When I came home after the club activities, I found an unfamiliar pair of shoes at the entrance. It seemed that Aika arrived already.

“I’m home.”

[[Welcome home.]]

Inside the living room, there was Rin in her sloppy loungewear, and Aika in her casual clothes. It had been years since the three of us had been together like this. It felt nostalgic.

“Sorry to disturb you.”

“Don’t mind it.”

After exchanging such warm greetings, I couldn’t believe that she was my ex-girlfriend and childhood friend, and I headed to my room. I waited anxiously, wondering when I would be called, but it seemed that the two of them were chatting without minding me, so I picked up my guitar and went to practice my own songs.

I have been playing the guitar for as long as I can remember, except for the three years when Aika and I were together, two and a half years to be exact.

But right now is the most enjoyable time for me.

The melody that you can play to your heart’s content along with Iori’s song. It’s to the point that I can feel her even if she’s not here.

“That’s amazing, stupid big bro.”

Before I knew it, the two of them had come to my room. I didn’t notice them at all. I was that focused.

“I think this is the first time I’ve heard Naru’s guitar playing so close.”

“Aika….”

That’s right, I didn’t play the guitar when I was dating Aika.

“You didn’t play at all even if I suggested it.”

It’s true that Aika was encouraging me to play guitar. But back then, I couldn’t pick up the guitar.

I really couldn’t do it back then.

I was brokenhearted. I had lost all confidence after encountering a genius.

“I knew it, is it because of Kubota senpai’s influence?”

“Yeah, I found Iori’s video on SNS, and it made me want to play guitar for the first time in a long time.”

“Iori san’s singing is so freaking amazing, I can understand why you wanted to play the guitar, big bro.”

I can understand why you wanted to play the guitar.

“It’s kinda frustrating.”

What does that mean….

“Even though I’ve been asking you to play  guitar for years, but just after hearing Kubota senpai singing, it brought back your sparkle, Naru.”

My sparkle?

“Aika…..”

What are you trying to say.

“Hey, Naru, do you remember that promise we made?”

What promise?

“The one where you said you’d do me a favor.”

“Ah…yeah, I remember.”

“would you forgive me?”

“Eh.”

“That’s my wish.”

What do you mean forgive you…… are you asking me to pretend that it never happened?

I had mixed emotions and I couldn’t answer anything right away.