Maho, a second-year high school student in a small seaside town, lost her mother early and now cares for her little brother, Haruto, alone while her father is away for work. Every morning she makes bento, every afternoon she rushes to pick up Haruto, and her own needs always come last. She has loved her next-door neighbor and classmate, Sota, for as long as she can remember. He's the star of the basketball team and the most popular boy in school--bright, kind to everyone--but painfully oblivious
Next to You, Someday - The meaning of having been next to you
Three days had passed since Haruto came home from the hospital.
The sound of her little brother's footsteps had returned to the house. That morning, Maho woke a little earlier than usual and stood in the kitchen. Outside the window, the hydrangeas in the garden were drinking in the promise of rain, their blue deepening by the day. The rainy season would begin soon.
(Today I'll make extra tamagoyaki — the kind Haruto likes.)
She took eggs from the refrigerator, cracked them into a bowl, and whisked them with chopsticks. The light clatter echoed through the quiet kitchen.
Haruto was still asleep. He'd only just been discharged, and his strength hadn't fully returned. The doctor had told them not to let him overdo it. Maho was thinking she'd keep him home from school for a few more days.
As she cooked the tamagoyaki, Maho found herself thinking about Souta.
She remembered that night at the hospital. Herself, alone in the midnight corridor, trembling. Souta, rushing to her side. He had held her hand. Her cold fingertips had slowly grown warm.
(I need to thank Souta properly.)
She thought it — and yet the words wouldn't come.
Since that day, Maho had never known how to face Souta. At the hospital she had leaned on him so naturally, but once they returned to everyday life, the distance between them snapped back to what it had been. No — she was the one who pulled away.
(I was avoiding Souta.)
(And yet, that one night, I clung to him.)
The tamagoyaki burned, just slightly.
Maho hurriedly turned off the heat.
(Pathetic, aren't I.)
In the pan, the tamagoyaki steamed. She slid it out onto the cutting board.
---
After school.
The moment Maho got home, she went to check on Haruto. He was sitting on the living room sofa, watching TV. On his lap sat a small stuffed animal — a get-well gift from the hospital.
I'm home. How are you feeling?
When she spoke, Haruto's head snapped up.
Big sis, welcome back! I'm all better now!
He flashed her a beaming smile. His color was still a little pale, but there was strength in his voice. Maho felt a wave of relief.
Don't push yourself too hard, okay? Did you rest properly today?
Yep! I've been lounging around all day!
Lounging around, huh.
Maho couldn't help but laugh.
That was when it happened.
Ding-dong — the doorbell rang.
Maho's body stiffened, just slightly.
(Who could that be?)
Haruto leaned forward on the sofa.
Big sis, aren't you gonna get it?
Oh — yeah. I'll be right back.
She headed for the entryway.
She opened the door.
Standing there was Souta.
His brown-black hair swayed a little in the evening breeze. His skin, tanned from basketball, was clearly visible even in the dim entryway. When he saw Maho's face, his expression tightened with what looked like nervousness.
Maho. We need to talk.
Maho stood frozen, her hand still on the doorknob.
(Souta came to my house.)
(I've been avoiding him — and still, he came.)
Something deep in her chest clenched tight.
...What is it?
She barely managed to force the words out.
Not here. I want to talk in front of the hydrangeas. In the garden.
Souta looked straight into her eyes as he said it.
Maho couldn't answer.
The hydrangeas in the garden. The flowers her mother had planted — almost like a keepsake. To stand before them and face Souta — it felt impossibly heavy.
(I want to run.)
(But I can't run.)
(Souta came all this way for me.)
She nodded slowly.
...Okay.
---
They stepped out into the garden.
A lukewarm wind was blowing. The scent of the sea drifted in from the shore. The sky was covered in thick clouds, and it looked like rain at any moment.
The hydrangeas swayed in the wind.
They weren't in full bloom yet. But the buds had swelled large, and petals of blue and purple were beginning to open, one by one. The flowers her mother had tended with such care. Since her mother passed, Maho had watered them in her place, never missing a day.
Maho stood before the hydrangeas.
Souta came to stand beside her.
For a while, silence flowed between them.
Somewhere far off, a seagull cried. The sound of the waves didn't reach this far.
Maho.
Souta spoke.
There's something I need to tell you.
Maho didn't turn toward him. She kept her eyes on the hydrangea buds and gave a small nod.
I'm listening.
Her voice trembled, just a little.
Souta took a breath, then began.
Listen — you gave me a bento once, remember? You said it was your brother's leftovers.
Maho's shoulders twitched.
That was a lie, wasn't it.
She couldn't answer.
The tamagoyaki was sweet. Just the way I like it. You knew I prefer my tamagoyaki sweet, didn't you.
Maho bit her lip.
(I knew.)
(I've known for ages that Souta likes sweet tamagoyaki.)
(Because I've been watching him since we were little.)
And that time — I saw the scar on your left wrist.
Maho instinctively covered her left wrist with her right hand.
You've been hiding it all along. I couldn't bring myself to ask about it. I thought if I did, it would only hurt you more.
Maho looked down.
But at the hospital, I realized something. You're always carrying everything alone. You never tell me anything. I'm right there beside you, and I don't know a thing.
Souta's voice shook, just slightly.
Maho kept her eyes fixed on the hydrangea leaves.
It's not because I got rejected and drifted to you.
Souta said it clearly.
Maho's heart lurched.
I finally noticed your kindness. How you were always looking out for me. Even when I was down, you were the only one who smiled at me like always. I understand all of it now.
Maho closed her eyes.
(Souta noticed my kindness.)
(He found the feelings I've been hiding all this time.)
She should have been happy — and yet her chest ached.
I...
Her voice came out hoarse.
Am I really allowed to be by your side, Souta?
Even she was startled by how frail her voice sounded.
I've been telling myself all along. That someone like me doesn't deserve to be next to you. I'm gloomy, I'm a burden, I always put myself last — I'm just no good as a person.
Tears spilled from Maho's eyes.
Someone brighter, someone better, suits you. Someone like Misaki.
The tears wouldn't stop.
More than ten years of feelings, locked deep inside her heart, burst forth like a dam breaking.
I've always loved you, Souta. But I could never say it. I thought if I did, I'd only cause you trouble. That someone like me had no right to love you.
Maho cried out loud.
Her shoulders shook. Tears ran down her cheeks and fell to the ground. The hydrangea leaves grew wet with the droplets.
Am I... allowed to be by your side...?
She repeated the same words again.
Souta turned to face her.
Stay with me.
It was a short phrase.
But those words reached straight into the depths of Maho's heart.
Stay with me, Maho. Without you, I can't do it.
Souta's voice was gentle.
Maho lifted her head.
Through her tear-blurred vision, she saw Souta's face. It wasn't his usual bright smile. But it was serious, and kind. A face looking at no one but her.
...Souta.
Maho pressed her forehead softly against his chest.
She felt his body tense, just slightly. But a moment later, his arms came around her back.
Cry. Let it all out.
Souta gently stroked her head.
Maho buried her face in his chest and wept aloud.
Ten years of feelings. Ten years of holding back. Ten years of loneliness. All of it flowed out with her tears.
The hydrangeas swayed in the wind, quietly watching over the two of them.
---
The next day.
To buy a celebration gift for Haruto's discharge, Maho and Souta came to the Shiomi Shopping Arcade.
Souta-niichan, look! That shop smells amazing!
Haruto stopped in front of the bakery Shiokaze. The scent of freshly baked bread spread through the arcade.
Haruto, since it's your discharge celebration, I'll buy you whatever you want. But don't eat too much, okay?
Yes! Big sis, thank you!
Haruto peered happily into the shop.
Souta, thanks for coming along. Haruto's so happy he gets to shop with you.
When Maho said it, Souta smiled a little bashfully.
It's fine. I had nothing better to do anyway. Besides, I wanted to see Haruto looking healthy again.
Yeah. I'm so glad Haruto's really gotten better.
She meant it from the bottom of her heart.
The two of them walked through the arcade with Haruto.
Oh, Maho-chan! I heard your little brother got out of the hospital!
The owner of the vegetable shop, Yahomatsu, called out in a booming voice.
Yes, thanks to everyone's concern. I'm sorry to have worried you.
Good, good! Here, take this as a get-well gift. Fresh tomatoes!
Oh, you really don't have to—
Nonsense, nonsense! Little brother, eat plenty and get your strength back!
The owner pressed a bag of tomatoes into Maho's hands.
Thank you very much.
Maho accepted the bag of tomatoes.
Yes! Tomatoes! Big sis, I love tomatoes!
Haruto bounced up and down with delight.
Souta watched the scene with a warm smile.
(Maho's smiling.)
(Not her usual forced smile. She really looks happy.)
It felt like the first time Souta had ever seen Maho smile so naturally.
Maho, when you smile like that, you're really cute.
The words slipped out before he could stop them.
...What?
For a moment, Maho didn't understand what she'd just been told.
Ah — no, that was—
Souta, having said it himself, suddenly grew embarrassed and started talking too fast.
What was that? Where did that come from?
Maho giggled.
Nothing. I just said what I was thinking.
Souta's ears turned red, and he looked away.
(Souta's embarrassed.)
(Cute.)
Maho felt a warmth spreading gently through her chest.
---
As they passed the fish shop, Uotora, the owner called out to them.
Maho-chan, little brother, congratulations on getting out of the hospital! We've got great bonito today!
Thank you. Today's Haruto's discharge celebration, so I'll buy something.
Oh, is that so! Then here, I'll throw this in for free!
The owner took a fresh horse mackerel from the ice and put it in a bag.
Oh, are you sure?
Of course! You've always been good to us, Maho-chan!
...Thank you very much.
Maho bowed deeply.
Everyone in the arcade knew Maho. They knew she took care of her little brother all alone, and that she was always doing her best. That was why everyone was so kind to her.
(I wasn't alone after all.)
(The people in the arcade, and Souta — everyone was watching over me.)
Maho's heart felt full to bursting.
---
After finishing their shopping, they left the arcade.
Haruto walked hand in hand with Souta. Souta carried Haruto's share of the bags, and Maho carried her own.
Souta-niichan, thank you so much for today!
Don't mention it. Let's hang out again.
Yeah! Promise!
Haruto squeezed Souta's hand tight.
Maho walked behind the two of them, watching.
(Haruto really loves Souta.)
(And Souta thinks of Haruto like a little brother.)
(That makes me so happy.)
When they got home, Haruto must have been tired — he started dozing off on the sofa.
Haruto, if you're going to sleep, sleep in your futon, okay?
Okay... Big sis, thank you...
Rubbing his eyes, Haruto headed for his room on the second floor.
Souta, thank you so much for today. Haruto was so happy.
When Maho said it, Souta smiled.
I had fun too. And I'm glad I got to see you smile.
What?
At the arcade, you had such a wonderful look on your face when you laughed. I'd never seen that Maho before.
Maho blushed and looked down.
...I had so much fun today. Shopping with you and Haruto, the three of us — it made me really happy.
Me too.
The two of them stood in silence for a while, gazing at the hydrangeas in the garden.
The evening light softly illuminated the hydrangea petals.
Souta, I'll walk you home. Part of the way, at least.
You'll walk me home? My house is right next door.
I know. But I feel like walking a little.
...Okay.
The two of them set off side by side.
---
On the wa
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