本命の最後、運命の始まり (Honmei no Saigo, Unmei no Hajimari – The Final Date, and the Beginning of Fate)

Sunday, 7:58 PM – Front Door

The sky was deep indigo now, stars glittering above the rooftops of their quiet town. Inside the house, the air was thick with something unspoken. Tension? Anticipation? Jealousy? All of it, maybe.

Ren stood by the genkan, already in his jacket. The others were watching TV—or pretending to—but every glance kept darting to the clock.

It was time for the last one.

Emi stepped forward softly.

She wore a pastel yellow cardigan over a white one-piece dress. Her hair was tied to the side, loosely. Not flashy. Not loud. But she looked radiant in her own gentle way.

"…Ready?" she asked.

Ren nodded. "Yeah."

Scene 1: The Walk into Memory

They didn't go to any shopping district. No arcade. No café. Emi had only one place in mind:

Their middle school.

The place where they first met. Back when Ren sat in the last row, sleeping through math. Back when Emi was class representative, always scolding him—quietly, but consistently.

They walked slowly along the path they once took every morning. Streetlights flickered softly. The school gates stood closed, but familiar.

Ren laughed a little. "It feels… smaller now."

Emi nodded. "We've grown."

He looked at her, eyes lingering a bit longer. "…You really have."

She looked away, blushing. "Y-You say embarrassing things too easily now…"

Scene 2: The School Steps

They sat on the front steps of the school gate. Above them, stars continued to multiply. Around them, only the sound of leaves rustling in the wind.

Ren stretched his legs. "You know, I didn't realize it until recently… but you've always been by my side."

Emi smiled quietly. "That was the idea."

He turned to her. "Then why didn't you ever say anything?"

She lowered her gaze, fingers tightening around the hem of her skirt.

"Because I didn't want to become just another voice you had to answer to. I wanted to support you… not pressure you."

A long pause passed between them.

"…But it hurt, sometimes," she added softly. "Watching you grow closer to everyone. Laugh with them. Smile in ways I hadn't seen before."

"Emi…"

She looked up at him. Eyes trembling. But her voice stayed steady.

"I like you, Ren. I've liked you since before any of them even realized you were worth noticing. And I know that doesn't entitle me to anything. But it's how I feel."

Her honesty hit like a stone in a still lake.

Ren stared into those clear eyes, his chest heavy with something he couldn't quite name.

Scene 3: The Unspoken Weight

"You know," Ren said after a moment, "when I found out all of you had feelings for me… I thought it would be fun. Some kind of fantasy."

He looked up at the sky.

"But it's not. It's scary. Every day I'm afraid I'll say the wrong thing. Hurt someone. Choose wrong. Lose everything."

Emi didn't interrupt. She listened, her hand gently reaching toward his—but stopping just short.

Ren continued, voice quieter.

"I don't know who I'll choose. I really don't. But when I'm with you… it doesn't feel like I have to choose. It feels like… I can just be."

She smiled sadly. "That's all I ever wanted."

And this time, he took her hand first.

Scene 4: A Promise in the Dark

They sat there for a long time. Not talking. Not moving.

Just breathing. Just existing.

Eventually, Emi leaned her head against his shoulder.

"Do you remember the first time I lent you my umbrella?" she asked.

"You almost hit me with it," Ren grinned.

"It was raining so hard, and you were standing under a tree like an idiot. I was so mad you forgot your umbrella again."

"I forgot it on purpose."

"…Wait, what?"

Ren looked at her, a soft smile playing on his lips.

"You always walked the same path. I figured if I stood there, maybe you'd talk to me."

Emi's eyes widened.

"You liked me back then…?"

"…I didn't know it yet," he admitted. "But I knew I didn't want to stop seeing you."

She laughed, quietly but freely. "That's so dumb…"

"But kind of sweet?"

"A lot sweet," she whispered.

Scene 5: The Beginning of Fate

As they stood to leave, Emi suddenly stopped.

"…Ren?"

"Yeah?"

"If you ever decide… I don't need fireworks. Or a big speech. Or even an answer right away."

She took a step forward, facing him fully.

"Just look me in the eyes. And say my name. That'll be enough."

Ren swallowed. Something tight gripped his chest.

"…Okay."

She smiled, and that smile stayed with him even as they walked home in silence.

Scene 6: The Others Await

Back at home, the living room was quiet.

The other girls looked up. No one said anything.

Ren stood in the doorway, beside Emi, still holding her hand. And for once, there were no jokes. No teasing. No sarcastic remarks.

Just five girls.

All waiting.

All hoping.

All hurting, just a little.

He let go of Emi's hand gently, then turned toward them.

"I…" he began.

But stopped.

Not yet.Not tonight.

Closing Line: The Weight of Five Hearts

"I know I'll have to choose.But tonight…I just want to be grateful.Because somehow…five amazing girls decided I was worth loving."

– Ren Takahashi