BHSAF 186 School trip 14

　Holding hands, the two pass through the torii gate and walk along the approach to the shrine, heading deeper into the shrine.

　There are several historic buildings on both sides of the road, and it would be a lie to say that they don't pique your interest, but if you take a closer look at these structures, you'll never have enough time.

　I feel a bit sad that I'm in Kyoto, but it can't be helped since it's not a private trip.

　However, Yui has gone on a school trip and Airi is left alone at home, so the two of them choose and buy a charm.

"...By the way, how is Airi-chan doing?"

　I ask Yui, who is carefully putting away her amulet as we head towards the main shrine.

"Airi?"

"Yeah. You see, I haven't seen him since that date, and, well... he hasn't replied to my LINE messages either."

"I see... He never shows any signs of that at home, so I didn't know..."

　Although Yuu thinks that Yui comes first, he is still concerned about Airi, with whom he has known for a long time and is close friends.

"But maybe she just needs time. Besides... I think Airi probably still loves you, Yu-kun."

"Huh? ...But he confessed to me and I firmly turned him down."

"Yeah, I understand that. Actually, I don't think I'm keeping him or anything. This isn't about that, it's about Airi's feelings."

"?"

"It seems like if you confess and then get rejected, you give up, but that's not really how it works, is it? You just tell the other person that you like them, and if they accept it, you go out together, but if they reject you, you can't go out together. But what you do with those feelings after being rejected is up to that person. You can give up at that point... or you can continue to have feelings for them."

　Yui didn't think Airi would give up her feelings for Yu so easily.

"I don't think he'll confess or make any other advances or anything like that."

"So Airi-chan hasn't given up even though I rejected her?"

"Hmm... maybe not. I don't think I'm thinking about going out with you or anything like that anymore. It's just that... your feelings aren't something you can change that easily. You know that, don't you, Yu? Feelings of love aren't something you can just throw away, even if you get rejected."

　I remember when Yui got a boyfriend named Takuya. When the person you love gets a boyfriend, it would normally be a situation where you have to give up on your own love. But Yu couldn't do that.

"I think that deep down Airi still has feelings for Yu-kun. But deep down she thinks she has to give them up. So I think she's just distancing herself from Yu-kun to sort things out. So once she's properly sorted out her feelings, I think she'll start treating him normally again."

"That would be fine..."

"It'll be fine, I've been living with you for over ten years so I can guarantee it."

　What is needed between Yuu and Airi now is time. As time passes, Airi's feelings will slowly calm down.

"So until then, I guess I'll have to keep my distance from Airi-chan, even though it'll be a bit lonely..."

"Love is difficult... It's normal for everyone to fall in love with someone. And yet, when you fall in love with someone, your relationship with them can fall apart or change... It's not like anyone wants to hurt someone..."

　People fall in love with someone, they fall in love, and then children are born and their feelings are passed on. However, it is also true that in this process, some people are hurt and saddened.

"Yui-chan"

"What is it, Yu-kun?"

"I was hurt when Yui-chan started dating Takuya, but I'm still happy now. So I'm sure Airi-chan and Takuya will be happy one day."

　If Takuya wanted to be happy with a woman other than Yui, he had no intention of getting in the way. The only reason Yuu got in the way was because that woman was Yui.

"...Hmm, thanks Yu-kun. You're right, the worst thing would be for us to just sit around here moping around..."

"That's right, Yui-chan. So enjoy your school trip."

　As we walked and talked, we suddenly found ourselves right in front of the main shrine.

　It's no exaggeration to say that the main hall is the shrine's greatest attraction. Even though it's a school trip, they've come all the way here, so I invite Yui to take a good look around.

"Yeah, it's just the two of us, Yu-kun, so it'd be a shame not to have fun. Come on, let's go."

　He took Yu's hand, which he was still holding, and headed towards the main shrine.

　Other tourists passing by looked at them with charming eyes, but neither Yuu nor Yui seemed particularly bothered.

There is a famous quote from a female doctor somewhere that goes, "Time is the cruellest and kindest thing."

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