Epilogue

“I really don’t mind being a backup, you know?”

The night breeze, signaling the end of summer, caressed my flushed cheeks.

When I said those words to Masato just as I was leaving the shop, he looked terribly surprised, his eyes going wide and round.

…Even that surprised expression of his is cute, though.

Just as I reached the main shopping district, I looked back. Being the diligent person he is, Masato was still standing in front of the shop. Realizing I had turned around, he waved his hand gently.

Truly, such a cute person. I had to suppress the urge to turn around and run back to him… so I limited myself to waving back a few times. …It was hard to part, but I turned the corner.

Beyond the alleyway, the main shopping street was filled with the bustle befitting a Friday night.

──There was no lie in those words I told Masato.

On that day I swore to become a woman worthy of standing beside Masato, I banished the possessiveness I had held toward him from my mind as much as possible.

I know about the girl who met Masato in front of the bar.

I’ve heard the stories about the girl he plays basketball with.

Even if there is no one currently holding the title of “girlfriend,” there are surely other women besides me aiming for Masato. In fact, it’s practically a miracle that he didn’t have a girlfriend already.

In the near future, a polygamy system will likely be introduced. Even if it isn’t, it has become normal in society for one man to have multiple female partners. Given how skewed the gender ratio has become, I suppose it’s only natural.

That is why, using whatever means necessary, I decided to first secure a place near Masato. Being a backup is fine. Being just one of several is fine.

That day when Masato told me I was “scary” and pushed me away. That day when I thought I might never see him again. The despair that attacked me then was immeasurable.

So, at the very least, I want to be with him. Even if I am not loved in return, I want him to allow me to love him.

That night.

After getting ready for bed and crawling under the covers, I opened my smartphone and sent a message to Masato. It’s a thank-you message I make sure to send every day I visit the shop.

After sending it, I opened my image folder and displayed my one favorite picture.

It was a photo taken when we went to dinner together on a douhan date. Masato and I are smiling in it.

It’s a treasured photo that makes me feel happy just by looking at it.

“…I can’t think of a life without you anymore.”

My days, which used to consist only of sleeping, waking up, and going to work, changed thanks to Masato.

In order to become a woman who isn’t embarrassing to stand next to, I’ve started taking even greater care in my daily beauty routine.

I can’t go back to living the way I did before. I will absolutely never go to another shop or get hooked on another boy. For me, there is only Masato.

Gradually, drowsiness set in.

I surrendered my consciousness to the pleasant slumber.

──I used to yearn for a pure love, like in a fairy tale.

Those yearnings gradually weathered away, and the day comes when one must look at reality.

It seems I wasn’t a princess after all.

However, I was able to meet a prince to whom I feel I could dedicate my entire life.

In that case, all that’s left is…

“I’m going to do my best… So, take responsibility, okay, Masato?”

To spend a lifetime simply loving him.