CH 86

A cheerful chime rang.

Sixth period was over and the classroom was bustling with noise as after school arrived.

In contrast to the cheerful atmosphere, the air outside was heavy and dull.

Gray clouds obscured the brilliant sun casting dark shadows on the ground.

“Looks like it’s gonna rain.”

Sitting on the window seat in the classroom, Asahi peeked outside.

The clouds looked like they were about to start pouring, and just looking at them made him feel depressed.

It was due to the weather, of course, but the deep haze in Asahi’s mind had to do with the two students who were alone somewhere within the school right now.

Yamada Ryoma and Himuro Fuyuka.

They had arranged a meeting during lunchtime, so they had disappeared from the classroom after school.

Most of the students had already gone home or gone to their club activities, there were only a few students left in the classroom.

At first there were a few onlookers, but before long they had scattered.

“Brother, your face is looking scary.”

Chiaki, who was sitting on the other side of the room, pointed out his expression. In doing so, Asahi had taken off his gaze from the window.

Chiaki smiled bitterly, and Hinami, sitting next to him, looked a little frightened.

“It’s alright, Asahi. So you can be relieved, or not…”

When Hinami’s voice sounded unusually caring, Asahi’s tense face relaxed a little.

Asahi knew exactly what his friend was worried about.

That was what Ryoma himself had told him.

In other words, Ryoma’s confession to Fuyuka.

It had been at least thirty minutes since they had gone somewhere.

Had Ryoma already confessed, and how did Fuyuka respond?

Asahi calmed his mind, almost thinking about the future if they were to go out.

Instead of a future he didn’t want to imagine, he remembered what Ryoma had said to him in the diner.

―So, don’t get in the way.

That was what he said after he announced that he was going to confess to Fuyuka.

[What do you mean, ‘to not get in the way’?]

[It’s what it says. I don’t want you to make a move until I confess.]

With a sincere look in his eyes, Ryoma continued his words as if appealing to Asahi.

[I’ve been telling you this since last year. I told you that I liked Himuro-san and that I was your rival…but you didn’t act.]

At that comment, Asahi gulped and swallowed his spit.

He didn’t act, he couldn’t deny it when he was being told that.

After realizing that he liked Fuyuka, Asahi made an effort to convey his feelings in his own way.

Still, he had only recently taken the first step to move forward with the relationship, and he was aware that he was far from being able to express his feelings.

So, while he thought Ryoma’s aggressive appeal was admirable, he had a nagging feeling of bewilderment welling up in his heart.

And somehow, Asahi knew that this day would come.

[You’re not the kind of guy to interrupt someone’s confession, are you?]

[…Saying it like that isn’t fair.]

[Yeah, I think so too. But from where I sit, you’re not being fair, too.]

Ryoma then smiled with his usual refreshing smile.

However, there was no tenderness in his eyes. What was left was a strong-willed, determined look within those eyes.

“Hey~ Asahi?”

“……”

“Are you sure you’re okay? You don’t look so good.”

The voices of Hinami and Chiaki woke him up from his brief daydream.

Informing them that he was fine, Asahi turned his gaze outside once more.

Before he knew it, there were tiny raindrops on the transparent window panes, and the clouds covering the ground were much more heavy and grim.

How much time had passed?

Asahi, Chiaki and Hinami were the only ones left in the classroom.

Asahi tried to look at the old wall clock and saw the sliding door open in his vision.

“…Ah.”

A short voice echoed through the classroom.

At the same time, a strong and heavy rain brought a roar of silence.

“Fuyuka…?”

Asahi called out the name of the girl who came back to the classroom before anyone else.

He immediately ran up to her, looked at her, and asked her a question.

“Are you crying?”

Fuyuka’s eyes were filled with small teardrops.

The clear drops trickled down her cheeks and silently dropped to the floor.

He didn’t ask why.

He didn’t want to see Fuyuka crying.

With that one thought in mind, Asahi unconsciously stretched out his fingertips.

Then Fuyuka took a step back and wiped her own tears.

It was clear to Asahi that she was keeping her distance, and it reminded him of the ‘ice’ sometime before.

“Fuyu-chan, what’s wrong?!”

After a delay, Hinami came running up to her, followed by Chiaki approaching.

“…Please leave me alone for now.”

After a few words, Fuyuka picked up her stuff from her seat.

Then, without saying a word, she turned away from Asahi and the others.

“…See you tomorrow.”

Leaving behind a weak and helpless voice, Fuyuka ran to the corridor as if to escape.

“Wait, Fuyuka!”

Asahi reached out, stepped out, and chased after the small back.

However, a major obstacle stood in the way.

“I think you should leave her alone for now.”

Ryoma came back to the classroom late and interrupted Asahi, while Fuyuka disappeared.

“Did you make Fuyuka cry?”

“Well, I suppose I did.”

“I thought you liked her.”

“I like her. That’s why it turned out like this.”

Asahi grew increasingly angry at his vague answer.

Both to Ryoma for making Fuyuka cry, and to himself for not being there for Fuyuka.

Uncontrollable emotions swirled violently in Asahi’s chest.

“Let’s talk for a bit.”

While saying so, Ryoma smiled with his ever-so-fresh smile.

The look on his face was very painful and very sad.