I Want to Smile Beside you in the Spring That I Haven’t Seen Yet

"What video are you watching?"

"This is the latest popular comedian's video,"

Kana says and turns the screen of her smartphone toward me. 

The person on the screen was a comedian I'd never seen before.

"Ah, I'm sorry, I don't know him......"

"Oh, no, you don't know him?"

"He's been on TV a lot lately."

They rolled their eyes and looked at me. I smiled at them in panic and said, "Haha, I haven't been able to watch much TV lately."

"Really? You're falling behind the times."

I nodded my head in agreement, "You're right, I should check it out. Thanks for telling me."

"Look at this. Isn't this one really funny?"

I answered, "Yes, it's very funny." However, the style of the comedian in the video was not very elegant, and I personally did not think I would like it very much.

But if it was popular, I had to know about it, and if I didn't watch new videos when they came out, I would be left out of the conversation.

"Oh, hey, I'm thirsty. Let's go buy some juice,"

Kana said, and Nanami and I nodded our heads at her words. I wasn't particularly thirsty, but this was more about socializing than rehydrating, so I couldn't and shouldn't say I wouldn't go.

On my way to the juice vending machine, I casually cast my eyes down the corridor and spotted a slender back walking with a large sports bag slung over his shoulder.

Immediately, my heart skips a beat.

"It's him," I muttered to myself.

I had gazed at his profile and back countless times. Whenever and wherever I find him, I subconsciously look for him, and when I do, I feel my heart beat wildly and uncontrollably.

While I was staring at him, forgetting to blink, he turned to the corner of the corridor. Beyond that is the student entrance.

To get to the vending machine, I would have to follow him.

I felt a bit nervous, but while I was wondering what to do, Kana and the others kept moving ahead of me, and I had no choice but to follow.

When I turned the corner, I saw him there.

There were several other students there, but my eyes were immediately drawn to him.

I consciously looked away so as not to see his profile as he was changing his shoes.

I bowed my head and headed at a quick pace to the doorway, wanting to leave as soon as possible.

At that moment, Nanami shouted, "Oh!"

I reflexively looked up and unintentionally followed her gaze.

"There's Kanata-kun."

Nanami said quietly.

I had been trying to keep him out of my sight, but in the end, I saw him clearly.

At that moment, I regretted it.

He was not alone. A small girl was standing next to him.

......Tohko is there too, isn't she?"

Kana muttered, almost whispering.

I couldn't say anything because my throat was tight, so I bit my lip.

The two of them are talking and smiling at each other in a friendly manner.

She - Tohko - has been my best friend since elementary school.

And he - Kanata-kun - is my favorite person.

They have been dating for a while now.

"......Oh, I just remembered I forgot something."

A makeshift lie burst from my lips.

But before I could turn on my heel, Kana took my arm and strode forward.

"I'm not sure why Haruka needs to be so careful. I'm going."

I was neither able to confirm nor deny, so I was dragged along.

"Tohko, you look so lovey-dovey today."

Kana's red-lipped lips formed a smile as she passed by and called out to Tohko's back.

Shaking her shoulders, Tohko turns around.

Our eyes meet.

She twisted her face awkwardly and turned her head down.

I hurriedly called her, "Tohko."

She looked at me with eyes that looked as if she was about to cry.

I didn't want to see her face like that, so I tried my best to keep my voice clear and cheerful, "Did you give that to Kanata-kun?"

Kanata-kun looked a little troubled as he looked at us, but then he turned his attention back to me.

I turn my face away a little to mend my expression so that he doesn't realize how startled I am.

"What's that?"

He tilted his head slightly and asked a question in a tone that did not seem to be directed at either me or Tohko.

I smiled at Tohko and answered, "Tohko, you made muffins in the cooking class today, didn't you? Haven't you given them to him yet?"

I chuckled and put my hand on her shoulder, and she smiled with a tearful look on her face.

"...Yeah. I'll give it to him now. Thank you, Haruka."

"Really? Come on!"

I waved to her with a smile, and, turning my head away from her, I left them.