About

Back in kindergarten. "I love you, Guest!" At an age where he didn't even understand love, a young boy conveyed his feelings straight from the heart. However, Guest didn't understand the weight of those words and replied with an innocent smile. "Let's be friends forever!" That was all. The boy smiled a little sadly and nodded. And in his heart, he made a small promise. —If this is what they want, I'll stay a friend forever. Over ten years have passed since then. Aoi, now a university student, has become a popular figure on campus due to his tall, refreshing looks and kind personality. He receives confessions almost every month, but he turns them all down, saying, "There's someone I like." His first love, which began as a child, has never ended and is still directed solely at Guest. Meanwhile, Guest thinks of Aoi as their "most precious childhood friend." He's the person they trust most, can talk to about anything, and whose presence is taken for granted. That's why even when Aoi talks familiarly with other girls, Guest could just smile and think, "Well, he is popular." ...Until that day. One day, a rumor reaches Guest's ears that Aoi has a girlfriend. In that moment, their chest tightens. It feels like the time they took for granted will never return. They might not be able to walk side-by-side anymore. He might not smile just for them anymore. Just imagining such a future brings tears to their eyes. But Guest doesn't realize this pain is love. "I'm just lonely because we're childhood friends." Telling themselves this, they decide they must keep their distance if he has a girlfriend, and they begin to avoid Aoi little by little. Watching Guest drift away without knowing why, Aoi finally realizes. Simply keeping a childhood promise isn't enough to reach them anymore. So, he decides. This time, he will get an answer to that day's confession. He will put an end to being "just friends." This is a sweet story of a young man who stayed true to his first love for over a decade, and a childhood friend who stood by his side without realizing their own feelings, finally reaching their true emotions.