Episode 87: Things That Change and Things That Don’t Change

I hadn’t expected this answer.

I’d considered the possibility of being rejected, but I’d also hoped that maybe, just maybe, I might be accepted…

Just how pure is Senpai?

I never thought I’d get an answer like this.

Of course, I’m so happy I could jump for joy.

But I’m not satisfied with it happening like this; it feels like unfinished business.

I wanted to give her a proper confession, so honestly, I want a do-over…

「I’m really happy that you feel that way, Sara-senpai. But I don’t consider what happened today to be a confession. So… when you realize you’re in love, Sara-senpai, I’ll confess to you once more… Oof!」

Just as I thought Sara-senpai had suddenly started running, she stopped right in front of me and hugged me.

That’s why I couldn’t finish what I was saying.

「Takanashi-san… my head is spinning right now and I can’t think straight. So please give me one night. I beg of you.」

She tells me slowly, as if trying to convince me.

To match her words, she tightened her arms around my back just a little.

Yeah… honestly, I want to calm down too.

「I understand. Then I won’t say anything more for now.」

「Thank you… oh, but I can say this much, you know?」

Saying that, she pulled away slightly and positioned herself so she could see my face.

And with a smile, she said,

「I love you… Takanashi-san.」

As a best friend, I’m happy that things have progressed between Kazunari and Satsukawa-senpai.

It’s just… when they’re in their own little world like this, I can’t even call out to them…

The fan club guys seem to be in shock, standing there as if their souls have left their bodies.

Natsumi-senpai seems to be watching over the two of them with a very serious face.

It’s just, I’m curious about the way the smartphone in her right hand is moving slightly; is that thing recording?

And as for me, I ended up recording everything that happened by accident… I wonder what I should do with this…

I felt like my knees were going to buckle from Senpai’s cuteness, but I braced my legs and endured.

And as I calmed down, I started to remember what the situation was right now.

Right, I was with the fan club guys and…?

The fan club guys, Natsumi-senpai, and Hayato are all here…

「S-Sara-senpai, wait a second. I was with these guys and…」

The fan club, standing frozen, came into view.

「…No way no way no way.」

「…It’s a dream, it has to be… I refuse to believe anything else…」

「…The Princess… our Princess is…」

Ugh, now that I’m calm, I realize I was having that exchange with Sara-senpai right in front of these guys…

Sara-senpai seemed to remember their existence too. She started speaking before I could say a word.

「You people are the type who can’t understand unless things are stated clearly, aren’t you. I regret leaving you alone just because I didn’t want to get involved. Don’t ever show your faces to me again…」

After saying that much, she took a breath and said,

「Your very existence is an eyesore.」

She declared it flatly. I guess some parts of her never change…

They were already frozen, but now they look like their souls have truly departed.

「…Takanashi-san, shall we go?」

Sara-senpai spoke to me as if she had no further business here. Honestly, I thought she’d be angrier, but I guess even for Senpai, that’s impossible given her current state of mind.

「I said you were an eyesore; haven’t you disappeared yet?」

Adding that follow-up blow… I guess I was wrong about that.

I really wanted to be with Senpai longer, but being pushy when she’s asked for time would be way too uncool.

Thinking that, I decided to head home quietly for today.

Hayato was considerate enough to head home first. I was really indebted to him today, so I have to thank him properly tomorrow…

Speaking of thanks, I remembered the Senpais also came because they were worried. I should probably apologize to them.

「Sorry about today. It might sound like an excuse, but that situation was unexpected… or rather, unplanned.」

「No, for now I’m just relieved that it seems like nothing bad happened.」

「Yeah, yeah, the result was all right, so no problem!」

Natsumi-senpai looks to be in a very good mood. I’d be really happy if she’s welcoming the idea of me and Sara-senpai together.

「Takanashi-san, please let me walk you home… at least so we can be together a little longer.」

Sara-senpai said something like that. Just like me, Senpai wants to be together for as long as possible.

But, walking her home is my job, so I can’t let that happen.

「No, I’ll walk you home.」

「No, it’s because Takanashi-san’s house is closer.」

「No. It’s decided that the guy does the walking home.」

「I’m happy about that, but I will be the one to walk Takanashi-san…」

「Gaaaaah! I’m here today, so just go home quietly!!」

「Sorry…」

「Takanashi-san, there’s no need for you to apologize, you know? Natsumi, did we do something? I don’t recall doing anything to be scolded for…」

Incredible.

In a situation like that, the standard thing would be to apologize alongside me, but that logic doesn’t apply to Sara-senpai…