Episode 86: What is Love?

I do not know…

I am so happy… but when I look at Takanashi-san, this feeling of shame wells up within me.

Takanashi-san’s words made me so happy… so happy.

He really sees me, he understands me.

To treasure me more than anyone…

「That person is more important to me than anyone or anything else!」

Takanashi-san’s voice has been going around and around in my head.

I cannot get it out of my head…

To think that Takanashi-san thinks of me that much.

Ah, just remembering it…

I am happy… I am ashamed…

But why am I ashamed?

Is it not a happy thing?

My thoughts will not come together.

I do not understand my own feelings.

Even while I am like this, Takanashi-san continues to speak.

「You’re just putting on an act and running away by saying ‘friends are fine’ because you’re scared of confessing and being rejected, aren’t you!?」

「Don’t lump my feelings for Sara-senpai in with yours!!」

！！！

Love… love…

Takanashi-san… feels that way about me?

Until now, I have been told that I am loved by men countless times.

But this is the first time I have ever felt happy about it.

I am… I am?

I do not know.

What do I think of Takanashi-san?

I consider Takanashi-san to be special.

Even things that would make me feel a sense of loathing with other men are fine if it is Takanashi-san.

I love Takanashi-san’s smile. I want to do things that will make you happy.

And I believe that I cannot yield that to Natsumi, or to any other woman.

…I cannot yield him to other women.

I am the one who will look after him…

Is this feeling that?

This is unexpected.

To think Takanashi-kun would clearly say he loves Sara…

Sara is frozen and isn’t moving.

Everything happened so suddenly that she probably hasn’t been able to fully take it in.

What should I do? Things seem okay here, so should I leave it to Yokogawa-kun and should we head back?

Sara probably needs time to organize her feelings too.

While I was thinking that, I couldn’t have predicted that Sara would suddenly start moving and jump out into that spot.

「……Takanashi-san」

！？

No way… you’ve got to be kidding…

Why did I hear Senpai’s voice here…

It has to be a lie.

It’ll be a problem if it isn’t a lie…

「Princess!? Why are you here!?」

When I turned around, Senpai was standing there with a bright red face.

Is she angry that I was called out?

Or by some chance, was she listening to my story?

Sara-senpai didn’t seem to care about the fan club at all; she only had eyes for me.

「Takanashi-san… I am very happy about your feelings.」

At this point, it was confirmed that she had heard the conversation.

But that means she heard my words that crossed the boundary of being a friend, so naturally, there’s a possibility of being rejected.

I’m scared to hear that answer…

「I have never been in love with the opposite sex until now. Because I did not understand the feeling called love. I disliked men who approached me, and I could not understand it even when I was told that they loved me.」

However, Sara-senpai began to speak slowly.

Even if I’m scared, I have no choice but to listen to this now.

「Hearing your feelings, Takanashi-san, and becoming conscious of myself like this, I was always thinking of you. During class, while at home, and before I sleep, I think of you… and remember you. I love seeing your happy face. It is also my role to look after you. Whether it is bento or looking after your personal needs, I cannot yield to anyone. I surely could not bear to leave it to another woman. I do not want to imagine it. But is this feeling love? I do not know. Because until now, I have considered myself to be thinking of you, Takanashi-san, as a close friend.」

It’s only natural for Sara-senpai to be confused since she’s never been aware of love until now.

If I was going to tell her anyway, I wanted to tell her more slowly… not in such a sudden conversation…

But Senpai, still with a red face and looking embarrassed, looked at me firmly.

「Takanashi-san, I do not know if this feeling of mine is love. But if this is love… if it is love, I want to be with no one else but you, Takanashi-san. Therefore…」

When Sara-senpai said that much, she showed me a brilliant smile.

「Please teach me about love… please let me realize that I am in love with you. I want to be in love with you, whom I love.」

Sara-senpai gave me the very best answer she could.