Episode 93: Jealousy is…

「Takanashi-san! The injury, how is the condition of the injury!?」

Senpai, who seemed to have judged that I was there after seeing the school nurse, burst in with that same momentum.

Finding me, the relieved expression on Senpai’s face lasted only a moment before she approached, leaning over the bed I was lying on.

「Sara-senpai, I am fi—」

「Shall we go to the hospital right now!? I will accompany yo—」

「Sara-senpai!」

I already know the way to calm Sara-senpai down.

When I speak firmly while looking her in the eye, Sara-senpai looks startled for a moment and then makes a slightly sad expression.

「I, I am terribly sorry for losing my composure.」

「Sara-senpai, I am fine, so please calm down for a moment.」

The school nurse had been watching the situation for a bit, but after confirming that Senpai had calmed down, she began to speak.

「Satsukawa-san came running this time too, I see… I see, I see. For now, Takanashi-kun is fine. However, that right wrist is suspicious, so it would be best to go to the hospital and have it examined.」

「His right wrist… in that case, I will accompany him to the hospital.」

The moment she heard that reply, the school nurse smirked.

「It seems Takanashi-kun was worried about the person he likes, and while he was lost in thought, he tripped?」

「…Eh?」

Senpai made a puzzled face.

If told something like that out of the blue, anyone would have that kind of reaction.

More importantly, Sensei!

I should not have told her!!

「Sensei! That story!」

「In that case, it might be fine for that person to look after him. I do not know who it is, though.」

Why is this person saying that to her directly?

Aren’t these things supposed to be kept a secret!?

「Sensei! Why would you say…」

「Well then, I am going to talk to Takanashi-kun’s homeroom teacher. It is lunch break anyway, so is it alright if you stay and look after him while we see how he is?」

Dropping a bomb like that, Sensei left the nurse’s office. What is with that teacher…

「Takanashi-san…」

Unlike before, Sara-senpai is showing a slightly embarrassed look.

Since I haven’t been able to see this kind of expression for the past few days, I’m happy, but I’m also self-conscious.

「Um… is it my fault?」

Senpai asks me, still with that slightly embarrassed expression.

To be asked so directly is, as expected…

「No… well…」

「Takanashi-san, did you trip because you were worried about me?」

If it were the usual Sara-senpai, she should have seen through me easily just by my behavior, but this time she doesn’t seem to want to let me go until I answer honestly.

「Well… yes.」

「…I understand. Then, taking responsibility, I shall look after you.」

She might not be back to her usual self yet.

But seeing Senpai’s expression looking even a little bit happy makes me happy too… even if my wrist hurts…

Honestly, I wanted to make proper time to talk after school, but we’ll probably need time to go to the hospital, and since it’s just the two of us right now, I’ll take the plunge and talk now.

If she’s worrying because of me, I want to resolve it as soon as possible.

「About the talk I was planning for after school, is it alright if I do it now?」

When I suddenly cut to the chase, Senpai’s expression stiffened as expected.

I decide to continue regardless.

「First, let me say this. If the thing Sara-senpai is worrying about is related to me, no matter what it is, I will definitely accept it. I will affirm all of you, Senpai. With that in mind, I have to ask: for example, if I were worrying about the same thing as Sara-senpai’s worry, what would you do, Senpai?」

What if he was worrying about the same thing as me?

In other words, if Takanashi-san was jealous and worrying about being hated by me…

There is no way I could hate him for something like that.

It is because he loves me that he would feel that way, and I would be very happy for those feelings.

If Takanashi-san wishes for it, I would have no use for other men… Ah.

…Am I happy?

If it were me, I would be happy…

Sara-senpai seemed to have realized something, as a startled look appeared on her face.

I hope she realized it in a positive direction…

「Takanashi-san, I am afraid to tell you this. I feel as if you might come to hate me… but if Takanashi-san was thinking the same thing, I thought I would be happy. Therefore, I will gather my courage and speak.」

It seems she has made up her mind.

Good.

It’s okay; if it’s something Sara-senpai feels happy about, there’s no way I wouldn’t be happy too.

「…I felt jealous that you, Takanashi-san, were getting along with other women. I was jealous seeing you do things with other women that you have done with me.」

Muttering bit by bit, Senpai began to speak with an anxious expression.

「I have never felt this way before. Just seeing Takanashi-san looking close with other women makes it painful, and I hated that Takanashi-san was smiling at those women… but I hate myself most for thinking such things, and if I say such things, Takanashi-san will hate me… Ah.」

I sat up from the bed and hugged Senpai with that same momentum.

I couldn’t help it; I loved her so much I couldn’t hold back.

Being jealous, enduring it because she didn’t want to be hated by me, worrying all by herself… this is my fault.

I was so fired up about teaching her about love, yet I was the one who failed to make her realize that she is number one.

What should I do, how can I…

One thing came to mind.

I used to do it unconsciously or without realizing it before, but now I understand.

And the current Senpai should understand too.

So, I’ve decided what to do after school.

Senpai moved restlessly.

Even if it was in the heat of the moment, I’m just holding her without saying anything.

Since I promised to teach her about love, I have to use this opportunity to tell her properly without being embarrassed.

「Senpai, jealousy is something that always exists. It might be indiscreet to say, but the person being envied is actually happy. That’s why I’m happy you feel that way, Senpai. Because it shows how much you love me. I would be jealous too if Sara-senpai was getting along with another guy. Would you hate me then, Senpai?」

Senpai stayed quiet in my arms, seemingly listening to what I had to say.

While in that state, she moved her head as if shaking it from side to side.

「Thank you. So please do not be afraid even if you are jealous. Rather, please tell me, because I will be happy. Besides, this is my failure for not being able to make you feel secure, Sara-senpai.」

Sara-senpai says nothing.

But I’m sure she’s listening carefully.

「I want you to feel secure, Senpai, so please do accompany me after school. You have no right of refusal. Please follow me quietly, okay?」

When I said that a bit jokingly to lighten the mood, Senpai nodded her head in my arms.

Just as I was wondering why Senpai wasn’t saying anything…

Sniffle…

！？

Is she crying by any chance!?

「I was scared… even though I thought it would be okay, I wondered what I would do if you hated me… if I was hated by you, Takanashi-san, I…」

「Senpai, I will absolutely never hate you, Sara-senpai. If anything, it’s more likely that you’ll be the one to lose interest in me.」

「That is absolutely impossible, if anything, I am the one…」

「No, I’m the one…」

「I am.」

Haha.

Fufu…

When the two of us repeated the same thing, we couldn’t help but laugh.

It’s not going to end at this rate.

「Well then, we’re both okay.」

「Yes, that is right.」

As long as Senpai showed a smile, the result is all right.

All that’s left is for me to… after school…