My Sweet Roomies Re-Written (Miyoko Neyane/ Aoi Mizusawa Route)

Chapter 27 - The Nearing End

We head towards the final date spot.

We walk some distant apart, avoiding eye contact.

By evening...

We arrive at the top of a hill.

"Where are we...?"

"Hehe, this is my special place."

Looking down the hill, we can view most of the town, bathed with the setting sun.

Glistening amber, it is beautiful.

"This has been my favourite place for a long time."

"I usually come her whenever I'm happy or sad."

"I-I see..."

I glance to the side and see her face, with the glistening dawn.

She looks more beautiful than I have ever seen. I've never looked at her like this before and I wallow to myself why did I took so long before I realize it.

(Oh...)

"And then..."

Entranced by her appearance, I cannot seem to hear what she's saying. As she continues to talk happily.

"I also came here when i fought with my younger brothers and sisters..."

"...when the time you left and lost all your memories of me."

She suddenly looks at me with a sullen smile.

(...she came here when I lost all my memories of her?)

She noticed the changed of expression in my face, lingering on that thought she immediately changed the subject.

"But then, my mother came to pick me up!"

"Oh...that must have been nice."

"Yeah! I went back home together with my mom!"

"And then...and then..."

Then

She suddenly stops talking and looks down at the ground.

"What's the matter?"

"We should go home soon." Whispering this, a sad smile crosses her face.

"Mina..."

"H-how were the places we visit?"

"Oh..."

"I tried to choose places I thought Raika might like as much as possible."

That's right...

Going to all these different place with her, I had almost forgotten.

(Today...wasn't even a real date...)

Suddenly returning to reality, I hesitantly answer her question.

"I-I thought they were good, It's been fun, really fun."

"I'm glad." She said with a soft smile.

"Alright, then I guess you're all set for your date with Raika! You better escort her properly!"

With a painfully cheerful voice she pats me on the back.

"My recommendation is to first go shopping at the mall..."

"No! Maybe you should eat sweets together first? Hmm..."

She continues to think up different plans for my unconfirmed date with Raika,

(Miyoko...)

What should I do? Should I tell her how I actually feel?

(She is my precious friend and I really enjoy being with her...)

(My friend...but...)

(The girl...the girl I am truly in love with...)

I turn to gaze next to the side.

"Hm? What's the matter?"

"Oh, um...well..."

Raika's words rewind in my head the answer to my question I knew all along.

That's right...the girl I am truly in love with...

I already have the answer.

(But...)

"Mina? Are you alright?"

"You keep staring at my face."

"Oh! Well..."

"Yeah..."

In the end, the words are caught in my throat, as I swallow them.

"I-it was nothing."

"You sure?"

"Alright, well let's head back then, I'm getting hungry."

"Mina, let's just go for a ride."

"Sure..."

I've decided on my feelings...

But then...

What are her feelings towards me?

On our way back, we decide to take the road that passes by the river bank.

I lightly turn the throttle and we're running a crawling 10km since a lot of people is taking this side of the road.

She sits sideways behind me, gripping my shoulder.

"I had a lot of fun today!"

"Me too."

Her cheerful voice echoes across the river bank.

(I wonder how she feels about me.)

I'm sure she likes me...as a friend.

But that's not what I want to ask her.

(I want to know how she sees me...)

"Hey, Mina. Have you decided on a day for your date?"

"Ah...well, no, I haven't thought about it at all."

"Come on, once we get back, you better talk about it with Raika, alright?"

"Raika is busy with work, so it may be hard to schedule a date."

"If there's anything I can do, I'll help out as well!"

"Thanks..."

(The fact that she wants to root for me and Raika...)

(Does that mean she had no romantic feelings for me...?)

Yet somehow I feel that, right now, she is acting cheerful, to hide her true feelings...

(I want to ask her properly...)

Right now it's just the two of us, so it's a good opportunity.

I tighten my grip on my scooter handles.

"U-umm, Miyoko."

"Hey, Mina."

"Oh..."

We had both spoken at the same moment.