do what you have to do, you’ll be in trouble later. …It’s a message to us all.

 

Depending on how you look at it, you can change your mind in any way.

I hope that Rin can understand that now.

 

I hope …… I can be somewhat encouraging.

 

“Thank you, Towa-kun.”

“No, it’s nothing at all. I just said what I was thinking.”

“I’m still happy. I’m glad to hear that. I’m starting to feel better now.”

“I’m glad to hear that. Well, it’s not like we’ve been in other relationships before, so don’t be afraid to tell me if you’re worried. It’s not good for you to keep it bottled up.”

“…”

“What’s wrong? You look so surprised.”

 

I tilted my head and looked at Rin whose eyes widened.

 

“No, I would say that since we’ve been dating, Towa-kun has become even more mature than he was before, or perhaps it’s because I’m childish…”

“No, no. Love is something that bothers people regardless of age. It doesn’t matter if you are an adult or a child. The insecurities that arise from being in a relationship are something we all have to deal with.”

“Indeed…, that’s true too.”

 

Rin laughed and sighed.

 

I tried to keep my composure, but I was not without anxiety.

Rin is popular and is known by the new juniors.

And of course, I know that she is sometimes approached by them.

 

So I am not without anxiety either.

 

But I think it’s because of these feelings… we seek each other out and make our … connection stronger by building on the relationship.

 

“Um… Towa-kun.”

“Yes?”

“Can I say one selfish thing …… for my birthday?”

“Oh, sure.”

“Then just one … thing.”

 

Rin, who was settled on my chest, stared at me with her eyes looking up.

 

“Please let me spoil you today.”

 

She closes her eyes and demanded something…

I gently hugged her, my lovely girlfriend.

 

And … I responded.