CH 53

53 - The decision

The next day, Kiyokawa was absent from school. She got a fever.

It might be a coincidence, but since the incident occurred yesterday, I think it was related to me.

If she was overthinking to the extent she caught a fever, it's probably best to keep a distance from her for a while.

While I'm having this conversation with Kurumizaka-san and Rinka over my smartphone during break time, I receive a chat from Kiyokawa.

"After school today. Can you come to my house? I'd like to talk to you alone." (Ayane)

Kiyokawa seems to have made up her mind about something.

Naturally, I reply, "I understand".

After that, I spend the rest of the class and break time thinking about it, and before I know it, it's after school.

I go to the convenience store to buy a sport-drink as a gift for Kiyokawa, and then head out to her house.

"......" (Kazuto)

I let my incessant thoughts take over and keep moving my feet, and before I realize it, I'm in front of Kiyokawa's house.

I take a deep breath and press the doorbell.

Shortly after, I hear Kiyokawa's tense voice replying, "Yes......."

"It's me, Ayanokouji." (Kazuto)

"Fwast! I-I'm coming!" (Ayane)

After some unusual and adorable reaction, the door's opened.

Kiyokawa appears there, wearing pale pink pajamas and a cold pita on her forehead.

Naturally, she's not wearing a wig, so she has her natural bobbed perm.

Perhaps it's the effect of fever. Her cheeks are red and flushed, and the corners of her eyes were puffy. The atmosphere emanating from her body is also lacking in vigor.

"Are you okay?" (Kazuto)

"Y-yes! I don't have a very high fever. Umm, you may come in." (Ayane)

"O-okay." (Kazuto)

I take her at her words and come into the house.

But there's something wrong with Kiyokawa. She seems to be a little flustered.

She also says that her mother is away at work.

I go up to Kiyokawa's room and sit down by the mini-table. As for Kiyokawa, she sits down across from me.

"If it's too much for you, you can just sleep in the bed, okay? Or perhaps, I'd better go home." (Kazuto)

"No, I do have a fever, but it's nothing serious, so I'm fine." (Ayane)

"I see." (Kazuto)

Kiyokawa must have decided that we need to talk and so invite me to her house.

But I don't know where to start, so I just hung my head.

In order to start the conversation, I take out a sport-drink from a convenience store bag and hand it to her.

"Here, Kiyokawa-san." (Kazuto)

"Thank you and sorry for bothering." (Ayane)

I hand her the drink.

As I hand it over, Kiyokawa's fingertips and mine slightly touched.

"――――!"

Blushing instantly, Kiyokawa pulls her hand back with tremendous speed.

The sport-drink, which hasn't been taken, falls to the mini-table

"Ki-Kiyokawa-san? Ummm." (Kazuto)

"A-are you going to get me...... pregnant by touching my hand?" (Ayane)

"M-mmmmmm?" (Kazuto)

She hugs herself as if to protect herself, and then shouts something horrible.

"I can't believe it! You targeted a frail girl!" (Ayane)

"What the heck kind of idea did you have? I just gave you a normal gift of sympathy!" (Kazuto)

"Yet, you touched my hand, didn't you?" (Ayane)

"It was just a touch of your fingertip!" (Kazuto)

"P-please stop making me nervous!" (Ayane)

"Even if you say so!" (Kazuto)

"Good grief! That's why senpai's such an Ayanokouji!" (Ayane)

"The heck does that mean? It's like my surname is a swear word!" (Kazuto)

"......" (Ayane)

"......" (Kazuto)

After a bit of noise, there's coming another scene of silence.

A crimson-faced Kiyokawa turns over and rubs her fingertips as he groaned, "Uuu......."

If I look closely, I can see tears in her eyes. ......Is it my fault?

As I keep quiet, not knowing what to say or do, Kiyokawa begins to blabber.

"You can't laugh at people, right?" (Ayane)

"......About what?" (Kazuto)

"Kazu...... Senior Ayanokouji told me once. The day after his heart was broken, he had a fever and bedridden for a whole day." (Ayane)

"Ah, that was when I was five years old." (Kazuto)

"It was. Actually, I was laughing at it at that time. I was thinking, "How can a guy get a fever just because he's been dumped?"." (Ayane)

"I was just only five. It couldn't be helped, could it." (Kazuto)

"Fufu, guess so." (Ayane)

Kiyokawa smiles unreliably.

From the way she just said. I knew it, she herself has been suffering it.

And it was a bad one, a worse one.

"Ah, I'm sorry. I forgot to offer Senior Ayanokouji a drink." (Ayane)

"It's okay. You don't have to push yourself." (Kazuto)

Kiyokawa stands up with her hands on the mini-table.

And when she takes a step to walk to the doorway of the room.

"This is a Translation Content of pemudatunawisata[dot]my[dot]id. so, read only on there, okay guys~"

At a certain time, there are creatures that walk by two feet. These creatures can be divided into two by gender. These creatures are surprisingly able to pick something using things called hands.

And on a certain day, two of these creatures meet.

"Halloo~ I am Furujakka, ndesu! Nice to meet you!"

"Y, yes. Nice to meet you too, I am Fuurawan."

"Fuurawan-chan ka? Ii no namae."

"S, sangkyu."

The two greet each other due of their faces are facing each other.

They speak, breathe, blink, sweat, and so.

And after a long time passes,

"!?"

"Kyaa~ Furujakka-kyun."

"Daijoubu ka? Fuurawan-chan."

"D, daijoubu... desu."

"Mmm."

"Doushita no?"

"Fuurawan-chan no kaori, suuuuggoku WANGY, hmmmmmppppsshhh ahhhh wangyyyy."

"Mou~ Furujakka-kyun no eeccchi~."

On a certain day, these two meet and have lunch because they are hungry.

The boy orders fried rice while the girl orders a serve of seasoned rice being processed by frying.

For the drinks, the boy orders hot chocolate while the girl orders a cup of chocolate that has not been cold yet.

They eat their food.

They also feed some spoons with each other.

They then having a leisure exchange.

"Ikehh, yaru?"

"Damee~"

"IkehhHH!"

"..."

"Ikeh, tanoshii, kimochii, ore, ganbarimasu!!!"

"Mouu~"

"Dame ka?"

"..."

"Dame nanoka."

"Ee, haayaakuuu~"

The two of them are having exercise, training, and workout, then.

When they finished, then they restarted.

And when they finished, the boy pleaded for the second.

Then when they finished, this time is the girl who asked the third.

And when they finished, the boy once again pleaded for the fourth.

Then when they finished, the girl also once again asked for the fifth.

And so on.

◆◆◆

On the other occasion,

On a day that is not a night.

That day the sun is shining brightly because it's a day and 12:00 o'clock.

The day is bright and the sun has not been set yet.

The breeze can be felt due to the air is flowing.

As he is breathing, a certain boy is approaching a girl.

"Yaa, kitten-chan, can I have your namae?"

"S, su, suteki~. Ah, hai. Fuurawan desu."

"Fuurawan-chan, huh. What a kirei no namae. By the way, watashi no namae is Badz Zheengan. Watashi wa Son of a Beach. Watashi came from The Pangea Selatan. Diligent in setsuyaku. Ketsueki type is I, I for Ikkehmen. Watashi no hobby wa breathing. Yoroshiku."

"Yoroshiku, Badz Zheengan-san."

"Fuurawan-chan, watashi no yubi to kimi no chawan, let's have made karera meet and greet."

"Hai."

"Watashi-tachi will have much tanoshi."

They have a wik wok awok koakoawaok akoawoakakwa kawkaowaoaok.

When they have done of their a wik wok awok koakoawaok akoawoakakwa kawkaowaoaok, then they re-doing again.

When they finished again, the girl pleaded for the second.

Then when they finished, this time is the boy who asked the third.

And when they finished, the girl once again pleaded for the fourth.

Then when they finished, the boy also once again asked for the fifth.

And so on.

◆◆◆

"Fuurawan-chaaannn!!! Ikanaide!!!!."

"Gomen ne, Furujakka-kun."

"Dameee, Fuurawan-chaannnn!!!"

"Sayonara, Furujakka-kun."

"Ima, ore wa, Furujakka wa, pemuda tuna asmara dearimasu."

Who can stand to endure this situation

Who doesn't feel the loss

You leave me when I'm so in love

When I'm crazily in love

you choose another guy

Who can stand being dumped

Whose heart not hurt

The memories that have been passed

I keep it deep inside my heart

We are not one anymore

It's alright, I'll get through the days strong-heartedly

My wish is only one, be safe and sound

I can only be able to harbor this, from day to night

Because I know I'm just nobody

It's alright, I'll harbor this feeling inside my heart

I'll keep wish you live well

All I can do is hope you won't regret

Goodbye and thank you

"AWOKWOKAOWKOKAOKWKAOWKOAKOK!!!"

How should I explain this to my parents

We had gone through this long

But ended up breaking up

You are tempted by another guy's love

You yourself had been declared it

Living our love until our old days

Won't two-timing, I'm the only one for you

But now there's another guy inside your heart

It's as if the morning is cloudy

Then the day is rainy

In the afternoon you hurt me

And in the night I cry for you

I can only imagine

All of those had been just memories now

I rode you back, went through the way

Hugging under the rain

But now you are choosing

To be hugged by another guy

Do you not sense

How heavy-heartedly I am

Have to lost my loved one

Don't wanna leave my house

I have no appetite

If I'm not fed

"Uh――――" (Ayane)

Her fever-stricken body sways unsteadily, and she falls to the side.

I'm on my feet as soon as I can, whether I can catch before Kiyokawa fall or not, and I manage to do.

"...... Senior, Ayanokouji?" (Ayane)

"As I thought, You're forcing yourself." (Kazuto)

Kiyokawa, clinging to my chest, looks up at me with eyes that have a weak light within them.

The breaths coming out of her mouth are warm and rough. It's obvious that she's unwell.

"I'm very, sorry. I'm just feeling a little weak." (Ayane)

"Yeah, you should get some sleep. I'm better going home for the day then." (Kazuto)

I say that, but for some reason, Kiyokawa doesn't want to let go of me.

She squeezes the chest area of my uniform with both hands and presses her forehead against my chest.

"I hit the nail...... on the head." (Ayane)

"What's that?" (Kazuto)

"I told you before, didn't I? I said that Senior Ayanokouji was similar to my friend....... So my mind perceived he was Kazu even without any real information." (Ayane)

"At first, you said we were totally polar opposite, though. You treated me as if I was a womanizer." (Kazuto)

"That was just a...... preconceived notion. Anyone would be mistaken if he was bringing two girls around......." (Ayane)

I didn't take them around. If anything, I was the one being taken around.

"Have you read......, My Web-Game's Friend My Boyfriend?" (Ayane)

"I have......." (Kazuto)

Downcasted, I can only see Kiyokawa's head and can not see her expression.

However, I can feel the heat emanating from her body through the air and onto my skin.

A few moments ago, there was still a bit of a cheerful, although awkward, vibe in the air.

But now it's completely different.

Without a doubt, Kiyokawa's about to step into the heart of the matter.

"I like you." (Ayane)

"――――!" (Kazuto)

That muttered word is only the beginning.

Kiyokawa raises her head and turns her beautiful, slightly moist eyes toward me.

"I like, I like you, I can't help myself from liking Kazu." (Ayane)

She's not raising her voice, but simply speaking her true feelings.

"But I had really given up, you know?　Kazu had Rin, and he also had a girlfriend in real life....... But I didn't know the real Kazu, so I was able to separate the two. Kazu was in a world that was beyond my reach......."

Kiyokawa's hands, which are gripping my uniform, are filled with strength.

"But when...... he appeared in front of me, I couldn't control my feelings. Yes, I fully understood what Senior Rinka was saying. After I found out Kazu's true identity, I felt so much passion that I surprised myself. And then when I realized the reality. AAAH, I knew I couldn't be with Kazu." (Ayane)

"......" (Kazuto)

"I'm already aware that. That Senior Ayanokouji is not interested in girls other than Senior Rinka." (Ayane)

Absolutely.

That's why I was able to regard Kiyokawa as a friend with a genuine feeling.

"Senior Ayanokouji." (Ayane)

"......What's it?" (Kazuto)

"I like you." (Ayane)

It's a short and direct confession.

She's looking straight into my eyes.

This is why I also have to look back at Kiyokawa's and give my answer.

"I can't accept...... your feelings, Kiyokawa-san." (Kazuto)

I said. I did say that.

Maybe...... there's an option to accept Kiyokawa's confession. As long as Rinka allows it, that path certainly exists. Maybe there's a future where I can make Rinka and Kiyokawa happy.

But even if that's the case, I'll still choose only Rinka.

Definitely NO.

It has to be just Rinka.

If I look at it differently, it can be called co-dependence.

Just as Rinka loves only me, I love only Rinka.

From now on...........NO, I want to be with Rinka until the day I die.

I bring all the overflowing thoughts from every part from the surface until the challenger deep of my heart out and put into my gaze and face those beautiful moist eyes of hers head-on.

Kiyokawa moves her lips, which are trembling slightly, and mutters, "I-I know it, right......."

She looks at me again, as if she still feels like she can't give up yet.

"May I ask you one question?" (Ayane)

"Yup." (Kazuto)

"If you had known my true identity before Senior Rinka did...... would you have gone out with me?" (Ayane)

The question is, loaded with obvious expectations.

Even I, an obtuse guy, can understand what kind of words she was looking for.

But still.

I have to tell her.

"Maybe...... no, I wouldn't." (Kazuto)

"......!" (Ayane)

Her eyes widen and Kiyokawa finally pulls her cheeks together.

Let's say that I met Kiyokawa before I met Rinka.

And let's say Kiyokawa confessed her feelings for me.

I'm sure I would have been too concerned about Rin to nod my head.

Of course, I couldn't deny the possibility that I would develop a liking for her after interacting with Kiyokawa.

But I'm going to stick to my feelings, understanding that it will just hurt Kiyokawa.

"...... Senior Ayanokouji has a much straighter personality than he looks, doesn't he?" (Ayane)

"Are you dissing my looks?" (Kazuto)

"It's not what I mean. It's just that...... you have a face that seems to be easily swayed by emotion." (Ayane)

"Heck is that?" (Kazuto)

As I say that in resignation, Kiyokawa gives me a distracted smile.

Then she slinks away from me.

After that, she changes her smile to the soft and gentle smile that the public is accustomed to seeing in a neat and tidy young lady.

"Thank you for today. I feel so much better and refreshed now that I've gotten all my feelings out." (Ayane)

"Hello~ I am Bujangga from pemudatunawisata[dot]my[dot]id, Yoroshiku!"

At a certain time, there are creatures that walk by two feet. These creatures can be divided into two by gender. These creatures are surprisingly able to pick something using things called hands.

And on a certain day, two of these creatures meet.

"Halloo~ I am Furujakka, ndesu! Nice to meet you!"

"Y, yes. Nice to meet you too, I am Fuurawan."

"Fuurawan-chan ka? Ii no namae."

"S, sangkyu."

The two greet each other due of their faces are facing each other.

They speak, breathe, blink, sweat, and so.

And after a long time passes,

"!?"

"Kyaa~ Furujakka-kyun."

"Daijoubu ka? Fuurawan-chan."

"D, daijoubu... desu."

"Mmm."

"Doushita no?"

"Fuurawan-chan no kaori, suuuuggoku WANGY, hmmmmmppppsshhh ahhhh wangyyyy."

"Mou~ Furujakka-kyun no eeccchi~."

On a certain day, these two meet and have lunch because they are hungry.

The boy orders fried rice while the girl orders a serve of seasoned rice being processed by frying.

For the drinks, the boy orders hot chocolate while the girl orders a cup of chocolate that has not been cold yet.

They eat their food.

They also feed some spoons with each other.

They then having a leisure exchange.

"Ikehh, yaru?"

"Damee~"

"IkehhHH!"

"..."

"Ikeh, tanoshii, kimochii, ore, ganbarimasu!!!"

"Mouu~"

"Dame ka?"

"..."

"Dame nanoka."

"Ee, haayaakuuu~"

The two of them are having exercise, training, and workout, then.

When they finished, then they restarted.

And when they finished, the boy pleaded for the second.

Then when they finished, this time is the girl who asked the third.

And when they finished, the boy once again pleaded for the fourth.

Then when they finished, the girl also once again asked for the fifth.

And so on.

◆◆◆

On the other occasion,

On a day that is not a night.

That day the sun is shining brightly because it's a day and 12:00 o'clock.

The day is bright and the sun has not been set yet.

The breeze can be felt due to the air is flowing.

As he is breathing, a certain boy is approaching a girl.

"Yaa, kitten-chan, can I have your namae?"

"S, su, suteki~. Ah, hai. Fuurawan desu."

"Fuurawan-chan, huh. What a kirei no namae. By the way, watashi no namae is Badz Zheengan. Watashi wa Son of a Beach. Watashi came from The Pangea Selatan. Diligent in setsuyaku. Ketsueki type is I, I for Ikkehmen. Watashi no hobby wa breathing. Yoroshiku."

"Yoroshiku, Badz Zheengan-san."

"Fuurawan-chan, watashi no yubi to kimi no chawan, let's have made karera meet and greet."

"Hai."

"Watashi-tachi will have much tanoshi."

They have a wik wok awok koakoawaok akoawoakakwa kawkaowaoaok.

When they have done of their a wik wok awok koakoawaok akoawoakakwa kawkaowaoaok, then they re-doing again.

When they finished again, the girl pleaded for the second.

Then when they finished, this time is the boy who asked the third.

And when they finished, the girl once again pleaded for the fourth.

Then when they finished, the boy also once again asked for the fifth.

And so on.

◆◆◆

"Fuurawan-chaaannn!!! Ikanaide!!!!."

"Gomen ne, Furujakka-kun."

"Dameee, Fuurawan-chaannnn!!!"

"Sayonara, Furujakka-kun."

"Ima, ore wa, Furujakka wa, pemuda tuna asmara dearimasu."

Who can stand to endure this situation

Who doesn't feel the loss

You leave me when I'm so in love

When I'm crazily in love

you choose another guy

Who can stand being dumped

Whose heart not hurt

The memories that have been passed

I keep it deep inside my heart

We are not one anymore

It's alright, I'll get through the days strong-heartedly

My wish is only one, be safe and sound

I can only be able to harbor this, from day to night

Because I know I'm just nobody

It's alright, I'll harbor this feeling inside my heart

I'll keep wish you live well

All I can do is hope you won't regret

Goodbye and thank you

"AWOKWOKAOWKOKAOKWKAOWKOAKOK!!!"

How should I explain this to my parents

We had gone through this long

But ended up breaking up

You are tempted by another guy's love

You yourself had been declared it

Living our love until our old days

Won't two-timing, I'm the only one for you

But now there's another guy inside your heart

It's as if the morning is cloudy

Then the day is rainy

In the afternoon you hurt me

And in the night I cry for you

I can only imagine

All of those had been just memories now

I rode you back, went through the way

Hugging under the rain

But now you are choosing

To be hugged by another guy

Do you not sense

How heavy-heartedly I am

Have to lost my loved one

Don't wanna leave my house

I have no appetite

If I'm not fed

"......I see." (Kazuto)

As if the fragile atmosphere of just a moment ago had been a lie, Kiyokawa's calm and unfazed.

But that's probably just solely an act. Intuitively, I feel that her smile was distorted.

"I'm fine now, so you may go home, please. I also already received a sport-drink from you......" (Ayane)

"...... Kiyokawa-san." (Kazuto)

"I'm really fine, so please leave. If you don't, I'll......!" (Ayane)

In the blink of an eye, the smile she had put on her face crumbles.

I immediately turn my back to Kiyokawa. I reflexively decide that I must not look.

"Senior Ayanokouji." (Ayane)

"......" (Kazuto)

"Thank you for your wonderful thoughts....... Please make sure to cherish Rin......I mean, cherish Senior Rinka." (Ayane)

"Yes." (Kazuto)

I respond to her without looking back.

Her voice's trembling with sobs.

Absolutely Kiyokawa doesn't want me to look back.

What I need to do now is to take a step and walk.

Just keep walking.

Until I can no longer hear her voice, which is now has become wet with her crying――――.

☆ (PTW/N: Mah hat, mah sole!!! Press F to Kiyokawa Ayane.)

After leaving Kiyokawa's house, I walk down the hallway of the apartment and head for the stairs leading down to the first floor.

Despite the fact that it was already over, I'm still struggling with my statement.

I feel that I had been too direct in my rejection.

Isn't there another, more roundabout way of saying......, or in other words, a gentler way of saying it?

Isn't this just a way to hurt Kiyokawa?

She said she felt refreshed, but I think she was pushing herself because I was in front of her?

I'm so worried that I can't clear my head at all.

How come I, just a mere nerd gamer, have solved the problem?

There has never been a day when I have been so frustrated by my lack of prowess.

I'm about to descend the stairs with a heavy step, feeling something akin to regret.

"...... Kazuto-kun." (Rinka)

Rinka is right at the end of downstairs. She seems to have come directly from school, as she's still wearing her school uniform.

I quickly look around to make sure there's no one else around.

"Rinka, why are you here?" (Kazuto)

"I came, here." (Rinka)

Rinka leads me to the shade of the apartment.

The apartment's surrounded by an outer wall, so there's no need to worry about anyone seeing us.

"That...... What happened, at there?" (Rinka)

Rinka asks somewhat hesitantly.

It's not surprising that she's concerned about it.

"My girlfriend is...... My dear wife is only Rinka." (Kazuto)

I dare to rephrase from girlfriend to wife.

Rinka smiles softly, as if she's relieved by my statement.

However, it lasts only for a moment. She immediately darkens her expression.

"Rinka?" (Kazuto)

"...... I'm such a terrible woman. I'm a little relieved over my junior got rejected." (Rinka)

"That's not true. Because I'm Rinka's boyfriend after all." (Kazuto)

"...... Husband." (Rinka) (PTW/N: I can imagine that now she has a lethally cute expression (with a pout)...... oh god! I must stop imagining! or I'll die from overflowing sugar!!!)

"...... Yes." (Kazuto) (PTW/N: A MANNN!!!)

Rinka is still correcting me even in this situation.

In an instant, I loosen up.

"I predicted that Kazuto-kun would choose only me because he is sincere. But it's also true that I want Ayane to be happy." (Rinka)

"I know that. But the only one I love is Rinka......." (Kazuto)

"Kazuto-kun......" (Rinka)

From this somber mood, Rinka seems to be feeling guilty.

I'm feeling the same way.

No matter what I do to fix it, it doesn't change the fact that I rejected Kiyokawa's feelings.

"You're worried about Ayane, aren't you?" (Rinka)

Rinka seems to have sensed this from my expression. She walks up to me and speaks softly.

"Yes, I am. But I don't think I'm qualified to do that." (Kazuto)

"I don't think I'm qualified to say this as well, but I'm sure Ayane will be fine." (Rinka)

"......" (Kazuto)

"I don't know what kind of exchange you two had. But I'm sure you made the right choice." (Rinka)

"...... I wonder if that's true." (Kazuto)

As if to encourage me in my distress, Rinka gently holds my hand.

I remember Kiyokawa's last words to me.

[Thank you for your wonderful thoughts....... Please make sure to cherish Rin......I mean, cherish Senior Rinka.]

How great she is to be able to wish someone else happiness after she had been rejected.

If I was in Kiyokawa's shoes, I don't know if I could say the same thing.

"......" (Kazuto)

"originally translated by bujangga - pemudatunawisata[dot]my[dot]id"

I can feel the warmth of Rinka's hands.

My duty here is to keep holding these hands of hers.

To cherish the woman right by my side until the day I die.

It's the most important and precious duty in my life.

And that's what Kiyokawa wanted, too.

☆

The next day after school. I'm summoned to a classroom in the old school building.

Yes, by Kiyokawa.

Kiyokawa had missed school yesterday due to a fever, but she's coming to school today.

Did she recover in just one night?

I've heard that the speed of recovery from a broken heart varies from person to person, but I think just one night is pretty quick.

Moreover, I have made a thorough pretense of pretending that I had no heart.

It's not surprising if she resented me. ......isn't it?

It may be an extremely unlikely possibility, but Kiyokawa may be trying to get revenge by calling me to an unpopular place. No, I've been overthinking this.

"......she still hasn't come yet." (Kazuto)

I lean against the window frame and stare blankly at the entrance to the classroom.

That's when it happens.

I hear a noise coming from a locker in the corner of the classroom.

I walk over to the locker and knock on it.

"I'm inside."

A cute little girl's voice comes from inside the locker. But...... seriously?

I hesitate whether to open it or not, but eventually, I decided to open the locker.

There in the Inside is a neat and tidy idol, sweating lightly. For some reason, she seems to be smiling happily.

"......What are you doing, Kiyokawa-san?" (Kazuto)

"Fufu, are you surprised?" (Ayane)

"I'm so surprised. I'm really so surprised I forgot how to be surprised." (Kazuto)

"Really? The surprise was a great success then." (Ayane)

Kiyokawa smiles adorably and comes out of the locker, making a rattling sound.

From what I can see, she doesn't seem depressed.

On the contrary, she acts innocently and happily.

However, when I look closer, I notice that her eyes are red and a little swollen.

When I notice this, I feel a tightening pain in my chest.

"Senior Ayanokouji? What's wrong?" (Ayane)

"No...... that's......" (Kazuto)

"Ah, are you worried about me by any chance? I'm fine, I'm already over it." (Ayane)

Kiyokawa smiles her brightest smile as she gives a thumbs up.

...... She doesn't look like she's forcing herself. So there seems to be no lie in her words.

"If anything, Ayakoji-senpai seems to be the one who is still dragging it out more." (Ayane)

"...... Well, I was just a bit worried." (Kazuto)

"I see. But you don't have to worry about it." (Ayane)

"Eh?" (Kazuto)

"As I said before, I'm completely over it. Eee, anyone can only give up after being rejected with such force. But it's refreshing, isn't it? It was like a demon that shattered my dreams and hopes." (Ayane)

"...... I knew it, you still harbor it, don't you?" (Kazuto)

I can't hide my confusion at her tone of voice, as if she was talking about a happy memory.

I have expected Kiyokawa to be distressed, so I don't know how to react.

"The truth is, I ...... cried and cried all night. I was jealous of all the couples in the world, and I wrote a novel about destroying another world with cheats in one night." (Ayane)

Kiyokawa smiles with amusement. It's not as if she's straining herself after all.

"......Mm that, Kiyokawa-san......" (Kazuto)

"Thank you, Senior Ayanokouji." (Ayane)

"Huh?" (Kazuto)

Why she is, thanking me.

I'm wondering it and I turn my head to face her, but what at my sight is Kiyokawa having a gentle smile on her face that shows her acceptance.

"Thanks to you, I was able to move on and forward without any undue expectations. I am really grateful for it." (Ayane)

"That's ......." (Kazuto)

"If he had rejected me in a halfhearted and gentle way, I'm sure it would have left me emotionally bewildered. It is definitely better to be rejected with all might and then cry with all your might as well than to be rejected in such a way." (Ayane)

Is that the way it is?

I've never been rejected, so I can't imagine it.

I've heard that women are more resilient to heartbreak than men.

Men tend to hold onto past heartbreaks, but women are better at moving on, or something like that........

I don't know either.

Maybe Kiyokawa is special.

The experience of becoming a popular idol may have strengthened Kiyokawa's mentality.......?

"Ah, I want to make one thing clear, you didn't find me unattractive, did you?" (Ayane)

"Of course not. I am just interested solely in Rinka......but if it were any other man, he would have accepted Kiyokawa-san's confession without hesitation." (Kazuto)

"Fufu, it's certainly. Senior Ayanokouji is a special pattern. Normally, even if someone already has a girlfriend, if an idol confesses to him, he'll be more or less dropped his head over her heels." (Ayane)

But the girlfriend in question is an idol too, you know.

"Senior Ayanokouji can stay as you are. No matter what happens, you must stick to your feelings for Senior Rinka......" (Ayane)

"......Yes." (Kazuto)

"It's not the brain nor physique that defines a person in the end. It's the heart. No matter how rational you are, as long as you are human, you will always make choices that are influenced by your emotions." (Ayane)

Kiyokawa's statement carries a certain weight with it. It's the significance of being a popular idol.

"originally translated by bujangga - pemudatunawisata[dot]my[dot]id"

"Many people say this. Human beings are right just the way they are. However, people who say such beautiful things hurt others without realizing it. It is because they believe that their way of thinking is the most correct and impose that way of thinking on others." (Ayane)

"......Am I one of those people?" (Kazuto)

"Not at all, you're not. In the case of Senior Ayanokouji, you accept everything about the other person. Both the masked faces and the real faces....... and it's unconsciously." (Ayane)

"In the first place, people pretend to be something they're not, depending on the situation", Kiyokawa added that, and then she's blabbering more.

"This is why I feel incomparable happiness when I meet someone who I can reveal myself to him." (Ayane)

This may be referring to Rinka...... and herself.

In particular, idols have to be mindful of public perception. In other words, there will be many opportunities to pretend to be something you're not.

"So, Senior Ayanokouji, please value your own heart. And please don't let yourself be misled by superfluous information from real life, and just look at Senior Rinka as she is." (Ayane)

"......" (Kazuto)

It seems to me that there is some kind of implication in the way she said it.

When I try to ask her what she means, Kiyokawa smiles brightly.

"So, why don't we be friends again?" (Ayane)

"Umm......?" (Kazuto)

"The awkward relationship we have now isn't very good, is it? It will make Senior Rinka and Senior Nana feel uncomfortable. Or rather, I don't like it. I'm so sad to say goodbye to Senior Ayanokouji, even though I've taken the trouble to become his friend." (Ayane)

Kiyokawa says such a thing with a smile on her face.

I nod my head, unable to shake my head at such a statement.

"Thank you very much. This means that Senior Ayanokouji and I can start over as friends without any reservations." (Ayane)

"You're.......right." (Kazuto)

"When I think back, so many things have happened! It started in this classroom, chatting in the game without realizing each other's identity............" (Ayane)

As she speaks nostalgically, Kiyokawa looks around the classroom. I follow and look around too.

This is where our days began.

"I almost noticed it a couple of times, though. That Aaya-san might be Kiyokawa-san." (Kazuto)

"That's what I did, too. But I thought it was practically just impossible to be true." (Ayane)

Me too. I can't even imagine a neat and tidy idol as a friend of mine in a web game.

It's just unlikely that any of the students from the same school would even turn out to be my friend in the first place.

"It was another turning point in our relationship. We've been through a lot, but now we can be pure friends." (Ayane)

"Got it. I and Kiyokawa-san are friends." (Kazuto)

Maybe this conversation is Kiyokawa's own ritual of...... her way of getting over it.

Somehow it seems that way to me as I look at her beaming face that seems to be satisfied with everything.　

"And will you stop calling me like a stranger? Please drop the honorific "-san"." (Ayane)

"All right, Kiyokawa." (Kazuto)

"Thank you very much. From now on, I'll call Senior Ayanokouji, Senior P*rn-okouji." (Ayane)

"Oka――――isn't that weird? You're definitely making fun of me." (Kazuto)

"But it's true, isn't it?" (Ayane)

"Don't mess with me. Kiyokawa's the pervy one, you closet pervert HS girl." (Kazuto)

"I'm no――――I'm one." (Ayane)

"Oh man, you're affirming it. What on earth happens?" (Kazuto)

I'm expecting her usual "I'm not a closet!", so I feel at a loss.

"You're not going to hate me no matter what side of me you find out about, are you, Senior Ayanokouji? That's why――――I'm going to remove my mask in front of you." (Ayane)

It's not the face of a neat and tidy young lady.

Kiyokawa says those words with a pure smile that's typical of a girl her age.

I can't help but gasp as I feel something inexplicably mysterious on her face.

The next moment, however, Kiyokawa's face has changed into a mischievous smile.

"You should be grateful. In other words, I trusted Senior Ayanokouji as much as I trusted the members of Star☆Mines." (Ayane)

"You're looking at me from above, aren't you. Have you forgotten that I'm your senior?" (Kazuto)

"Fufu. No, I haven't. I said that because I understood that you are my senior." (Ayane)

Kiyokawa has a mischievous smile that is not typical of a neat and tidy young lady.

It's an unmasked expression that I'll see someday――――

What a cocky junior she is.

Although I think so, I do not feel uncomfortable at all, which is strange.