By Your Side

p2
>You are unmistakedly Umi
>You're becoming more and more beautiful than before

>Minami-san!

p3
>Um...what is it?
>I'm sorry to call you out so suddenly, Minami-san, but I actually have something to ask of you...

>Could you give this letter to Sonoda-san?

>I mean, you're childhood friends with Sonoda-san, right Minami-san?
>Would it be alright to deliver this in my place?
>Y-Yeah, it's fine
>Thank you! Please do it right away if possible.

>I don't need to open it
>to know what's inside
>Umi-chan is...

p4
>a brave and honest girl
>with a strong sense of justice
>So it can't be helped that she recieves glances of admiration from everyone

>I know. I can tell.
>She's always by my side after all.

p5
>Kotori

>Sorry I'm late

>Huh? Where's Honoka-chan?
>She left early to help out at her shop.
>Oh yeah, it's the busy season, isn't it.

>Okay, how about we head home too?

>Yeah
>Always by my side

p6
>That's how it was supposed to be
>Um...Umi-chan
>Here

>...Um, what's this?
>A girl from our neighboring class asked me to deliver this letter to you
>And...

>Ah, so that's what it was?
>I thought it was something from you...

p7
>Could it be you wanted a letter from me instead?
>Eh

>Um, I didn't mean it like that, um...
>Fufu, yeah I know
>D-Don't tease me, please

>...Well, I may as well accept this letter for now
>Thanks for bringing it all this way, Kotori
>It's fine

>Is it a fan letter? Of maybe...a love letter! Kya~
>Nah, I doubt it's either of those things

>Someday...you might start dating someone, Umi-chan

p8
>We might not be able to walk home together like this anymore

>Kotori...
>I get kinda lonely just thinking about it

>Sorry
>Forget I said that
>That's no good, I shouldn't be thinking so negatively-
>Kotori

p9
>Umi-chan...

>...Please don't say
>such sad things

>Hey Kotori
>I'm by your side right now
>I don't know what'll happen in the future, but I have a feeling we'll always be together
>Regardless of whether or not I start dating someone

p10
>You think so too
>Don't you, Kotori?

>I...that response...

>...Yeah
>You're right

>Besides

>I can't respond when you look at me like that
>I'd be pretty heartless to neglect our relationship over something like that

p11
>The real problem is Honoka
>Eh? Why?
>I wonder if she'll be able to get into the same university at us with that academic ability...

>That's nothing. If it's Honoka-chan then there's nothing to worry about.
>She can do anything if she puts her mind to it.
>That...might be true
>And if she passes, the three of us can continue walking home together

>You are unmistakedly Umi
>You're becoming more and more beautiful every day
>And when the time comes

p12
>I wonder if someone besides me will be walking beside you