Epilogue
[“Hey, you actually managed to start dating! Yoshiki, you’re really something! I’m impressed!”]
“Yeah, it’s crazy, right?”
I excitedly reply.
The night after my unexpectedly successful confession, I was on the phone with Yuzuha.
I had planned to report to her directly on Monday, but Yuzuha had been sending me multiple messages urging me to tell her. I’m glad I reported right away, given how happy Yuzuha was for me.
[“Well, I’m your friend, right? This is the least I could do!”]
“Easy for you to say. Your terrible acting almost ruined everything at first!”
[“Hehe, you don’t get it, Yoshiki.”]
“Huh?”
[“Did you consider the possibility that yesterday’s result was thanks to a series of fortunate coincidences?”]
At this question, I ponder for a moment.
The timing, the weather, especially Hanazono’s mood. If Hanazono had been in a bad mood like Yuzuha’s morning mode, things wouldn’t have turned out this way.
And the date with Remi was also crucial.
I must have been in the best condition that day to find the courage.
“I thought about it. We were really lucky in many ways.”
[“Then don’t you think my terrible acting was also an essential element on that perfect day?”]
“…I guess so?”
[“That’s a nice recovery! Yoshiki Ryota, dancing to my tune!”]
“Don’t wrap it up in such a weird way!”
As I retort, Yuzuha laughs cheerfully.
Indeed, Yuzuha helped me this time too. Thinking about it that way, reporting to Yuzuha was almost like an obligation.
As I was pondering this, Yuzuha suddenly spoke in a gentle voice.
[“Yoshiki”]
“…What is it?”
I could hear Yuzuha taking a soft breath on the other end of the line.
[“…I’m happy for you.”]
“…Yeah. Thanks for everything.”
I expressed my gratitude.
I hang up the phone.
On my smartphone screen, there was a new message from Hanazono.
Yuka [See you tomorrow. Let’s meet at school.]
I can’t see her face from the message.
I wonder what expression Hanazono is making right now.
What she’s wearing, what position she’s in.
— A new daily life is about to begin.
With my heart racing, I turn my gaze to the window.
Most of the stars scattered across the pitch-black sky are obscured by streetlights.
But there are still stars that manage to shine their light through.
Perhaps love is the act of finding those stars.
…I hope the night ends soon.
It had been a long time since I last felt this way.
Under an overcast sky.
Two shadows sway on the rooftop.
Nikaido Remi and Hanazono Yuka.
Both are renowned beauties from Class 1-2 at Nishidai Kita High School.
These two, who normally hardly interact, were sitting side by side on the deserted rooftop. Neither had brought any belongings; the rooftop was simply a place to avoid prying eyes.
“…Can I ask you something? Why did you start dating Ryota?”
When Remi poses the question, Yuka parts her lips slightly.
“…He told me that I don’t have to show the parts of myself I don’t want to show.”
“Oh… Ryota said that?”
Remi’s voice is tinged with admiration at Yuka’s response.
It was a surprise to realize that her childhood friend, whom she thought she knew well, had grown up significantly without her noticing.
Remi recalls how her childhood friend had seemed a bit lonely when her own behavior changed.
She felt she could understand a bit of his feelings now.
“So even you have parts you don’t want to show, Hanazono-san.”
“I do, lots of them. The parts I don’t want to show change depending on the person.”
“Can I ask what they are?”
“Why? I don’t think people usually share that kind of information in this situation.”
Her voice had a cautionary tone.
But Remi, seemingly used to this, simply shrugs nonchalantly.
“I’m just worried he might cause you trouble.”
In response, Hanazono Yuka maintains her gentle smile.
Neither of them makes eye contact.
As if breaking that unspoken rule would trigger something.
Yuka directs her gaze to Remi’s piercings.
“…Those piercings, are they matching with his?”
“Huh?”
“He might have just forgotten. I saw something similar at his house.”
This time, it was Remi’s turn to furrow her brow.
“…So what if they are? It’s your choice to date him, and I won’t say anything about that, but–“
“You can’t say anything, and I won’t let you say anything.”
Yuka stands up, cutting the conversation short.
As if to say there’s no room for argument.
As if to assert that she holds the upper hand.
“After all, Yoshiki-kun is my boyfriend now.”
Yuka smiles.
To Remi’s eyes, she didn’t appear to be a girl who could be trusted.
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT gadgetizedpanda.net
Afterword
Thank you very much for picking up this work.
I’m Omiya Yuu, the author.
To those who are new to my work, it’s nice to meet you.
To those who have read my previous books, it’s great to see you again.
This is my third series with Sneaker Bunko.
I’m truly honored to have been able to write so many romantic comedies.
I hope many readers will enjoy this work as well.
So, what did you think of the main story?
I believe there are many obstacles in love.
This work was born from remembering the “relatable” regret of “I thought there was a good vibe, but nothing progressed…” (… It is relatable, right?)
If you could feel a good vibe from the three heroines… and if even one of them resonated with you, it would be the ultimate reward for me as an author.
From here on, I’d like to express my gratitude.
To my editor, K-san. Thank you for your continued support with [Kano Uwa], [Kono Hano], and now this work. Compared to the first volumes of my previous series, this one was the most challenging to write, but thanks to you, I managed to complete it. We spent so much time discussing “what if we did this” or “how about that,” reinventing the heroines multiple times, that before we knew it, the schedule was…! Thank you for ensuring I had time to focus on the content until the very end.
Illustrator Eru-sama. I’m truly delighted that Eru-sama will continue to be in charge of the illustrations, following [Kano Uwa]. The numerous illustrations that double the charm of the heroines, just like in the previous work… I especially love the visual of the gal!
I’m very excited to hear that tapestries and acrylic figures will be released this time as well.
And finally, to all the readers.
The fact that I can continue to produce new works is all thanks to you who love romantic comedies. Romantic comedies are great, aren’t they…! I’ll keep working hard so that this work can be added to that “greatness”.
(To those who came from [Kano Uwa AS] released on the same day, thank you so much!)
If you’d like to read more, I’d be grateful if you could spread the word about the work on social media and in reviews.
Now, hoping to meet you all again in volume two, I’ll close this afterword.
I wonder if I wrote this afterword well enough.
Yuu Omiya
TLNOTE : English translation of Classmates With the girls I Was Close to Loving (LN) Volume 2 will begin when the bar above reaches 100%
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