I've Always Loved You

p4
>This townscape hasn't changed.
>I'm a little bit relieved.

>Huh?
>Could that be...

>I might just have the wrong person...

p5
>!
>H-
>Hey...!
>Um...

>Is that you, Chinatsu-chan?

p6
>...
>Long time no see,
>Akari-chan.

>Yeah.
>It's been a while!

>Chinatsu-chan,
>are you free right now?
>It's been a while
>since I've walked with someone like this.
>Yeah.
>I'm just visiting my parents.
>If you'd like, shall I accompany you on the way there?
>Sure.

p7
>I took an end-of-year break this year so I came to visit.
>My Mom was really annoying about it.
>This time of year is hectic wherever you go, huh.

>How about you, Akari-chan?
>Akari is...
>I'm spending the New Year's break at my place.
>I see. Sounds nice...
>...

>Um, Chinatsu-chan?

>Hm?
>What is it?
>Erm, well...


p8
>Akari is...
>free the day after tomorrow
>so if it's okay with you, Chinatsu-chan, would you like to have a more leisurely chat with me?

>They recently opened this new store
>that serves delicious lunches at bargain prices!
>So...um...

>...
>Sure.

>...!
>Thank you!

p9
>Let's swap contact info.
>You sure?
>Of course. It's no big deal.

>Thanks, Chinatsu-chan.
>Ehehe

>Okay, see you later.
>Yeah, later!

>Bye-bye~

p10
>...
>Chinatsu-cha...
>I don't wanna hear anything from someone who doesn't know....

>What would you know, Akari-chan!?
>You've never had your heart broken before!

>I'm sorry...
>I'm sorry...
>I'm sorry...
>...Chinatsu-cha...

p11
>I said words that shouldn't have been said
>to my dearest friend.
>I've always regretted what I did that day...

p12
>Hmm...

>Maybe
>I should keep my hair down after all.

p13
>Akari-chan.
>Sorry for making you wait.
>Akari...
>I just got her myself.

>You can use "Akari" if you want.
>I once said "Akari" at my workplace...
>It was really embarrassing so I've been trying to be more careful to not let it slip.

>Fufu
>Geez~
>I can imagine it right now...
>Don't imagine it!

p14
>The lunches here are really delicious!
>What do you reccomend?
>Maybe this omurice set, but there's also the seasonal pasta set.
>I think I'll go with pasta.
>Then I'll go with omurice.

>We'd like to order, please.
>Okay~

p15
>That was delicious.
>Yeah!
>Ah!
>You drink your coffee black, Chinatsu-chan?
>Such an adult.

>Hmm...
>I don't like it that much, but it's delicious once you get used to it.
>Is that how it is...?
>That's how it is.

>...
>...

>Hey, um...!

p16
>I've been wondering about it for a while but...
>does that ring mean...

>...Yeah.

>Congratulations!

>You haved absolutely positively
>got to invite me to the ceremony!

>Thanks.
>But we haven't really made any plans like that.

p17
>How about you,
>Akari-chan?

>Nah...
>I haven't clicked with anyone yet...

>...
>Y'know, Chinatsu-chan,
>back when you were in love with Yui-chan
>I was really jealous.
>Akari wanted to have a love like that too.
>But in the end
>I still don't know if I can fall in love with someone like that...

>Even to this day...

p18
>I see.

>...
>You don't have to think too hard about it.
>Stuff like wanting to talk more or wanting to be together,
>just those things are fine.

>Hmm...
>This kind of stuff is complicated, huh.
>...

>...
>Chinatsu-chan...

p19
>Whenever I think about stuff like that
>my mind always comes back to you, Chinatsu-chan...
>Like if we'd have always been together
>if Akari hadn't said all that stuff back then...
>"I'm sorry"
>I wanted to say that, but I couldn't.

p20
>...I'm sorry about what happened back then.
>I'm the one who should be sorry.

>You only wanted to help me, Akari-chan
>and yet I said such horrible things to you.
>But I didn't know what I was supposed to do...

>Akari is really happy
>simply from being able to talk to you like this again.

p21
>Akari-chan...

>For some reason
>it seems as if Akari
>has always loved you, Chinatsu-chan.

p22
>...

>Ah!
>Um! I didn't mean that in a weird way!
>Uuh...
>Awawawa

>I just want to talk to and be with Chinatsu-chan more!!

>Aah, geez...

p23
>Phew...
>It's alright. I know.

>Akari-chan is so unfair.

>About this ring...

>I only wear it to keep guys away from me.
>B-
>Basically
>there's no plans
>and no person, for that matter.

p24
>Eeeeh!?
>Is that so!?
>That's right.
>Sorry.

>But if it happens some day
>you had better invite me to the ceremony!
>...Yeah.

>I can't say
>that I put this on
>while thinking Akari-chan would be that person.


p25
>Chinatsu-chan!

>Akari-chan...
>I guess I really do...