“Haaaaaah…”
Sitting on the bench in front of the station, I let out the biggest sigh of my life.
In the end, I hadn’t stayed to confirm Naruse-san’s confession results, instead dragging Kasumi along to board the train.
It’s not good to spy on someone’s confession.
That’s what I told Kasumi, but it was just an excuse.
I was scared.
I was terrified that even in one in a million chance, Sakuraba-kun might accept Naruse-san.
I had simply run away.
Kasumi, unusually gentle, patted my back before heading home.
I should go home too.
I thought that, but feeling somehow lonely and vulnerable, I remained sitting on the bench, unable to move.
“Ah… God.”
All I could do was pray that Sakuraba-kun had turned her down.
He did say he wouldn’t date Naruse-san.
But even so, the two of them had such good chemistry today that I couldn’t feel at ease.
“A perfect match.”
Kasumi’s words echoed in my head repeatedly, each time making my chest tighten and tears threaten to fall.
Naruse-san and Sakuraba-kun really were a perfect match.
Then what about me?
What about Sakuraba-kun and me?
Thinking about that made me freeze up again.
I really shouldn’t have gone.
If I hadn’t, maybe I wouldn’t have felt this depressed.
“Huh? Yunagi-san?”
“Eh…?”
Hearing the sudden voice, I looked up.
But there was no mistaking this voice.
There’s no way I could mishear it.
“Sakuraba-kun?!”
“…What’s wrong? Sitting here all alone like this.”
Immediately, I was overcome with the urge to hug Sakuraba-kun.
I wanted to hold him tight and cry out loud.
But if I did that, I’d just bother him again.
Sakuraba-kun looked at me curiously for a moment, then somehow plopped down beside me.
“…Did something happen?”
“Eh? N-no, nothing really.”
Sakuraba-kun’s gentle voice.
His face full of concern for me.
I was unbearably happy.
But at the same time, I became even more curious about Sakuraba-kun’s response to Naruse-san.
I wanted to ask.
But if I did, he’d know I’d been watching.
Sakuraba-kun would definitely feel uncomfortable.
He might even look down on me.
That was absolutely the last thing I wanted.
“…Sniff”
Before I knew it, I had started crying.
Not wanting Sakuraba-kun to notice, I desperately tried to hold back my tears.
But it was no use.
“Y-Yunagi-san? What’s wrong?”
“I-It’s nothing!”
“It can’t be nothing.”
Sakuraba-kun sounded slightly flustered.
I was happy he was worried about me like that, but more than that, I felt guilty.
Suddenly, something touched the corner of my eye.
It was a blue handkerchief held in Sakuraba-kun’s hand.
“I won’t ask what happened anymore”
“…”
“But I want you to stop crying. If I’m okay with you, I’ll stay with you for a while.”
At that moment, I knew with absolute certainty.
That I really, really loved this person.
That it had to be him, no one else.
“Ugh… Waaaaaah!!”
“Eh! What! What’s wrong all of a sudden?!”
“Sooooorry!!”
“Eh? Ehh?”
I had clung to Sakuraba-kun as if latching onto him.
At the same time, tears kept pouring out, and I didn’t know what was what anymore.
“I knew you were going out with Naruse-san today. Sniff. I was so worried, so worried that I went to spy on you.”
“W-what’s that about?”
“Sorryyyy!! And then I got really anxious. Sob. And then at the end, Naruse-san confessed to you”
“…You saw that far?”
“Yeah! But I was scared I couldn’t watch until the end. So, I came here, alone.”
I had reached my limit.
Taking advantage of not being pushed away, I clung tightly to Sakuraba-kun.
I’m sure many people were watching us.
But I couldn’t care about that.
“…You’re quite something, you know”
“…What?”
“…You’re hopeless”
“B-but…”
I could tell Sakuraba-kun was shaking his head in exasperation.
But it couldn’t be helped.
This is what happens because I love you.
“…I’m not going out with her”
“…Eh?”
“Naruse-san. She confessed, but I turned her down”
“…I-is that so”
I could feel the tension draining from my entire body.
Relief, and a little guilt.
But still, I was happy.
I’m such a terrible person.
“Besides, I told you before, didn’t I?”
“But! …You looked like you were having so much fun today, Sakuraba-kun”
“I did have fun. But that’s not a reason to date Naruse-san. It’s not like I love Naruse-san or anything. And…”
“…And?”
“…Well, I am, you know, technically your boyfriend”
Covering his mouth shyly, Sakuraba-kun muttered.
“…So, you don’t need to worry so much. I wouldn’t date someone else without telling you. But I can’t change how I act, so if it’s painful for you, then maybe.”
I could feel my tears receding.
Then, a different kind of tears welled up, and I cried loudly again.
“Sakuraba-kuuuuun!! I love you so muuuuuch!!”
“Hey! Your voice is too loud! Do you know where we are! Idiot!”
“I don’t care if I’m an idiot!! I really love yooou!!”
“I’m the one who’s no good! Here, quiet down!”
So happy, so incredibly happy, I cried while laughing.
I truly felt that there was no one else for me but this person.
But at the same time, anxiety crept in again.
Sakuraba-kun is probably popular, after all.
While Sakuraba-kun rubbed my back, I thought about the hardships to come and hugged him even tighter.
I won’t give him to anyone.
And I’ll definitely make him love me!