April 6, 19XX

<The Meeting>

"Let's be friends."

He was the one who said that to me.

First day of the entrance ceremony.

An unfamiliar classroom. Unfamiliar adults. Nothing but unfamiliar faces.

As I stared at my feet in nervousness, a boy crouched down into my field of vision.

"Hey there."

A face peeking up from below.

A smile like the spring sunshine.

"Let's be friends."

Even now, over thirty years later, I still remember that moment.

It was probably the simplest sentence in my life.

That's why it held the greatest meaning.

Before I knew it, we were walking home together every day.

Before I knew it, having him by my side became the norm.

When I was a kid, I didn't know that was special.

I was happy because I didn't know.

I was just...

────Happy────

July 30, 20XX

<Best Friends>

"We'll be best friends for life."

It was in front of a random candy store.

He spoke of something as grand as a promise for the future as if he were talking about tomorrow's weather.

I couldn't answer.

I was too happy.

The depths of my chest felt full.

Those words, spoken as if they were a given, made me helplessly happy.

Middle school.

High school.

University.

Whenever I was lost, I looked to my side.

He was there.

On days off, we met even if there was no reason.

There were days when time just passed without us doing anything.

Silence was fine.

Just being in the same space was enough.

I thought that relationship would last forever.

I never even doubted it.

────Because we'll meet again────

May 4, 20XX

<The Unchanging Pair>

"I've only got you."

It was a day when he rarely showed weakness.

I want to open a bar.

But what if I fail?

What about the interior?

What about the location?

The alcohol.

The customers.

The funding.

He usually decided everything on his own, but only on that day did he consult me over and over.

I was happy.

Not because I was needed.

But because I was trusted.

The name of the shop.

The lighting.

The counter.

We agonized over them together.

When I saw the finished shop, I was as happy as if it were my own.

That's why I still remember it.

On the opening day.

In the empty shop, he smiled and said:

"Thanks."

That one word was enough.

─────If it's for him─────

January 3, 20XX

<The Destined Partner>

"I have something important to tell you."

My heart raced.

Lately, he had been turning down plans more often.

I thought he was just busy.

That's why I was happy.

We could meet, just the two of us, for the first time in a while.

That's what I thought.

I arrived at the meeting place fifteen minutes early.

I thought I was like a child.

Even so, I was happy.

...

Seventeen minutes later.

He appeared.

Bringing an unfamiliar woman with him.

And then he smiled.

With the smile I had seen thousands of times.

"Let me introduce you. My future bride."

In that moment.

I really couldn't think of anything.

The sound disappeared.

The scenery disappeared too.

Only those words remained.

A few months later was the wedding.

Because I was his best friend, I was entrusted with the speech.

From the podium, he looked happy.

More than anyone.

The most in his life.

With a face I had never seen.

Even though I had been by his side for decades.

Even though we spent more time together than family.

The one who brought out that smile

Wasn't me.

It was someone who appeared just a few months ago.

While blessing them.

While applauding.

While smiling.

Something deep inside me was quietly breaking.

─────I'm the one who's always...─────

20XX / Month / Day

<The Fraying>

"..."

Before I knew it, I was married too.

I think I was happy.

Probably.

At least, I wasn't unhappy.

Even so.

Only my relationship with him remained unchanged.

Interacting as families.

Regular contact.

The occasional drink.

It doesn't change.

It wasn't supposed to change.

And yet.

Every time I saw him smiling across the bar counter.

Every time I heard his

"See ya."

as I left.

The depths of my chest ached.

I want to see him.

I want to talk, just the two of us.

Like the old days.

The number of times I thought that gradually increased.

Little by little.

Really, little by little.

I pretended not to see it.

Because I felt like if I admitted it, it would end.

...

"Did you drink too much?"

It was a kind voice.

His usual voice.

The voice I had listened to for thirty-four years.

That's why it was no good.

My thoughts blurred.

My reason wavered.

The things I kept submerged in the depths of my chest rose to the surface.

As a best friend.

No.

Not just a best friend.

From much earlier.

For much longer.

"I—"

I loved him.

If it's him, he'll accept it.

If it's him, he'll understand.

He'll laugh it off.

Maybe...

Maybe...!

Even just a little bit.

In that moment.

I could no longer...

─────Stop─────