As I Know Anything About You, I'll Be The One To Your Girlfriend, Aren't I? - Volume 1 Epilogue

Epilogue

“Ah, there it is. They told me my piece would be displayed separately from the others, and it looks like they were right.”

At the end of summer vacation, in late August, I found myself in a large event hall in Tokyo.

“They said it was too intense for the general display.”

“…”

It was the art competition organized by the government to find “Japan’s Best High School Artist,” the Shinsei Sansen Prize. We were at the exhibition of the winning works.

In the oil painting section, beyond the sign that read “Grand Prize,” there was a space partitioned off like a semi-private room.

“…But I really didn’t think I’d win again this year, not really.”

“Ah, ah, ah, …that.”

The girl who had been silent the whole time finally spoke up next to me.

“C-Congratulations on…on winning the grand prize…”

“…Yeah, thanks. It’s all thanks to you, Suika.”

“No, that’s, um, I didn’t really, …I mean, it’s not like that, …you know, really, it’s not…”

She kept her head down, shaking it and her hands vigorously, and then finally stopped moving.

Then, cautiously, she looked up at my face.

“!”

In that instant, her face turned bright red.

“Still too much?”

“I-I’m so sorry…!”

Again, she looked down, her ears as red as her face, repeatedly saying, “I’m so sorry…!”

…It’s been more than a month since that day on the rooftop when we were both covered in blood. We went to the hospital together to get treated for our injuries.

I no longer feel cold towards the color red, and Suika has stopped hiding her color.

When I concentrate and “see” her, the mist that appears is a very deep red… She says it’s not so much that she isn’t hiding it anymore, but that she can’t.

Ever since it all came out, she can’t look me in the eye properly, stutters during conversations, always fidgety, and her face turns red at the slightest thing.

Even without using my eyes, it’s clear; these are all signs of deep affection.

This is the first time we’ve gone out together since that day, and, as expected, we couldn’t have a normal conversation.

She’s always hidden her feelings, and now that they’re out in the open, she’s too embarrassed to talk properly.

“For now, let’s go see the painting exhibition.”

“Y-yes…”

As we were about to enter the partitioned-off area, a boy rushed out quickly, followed by a woman who seemed to be his mother.

“What’s wrong? It’s the grand prize-winning painting, don’t you want to look more?”

“I don’t want to see it! Let’s go, Mom! …I don’t want to see that painting. It’s scary…”

“…Is that so? …Okay, then.”

“Let’s see the other paintings, come on!”

The boy took his mother’s hand and pulled her away.

…Sorry about that. I apologize to him in my heart.

Yeah, it’s scary, isn’t it?

“…Kuuya.”

I feel a tug on my clothes. Suika, with her face still bright red, grabs my sleeve, looking concerned yet affectionate.

“It’s okay. I painted that painting.”

Together with Suika, I step into the exhibition area.

There are many people there, all looking at one painting—my painting. Their expressions vary, but they all share a common thread: none of them look relieved or comforted.

Some have their faces tensed, hands trembling, or look like they’re about to cry.

It’s a strange atmosphere.

“…It’s a selfish painting.”

“…Kuuya.”

“I painted this for myself. It’s pure egoism. I did whatever I wanted.”

Flames and shadows. If I were to describe the shape of this painting, that would be the most fitting. The deeply, vividly burning flames and the contrasting dark, dense shadows they create.

The painting, rich in the color red, was completed in about three days. I had to heal the injury on my right hand, which took time away from the competition deadline. I worked at a frantic pace, like I was preparing for an art school entrance exam.

Effective composition, desired techniques, a theme to convey.

For someone else, that is.

I didn’t consider any of that. I didn’t have the time, nor did I intend to. I just wielded the brush as I pleased, painting what I wanted.

…

I look away from the painting and stare intently at my right hand. A faint scar remains.

This will probably be my lifelong talisman.

“…Does it hurt?”

“No, not at all. …What about you, Suika? Are you okay?”

“I’m perfectly fine! I’m a woman of Ado, after all!”

Suika shows me her right palm. No matter how closely I look, there’s not even a trace of a scar.

Regarding that injury, I had no choice but to profusely apologize to Suika and her family, but none of them blamed me. …Suika’s grandmother, Kinue-san, said, “A scar from a blade is Ado’s honor,” and Aunt Ran laughed, saying, “It’s just a scratch unless you lose a finger.”

…Her wounds healed at least three times faster than mine.

Still, causing her pain and inconvenience until the wound healed is a fact, and I’ve decided I’ll never forget this gratitude for the rest of my life.

“…Excuse me! I overheard your conversation just now…”

A voice, hesitant and yet filled with strong emotion, suddenly spoke to us. When I looked up, I saw a young woman I didn’t recognize.

“Did you paint that painting?”

“Yes, that was me.”

“…”

The woman in front of me clenched her eyes tightly, took a deep breath, and took my hand. Then, she said firmly, “Thank you so much…!”

“…Eh?”

“I can’t really explain it well, but…thank you! For painting that and showing it to me. …Ah, I know it’s not a painting for me, of course, but still.”

The woman paused, took another breath, and I could see her throat trembling.

“I’m glad I could see that painting. I’m glad I came here today, by chance, to…I’m glad I could encounter that painting today. Thank you, thank you so much.”

She bowed her head, holding my hand tightly with her trembling ones, repeatedly thanking me.

“…Thank you, too.”

That was all I could respond with. Anything else felt like it would be a lie, but I wanted to convey at least that much.

“…I’m so sorry for suddenly, really, aaaah! In front of your girlfriend, even! I’m sorry!”

As the woman finally looked up, realizing her haste, she quickly let go of my hand.

Before I could reply, Suika spoke up.

“No, I’m not…his girlfriend.”

“Oh, is that so…?”

“Yes. …I…wish I could be, a childhood friend.”

Hearing Suika’s words, the woman seemed taken aback for a moment before smiling kindly and saying, “I’m sorry for interrupting, I’m rooting for you!” before leaving.

“…Suika, I…huh?”

Suika silently took my hand, the one the woman had just held. It’s probably the first time we’ve touched since that day.

She led me away from my painting’s exhibition area to a place that looked like a rest area.

“Suika,”

“Kuuya, …I understand if you’re not ready for romance yet.”

Suika held my hand but turned her back to me.

“…Sorry.”

I no longer find the color red empty. I can feel its warmth and brilliance. I think I’ve managed to overcome my fundamental fear of love.

But the idea of falling in love with someone right now…seems difficult. I still need time to feel the ground I’ve finally managed to solidify under my feet.

I understand Suika’s feelings, but that’s precisely why I don’t want to respond in this state.

“But, you know, …I will definitely…make you like me one day…! …I may not be the most straightforward woman, sorry about that…Even just now!”

“Just now?”

“When that woman came to thank you for your painting…while I was grateful…your hand! She held your hand! You and…another woman…”

“Ah, ah…”

“…It was very unsettling for me! …Shameful, shallow…”

After finally turning to face me, Suika’s eyes were moist and trembling with emotion.

Not just a childhood friend who has always been by my side but a girl with profound and sincere feelings stood before me.

We couldn’t even look at each other for a second before Suika looked down, letting go of my hand.

“I held your hand…Aaaahhhh…”

Today, Suika’s ears turned the reddest they had all day.

“I’m sorry, seeing another woman hold your hand…I couldn’t control myself…Uuuuu, it’s disgraceful…shallow…”

Even though she had already done something much more significant that day, Suika whispered such things in a soft voice.

“That’s right, she’s too jealous and possessive. You’re better off without such a woman.”

Wasn’t that the best move?

Those words came unexpectedly from the side. Surprised, Suika and I turned our gaze to see a beautiful woman who made every other painting in the exhibition seem dull in comparison.

“Kujou-san…!”

Kujou Kurenai. My classmate.

“…Where did you come from!”

With an overtly wary voice, Suika questioned, and Kujou-san answered with a refreshing tone.

“By chance, just happened to be here.”

“That can’t be…! …Kujou-senpai.”

Suika’s voice cooled down, but she put on a smile.

“We came here together. Could you please not interfere?”

“Just friends, right? Not lovers. You just said so yourself.”

“When have you been following us,”

“I don’t know how long you plan to keep this up, but”

Cutting off Suika’s words, Kujou-san continued with a strong voice.

“If things are still unresolved, then my best move is, of course, clear. …Once, how much…”

I couldn’t catch what followed; it was too soft.

Sighing, Kujou-san turned her gaze to me.

“Miyashiro-kun. …Will you ‘see’ me?”

“…Okay.”

Asked, I concentrated. The mist that appeared from Kujou-san was the same color as her name.

…In the end, whether this is right, I don’t know. With my misunderstanding about Suika now clear, my confidence is even more shaken.

“Are you curious? If it’s correct?”

“Eh?”

As if reading my thoughts, she asked.

I nodded, and she smiled.

…It was time for the answer reveal.

“Hey, Miyashiro-kun.”

“Yes.”

“What I feel about you——”

TLN : AND THEN WHAT?? AUTHOR???????? WHAT??!! I hate this LN really.