Episode 95: Proof

After school, I went to the hospital accompanied by Sara-senpai.

As a result of the palpation and X-rays, it turned out there was a tiny crack in the bone.

Along with the sprain, I was told to stay rested for the time being.

「Please leave it to me; I will take care of you with all my might. Since it is my fault, I shall fulfill my responsibility properly.」

Senpai says that to me with a somewhat mischievous look on her face.

I like to think I understand Senpai well enough.

Thinking back to when I caught a cold, I suspect she intends to look after me in various ways, not just at school but at home too.

Unlike back then, since we both want this, I’ll let her take care of me without being stubborn.

And I’ll be sure to thank her plenty for it.

「We shall start with tonight’s dinner. Please let us stop to do some shopping on the way.」

She’s already assumed there are no ingredients at my place. Which is exactly the case.

But there’s one problem here…

…I still haven’t been able to tell her that I’ve been pretending a relative has been making my dinner.

Unlike when I had a cold, this isn’t just a matter of two or three days, so I might as well tell her everything now…

「Um, Sara-senpai… about my dinner.」

「Yes, is something wrong?」

「In the beginning, I told you that a relative was making it for me… but that was…」

「You finally told me.」

Senpai countered with a slightly troubled expression.

And… if she’s saying that…

Did you notice, without a doubt?

「I knew the moment I saw the kitchen, but I kept quiet thinking you might have a reason. I am glad you told me the truth, but what is the real story?」

True, there’s no way she wouldn’t notice a kitchen with no signs of use…

「…No, I just thought you might get mad.」

Since I can’t hide anything anyway, I told her the truth, pathetic as the reason was.

At that, Senpai put her hands on her hips, striking an「I’m angry」pose and puffing out her cheeks a little.

Her angry pose was so cute I almost grinned…

「If you are not honest… you will be in trouble, okay?」

Saying that, she poked my forehead with her index finger.

Yes, thank you for the moe scolding…

We stopped by a variety store on the way to buy some things I needed for the talk.

Without explaining too much, I had Senpai pick out a key case and a simple wallet.

Senpai, who loves cute things, naturally made a cute choice.

After leaving the store and walking for a bit, we reached a park.

I had decided that I would talk here.

Phew… I’m getting nervous…

When I enter the park, Senpai follows behind without saying a word.

Maybe she’s picked up on the atmosphere.

「Sara-senpai, I have something to tell you.」

I face Senpai once more and look her straight in the eye.

My nerves are off the charts, thinking about how I’m about to say something incredible…

「Yes… I am listening.」

Senpai answered firmly.

She doesn’t look afraid anymore. I’d be happy if our talk during the day made her trust me.

「We talked about jealousy this afternoon. I said a lot of things, but in reality, it’s pretty hard to separate those feelings. Of course, I have my share of possessiveness too, so if I saw you getting along with another guy, Sara-senpai, I’d definitely get jealous. So, to be honest, I was saved by the way you’ve been harsh toward other guys until now.」

Sara-senpai stares at me quietly, listening to my story. I continued…

「It’s cheeky of me, but I’ve been assuming on my own that I’m different from other guys to you, Sara-senpai. That I’m special. I’m sorry…」

Having said that much, Sara-senpai nodded with a smile.

「No, it is the truth, so there is no problem. Rather, you sensed that I felt that way, did you not?」

Right, it was something I felt, even if it was just my own assumption. And I believed it because of the attitude Sara-senpai showed toward other guys.

But I hadn’t been able to make Sara-senpai feel the same way. Even if I put it into words, without a tangible sense of it, she’d surely still be anxious.

Especially since I was Sara-senpai’s first love.

It’s impossible for me to suddenly act like Sara-senpai does, and even if I tried, she’d probably just tell me not to push myself.

So, if I could just give her a clear proof to make her feel that she is number one to me…

「Yes. So, I decided to prove that I think of you as special too, Sara-senpai.」

I take my house key out of my pocket, remove the keychain that was on it, and attach the key case Sara-senpai picked out earlier.

Sara-senpai looks blank… She won’t understand unless I explain.

I take Senpai’s hand, make her grasp the key case, and cover her hand with both of mine.

And then I continued.

「From today, I’m entrusting this key to you for good, Sara-senpai. It’s pathetic, but I can’t even function without you. Even without the injury, I can’t stand a daily life without you anymore.」

I know I’m saying something a bit pathetic.

But since it’s how I truly feel, I keep going.

「This key is something only I and you will have. I’m giving it to you as proof that you’re the only person I want by my side more than anyone else. I can give it to you because I trust you more than anyone. Think of it as a declaration that I’ll accept anything about you, Sara-senpai, anytime, no matter what.」

How was that…

I tried my absolute best to get it across in my own way.

I wondered if using a house key as proof was a bit much for common sense, but that’s exactly why I thought she’d understand that I’m serious about her.

Besides, Senpai has already come to my house many times, so I think it’ll be useful for her to have it.

Senpai took in my words, and after closing her eyes for a moment, she stared at me with a solemn look.

「I have been thinking deeply about the meaning of this key. On that basis, I shall certainly accept and look after it.」

Senpai, who is always polite, behaves with even more courtesy.

After tucking the key into the case, she put it into her bag as if it were precious.

Then, when she looks at me, her face breaks into an incredibly happy smile.

Just as I thought she was leaning in close, she simply rested her weight against me.

「S-Sara-senpai!?」

I can’t move… I was shaken by her sudden, bold action…

As if enjoying my agitation, she speaks to me in a mischievous voice.

「Fufu… now that you have gone this far, I shall no longer hold back, you know? Since I have received your word that you will accept anything about me at any time, you must take responsibility and accept all of me, Takanashi-san, okay?」

Having said that, Senpai snuggles up to me happily and looks up at my face; contrary to her tone, her face was bright red…