I hadn't expected that answer.
I had considered the possibility of being rejected, and yet, a small part of me had dared to hope I might be accepted...
How pure could Senpai possibly be?
I never imagined I would receive a response like this.
Naturally, I was so happy I could have jumped for joy, yet I couldn't quite accept things ending like this. It felt like unfinished business.
I had wanted to offer a proper confession, and frankly, I wanted a do-over.
"I’m truly happy you feel that way, Satsukawa-senpai. But I don’t consider what happened today to be a real confession. So... once you’ve realized what love is for yourself, Senpai, I’m going to confess to you all over ag—oomph!"
Just as I thought Satsukawa-senpai had suddenly broken into a run, she stopped right in front of me and pulled me into a tight hug.
The impact cut me off before I could finish my sentence.
"Takanashi-san... My mind is spinning right now, and I cannot think clearly. Please, give me one night to process this. I beg of you."
She spoke slowly, as if she were trying to convince herself as much as me.
Emphasizing her words, she added a little more strength to the arms she had wrapped around my back.
She was right. To be honest, I wanted a chance to calm down, too.
"I understand. I won't say anything more for now."
"Thank you... Ah, but I can at least say this much."
With that, she pulled away slightly, shifting her position so she could look me in the eye.
Then, wearing a gentle smile, she spoke.
"I love you... Takanashi-san."
As his best friend, I was glad to see things progressing between Kazunari and Satsukawa-senpai.
However... once they entered a world of their own like that, it was impossible for anyone else to even call out to them.
The Fan Club members looked shell-shocked, standing perfectly still as if their souls had departed their bodies.
Natsumi-senpai watched over the pair with a grave expression.
I was curious about the smartphone in her right hand, though. It was moving ever so slightly—was she recording them?
And as for me, I had unintentionally recorded the entire sequence from start to finish... What on earth should I do with this footage?
Senpai's cuteness nearly knocked the wind out of me, but I forced strength into my legs and held my ground.
As my head cleared, the reality of our surroundings came rushing back.
That’s right, I was in the middle of dealing with the Fan Club...
I realized the Fan Club guys, Natsumi-senpai, and Hayato were all still right here.
"Sa-Satsukawa-senpai, wait a moment. I still have to deal with these—"
The frozen figures of the Fan Club loomed in my peripheral vision.
"...It's a lie, it's a lie, it's a lie."
"...It's a dream. It has to be a dream... It has to be, or I can't take it..."
"...The Princess... Our Princess is...!"
Ugh. Now that I was thinking clearly, I realized I’d been having that intense moment with Satsukawa-senpai right in front of these guys.
Satsukawa-senpai seemed to remember their existence at the same time I did.
Before I could say another word, she addressed them.
"You lot are the type who won't understand unless things are spelled out, aren't you? I regret leaving you to your own devices simply because I didn't want to deal with you. Never show your faces to me again."
She paused for a single, cold breath.
"Your very existence is an eyesore."
She spat the words out.
I guess that part of her hasn't changed at all.
The guys were already standing like statues, but now it looked like their souls were actually departing for the afterlife.
"...Takanashi-san, shall we go?"
Satsukawa-senpai spoke to me as if she had no further business with them.
To be honest, I thought she would be angrier, but I suppose even Senpai has her limits when her mind is in such a state.
"I told you that you were an eyesore; have you still not disappeared?"
Never mind. Given how she went for the finishing blow, I guess her ruthlessness was still fully intact.
Truthfully, I wanted to spend more time with Senpai, but it would have been uncool to be pushy when she’d specifically asked for time to think.
With that in mind, I decided to head home quietly for the day.
Hayato was thoughtful enough to leave before us. He’d done so much for me today that I’d have to thank him properly tomorrow.
Speaking of thanks, I remembered that Natsumi-senpai and the others had come out of concern for me. I needed to apologize for the trouble.
"I'm sorry about today. This might sound like an excuse, but that whole situation was... unexpected. It wasn't how I planned things."
"No, for now, I'm just relieved that nothing bad happened," Natsumi-senpai replied.
"Mm-hmm! The result was great, so no problems here!"
Natsumi-senpai seemed to be in a wonderful mood. I was genuinely happy that she supported the development between me and Satsukawa-senpai.
"Takanashi-san, please let me walk you home... I want to be with you just a little longer, at least," Satsukawa-senpai requested.
She felt the same way I did; she wanted to stay together for even a few more minutes.
But walking her home was my responsibility, so I couldn't agree to that.
"No, I'll walk you home."
"No, Takanashi-san's house is closer."
"That doesn't matter. It's been decided that the man is the one who walks the girl home."
"I am happy you feel that way, but I would like to walk Takanashi-san—"
"Daaaaaaaah! I'm right here, so both of you just go home quietly!!" Natsumi-senpai exploded.
"Sorry..." I muttered.
"Takanashi-san, there is no need for you to apologize. Natsumi, did we do something wrong? I don't recall us doing anything to warrant being scolded..."
Wow.
Usually, you'd apologize along with me in a situation like that, but that kind of social logic just didn't apply to Satsukawa-senpai.