Chapter 27 Toward the University of Her Dreams
#21MotoKanojoToward the University of Her Dreams
“Aha… Tomorrow’s finally the day, right?”
It was Tuesday, a week after that Sunday when I went out with Kakizaki-san under the guise of shopping.
She was so eager that she couldn’t help but keep confirming it with me—not just during dinner, while eating, or after her bath, but even now, as she was tucked under the covers.
“Haha, yeah, that’s right. Tomorrow, you’ll attend a university lecture with me.”
Yes… we decided to attend the lecture Kakizaki-san had chosen from the schedule together.
Thankfully, it’s a second-period lecture, so we won’t have to rush in the morning.
It’ll end right around lunchtime, so I’ve secretly planned for us to have lunch at the cafeteria while giving her a little campus tour.
There’s even a small surprise I’ve prepared for her.
“Hey… can I tell you something?”
“What is it?”
“Ahaha, well, actually… it’s been my dream to become a lawyer…”
That’s when she started telling me about her dream.
Apparently, her interest in becoming a lawyer began when she played a game as a kid that had a lawyer as the protagonist.
As she learned more about the profession, she realized how amazing lawyers are—they help those in need. That understanding made her dream grow even stronger.
“…So, you see? Because I wanted to study to become a lawyer… I actually applied to Chuho University, the university you attend…”
“…I see.”
Yeah… But because of that incident, you had to give up not only enrolling in university but also chasing your dream of becoming a lawyer, didn’t you…
“Ahaha… That’s why tomorrow, a small part of my dream is going to come true… I’m just so, so happy…”
Even though it’s just attending a lecture at the university… Even though it’s only a tiny fragment of your real dream… You’re still so happy about it…!
“Eh!? Wh-What’s wrong!?”
“Eh…?”
Suddenly, Kakizaki-san let out a loud voice and cupped my face with both hands.
I froze, completely confused by what was happening.
“B-Because, Naoe-kun, you’re crying…!”
“I’m… crying?”
When she pointed it out, I touched my face… and realized it was true.
Apparently, I’d started crying without realizing, just from thinking about her.
Thinking about the bittersweetness of her small dream…
“Haha… S-Sorry. It’s nothing…”
“R-Really…?”
I quickly wiped my tears and tried to brush it off, but she kept looking at me with concern.
Honestly… how kind is this girl? Even though she must be hurting so much herself, she’s still worried about me…
I can’t let her worry about me anymore…
“Really, I’m okay! It’s nothing!”
I said that, forcing myself to smile.
“…Pfft… Ahaha! Your face looks as silly as ever!”
“Wha—! That’s not true!”
It seemed my attempt at a forced smile had failed spectacularly again.
But she just laughed, clearly enjoying herself.
“Yeah… I really do love your face like that…!”
“Wha—!? Eh!?”
At her sudden comment, I let out a weird noise.
Haha… “Love,” she said…
“I-I’m going to sleep now! Goodnight!”
“Ah… S-Sorry, are you mad…?”
She asked nervously as I turned my back to her and buried myself under the covers.
No, that’s not it, Kakizaki-san… I… I was betrayed by Hiyori, and Kazuki took everything away from me. I thought I could never love anyone again, thought I’d never feel anything again… and yet…
I was happy to hear the word “love” from you…
“I-I’m not mad…”
“R-Really…?”
“Yeah…”
Hearing my reply, she finally seemed reassured. She let out a small sigh and then slipped into her futon.
Meanwhile, my heart was pounding so loudly I could barely sleep.
“Hurry up! Let’s go, let’s go!”
“W-Wait a second!?”
Kakizaki-san, brimming with excitement, pulled my hand so hard I almost tripped.
But, well… haha, she’s really been smiling so much more lately…
Back when that horrible incident happened, she looked like she was completely crushed.
And now—
“Hey, um… do you think I look like a university student?”
Out of nowhere, she asked me hesitantly, like she was suddenly feeling self-conscious.
“Of course!”
I gave her a thumbs-up with a confident grin… though, yeah, she’s definitely going to stand out.
After all… Kakizaki-san is seriously cute.
For the record, she’s wearing the black dress she picked out the other day.
Ever since it was decided she’d join the lecture, she kept saying, “I’m definitely wearing this!” Honestly, it makes me happy.
And then—
“Wowww…!”
Standing in front of the university gate, she looked up at the campus buildings with wide-eyed wonder, letting out a gasp of amazement.
“Haha, let’s head inside.”
“Yeah!”
Together, we walked toward the lecture hall where today’s class would be held… but—
“““““…”””””
…Sure enough, all the guys were staring at her.
“U-Um… do you think I look weird…? Or are they thinking something bad about me…?”
Yeah… I should make this clear to her.
Otherwise, she might start misunderstanding.
“…That’s not it, Kakizaki-san. They’re looking because you’re cute.”
“A-Ah!? W-Wait, you think I’m cute!?”
“Yeah. Honestly, I think you’re way cuter than all the girls at this university combined.”
I mean, I kind of suspected it, but… wow, she really doesn’t realize how cute she is, huh…
“I-I see… hey.”
“Hm?”
“Do you… also think I’m cute?”
Her face flushed bright red, she looked up at me shyly and asked in a soft voice.
So—
“Of course. You’re really cute, Kakizaki-san.”
“A-Aha… I see… that makes me happy…”
She lowered her gaze, a bashful smile spreading across her lips.
“Oh no, the lecture’s about to start! Let’s hurry!”
“Ah, o-okay!”
We rushed toward the lecture hall together.