Why wasn't I the one who got the male lead's script?

"Well, well... cough."

Hoshimi didn't ignore the heartbeat that was gradually accelerating in her chest, but she chose to look away from Futaba before speaking.

"That would be great."

"?"

"Because meeting each other only makes sense when you, Futaba, also want to see me, right?"

“…Perhaps so.”

The atmosphere between the two seemed to gradually heat up without them noticing.

At least that's how Xingjian felt.

After all, the girl's hands clutching her sleeves seemed to be trembling slightly.

"However, there is one thing I must clarify with you, Xingjian."

"?"

"That's what you told me, isn't it? If you keep your worries buried deep inside and don't let others know, you have no right to blame others for not understanding your feelings... and you'll only push those around you further away."

She took a deep breath, paused for a moment, and then spoke as if she had mustered up enough courage.

"To be honest, I don't like this."

Futaba's fingers moved slightly unconsciously, but she still didn't let go of Hoshimi's sleeve.

"I don't like you being with someone else in the name of a couple, even though I know it's just a fake relationship. But saying it out loud would make me seem too petty."

"Futaba..."

"I don't like you going out on dates with other people. Even though I know that it's just the best option you have to take under the circumstances, and I agree with you doing it rationally...but I don't like it, and I can't deceive myself."

"........."

"...It doesn't matter. The idea of ​​being absolutely rational is just a fantasy."

She seemed to lower her head to wipe her eyes which were gradually becoming moist, and then her tone became much more relaxed as if she had given up the unnecessary constraints she had always imposed on herself.

"If you think I'm being unreasonable, then that's up to you. After all, it's an indisputable fact that I'm becoming increasingly greedy and dissatisfied. But... no matter how you look at it, this is all your fault."

Futaba, who has always pursued rationality and maturity, rarely showed obvious displeasure and complaints towards Hoshimi like a child.

Perhaps there is also a bit of helplessness and melancholy.

"Why am I so afraid that our relationship will return to where it was before, and you'll end up with someone else?"

[Futaba Line] Different Paths to the Same Destination: The Final Chapter: Only When You Want to See Me Too. (Part 2)

"........."

This is probably the true feelings expressed by Futaba Rio.

My heart started beating faster and my throat became dry for some unknown reason.

Xingjian blinked a little helplessly, but his eyes were still fixed on Futaba who was gently grabbing his sleeve in front of him.

This unprecedented feeling made his feet unconsciously feel light and airy, but it was also extremely fascinating.

"...Isn't this too childish?"

In the end, it was Futaba who spoke first in a somewhat self-deprecating tone.

"No, no...that's not the case."

"But I was angry with you, and I shouldn't have been."

"Well...but this just proves that I've gone from being a friend to someone you, Futaba, care about so much, doesn't it?"

“…That’s not the case.”

The gray-haired girl curled her lips stubbornly, and then took another light step forward——

He slowly leaned his forehead against the boy's shoulder.

"No matter who you are, you have always been the person I care about most besides my parents."

"—"

The force she put on his shoulder was very light, but Xingjian still couldn't help but shake his hand, which was suspended in the air, not knowing what to do.

"It's just that I've been thinking this all along... If I were the only one thinking this way, then there's absolutely no need for you to know this fact—it's just this one question."

Ms. Futaba always seems to like to use rationality and objectivity to arm herself with her real inner image of thinking negatively and being afraid of being hurt.

Although this alert hedgehog-like image only makes Xingjian think that this guy is more adorable.

"If I don't get a firm response that I'm 100% certain of... I'm going to get really cranky. I'm sorry."

She apologized in a weak voice, but her right hand went further and grabbed the boy's wrist through her sleeve.

"But Xingjian, you also told me that I can be a little willful to you...right?"

Rather than saying that it was asking for too much, it would be more accurate to say that Futaba was trying to cross the line of "friends" that she had originally set.

Futaba Rio would probably like the unreasonable protection and subconscious favoritism.

The kind of preference that is willing to break certain rules for you, willing to change certain habits for you, and willing to let you be an exception.

In fact, when it comes down to it, love should be exclusive, unique, and special.

And the next second, the boy who knew this well also responded to her temptation -

Xingjian simply used his hands, which were originally suspended in mid-air, to gently hug the thin body that was so close to him.

"Well, and you can trust without any worries that I can catch you safely."

He didn't even give Futaba more time to worry before expressing his thoughts.

"You always have the right to test me, and I will be patient with you no matter how many times you try."

"—"

I received a somewhat unexpected and reassuring response.

Futaba was stunned for a moment, then simply released all her worries in one go.

"But...what if we, who were originally friends, become lovers and conflicts arise?"

"At that time, Futaba, you might have been arguing with your boyfriend Hoshimi Haru, but you had no conflicts with your best friend Hoshimi Haru, right?"

"...You're such a loser. Knowing that you, Xingjian, only chose to change your relationship with me to avoid death..."

But Futaba still hugged the boy's back.

She still chose to jump into the sea of ​​fire——

"...?"

But these words made Xingjian stunned, and he blinked for a long time before coming back to his senses.

"Wait, Futaba, what did you just say?"

He let go of Futaba and instead held the girl's shoulders, staring into her eyes in disbelief.

"You obviously do think so, don't you? You came to me wanting to date me just to see if you could avoid death."

Futaba was obviously moved but couldn't ignore it, turning her head away somewhat dejectedly. Even so, she still chose to continue this relationship.

"It's okay, I understand. And if I knew the hidden truth behind this, I would support you in doing this... I'd just feel a little bit unwilling."

"Wait, wait, wait—why are you trying to create a causal relationship between these two things?"

Feeling helpless about her negative thoughts, Xingjian stopped her immediately and then shook his head with a helpless look.

"What's going on, Futaba, shouldn't you know me best?"

"Well………"

Futaba, who had originally chosen not to care about this matter, pouted a little unhappily. For her, this was actually an excessive act of opening up her scars.

"Because I don't want to be sentimental."

"Why can't you be sentimental?"

"Because you always look like you don't love anyone."

"Well, I used to be like that... but you're different."

Hoshimi cleared her throat, then bowed slightly with great solemnity, looking straight into Futaba's slightly evasive gaze.

"Listen up, Futaba. I'm not choosing to create new relationships, namely with you, to avoid death."

"...?"

"You may not know that after ten years without me, you've had a terrible time."

"Varied--"

"It's terrible. He's an adult, but he stays at home all the time and doesn't work. He spends his days in a daze, eating his three meals a day and then throwing himself into researching paranormal phenomena that he doesn't see any possibility of. He's gradually become a gloomy otaku."

Xingjian, who clearly felt the slight displeasure in Futaba's eyes, raised his lips, then relaxed his brows and showed a refreshing smile.

"But I found out. Even though Futaba Rio is so depressed, I still like her. I want to be with her forever."

"------"

"In the end, I was the one who wished we were more than just friends. And if I had to say what made me avoid death, it was my gradual realization of my feelings for you, and the changes I made accordingly."

He gently held the gray-haired girl's hand and then placed it on his chest.

"You should know clearly whether I'm lying or not, Futaba."

Perhaps this will allow the other person to feel the sincere beating of the heart, which never slows down.

"Now, can you try to move forward with me, Rio?"

He abandoned the way of addressing that they both knew by heart and chose the most unfamiliar one—

But it is also the most intimate name to address the lover in front of you.

“!…………”

Miss Futaba looked away hastily. Now she could only secretly thank the dim light for not exposing her flushed cheeks.

[Futaba Line] Different Paths to the Same Destination: The Final Chapter: Only When You Want to See Me Too. (Part 3)

"...W-What are you doing so suddenly..."

"It's nothing. Since you've chosen to be honest with me, Futaba, I should show some sincerity as well."

"Really...you, you have absolutely no idea what it means to proceed step by step?"

"Hmm? Do you hate it?"

“Well, that’s not the case…”

"Then it's your turn to try calling my name."

Xingjian tilted his head with a smile.

"I immediately decided to cut ties with my cute schoolgirl and came here to find you. And you didn't even show any reaction?"

"Well……"

It seems that it is better not to press him any further. The guy in front of me is already blushing so red that blood seems to be dripping out.

"Never mind, it's okay to take it step by step like Futaba said."

But just as Xingjian was thinking this, he took a step back.

"!"

Futaba suddenly raised her head and moved her throat, with an obvious desire to win and not give up.

It seems that he doesn't want to be looked down upon, but also seems unwilling to always be passive and conservative.

When the boy wasn't noticing, she grabbed him by the collar and pulled his face so close that she could hear his breathing.

"If you want to express your opinion, how about this?"

Futaba pulled the corners of her mouth stiffly and nervously, but still stubbornly took the initiative to attack.

"Well--"

When she came to her senses, Xingjian only felt that her lips seemed to touch something cold.