"Actually, I'd thought about everything you said." Yuuka spoke softly as she walked side by side with Qigong Shiori.
"But if you really considered that much, it wouldn't be love."
"What if it's destined to have no outcome?" Qigong Shiori asked.
"Is the outcome really that important?" Yuuka turned to look at Qigong Shiori's profile.
"Shiori, you never expected us to keep being friends, did you? Then why did you keep watching me and looking for chances to talk to me again?"
"You knew?" A trace of embarrassment crossed Qigong Shiori's face. She had thought Yuuka hadn't noticed her secretly watching her.
"I may be a little slow sometimes, but I'm not stupid." Yuuka continued.
"Then what were you thinking when you wanted to talk to me again, Shiori?"
"Back then, I only wanted to get to know you again. It didn't matter even if you had forgotten me." Qigong Shiori spoke after a moment of silence.
"See? You had already prepared yourself for the possibility that I wouldn't recognize you, right? But you still didn't give up. I just happened to say it first." Yuuka smiled.
"How can that be the same? I..." Qigong Shiori tried to argue, but Yuuka shook her head and stopped her.
"It's the same. Even if we fail, we should be brave once so we don't leave any regrets behind. We feel the same way."
"Besides, hasn't it been settled yet? How can you be sure Lord Yu won't come see me?"
"I don't understand. Why are you so certain that he'll come looking for you?" Qigong Shiori asked in confusion.
Yuuka raised a hand to her chest, looked up at the sky, and slowly said, "Because I've always trusted him, of course. Just like how you trusted that I wouldn't forget you."
"Fine,