Chapter 22: Beyond the Wish
#24OchitaKanojoBeyond the Wish
It seems that Yuito-san has finally remembered me.
My appearance has completely changed—gone is the plain girl I once was. If looks were all that mattered, I now shine just as brightly as Mizuki-chan, who once radiated like the sun itself.
And my heart belongs solely to Yuito-san, incapable of ever betraying him.
I have become the embodiment of Yuito-san’s ideal—possessing both the appearance he desires and a heart that vows eternal love to him.
Yuito-san scans me from head to toe, his face full of shock.
“W-Why does Yukari-chan look like Mizuki?”
“Of course, it’s for you, Yuito-san.”
“Huh? For me? When did I ever ask for this? Besides, I never even—”
“You could never forget Mizuki-chan, could you?”
In the end, he could never erase Mizuki-chan from his heart.
Tendouji Mizuki—my idol and, at the same time, the most vexing existence.
She possessed everything I lacked.
From a young age, she was intelligent, had a charming appearance, was bright, and, above all, beloved by everyone.
Meanwhile, I was plain, dull, and quiet. I was shy, struggled to communicate, and often became the target of bullying.
The only thing I had over her was being born into the main family, but even that was pure chance, not something I achieved through my own efforts.
And since we were only a year apart, I was constantly compared to Mizuki-chan.
Ironically, the one who treated me with the most kindness was Mizuki-chan herself.
Back then, she must have cared for me with a pure heart, and I, too, came to admire her like a real older sister, spending time playing with her.
And then, fate led me to a life-changing encounter.
A boy who saved me from my bullies.
The one person I, despite my shyness, managed to thank and learn the name of—Kashiwagi Yuito-san.
Overjoyed, I told Mizuki-chan about the prince on a white horse who had rescued me, just like in a storybook.
To my surprise, Mizuki-chan started inviting Yuito-san to play with us.
It turned out they had known each other since childhood and were in the same class.
From then on, the three of us spent more and more time together.
Occasionally, that other boy would join in, but he never showed much interest in me. Our conversations often ended up revolving around Yuito-san or Mizuki-chan.
However, those joyful days came to an end when the two of them entered middle school, setting the stage for the present situation.
Even though I had carefully manipulated things so that Mizuki-chan would step aside… I never expected it to backfire so completely.
Even in death, she remains an infuriating presence, always striving to be Yuito-san’s heroine.
He should hate her, and yet he loves her just as much—forever chasing after her ghost.
I came to believe that the only way for Yuito-san to love me was to become Mizuki-chan’s replacement.
Since she had died, I thought I no longer stood a chance of winning.
At first, I even considered singing YOUKNOW’s song while pretending to be Mizuki-chan.
That was until he let me hear that song.
But the song he created seemed to draw out the very desires buried deep within me.
And with newfound hope, I thought—if I, who had taken Mizuki-chan’s form, sang from the heart, perhaps my feelings would finally reach Yuito-san.
This very moment is my answer.
As the first step, Yuito-san was able to distinguish between me and Mizuki-chan.
“Yuito-san, did my feelings reach you?”
“I don’t understand. Why are you speaking to me in Mizuki’s form?”
“Isn’t it obvious? Because I love you, Yuito-san. I knew… I knew how much you suffered after Mizuki-chan betrayed you. I wanted to save you.”
I reveal my true feelings. Because I genuinely want to free Yuito-san from the ghost of Mizuki-chan.
“Then why this appearance?”
“At first, I thought that if you desired Mizuki-chan, I would comfort you by becoming her.”
“Yukari-chan… don’t you know what Mizuki did to me?”
“I do. I know you went through so much pain, Yuito-san.”
“Then how can you stand before me in her form? Did you really think I could love you like this?”
Yuito-san speaks words meant to conceal his true feelings.
I manipulate my phone, playing the song that I, myself, had sung.
“Yes. I envied Mizuki-chan. Even after betraying you, even after death, you still hold feelings for her. In that sense, this song is just like my emotions… Don’t you think YOUKNOW’s new song is beautiful? It embodies everything I feel!”
“I don’t get it. Sure, I can acknowledge the beauty of the song. I can feel the emotions in the lyrics. But why can you sing YOUKNOW’s song?”
“Fufu… Yuito-san, you only ask questions.”
That in itself proves that he still doesn’t understand the situation, which works in my favor.
“That means… you, Yukari-chan, you…”
“Yes, I pushed you into this moment deliberately—so you would finally see my true heart.”
“You went this far… just for that?”
“This isn’t a hassle. If it’s for you, Yuito-san, no effort is too much.”
When you act for the sake of someone you love, there is no such thing as “going out of your way.” No matter how small the action.
“What do you want from me?”
“Fufu… You keep asking questions. My wish is exactly what this song conveys. More importantly, Yuito-san—what is your wish?”
“My wish… My wish is…”
Yuito-san falls silent, as if asking himself that very question.
“I already know. Isn’t your wish the same as mine, Yuito-san? A love that will never betray, a love that no one can taint—true love.”
“Something like that… could never exist!”
“Why are you so sure? Ever since the day I met you, Yuito-san, I have loved you, only you, with all my heart.”
Smiling softly, I let my dress slip from my shoulders, leaving me in my undergarments.
“Yukari-chan, what are you—?”
Despite everything, despite how he has used women before, Yuito-san looks flustered. That reaction makes me a little happy.
“Look at me, Yuito-san. This body has never been touched by anyone—only for you.”
I have appealed to his hearing and his sense of smell. Now, I captivate his sight as well.
To deliver the final blow, I step closer to Yuito-san, place the pill in my mouth, and press my lips against his.
At first, Yuito-san stiffens in shock, but as I slide my tongue against his, he gradually relaxes, responding with increasing intensity.
If even a trace of the drug mixes with my saliva and he ingests it, it might start taking effect on Yuito-san as well.
“Yukari-chan…”
“It’s okay, Yuito-san. Just like all the others, you can use me as you please—hold me, love me, and discard me when you’re done. I only ask that you accept my love.”
Of course, it’s just an illusion—never my true intention. I merely lower his guard, offering him an escape.
What I truly crave isn’t fleeting pleasure but Yuito-san’s love, even if only for a moment.
Whether I reach him through the body or the heart doesn’t matter.
All I long for is a single, irreplaceable moment where we are truly bound together. If I can have that, nothing else matters.