The day after the social gathering.
When I arrived at Kikou Academy that morning, I spotted Narika in the hallway.
"Narika."
"...Itsuki."
The hallway was empty. There were only a few students in the classrooms at this hour.
After discussing it with Shizune-san and Hinako, I had arrived at the academy earlier than usual today. There was no specific reason for it, but... I’d had a hunch. I felt as though Narika had been getting to school early lately.
I figured that if she was waiting for an answer, she wouldn't be able to sit still—that she would inevitably end up showing her face at the academy early.
"Can I give you my answer?"
"...Yeah."
There was still some time before homeroom.
We headed to a stairwell landing where foot traffic was sparse.
There, I gave her my answer.
I went through everything I had sorted out while talking with Yuri the previous night, point by point. While I spoke, Narika's expression hardly changed. But looking closer, I could tell she was merely fighting to keep her composure; her eyelids and lips betrayed her with a constant, faint tremor.
"I see..."
After I finished speaking, Narika offered a brief acknowledgement.
"I'm sorry. For giving such a vague answer."
"No... honestly, I expected as much."
Narika continued.
"I was the one who did that in the heat of the moment, anyway... I figured you were at your busiest right now, and I didn't think you were ready yet."
Just as Yuri had predicted, Narika understood my feelings.
I lowered my head and apologized once more. I felt terrible for forcing her to be the understanding one.
"...I'm sorry."
"Don't worry about it. It’s not like I have to give up, right? In that case, I consider myself lucky."
I had prioritized my own circumstances and turned down her confession. Yet, knowing that, she showed no sign of resentment. She even managed a smile.
This girl, Narika...
She was usually so timid, yet she could find such strength for someone else's sake.
Still, she wasn't quite perfect this time. I’m sure she didn't even realize her voice was trembling.
"...Alright."
Having made up my mind, I looked Narika straight in the eye.
"Narika. Hit me. Give me one good punch."
"What? P-Punch you?"
"You can slap me, or scream every insult you can think of. Just..."
Just... please, don't cry.
I left that final thought unspoken.
"...Itsuki, don't misunderstand me."
Sensing what I was trying to say, Narika shook her head.
"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't sad. But... I understand how you feel, too."
This time, her voice didn't tremble. These weren't words born of desperation; Narika was speaking from the bottom of her heart.
"Like I said, I half-expected this answer. I thought you might not have room for anything else because you want to focus on what's right in front of you....But at the same time, I wondered about myself."
As Narika said, I had many things to focus on right now. So, what about her?
"I'm... the same."
As if gently cradling her own emotions, Narika lowered her gaze and spoke carefully.
"Because you came to Kikou Academy, Itsuki, I've been able to do things I never could before. I have more friends, and I feel like my future is finally taking shape. Aiming for Student Council President is part of that."
Narika looked up, her eyes locking onto mine. They were no longer wavering.
"I have many things I need to do, too. Things I want to take on, things I want to achieve... Now is the time when I have to think about those things."
Her dignified gaze pierced through me. Her feelings were clear and direct.
Now that she mentioned it, it should have been obvious. This was Kikou Academy—a place of learning for the proud children of distinguished families. In the future, everyone here would be in a position to shoulder great responsibilities as business leaders or politicians.
I wasn't the only one working hard. Narika surely had plenty she needed to accomplish right now as well.
"So, I'm okay....I'll keep these feelings tucked away in my heart for now."
Placing both hands over her chest, Narika spoke.
"Even so... I want to say it clearly one last time."
With a soft smile, her lips moved gently.
"I love you, Itsuki."
Simple words. Unadorned feelings.
Even though I already knew how she felt, I didn't think I'd ever get used to the impact, no matter how many times I heard it. For some reason, it resonated more strongly in my heart than when she had kissed my cheek.
Perhaps it was because, even knowing my stance, she had struck me with her feelings once again.
I had prioritized my own goals and couldn't respond to her. And yet, she offered me those same feelings regardless.
If this wasn't pure love, what was? If this wasn't the real thing, what could be?
"..."
My eyes burned, and tears began to pool. It wasn't just about being happy or embarrassed. To feel such common emotions in response to a heart this sincere felt almost disrespectful.
I was just so incredibly honored...
And I realized that as I was now, I couldn't possibly harbor a feeling that measured up to hers.
"Thank you."
For giving such pure feelings to someone like me.
"...I'm sorry."
Because right now, I have no way to return them.
I tried to hold it back, but a few tears escaped anyway. You idiot, I scolded myself internally. I wasn't the one who should be crying right now.
As I wiped my eyes, I saw Narika doing the same.
"...Don't cry."
"B-But... it's because you're crying, Itsuki...!"
Hearing her voice tremble again made my own composure slip.
Just then, the voices of students drifted up from the bottom of the stairs. We both jumped and looked at each other in surprise.
"Pfft."
"Hahaha..."
We both started laughing at the same time. The tension evaporated, and our usual rapport returned.
"I feel a bit refreshed now. Like I was finally able to let everything out."
"...I see."
That was good.
The voices from below faded as the students moved on. However, it was about time for the rest of the school to arrive. We needed to wrap this up.
"By the way... when will be a good time?" Narika asked.
By "when," she was likely asking when I would finally be ready to face a romantic relationship.
"I'm at my busiest right now, so I can't say for sure... but I hope to face those things once I can clearly see my future."
For example, once I decided which company to join or which one to start. I figured I would have more breathing room then.
(...Honestly, I don't even know when that'll be.)
At worst, it might not be until just before graduation. But then again, it might happen in a month. Considering the breakneck pace of the last half-year, it was possible that the time would come sooner than I thought. I didn't actually want to keep Narika waiting forever, so that would be for the best.
"I see. In that case, I'll be appealing to you with all my might until then."
"Huh?"
I blinked, taken aback by her sudden declaration.
"W-Well... it would be heartbreaking if you changed your mind and set your sights on someone else while I was holding back!"
"No, I wouldn't do that..."
Having just turned her down, I had no intention of looking elsewhere, but...
"...You just said you had many things to do yourself. I thought the whole point was that you were going to focus on those for a while..."
"I'd still prefer to date you right now, Itsuki."
Wait, what?
"I said I understood how you felt, not that I agreed with it. If I could date you right now, I would."
This girl... she was losing her restraint by the second.
"No, well... it's a bit troubling if you tempt me too much..."
"...Tempt you?"
When I tried to gently voice my concern, Narika looked at me with genuine confusion. "Do you... feel tempted?"
Of course I do. I wonder if my thoughts were written all over my face.
Narika broke into a wide, mischievous grin.
"I've heard something very useful....In other words, if I persistently tempt you, you might lose your self-control and look my way sooner."
This was bad. I might have just dug my own grave.
"Then let's try something right now."
"That's way too fast!"
Ignoring my plea for her to at least wait a little longer, Narika slowly closed the distance.
"N-Narika, wait a second—"
I reflexively backed away until my shoulders hit the wall. Narika didn't let me escape. She leaned in, slamming one hand against the wall beside my head.
The kabedon.
"......Wait, what?"
"I’m not entirely sure why, but I’ve heard this is a popular way to make people happy lately."
As she spoke, Narika gazed at me in silence.
However, I felt more confusion than romantic excitement. I never expected to be on the receiving end of a wall-slam.
Having come full circle back to a weird sort of calm, I studied Narika’s face. Her features were dignified and beautiful—enough to captivate anyone regardless of gender—but they still held a faint touch of innocence. And now, they were turning a bright, unmistakable red.
"...Narika."
"..."
"...Your face is beet red."
Her face flushing even darker, Narika slowly pulled away.