Blessings

"Marina-san, don't think about anything else... I just want you to tell me how you feel."

"My... feelings?"

"Yeah. Forget about being a good match, forget what people are saying, forget all that extra noise. Just tell me your feelings, Marina-san."

I spoke to her slowly and gently, choosing my words with care so she wouldn't get unnecessarily tense.

Thanks to Kazunari, the sadness and the fearful aura Marina-san had been projecting just a moment ago seemed to have receded into the shadows. She still looked a bit bewildered, but I felt she was finally in a state to listen to me calmly.

"U-Um... you see. I've never dated a boy before, so I didn't really understand my own feelings... But... but, you know? During the tennis match, when I saw the people around us calling you 'Hayato-kun'... I felt frustrated. Everyone else was calling you by your name, so why was I still calling you 'Yokokawa-kun'? Once that thought took hold, I suddenly felt so... so bitter about it."

"...Why did you think it was frustrating?"

"Yeah... I wondered why myself. I didn't understand it. But once that feeling started, all the time I'd spent with Hayato-kun and your happy, smiling face came flooding... just flooding into my head. I thought, I'm the girl who's closest to Hayato-kun... I'm the one by his side more than anyone... and then I realized I wanted to call you by your name. Then, when you won the match and called out only my name... when I realized I was special to you, I was just so happy. I felt so blessed. So, these feelings of mine must be... surely..."

What Marina-san had been feeling then was likely a sense of rivalry born from jealousy. It was a manifestation of her possessiveness toward me—a feeling born from wanting to be by my side more than anyone else.

If that was the case... then I didn't have to hesitate for a single second more!

"Marina-san, I'll say it again. No, I'll say it as many times as it takes. I want you—only you—to be by my side. I want you to always be there, smiling. I want you to be happy. I love your smile... just having you next to me makes my heart feel warm. It makes me feel truly happy. Because it's you, I don't ever want to let go. I won't give you up to anyone!"

"I... I want to be by Hayato-kun's side, too! I want to be the closest person to you, watching you smile. Because... because I love Hayato-kun! I don't want to see you smiling next to some other girl... I don't even want to imagine it. I don't want anyone else to take you. I'm the girl who's closest to Hayato-kun... so why should I...! I... I... Hyah!?"

My body moved on its own before I could even think.

Waiting to walk down the stairs felt like it would take forever, so I simply vaulted off the stage and ran straight toward Marina-san. Driven by that momentum, I reached out and pulled her into my arms.

Embracing her for the first time, I realized Marina-san was surprisingly small... and fragile. I held her gently yet firmly, as if trying to protect my most precious treasure from the world.

"Ha-Ha-Hayato-kun!?"

"Thank you, Marina-san. I'm so happy... that you said you love me."

"Eh... love? Hayato-kun... I... Fwaaaaaaaaa!!!"

"M-Marina-san!?"

"I-I-I said it! I said I love youuu! I actually said it out loud!"

"Marina-san?"

"Hiuuuuu..."

As I tightened my embrace slightly, Marina-san let out a tiny, wordless squeak. She eventually went quiet, and when I stole a glance at her face, she was beet-red, looking like she was at her absolute limit.

But honestly... seeing her look like that only made me feel more for her.

"Marina-san... you don't need to care about what other people say. It doesn't matter. What's important are my feelings and yours, and no one can bind those. I won't let anyone interfere. If anyone tries to say anything, I'll—"

"Quite right. If your hearts are in accord, there is no reason to hesitate for even a moment."

"S-Satsukawa-senpai?"

"The drivel of the rabble is not worth a moment's thought. Why should two people who love one another hold back for the sake of such trivialities? In the end, it is merely the howling of losers—a pathetic, miserable whine."

Senpai's voice echoed through the venue, cold and sharp, carrying an undisguised contempt that was enough to give anyone the chills. The rowdy audience fell silent instantly under that piercing tone. I felt Marina-san catch her breath in my arms.

"Todo-san, you said that we were amazing and that you had nothing. But that simply isn't true. If you were truly a person with nothing, you would never have been able to keep pace with us."

"...Eh?"

"You possess a warm, gentle aura that puts everyone at ease. You have a sincere, straightforward heart that treats others with genuine compassion. You are the conscience of this group, and that is something every one of us acknowledges. You possess things that we could never hope to imitate. So, hold your head high. Be dignified. No matter what anyone says, you are our comrade and an irreplaceable friend... our best friend."

"S-Satsukawa-senpai... I... I..."

"Furthermore, you needn't worry about the voices around you. It is inconceivable that anyone who claims to be a fan would interfere with the happiness of the two of you. If they lack even that much grace, they have no right to call themselves fans. A true fan wishes for the happiness of the one they support."

Honestly, I didn't expect Satsukawa-senpai to back me up... no, that wasn't quite it. This wasn't support for me; it was a follow-up for Marina-san. Still, just as she was warning them, I had to ensure that the feelings toward me didn't turn into malice toward Marina-san. Protecting her from all of that... that was my duty now, and it was more important than anything.

"Well... regardless of whether they are fans or not, any scoundrels who spread foul rumors about Todo-san will be treated as an enemy of ours. I trust there is no one here so dull as to not understand the implications of that?"

"She's right. If you're prepared to make enemies of us... then go right ahead and try."

Following the dangerous atmosphere Satsukawa-senpai had set, Natsumi-senpai chimed in with a blatantly bloodthirsty aura. For the students of this school, this was the ultimate warning. Every student knew exactly how terrifying the consequences would be if they crossed these two. Satsukawa-senpai alone had immeasurable influence, but to make an enemy of Natsumi-senpai as well meant...

"Natsumi-chan's friends are our friends!"

"Everyone! Do you understand what Natsumi-chan is saying!?"

"We won't forgive anyone for even whispering behind their backs!"

Sure enough, following Natsumi-senpai's lead, voices began to rise from every corner of the crowd—the Natsumi Yuzuki Fan Club. To make an enemy of Natsumi-senpai was to make an enemy of the largest faction in the school. It meant there would be eyes watching in every classroom, every corridor, and on every school commute route. And to be glared at by the two biggest icons, Satsukawa-senpai and Natsumi-senpai...

For the female students in particular, there probably wasn't a more terrifying prospect.

But I wasn't about to leave this entirely to others.

"To everyone listening, and to everyone who has always supported me—please listen. This person, Marina Todo-san, is the most important person in the world to me. I can't suppress these feelings anymore. No matter what anyone says, I'm going to see this love through. So, if you have something to say, say it directly to me! I'll take on whatever you've got. But if anything happens to Marina-san... I will never forgive you. No matter who it is, I will never forgive you!"

I don't think I'd ever taken such a fierce stance against anyone before. But this—only this—was something I would never yield on.

I would protect Marina-san. No matter what.

"Hey, everyone! If Hayato-kun can be happy with the person he loves, aren't we the ones who should be celebrating the most!?"

"Exactly! Like Satsukawa-san said, if we can't say congratulations to Hayato-kun and his girl, we aren't real fans!"

"Are you really okay with making Hayato-kun say something so painful? Have some pride!"

"If anyone complains about those two, we're going to have words!"

The people who began to voice their support were the ones who were always at the center of my fan base. They were the voices of the people who had supported me without fail ever since I joined the Tennis Club, so I recognized them immediately. Their support made me truly grateful.

"...H-Hey, what should we do?"

"...What can we do?"

"...If we complain in this atmosphere, we're dead. Seriously, getting glared at by those two is no joke."

"...If we get caught, we'll be blacklisted and ignored by everyone until graduation."

"...The guys will probably avoid us, too. It's not worth it."

"Hayato-kun, girlfriend-san, congratulations!"

"It's a little frustrating, but we're rooting for you!"

"Yeah, be happy, you two!"

"Don't you ever make Hayato-kun cry!"

"Wait, isn't it usually the other way around!?"

"Eh... Eeeeeeh!?"

"Marina-san... look. Everyone is congratulating us."

"Y-Yeah. But, is it... is it really okay? For it to be me...?"

"I'm telling you it has to be you, Marina-san. Are you still worrying about it?"

"Th-That's, well..."

"I love you, Marina-san. And you love me. That's everything, right?"

"Love... ugh... it's so embarrassing... Hayato-kun, you're so mean."

Marina-san hid her face in my arms, her cheeks turning a deeper shade of red by the second. Seeing her act so adorably was doing things to my heart... but that was still too early, so I had to endure.

"Marina... Satsukawa-senpai is right, okay?" Yoko said, stepping closer. "You said I was amazing, but from where I'm standing, you're the amazing one. You have so many things that I don't. I guess people just don't notice those things about themselves."

"Yoko..."

"Given your personality, it might be hard to suddenly have confidence in yourself... but you at least have confidence that you're number one to Yokokawa-kun, right?"

"...Yeah."

"Then you'll be fine. If you have confidence in the most important part, the rest is just a bonus. So..."

"Yoko... I... Iiiii..."

"Yokokawa-kun... please take care of Marina. She's my best friend... the precious person who became my very first real friend."

"Tachikawa-san... yeah. Leave her to me."

"Sniff... Yokoooo..."

"Come on, Marina. Don't cry. Smile for him."

"I can't... hic..."

Unable to hold back her tears any longer, Marina-san let out a sob as Yoko stroked her head. I held her tight. Those tears, which seemed to wash away all the bitterness that had been buried in the depths of her heart, were tears of joy.

There was no need to hold back. Not now, and not ever again.

""On three!!!!""

""Hayato-kun!!! Todo-san!! Congratulationssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss!!!!""

Thunderous applause follows.

I was going to be the one to catch her. No one else—just me.

"It seems they have finally become honest with themselves."

"I guess so... by the way, Sara-san, don't you think it's about time you let go?"

"No. This is your punishment, after all."

"...Yes, ma'am."

As a best friend, I was thrilled they’d finally gotten together. I'd been watching Hayato ever since he first started noticing Marina-san. I knew how frustrated he’d been when things weren't moving forward, so my own sense of relief was profound... or at least, that’s what I wanted to be feeling right now.

"I say..."

"Yes? What is it?"

"No... I mean... sigh... Satsukawa-san, you really are too honest with your own desires."

Minamin's exasperated voice perfectly summed up our current situation.

"Naturally. It is inconceivable that I would not express my affection for Kazunari-san honestly."

"I'm sure..."

"Um, Sara-san... I think I've been sufficiently... mgh..."

"Kazunari-san, that's a no-no, okay? Please stay there and reflect on your actions a little longer."

"Fway..."

"Reflection? I've never heard of a 'punishment' that looked so much like a rom-com... what is going on in their heads?"

"Is there a problem?"

"Nooo, not at allll."

Squish, squish. A sensation of something incredibly soft and blissful was being pressed against my face. It was coming from both sides, an intense physical reminder that I was meant to be reflecting deeply.

I knew that what I’d said earlier was necessary for Hayato and Marina-san’s sake, and I was sure Sara-san understood that... but it seemed that was that, and this was this.

"Kazunari-san... please, never say such sad things about yourself ever again, all right?"

"Sara-san..."

The strength with which she hugged my head increased, making it a little hard to breathe. But this was the consequence of my own words, and I had promised to accept it.

"No, don't just 'not say it.' Do not even think it. I will not permit you to even remember those thoughts. Wipe them away completely."

"Yes... I'm sorry."

"If you ever feel like you're about to remember, I will do this for you at any time. I will overwrite every negative thought until you can never recall them again. So..."

Chu.

Chu.

Sara-san’s kisses, light as bird pecks, were repeated across my forehead. Once she seemed satisfied, she wrapped her arms around my back and head, hugging me as if to envelop my entire being.

Even if her actions looked doting as usual, I knew she had been truly saddened by my earlier self-deprecation. I vowed never to utter those words again.

"I'm sorry, Sara-san..."

"No, I understand perfectly that you said it for their sake, Kazunari-san. However..."

"Yes..."

"It truly made me... very sad. You dummy, Kazunari-san."

"I'm sorry."

"Therefore... as a penalty, you will listen to my every selfish whim tonight, understood?"

"I-I understand."

"WHAAAAA!? Tonight? What do you mean 'tonight'!? What on earth are you two talking about!?"

"Heh? ...Ah!?"

Crap! I answered on reflex!

B-But, this isn't anything unwholesome. We are having a pure and healthy relationship, and whatever Minamin is imagining is completely—

KYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!

"T-T-T-Tonight!? As in tonight tonight!?"

"Kyaaaa! That's a total power move from Satsukawa-san!"

"Tonight... what's going to happen!? What is her 'selfish whim'!?"

"W-Well, obviously it's things like this and that..."

"Nooo! A maiden shouldn't say such things out loud!"

Yeah... I get it. No one is going to believe that a couple who are already living together are having a perfectly pure relationship. I know. But... it's the truth.

"...Those guys really have no shame. They're way too honest about how they feel."

"...Honestly. It'll be a problem if he forgets about me. I need to give him a lecture as his sister for that stunt earlier."

"...Hanako-san, you just want an excuse to pamper him too, don't you?"

"...You could say that."

"...Every single one of them is too honest."

"...Marina, maybe being too honest isn't a good thing after all..."

"...I-I couldn't do anything like that."

"...Haha, true. That's a bit much for me too, I think."

"...To have such things displayed all around me... I can't take it... ugh."

"...Ah, Nishikawa-san is finally awake."

"Aaaaah, we're out of time! I'm just going to decide the awards myself nowwwww!"

"Wait! P-Please wait, Fukazawa-san! There are regulations for the Miss Contest awards!"

The President was apparently still alive, making a final, desperate resistance. But given that the actual Miss Contest prizes had become a complete afterthought at this point...

"Look, this isn't even a Miss Contest anymore! Just give it up, President... I gave up ages ago!"

"N-No wayyyyyyy!"

Minamin's blunt words finally snapped his spirit, and the President slumped to the floor. It happened in what felt like slow motion to me.

With this, truly and completely, we had smashed the Miss Contest.

"Right! We're having a new Award Ceremony, so you fresh couple over there, get on over here!"

"...Marina-san?"

"Fueh!? I-I can't! It's too embarrassing!"

"Right. Sorry, we're staying here."

Hayato stepped in front of Marina-san to shield her. I didn't think he needed to be that defensive, but they’d only just started dating, so I guess it couldn't be helped.

"Yeah, yeah, how nice for you. Fine, let's start!"

At Minamin's declaration, that familiar award ceremony BGM started blasting from the speakers, and a staff member rushed out from the wings with some certificates.

Wait... are we actually getting certificates for this?

"Alright! First up... Takanashi-kun and Satsukawa-san, congratulations! You have won... the First Best Couple Grand Prize and... the First Stupid Couple Grand Prize simultaneously!!!!"

"Wait, what!?"

What is the 'Stupid Couple Grand Prize'!? No one said anything about that!

Massive cheering and applause.

"Kazunari-san, it seems we've won the Best Couple Grand Prize."

"No, I mean, that's fine, but the 'Stupid Couple' part..."

"The Best Couple Grand Prize."

"Ah... yes, ma'am."

So we're just ignoring that part... got it.

"Okay, here's your certificate... but before that, Satsukawa-san, do you have any intention of letting go of Takanashi-kun?"

"Is there a problem?"

"NO, NOT AT ALL..."

Of course, I’d tried to pull away a few times, but every time I did, Sara-san’s hands on my head and back would tighten, sending a very clear "No" signal. When that happens, the option of actually resisting her just disappears.

"Well... I'll give this stupid couple their award later. Next up, the Best Couple Runner-up! The fresh couple who managed to make it official thanks to a bold intrusion! The ones who just got a massive celebration from the audience... the Yokokawa-kun and Todo-san pair! And...!"

And? Is there more?

"The Natsumi-chan and Tachibana-kun pair, who managed a princess carry right in the middle of a tennis match! You're both runners-up!"

"WHAAA!? How do you even know about that!?"

"Hehehe, don't underestimate my intel, Natsumi-chan. If you want, I can even play the video of your confession on the big screen..."

"WAAAAAAAAA! STOP ITTTTT!"

"N-Natsumi-san!?"

Amidst Natsumi-senpai's screams and the audience's thunderous cheers... the event that had been derailed by so many unexpected incidents finally drew to a close. Everything had somehow worked out—the Miss Contest... no, the Best Couple Contest.

"Kazunari-san."

"Sara-san?"

"The engagement ring... I will cherish it forever."

"Yes. Please wear it every day."

"Of course. It is the proof of our engagement. I will wear it always."

"I'll wear this necktie every day, too."

"Fufu... I will put it on for you every single morning. It's a promise, darling?"

"U-Understood... Sara."

"Yes♪"

And so, the curtain fell...

"Daaaah! Stop flirting the second I look away!"

"And you, delete that video right nowwwww!"

The curtain fell!