[Yuri Novel] The Girl Next Door Knows My Secret <18> [Creative Awards 2025]
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<14> <15> <16> <17> <18>
<Epilogue>
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Final Chapter: The Chapter of the Two of Us
Final Episode
It was the first time I had ever made tea for someone in my own home. My hands trembled slightly, and the teapot clinked against the cup, making a sound. "Are you okay?" a familiar, soft voice called out from the living room sofa.
"Sorry, I'm fine. ...I might be a little nervous."
I could feel the heat rising to my cheeks. I placed the tea and baked goods for two on the table and sat down on the sofa where she—Nana—was sitting. I could hear my own heartbeat pounding loudly in my ears. Was it my own, or was it the sound of Nana, who was right beside me? I couldn't even tell anymore. When I glanced at her, I locked eyes with her, as she had clearly been watching me.
"Whoa! Hey, were you watching me?"
My attempt to steal a glance at Nana had been exposed, and the heat on my cheeks instantly spread to my ears. But then again, Nana had been looking at me too. There was nothing to be embarrassed about. When I gathered the courage to turn my face toward Nana again, she was smiling, never once taking her eyes off me.
"Of course I'm watching. Right now, my feelings of 'love' for you are overflowing, and I can't help it."
Just as she said, I could see more affection in her eyes than ever before. That gaze—the one I had longed for so much back in high school, the one I thought would never be directed at me—was now fixed on me. I still wasn't used to that warm, somewhat ticklish feeling.
I had just received a confession from Nana at the cafe a little while ago. I had ended up sobbing and couldn't find the words at the end, but I think I was able to convey what I really wanted to say. Exposing my true self and having someone precious embrace all of it—I never imagined that such miraculous peace and joy could fill my heart to this extent.
"I know I'm a bit giddy. ...Honestly, I didn't expect you to let me into your home, Mika."
Nana blushed as if shy, but her face beamed with an irrepressible joy, and she let out a smile. Her words reminded me of the time she had asked to come over and I had refused.
"Back then... I hadn't told you yet. I thought I couldn't let you into my home unless I told you the truth."
The memory of that time still tightens my chest and makes me feel breathless even now. I felt like calling her to my home while hiding my feelings for her was a betrayal. That was why I had come out to her back then, in case she ever came over. ——As it turned out, fear won that day, and I ended up glossing over it.
"So that's what it was. ...I'm really sorry for doing something that put you in such a corner."
Nana turned her whole body toward me and offered an apology.
"A lot of my words and actions up until now have caused you pain, haven't they? Ryota, too. I'm sorry... I know myself that an apology isn't enough to fix this."
She looked down, eyes cast low. A heavy, awkward atmosphere clung to her, and her regret for her past behavior hung in the air.
"......It was definitely hard dealing with Sasamoto-kun all that time. But I thought I had to accept it, because it was necessary to keep standing by your side as a friend..."
I told Nana everything now, without holding anything back. There were times I truly felt like Nana might have been testing me. But that wasn't her fault. I felt it was necessary precisely because I was on the verge of wondering if I could really only see her as a best friend.
"But... if I had realized my own feelings at an earlier stage... I shouldn't have had to hurt you like that."
Nana looked at me with a serious gaze and gently touched my cheek. Her hand trembled slightly on my cheek, as if she were hesitant and didn't know how to handle it. I reached out my fingertips toward the hand she offered, and for a moment, I paused that movement.
—It's okay now.
I placed my hand over hers and leaned my cheek against her. Her skin, which I had never dared to touch before, was incredibly warm, and I found myself closing my eyes, lost in the comfort of it.
Immediately after that.
A soft, yet certain warmth touched my lips.
I gasped and opened my eyes. Before me was Nana's face, breathtakingly beautiful.
She had her eyes closed, but as she pulled away as if reluctant to let go, she opened her eyelids slowly and quietly.
“...Sorry. I just couldn't help it.”
There was none of Nana's usual logical phrasing; instead, she was blushing deeply and looking away. I traced my own lips with my finger, as if to confirm the sensation.
The moment I realized it was real, my cheeks felt like they were boiling, and my mind went completely blank.
“W-w-wait, just now...”
“...Hah, my heart is so loud. I never knew it could feel this painful.”
Nana lowered her brows in a troubled way and smiled at me. That smile was so dazzling that I couldn't think at all.
“I... this is my first time, you know!? You must have done this with Sasamoto-kun too!”
I panicked and blurted out something unnecessary. But Nana, ignoring me, placed a hand on her own lips and murmured as if confirming something to herself.
“No, it's completely different. Not at all the same. Forget kissing... just touching makes my heart rate climb this high. ...For me, this is a first.”
I was caught off guard by her overly analytical observation, and my thoughts came to a halt.
“...Isn't that incredibly rude to Sasamoto-kun...?”
I accidentally said something unnecessary again and hurriedly covered my mouth. Nana looked puzzled for a moment at my words, then watched my flustered state with amusement—and smiled, looking very happy.
“That's right, that's the kind of person I am. Even so—Mika, will you stay with me?”
I stared at her, forgetting to blink at her unexpected question.
But even without thinking, my answer was already decided.
“...Of course. I am your greatest ally, more than anyone else.”
Outside the window, the veil of night was quietly falling. The winter air seeped through the glass, making the warmth of the room feel even more pronounced.
Nana and I leaned against each other, as if to confirm something between us.
The anxiety hasn't completely disappeared yet.
But even so.
“—Let's be happy together.”
The moment Nana whispered that, I squeezed her hand tightly once more.
An indescribable feeling quietly, yet surely, filled the space between us. I carved this irreplaceable sensation deep, deep into the bottom of my heart, so that I would never, ever forget it.
End
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<Epilogue>