“Right now, I’m fully aware of it,” I told her. “That I am in love with a single person named Shiina Hiyori.”
“I'm sorry—” she apologized.
“I'm truly sorry—” she apologized once more.
“I─ I love you too... Ayanokōji-kun. ...I'm so sorry—”
It was an apology for taking advantage of my feelings for her. Having finally spoken the words, she didn't look away. Her tearful gaze remained locked on mine as her chest rose and fell in shallow breaths, trying desperately to steady herself. No further words were necessary. I tapped the screen of my smartwatch, transferring the tokens I had brought with me over to Hiyori. Then, I reached out and took her left hand in my right. Together, we turned to gaze out at the sea. The instant our skin touched, her fingers squeezed mine with a sudden, desperate strength. She relaxed her grip almost immediately, but the sensation of that fleeting, powerful squeeze lingered unmistakably in my palm. The ship's booming whistle echoed across the water. That wasn't a sound signifying the end, but a beginning. Was I allowed to believe that? Would I come to know love as an ordinary high school student, and continue to grow from there? Will I be able to change? From the pitch-black, murky depths of unseen waters, something reared its head. When I had learned everything there was to learn about this new emotion, perhaps I would let go of the hand I now held without hesitation. I simply desire it. Knowledge. Experience. Memories. I wanted to take all of it into myself, to turn it into my own flesh and blood. Everything is for my own sake. Every action I take is for me, and me alone. That is how it has always been, and how it will always be. That, surely, would never change until the day I die.