We chose a café near the station closest to our school.
Ignoring Mikura-san’s probing gaze, I selected my drink and handed her the menu.
After we both placed our orders, I finally broached the subject.
“Sorry. I saw you. I saw you and Sakuraba-kun alone together in the classroom after school.”
At my words, Mikura-san made a face that seemed both angry and sad.
I suppose that was only natural.
But what’s seen can’t be unseen, and what’s noticed can’t be ignored.
After school, thinking I might run into Sakuraba-kun, I went to his classroom and heard the two of you talking. I ended up hiding beside the door and eavesdropping on your conversation.
At first, I thought it was just about borrowing and returning a book.
But then I noticed something odd about Mikura-san’s demeanor.
And it strongly resembled the ‘confession atmosphere’ I’d experienced so many times before.
“And I also know that you cried afterward.”
“…So that means—”
“Yes. I heard the things you muttered to yourself while crying, too.”
“Guh…!”
‘There’s no way I could say it…’
That situation, that tension, that tone of voice.
And incidentally, I’d already learned from my phone call with Sakuraba-kun what you two talked about on Sunday.
And all of that told me one thing.
Today, she tried to do the same thing I did and she failed.
“…So? Knowing all that, why did you call me here?”
“Don’t get the wrong idea. I’m not thinking anything like I’ve got dirt on you, or that you’re spineless, or anything like that. It’s just…”
“…Just what? Since we’re being frank, I might as well say it. From the start, I thought you and Aoto-kun—”
“I like Sakuraba-kun, too.”
As soon as I blurted it out, Mikura-san’s jaw dropped, and she froze for a moment.
Just then, our café au lait and iced tea arrived. I took them, then sipped a little of my own iced tea.
“I like Sakuraba-kun, too. So that makes us rivals.”
When I pressed further, Mikura-san finally spoke in a slow, strained voice.
“That… you’re telling me that you…”
“I felt I had to tell you. Because you’re just like me.”
“L-like you…?”
Mikura-san, looking puzzled, took a drink of her café au lait this time.
Haaah…
I took a deep breath and steeled myself again.
I’d have to talk to Sakuraba-kun properly later and apologize.
But I just couldn’t keep hiding this from Mikura-san any longer.
“…I’m dating Sakuraba-kun.”
“Wha…?!”
Clatter—the table shook, and the glasses nearly toppled.
We both hurriedly steadied our own glasses, then faced each other squarely again.
“Th-then, that means, I…”
“No. But it’s not mutual at all. When I confessed, he turned me down flat. But I couldn’t give up, so I forced… yeah, really forced him to go out with me.”
“That’s…! So, that’s what happened.”
Mikura-san seemed to have realized it, too.
That I’d actually done what she’d tried to do but held back from.
I gave Mikura-san a condensed version of everything that had happened so far.
She was shocked, but at the same time, she seemed deeply sympathetic.
“I just didn’t like the idea of hiding things when we both know how the other feels as rivals. If you asked me about Naruse-san, I’d be in trouble, but I wanted to tell you, Mikura-san.”
“…I see.”
Honestly, even I hadn’t found a reason that fully satisfied me.
If someone else who liked Sakuraba-kun appeared later, would I tell them the same thing?
I didn’t know.
…But.
“I just thought we must be the same. You like Sakuraba-kun as much as I do, and you thought about how you could have him all to yourself. But you couldn’t do it. Probably because you were thinking of him.”
“That’s not it! …No. I just didn’t have the courage or the resolve. I was lacking in every way.”
Mikura-san clenched both fists in frustration.
She hung her head, shoulders trembling.
I even braced myself, thinking she might start crying again.
“Anyway! No more secrets between us. We’re rivals, fair and square. And the fact that I’m dating Sakuraba-kun now is my advantage, thanks to me throwing shame and pride to the wind. How about that?”
“…”
Mikura-san’s expression was stiff.
Maybe she couldn’t quite figure out my intentions, or maybe she was just confused by this complicated situation.
Even so, Mikura-san gave a small nod, and her face cleared, as if freed from the tension she’d been holding.
“So from now on, no more probing each other’s intentions. We’ll compete for him head-on.”
Hehe, that’s right. I won’t use underhanded tricks, but I don’t plan on losing, either.”
“…I see. Fine, then.”
Mikura-san was smiling.
Her already sharp, dignified features looked even cooler now.
It was frustrating, but she was incredibly beautiful.
I think I’m not losing to her, but still she’s definitely attractive.
After that, we talked until it grew dark outside, sharing stories about how we came to like Sakuraba-kun and things we’d done to get his attention.
Of course, we kept the most embarrassing stories and any information that might give the other an advantage to ourselves.
At least, I did.
I think Mikura-san probably did the same.
“Ta-daa! Isn’t this great? It’s a pic of Sakuraba-kun in a yukata!”
“Whaaat?! How do you have something like that?! Hey, let me see it better!”
“No way! This is a treasure I obtained through a top-secret channel!”
“Y-you fiend!! You only showed me to brag, didn’t you?!”
“Yep! Hmph!”
“Grr, damn it…! …And you still only call him by his last name.”
“Oof! Th-that’s… well!”
Hmph! It’s a matter of experience, you see. I’ve been friends with him for almost a full year now. And pretty close friends, at that. Length of time equals strength of trust.”
“W-well! Sakuraba-kun calls you by your last name too, you know!”
“Guh! …W-well, that’s just because of Aoto-kun’s personality, or something like that.”
“You think you’re the only one who’s gotten closer? Maybe Sakuraba-kun only thinks of you as a classmate.”
“Wh-what did you say?!”
“What about it?!”
We yelled, laughed, and made a racket.
Maybe somewhere deep down, we’d both been looking for someone who could share these feelings.
I think talking about love only really works when you like the same person.
But still.
“Well, anyway, I think Sakuraba-kun prefers outgoing girls like me.”
“No, no, that can’t be. Aoto-kun must prefer calm women like me.”
“Did Sakuraba-kun say that?”
“Did Aoto-kun say that to you?”
“Mmmph…”
“Grrr…”
This kind of thing would probably only last for today.