Yukiteru! Yuno!
Hm? MurMur? What's wrong? Did something happen in that world?
Its 2nd world Toshiro's entity! There's something wrong! I can't sense it!
Toshiro's entity? Why can't you sense it? You should have that ability, right, Yukki? We made her the observer in that world after all.
I don't know! It's like it vanished in thin air!
That's sounds impossible, MurMur. How could he erase his own entity?
I really don't know, Yukiteru! We even had a recent talk! I don- Wait…
Hm? What's wrong?
He told me something. I remember. Ever since that his 3rd world counterpart managed to unlock his memories, he started to remember everything. He told me that he shouldn't be burden… After that, I couldn't sense him any longer…
Wait! Isn't that dangerous?! Wouldn't that result into his 3rd world counterpart vanishing with him?!
No… his 3rd world counterpart… is still in that world…
Huh? Is that possible, Yukki? We did place his entity in his 3rd world's counterpart's mind. We did that so we could save both of their entities, right?
Wait… Yukiteru… his counterpart… he doesn't have a single memory of that night. That night where his 2nd world counterpart saved him… His 2nd world counterpart erased himself from that world and he erased everything that could tie him with his 3rd world counterpart…
N-No way… He sacrificed himself once again for someone's happiness…?
Nohiru, Toshiro is gone… Yukiteru, Yuno.
He's forever gone…
Hm? Where am I? What happe… Oh. I remember. I was beaten into a pulp by some guys in our school. I didn't die, right? Tsh. My head hurts like hell. It feels like I've forgotten something, but somehow, I feel unburdened. That's pretty weird. Wait. Did one of them manage to smack my head that hard that it made me forget some memories? Nah. That can't be. That's plain impossible. Now that I mentioned it, what made me fight back again? It was like a voice that sparked something inside me.
It's a voice that I can't remember.
I slowly opened my eye. A flat white ceiling was the first thing I saw. God, I can feel the aching pain throughout my body. Also, my left eye was covered with a gauze pad. I found myself inside a hospital room. It was your average private room. The furnishings were a bed for the patient, some chairs, a two-seater sofa, a coffee table, and a nightstand. Tsh. I hate hospitals. I remember spending some time of my childhood here when my mother died. I slowly looked around. Hm? A pink haired girl was sitting on a chair beside my bed. She was resting her head by the edge of my bed. Oh. Yuno. She's sound asleep. Hm? Does she have eye-bags before?
Toshii is mine! He's all mine!
While I stared at her face, I suddenly remembered her words. I don't know if I should feel happy or what. That wasn't a declaration of war or something. I felt warm inside when I heard her say that. Yare yare. That could only mean one thing, right? My feelings for her are that strong. Do I like Yuno, or do I love her? I think, I do lo-
Oh? You're finally up, Toshiro.
My room's sliding door opened. Kazuto enters the room with his fiancée, Hikoda, Remi. Remi is 2 years younger than my older brother. Unlike Yuno or Shizuka, she's pretty flamboyant with her clothing. Though her material needs are pretty expensive, her warm and dignified personality really suits my brother. Like Yuno, her hair colour is pretty unique. I think she's the only redhead that I know. "Oy. Stop staring at Remi, perv." Kazuto remarked as he placed a bento box on top of the nightstand beside my bed. "A-Ah. Sorry, Hik-" "Ara. Shiro-chan? Didn't I tell you to call me Remi-chan?" Remi playfully asked as she sits down on the sofa. "Um. Sorry, Remi-chan. I spaced out." I replied as Kazuto sits down beside her.
"Anyway, how are you feeling, kiddo? Doing okay?" Kazuto asked as he begins eating an apple. "A bit. There's some pain throughout my body, but I can tolerate it." I replied as I continued to look around the room. "That's quite a beating you had there. Luckily, your silver haired friend quickly called an ambulance. Seriously though, what the hell were you doing? You were out for 2 days." Kazuto asked once again as his fiancée rests her head on his left shoulder. "I… I was protecting Yuno. She was being assaulted by some punks." I replied as I shifted my gaze on the sleeping girl. "Is she your girlfriend, Shiro-chan?" Remi curiously asked. "N-No. She's… she's my close friend." I frantically replied.
"You sure? Yuno-chan hardly left this room. She was really waiting for you to wake up." Kazuto said as he nuzzles Remi's short red hair with his hand. "Uh. Are you serious?" I asked Kazuto as I slowly sat up. "Yep. She only went home to shower and to get some clothes. We had some problems with her too. When the ambulance picked you up, she wouldn't let you go. She was snarling at anyone who tried to touch you. Also, when they admitted you here, she just sat there, staring at you. There are times that she would suddenly cry and call your name. Seriously kiddo, is she just a friend?" Kazuto stated. What? Yuno did that? Dang. She probably feels guilty that I ended up here.
"To be honest, she's special to me. I can't deny that. She's that important to me that I would risk my life for her." I stated as I gently caressed Yuno's sleeping face. "It feels like Yuno-chan suddenly developed an unhealthy obsession for you, Shiro-chan. It's she turned int-" "A yandere? Geez. Honey. Yuno-chan isn't like that. I think she's just a bit protective over Toshiro. I mean, Toshiro is one of her close friends and all." Kazuto commented as he pinches Tsugimi's cheeks. A yandere? Yuno's a yandere for me? Pft. I don't see that happening.
Some minutes passed.
"Anyway, we have to go kiddo. We have an errand for dad to finish. I'll tell him that you're already up. He's also worried sick, you know." Kazuto said as they stood up from the sofa. "Leaving so soon?" I asked them with a disappointed tone. "Sorry, Shiro-chan. We're fixing the papers for condo unit that your dad bought for us. Oh yeah, you'll live with us in Tokyo next year, right?" Remi asked as she fixes the folds on her black skirt. "I'm still thinking about it. I still have a year before graduation." I replied with a smile. "Better decide, Toshiro. One more year, right? Later." Kazuto said as they bid me farewell.
As the two opened the door, a familiar face walked in. It was none other than Shizuka. "Oh. Shizuka-chan. Welcome. Our patient's up. Anyways, take it easy kiddo!" Kazuto said as the lovers left my room. "Shizuka…" I muttered as Shizuka closed the door. Hm? She looks, haggard. She looks like she hasn't slept in days. "Hey, Toshiro-kun. How are you feeling?" Shizuka asked as she approached my bed. "Pft. I've been through worst. I think. Wait. You okay? You look sick." I replied as I gaze at her. "N-Not really. It's just that, I couldn't sleep. Wait. Why are we talking about me? Here! I brought you some oranges! Want me to slice them?" Shizuka asked as she tries to sound cheerful. She's trying so hard. Somehow, I think I know where this is going. "Go ahead." I replied.
We ate some slices of orange while Yuno slept peacefully. Shizuka was sitting down on my bed while I tried my best to look relaxed. The afternoon rays of the sun shone through the awning windows. There's a tense atmosphere inside the room, and we're choking in it. "Shizuka. Do you want to talk about something?" I asked her. "Uhm. I-I don't think…" "It's about me and Yuno, right?" I asked her once again. There was silence. Shizuka didn't respond. She kept staring at me blankly with a painful look on her face. "I don't how to do this, Shizuka. Both of you are important to me. I… I don't what to do. I don't want to hurt the both of you." I stated. Shit. This is harder than I thought. Am I really friend-zoning Shizuka right now? Can I bear to see her breaking down in front of me?
"I know. I know you're a kind person, Toshiro-kun, but in the end, you have to hurt one of us. She… Gasai-san… really needs you, you know? When I saw her back then, she really looked like she lost the whole world. The way she wrapped her arms around your unconscious body, the way she screamed and yelled at us… It made me… think." Shizuka replied as I noticed her teary eyes. Shit. If Shizuka starts crying, I might end up crying too. Fuck. Am I really going to tell her that I… that I love Yuno? But… It's for the better. I have to do this. I can't lie to myself anymore.
"Think of what?" I asked her. "That if I really deserve you. I don't want to be selfish, Toshiro-kun, but I don't want to end it like this… I don't wan-"
Every path is the right path. Everything could've been anything else, and it would have just as much meaning.
With those words, I managed to catch Shizuka's attention. "That quote…" Shizuka muttered as she looked at me with her teary eyes. "You still remember that, huh? That quote from one of the western movies that we watched back then. Heh. Shizuka. I'm not saying goodbye to you." I stated as I smiled at her. "Huh?" She muttered with a puzzled look on her face. "Uh. You were kinda implying that we're not going to talk to one another again. I don't want that. I still want you to be my friend." I remarked as I let out a chuckle. "But… we have a problem with Gasai-san… She might get angry…" Shizuka muttered. Problem? What?"Geez. Don't worry. I'll talk to Yuno about that. Besides, we're young. We'll never know what the future has stored for us. For now, I have to stick with my feelings for Yuno." I stated as I smiled once again at her. Eventually, Shizuka lets out a chuckle.
Ah. She's calming down.
"You never change, Toshiro-kun." Shizuka commented as a sudden burst of laughter came from her. "If only we had something that could predict the future. Like, a diary perhaps?" I said as I let out a chuckle. "A diary that predicts the future? That sounds absurd and ridiculous, Toshiro-kun. Besides, that idea sucks. I rather face our uncertain future without a clue. It has more thrill in it!" She cheerfully commented as she tries to tone down her laughter. "Well, you have a point. Wait. Shh! You'll wake u-"
Hm? Toshii? Miyamoto…?
Thanks to Shizuka's burst of laughter, Yuno woke up. She lets out a yawn as she rubs her eyes. "Good morning, sleepyhead. It's already afternoon. Look at those eye-bags of yours. Seriously, what time did you sleep last night?" I asked her as Shizuka eventually calms down. "Around, 0600am I think? Wait. Miyamoto? What are you doing here?" Yuno asked with a surprised tone in her voice. "Uh. Hello, Gasai-san. I dropped by to check on Toshiro-kun." Shizuka replied as she gently smiled at Yuno. For a moment, Yuno fell silent. She stared blankly at Shizuka. Wait. I suddenly felt an intimidating aura from Yuno. "I don't remember allowing you to visit him…" Yuno muttered with that cold look on her face. "I… I just wanted to make sure tha-"
Didn't I tell you? He's mine. No one gets to touch him. He's mine alone.
Huh? Did Yuno really say that? Both I and Shizuka fell silent as we Yuno muttered those words. Shit. Shit. Remi's actually right. Yuno developed an unhealthy obsession for me. She's turning into a yandere. This is bad. I have to do something before the tension between these two choke me. "Yuno." I said as I called Yuno's attention. Suddenly, that cold look on her face disappeared, and was replaced by her usual cheerful look. "Yes, Toshii?" Yuno asked with a sweet tone on her voice. I could see Shizuka tensed up in the corner of my bed. "Uh. Could you stop that? You're intimidating Shizuka." I replied. "Intimidating? That's the point, Toshii. I'm making sure no one gets to harm you again." Yuno cheerfully said as she gently holds my left hand.
What the hell. What happened to her? Something's way off. Her eyes are different from before. It's like she's in trance or something. This isn't the Yuno that I used to know. Shit. I don't want her to turn into a yandere because of me, but that thought is really tempting. Tsh. Get a grip, Toshiro! I can't sacrifice Yuno's social life for myself. That's plain absurd! Tsh. I just hope a stern scolding will do.
"Stop it. Please." I muttered as I gave Yuno a stern look. "Huh? Why? Why would I let them get near you again? They'll hurt you, Toshii! I won't let that happen again!" Yuno stated with a pained look on her face. "Don't be silly. I haven't accepted that I'm yours, right?" I asked her. "H-Huh? Wh-" "I'll accept that, but in return, please. Lessen that yandere attitude of yours." I stated as I gave her a faint smile. "W-What? You'll… You'll accept…?" Yuno asked me as I noticed her gaze at Shizuka. "Don't worry, Gasai-san. You… You can have Toshiro-kun for now." Shizuka stated as she gave her a smile. "Miyamoto…" Yuno muttered. I bet she was expecting Shizuka to resist.
"Besides, Yuno. I don't blame anyone about what happened to me. What matters is that you're safe. That I managed to save you." I stated as I nuzzled her pink hair with my hand. "T-Toshii…" Yuno muttered as she began to cry. "That's why I have to seriously train this time around, so that I could protect you in the future. So, please, stay as you were before. That's the Yuno that I love. You don't need to cast everyone away in order to protect me. I'm not that weak, Yuno." I stated as I kept nuzzling her hair with my hand. "I-I'm sorry, Toshii… I just… I just don't want you to leave me…" Yuno tearfully muttered as her tears freely flowed out from her weary eyes. "Baka. Who said I'm leaving your side. Pft. I won't. I promise." I whispered as Yuno cried her eyes out.
An hour passed.
It was already a few minutes before 0600pm in the evening. After some conversations and so, Shizuka decided to call it a day. I was left in the room with Yuno. "So, you're not going home yet? I'm pretty sure you're family's worried about you." I said as Yuno stood up and approached her pink duffle bag, which was placed beside the sofa. "I will. Don't worry. Wait. What's this, Toshii?" Yuno asked as she pulls out a gift-wrapped box out from her bag. "Oh. It's yours." I replied as she walks back to me. "Mine? Is this a gift or something?" Yuno asked as she shakes the box. "Of course it is, baka. Go on. Open it." I replied as I watched Yuno examine my gift. With that, Yuno quickly opens my gift. I saw Yuno's eyes glistening as she pulls out a silver necklace from the box. The necklace had a fairly simple design, which was a silver heart accompanied with silver two stars. "You like it? Also, there's more. Go check the box." I remarked.
To my surprise, Yuno didn't move. She was too occupied with the silver necklace. "T-Toshi…" Yuno whispered as she examines the necklace with a smile on her face. Oh. She likes it. "Geez. That's not all. Here. I got you a stuff toy." I said as I pulled out the pink bunny stuff toy from the box. "T-That mascot! Toshii! How did you know that it was my favourite?!" Yuno cheerfully asked as I handed her the stuff toy. "Pft. Come on. We've been together for quite a while now, right? I remember everything that happened between us. I remember every single detail. I don't know, but I really cherish every moment that I'm with you." I replied as I gave her a genuine smile. "Toshii… thank you. I love them." Yuno said as she smiled back at me. "Wait. Turn around. I'll help you put on the necklace." I said as I gently took the silver necklace from her hand. Yuno quickly turned around and showed me her nape. "I think I spoil you too much." I commented as I place the necklace around her neck. "Geez. You're also spoiled, Toshii. It's just that you don't notice." Yuno replied as I locked the necklace in place. Hm. A perfect fit.
"How does it look?" I asked her as Yuno checked herself out in a nearby mirror. "It's pretty! I love it, Toshii!" Yuno cheerfully replied. "I'm happy to know that you liked it. Anyway, time for my last gift." I said as I stood up from my bed. I took off the gauze on my left eye and walked towards Yuno. "T-Toshii..?" Yuno mumbled as I gently grabbed onto her hands. "I'll do this again, okay? Listen well. You ready?" I asked her as I gently smiled at her. "Y-yes. I'm listening." Yuno replied as her face began to blush. I took a deep breath and looked at her longingly. This is the right moment. This is the moment we've been waiting for.
"I love you, Gasai, Yuno. I'm all yours." I stated as I bring her hands towards my face. "T-Toshi…" Yuno whispered as she began caressing my face. "I will never regret meeting you. I really think fate brought us together. Now, that our feelings are mutual; I'll ask you once again. Will you be my girlfriend, Yuno?" I asked her. "Baka. Of course I will. You're the only one for me, Toshii. Your all mine, and I'm all yours. Nothing will ever change that." Yuno replied as her tears slowly fall from her eyes. "Ah. You're crying…" I muttered as I wiped her tears away. "Sorry, I couldn't help it. I'm so happy right now that I might burst." Yuno replied as she presses my hand onto her cheek. The atmosphere was just right. We stared at each other for a bit. Her pink eyes were glistening in joy. She slowly brings her lips closer to mine. We whispered each other's names before our lips locked onto each other. I slowly closed my eyes as I savoured this moment. Her soft lips, her warm hand on my cheek, and her breathing were the only things that I could think off at the moment. She's all mine, and I'm all hers. Nothing could go wrong in this moment.
After a few seconds, we stopped our kiss. We then stared at each other's eyes. "Yuno…" I whispered as I caressed her face. "Toshii… wait. Was that your first kiss? D-Don't tell me tha-" "Baka! That was my first!" I frantically cried out as Yuno looked at me with a surprised look on my face. "Really? Well, I'm happy to know that! You're also my first!" Yuno happily said with a sweet smile on her face. "Yare yare. You'll always be first, you know that? My first love, my first kiss, and my first girlfriend." I stated as I smiled back at her. "And you're the same, Toshii. Be responsible for this, alright?" Yuno cheerfully asked me. "Of course I will. Also, Happy Birthday, Yuno." I replied as I smiled at her. "Alright! I think it's time for me to say this!" Yuno cheerfully said as she took a step back away from me. "Hm? What?" I curiously asked her.
I love you, Toshii! I love you so much!
Time quickly passed since that day.
To my surprise, it was already a year and 4 months.
We graduated from junior high during the 2nd week of March. Our celebration was quite simple. Our small group of friends went out to karaoke and sang our hearts out. Me, Hinata, and Mao sang our best while Akise cheered on. As usual, Kousaka tried to grab the spotlight, but surprisingly, it was Yuno and Shizuka who managed to get the top score. We really enjoyed it. Besides, that was their farewell party for me, Yuno, and Shizuka.
Speaking of those guys, most of them decided to stay and apply for Sakurami Highschool. Akise was planning to take a law-related course to pursue his dream of being a detective. Well, he's quite informative in every aspect of society, so I don't blame him. It's just that, he's that mysterious. Kousaka in other hand will pursue a business course. He's planning to be a famous entrepreneur in the future. Heh. Can't wait to see that. Hinata is planning to take her father's mantle as a veterinarian while Mao, will surely follow Hinata.
Unfortunately, Shizuka had to move again thanks to her parent's work. This time around, she has to move overseas. If I could remember correctly, her parents are renowned IT programmers and a big-name company from the America gave them a contract. Besides, her relatives are living there, so there wouldn't be any fuss for her if she transferred there. They left the country last week. We were even there to see them away since Father's a good friend of Shizuka's father. We will surely miss her. I still have the internet, so I could still keep in touch with her. I'm pretty sure she'll pester me for the latest Jojolion volumes though.
I eventually moved to Tokyo with my Kazuto, Remi, and Yuno. Surprisngly, Yuno's family allowed her to move with us. Well, I think they allowed her since she's planning to be an interior designer in the future and Tokyo Academy is the only available school in the country that has that course. I feel bad for Father though. He'll be lonely. We better make sure to visit him during holidays. Of course, we'll sleep in different rooms. After all, we're under the watchful eye of the newly wedded. Well, Remi will probably watch over us most of the time since brother's out working his bum off. Oh well. I don't mind, since I'm not planning to rush things with Yuno.
Toshii! Wake up!
Hm?
Wake up, Toshii! We'll be late for our first day!
First day? Oh! Shit! I remember! It's our first day in Tokyo Academy! I quickly opened my eyes and sat up. The first thing that I saw was my pink-haired girlfriend in her uniform, which was a black blazer, a white polo with a red necktie, and a red skirt. "Geez! You're so hard to wake up!" Yuno annoyingly commented as I stretched my arms and yawned. "Sorry, sorry. I slept like a log." I said as I put on my glasses and stood up. My room here is quite simple. There was a study desk, my bed, some posters, a cabinet for my clothing, and some wooden shelves with my precious anime figures. As I followed Yuno out of my room, I managed to catch a glimpse of the nearby wall clock. Huh? It's just 0630am in the morning. Our classes start in 0830am. We still have two more hours.
"What's the rush? The academy is quite near. Our commuting time is like around, 15 minutes…" I asked Yuno as I let out another yawn. "Don't be silly, Toshii. With that mind-set of yours, you'll always be late!" Yuno replied as we eventually reached the dining area. Kazuto was sitting on one of the chairs while Remi was cooking our breakfast. "She has a point, Toshirooo. You're always late." Kazuto commented as he takes a sip of his coffee. "Tch. Yare yare daze." I commented as I let out a sigh. "Ara. Good morning, Toshi-chan. Go on, take a seat. Breakfast will be ready soon." Remi said as a mouth-watering aroma entered my nostrils. "You're lucky that you have someone like Remi-chan, Aniki." I said as I sat down beside Yuno. "Of cour-" "Since you can't cook and all. Without her, you're probably eating microwave meals." I commented as I smirked at him. "Tch. Yuno-chan. Scold your boyfriend for being too annoying." Kazuto remarked as he shrugs off my tease. Yuno quickly followed his instructions and pinched my nose. "Ouch! Hey!" I said as I rubbed my nose. Yuno simply giggled and smiled at me. Tch. If you aren't that cute when you're smiling, I would have pinched your nose too.
We then ate our hearty breakfast. Remi's cooking was top-notch. Father's sunny side-ups and bacons are nothing compared to Remi's culinary skills. Heck, even Yuno's surprised with her skills. "Woah! Remi-chan! Could you teach me how to cook?!" Yuno merrily asked Remi as she finishes her meal. "Of course, Yuno-chan! I'll teach you so that you could also cook for Toshi-chan!" Remi happily replied. "You hear that, Toshii? No more yakisoba bread for you during lunch time!" Yuno cheerfully said as she smiled at me. "Tch. Alright, but we'll do it alternatively, alright? I can't let my cooking skills dull down too." I said as I heard Kazuto chuckling in a distance.
After a quick shower, I then put on my uniform, which was a black blazer, white polo with a blue necktie, and black slacks. "You ready, Toshii?" Yuno asked me as she peeks inside my room. "Yep. Ready when you are." I replied as I fixed some folds on my slacks. "Geez. You got your necktie crooked. Let me fix it." Yuno said as she walked towards me. "Alright, alright. Here you go." I said as I took off my blue necktie and handed it to Yuno. As Yuno wrapped my necktie around my collar, I caught a glimpse of her silver necklace peeking underneath her red necktie. I can't help but to smile as I watched her fix my necktie. "What's with that smirk of yours? It's like you're going to eat me or something." Yuno curiously asked. "Heh. I might." I replied with a chuckle. A sudden gleam came from Yuno's fingers. Oh. It was none other than our promise ring. I gave her that during our first anniversary. I heard that she never took it off ever since.
"Hey. If I saw you looking at other girls later, I'll gouge your eyes out." Yuno said as she pulls my necktie towards her. With that sweet tone of hers, I'm pretty sure she's joking around. I know she's a bit, protective, or should I say obsessed with me, but I could manage to tolerate it. Besides, I love that side of hers. "Heh. You always say that, love. Don't worry. I only have my eyes on you." I replied as I kissed her cheek. "G-Good. Only me, alright? I love you…" Yuno asked with a blushing face. "Only you. I love you too, Yuno. Come on. We'll be late. We can save the romantic moments later." I replied as I grabbed onto her hand. "Alright. Let's go, Toshii!" Yuno happily stated.
We then ran off towards the future.
I wonder what's in stored for us in the future. Perhaps we'll end up together. As always, we'll be a tandem. Yuno will be an interior designer, while I'll be an architect. Heh. I don't know what the future holds for us. Like Shizuka said before, it's better to face the uncertain future rather knowing what will happen to us. I don't know, but one thing is for sure.
I'll stick with this pink-haired girl who's madly in love with me, since I'm madly in love with her.
I'm Hiriyama, Toshiro and this is my story.
My story where I went through a harsh childhood thanks to my Uncle.
My story where I was reunited with my Father and older half-brother.
My story where I lived a normal life with my friends.
More importantly, this is my story where I met the girl who stayed with me till the very end.
FIN