Thatās how Kurumizawa-san described the relationship between Shiho and I.
āPerhaps that girl is just scared? Sheās afraid that if she becomes your girlfriend, her relationship with you will change, right? Sheās a coward, so sheās stretching out your current relationship with her. Keeping it lazy, keeping it the way it is, stepping on Nakayamaās feelings. Sounds about right?ā
āNoā¦ sheās not that much of a self-centered personā¦ She cares about me too.ā
āThatās what you think. At least, thatās how I feel as a third party. Your relationship with her is a little strange.ā
Her pink hair glowed a fiery red in the light of the setting sun.
I averted my gaze due to the seriousness in her eyes.
I didnāt understand.
I was used to the feelings of disgust, rivalry, and indifference.
Iām at a loss on how to deal with a girl who hits me with all her might, feigning affection.
Even now, sheās saying things like that for my sake.
Because I was aware of thisā¦ I couldnāt help but weaken my rebuttal.
No. Maybeā¦ deep down, I had those feelings for Shiho as well.
Why wonāt she accept me?
Even though I love and care for her so muchā¦ are my feelings for her still not enough?
I want to love and be loved by Shiho even more.
āI would be lying if I said I didnāt have those feelings.
So I couldnāt argue any further.
āI would never do that.ā
And then, all of a sudden, Kurumizawa-san spoke up.
āIf I could be the one next to youā¦ I would cherish you more. I would accept Nakayamaās thoughts, and offer mine in return. We would both make every effort to be happier. I will make your happiness my happiness.ā
There was no way around it.
She looked me in the eyes and put her feelings into words.
āIām just saying this because I loveā¦ Nakayama, alright? Donāt make the mistake of thinking I donāt like you or anything.ā
My retreat had been successfully cut off by the tsundere yet straightforward confession.
āIām sorry, okay? I know youāre confused by all of this, arenāt you? Oh, I know. I donāt think you can accept my feelings right now anyway, right? Thatās fine. I understand that Iām going to be rejected, but I wanted you to know how I feel anyway.ā
Everywhere I look, sheās been very accommodating towards me.
To spare me from guilt and heartache, she pretended that she had been rejected herselfā¦ and then expressed her intention not to give up just yet.
I was struck by her dedication.
I tried to avoid making a connection with her at all costs.
But there was something bothering me.
I couldnāt help butā¦ ask her this.
It was-
āWhyā¦ did you fall in love with me?ā
Yes. This was what Iāve been wondering all along.
It was only the first day of school. We had only just recently met, and if anything, we had never even spoken to each other before.
And yet, from the very beginning, her fondness for me had been over 100 percent. I almost felt dizzy with her love that rivaled Shihoās.
For what reason could she fall in love with someone in such a short time?
The reason was very simple.
āI donāt really know myself? I was just thinking how nice of a person you were, and before I knew it, I was filled with feelings of āI love youā. So, I donāt have any particular reason, butā¦ that doesnāt matter. What matters is that I fell in love with you.ā
Blushing, Kurumizawa-san explained why. Her cheeks were red probably from embarrasment.
But I couldnāt smile as genuinely as she did.
(No reason, huhā¦ thatā¦ thatās just not right!)