“I promise.” 

“I wonder if this was a good choice…,” I said as Hinata and I left the small accessory shop after finishing our shopping.

Compared to when we entered, the area had become quite dark.

“I worried too much, didn’t I…?”

“It’s okay. What, you don’t trust my taste?” Hinata replied.

“N-no…it’s not that,” I said.

“Hmph. In any case, it’s the act of giving a gift that’s important, not the object itself. It’s not just a superficial gesture, it’s true,” Hinata said.

“Yeah…” I replied, still feeling uneasy.

After all, this was my first time doing something like this…

But there was no use in worrying, I had to believe in Hinata’s words and be confident…

As we walked back the way we came, I thought back to what Hinata had said.

About Rika who had been too strong-willed for the past year.

And because of that, Rika had been in danger.

At that time, I hadn’t been by her side.

But…

“Hinata.”

“What?”

“Thanks. For becoming friends with her.”

Maybe I didn’t have the right to say that, but I wanted to express my gratitude to Hinata, who had been protecting her and still was.

“You were the one who found Rika, not just Sousami. It was really…great,” I said.

“What’s with that?” Hinata replied, sounding annoyed even though I thought she would be pleased.

For some reason, Hinata didn’t look at me.

She turned her face away and remained silent.

Then I heard a sharp intake of breath, and she turned to face me.

“But just so you know,” she said.

“Hmm?”

“I didn’t give up my role of protecting her to you. I’ll continue to help her. And if you hurt Rika, I won’t go easy on you. Don’t forget that, ever.”

“Oh, I understand,” I replied.

Hinata seemed dissatisfied with my answer and snorted before turning back around.

She walked with a large stride, looking displeased and squinting her eyes.

But her steps gradually slowed down and she eventually stopped in her tracks.

“Kusaba,” she said.

“Yeah?”

“So, you really…”

I could see something shining in the corner of her eyes.

But Hinata didn’t wipe it away, she just looked straight at me.

“…take care of Rika, okay? I’m not going to say we should be together forever or anything like that, but even if we fight or disagree and it seems like it’s over…please don’t hurt her. She’s a really good person.”

“Yeah, I know,” I replied.

“Just by living normally, she’s probably suffered a lot and will continue to suffer…so I want to minimize her pain as much as I can,” Hinata said, her voice trembling.

Tears fell from her eyes.

But she didn’t look away from me, she squeezed out her words.

“…please, Kusaba. Promise me.”

I understood.

It wasn’t easy to understand Hinata’s feelings.

But I had my own feelings too.

I didn’t think that my strength was inferior to Hinata’s.

And I didn’t think that our wishes were conflicting.

I nodded.

I tried to convey my determination as much as possible.

To reassure Hinata.

“I promise.”