As I was wiping down a desk at my part-time job, I released a long sigh.
It reminded me of what happened during the day. The moment our hand touched, she pulled her hand back as if she was avoiding me⦠Ah, damn it, why did I try to hold her hand forcefully.
Itās true that Hiiragi-san taught me how to do it, but thinking back, wasnāt it a bit too early? Shouldnāt we take our time on building our relationship? At least, there was no need to be in such a hurry and try to make sudden skin contact. The more I think about it, the more regrets I have.
No matter how worried I am about it, nothing would change, and the best thing I could do is to ask Hiiragi-san, who is the best person to talk about it with. Thatās what I thought and I kept waiting for her to finish her shift while I was doing mine.
[Hiiragi-san, Iād like to talk to you for a bit after I finish my shift, is that okay?]
[ā¦Sure]
A slightly down voice answered me. Feeling uncomfortable with her unusually depressed state, I went back to finish my shift.
After our part-time job, we started discussing as usual.
[I tried to hold her hand when we went home today. But the moment I touched her hand, she avoided me⦠This means she doesnāt like me, right?]
[T-Thatās not true!]
[ā¦Eh?]
When I told her what happened today, Hiiragi-san replied strongly, which was unlike her. She denied it, and in a somewhat hurried voice, and I couldnāt help but feel surprised and let out a strange voice.
I guess she could see my confusion, because she coughed and regained her composure.
[Ah⦠no⦠Iām sorry for my sudden outburst. It could be for another reason, right?]
[Is that so?]
[Thatās right. Girls get very nervous when the person they like touches them. Even if they know theyāre supposed to hold hands⦠they get nervous and feel very embarrassed]
Hiiragi-sanās cheeks gradually blushed as she spoke, which was strangely alluring. I couldnāt help but be drawn to her as she gently expressed her feelings. Of course, I knew itās embarrassing to talk about a girlās heart to a guy, but when she acted so shy, it made me embarrassed too. The openness of Hiiragi-sanās feelings made me nervous. (TN: Does it count as cheating if you like the persona of the person you likeā¦)
[I-I seeā¦]
[When you are touched by someone you like, youāll be aware of it. Thatās why if itās unexpected or sudden, weāll be more nervous. Itās not that we donāt like it, it just a little nerve wracking, thatās all]
She turned her head slightly in embarrassment with her cheeks dyed red. She continued to hold her own hands as she muttered in a faint voice.
[I see. Itās true that I was suddenly trying to hold her hand. Is that whyā¦]
Hiiragi-sanās opinion was convincing enough for me to come to a conclusion. Itās not just girls that get nervous, but boys too. Just the thought of holding hands makes me nervous. I donāt know how nervous or calm I would be if I was able to hold her hand. I guess it was the same for her.
Hiiragi-san crossed her arms as if to think for a moment, and then came up with a new piece of advice.
[ā¦Then, why donāt you ask her properly this time? Then Iām sure sheāll let you hold her hand, right?]
[But, if she really didnāt like it, wouldnāt she hate me even more?]
Hiiragi-sanās opinion makes sense, but thereās always a chance. Sheās not good with the opposite gender in nature so thereās no denying the possibility that she didnāt want to be touched, even if itās by someone she was fond of.
If that was the case, it would be a bad idea to go and ask. I couldnāt help but feel awkward about it.
[I donāt think so⦠If thatās the case, itās even better to ask. You donāt know what theyāre thinking if you donāt ask. If you do ask, then you would understand them, right?] (TN: FOR ONCE, THEREāS SOMEONE WHO GET THIS LOGIC)
[Y-yeahā¦]
Sure, I thought about it, but it was only what I imagined. You wonāt know what she thinks until you actually ask her.
The anxiety wonāt go away unless I ask her. Even if she didnāt want to hold hands, it didnāt mean she would lose her relationship with me. Maybe I should ask her properly.
[Of course, I can assure you that she wouldnāt mind, so please listen to me. Absolutely, is that clear?]
[Yes, I understand]
She looked at me with a somewhat serious expression, and I could feel her desperation. She wanted me to listen and take her advice properly, as she was very insistent. I had no choice but to nod in agreement.