Chapter 62 A Smile Appears

A Smile Appears

Irara Akari’s Perspective

After finishing my conversation with Yuya.

I walked alone toward the classroom.

Even though a test was coming up, I couldn’t calm down at all.

Of course, it was because I had just talked to Yuya.

“…I feel so unsettled.”

It’s always like this when I talk to Yuya.

And it makes me feel sad, too.

Yuya didn’t used to be so selfish, always making excuses.

I feel disappointed in him, and at the same time, I end up saying things I don’t want to, which hurts me as well.

But if I don’t say anything, nothing will change—I can tell just by looking at him.

I don’t want this strained relationship with Yuya to drag on any longer.

That’s why today, I deliberately said “severance,” knowing it would hurt him.

“…”

But when I saw the sadness on Yuya’s face, my chest tightened.

I don’t even like Yuya anymore—in fact, I might even dislike him a little.

That’s why I don’t want to talk to him, and I want to move forward.

If that’s how I feel, then my actions weren’t wrong, right?

“…But”

But still, it doesn’t feel good.

Pushing people away like this—it just doesn’t.

“…Sigh.”

I let out a sigh without thinking.

Before I knew it, I had reached the classroom. I couldn’t keep looking so down, so I rubbed my cheeks.

It’s okay. I’ll be okay.

I told myself that, trying to shake off all these uneasy feelings…

“…”

But no matter what, this feeling just wouldn’t go away.

What should I do…? What can I do…?

“Akari?”

“!?”

Suddenly, someone called out to me, and I turned around in surprise.

Standing there, slightly out of breath, was Arata-kun, looking at me curiously.

“Arata-kun!? Wh-What’s wrong!?”

“That’s my line. Why are you doing facial muscle exercises in front of the classroom?”

“I-I wasn’t doing anything like that!”

“O-Oh, I see.”

Arata-kun scratched his head.

…Eh?

Why is it…?

Talking to Arata-kun somehow makes my heart feel at ease.

“Arata-kun, aren’t you cutting it really close? …Ah! I bet you were panicking and cramming late into the night yesterday, weren’t you~?”

“Guh… W-Well, a last-minute push can make all the difference in a test.”

“Hmm? So you pulled an all-nighter, huh?”

“I-If you’re going to say that, Akari, you’ve got a bit of dark circles under your eyes too.”

“N-No, I don’t!! And stop looking at me, Arata-kun!!!”

“S-Sorry.”

I desperately tried to cover my face.

I-I mean, it couldn’t be helped.

I’m the type who saves summer homework until the last day.

“A-Anyway, let’s go! The test is about to start!”

“Yeah.”

I started walking into the classroom with Arata-kun.

But then, he suddenly stopped me, saying, “Wait a second.”

“Hm? What is it?”

“Well, it’s just…”

Arata-kun lowered his gaze slightly.

Then, without looking me in the eye, he hesitantly spoke.

“A-Are you… okay?”

His words struck me right in the chest.

I hadn’t said a single word about how I was feeling.

Yet, Arata-kun somehow just understood and gave me the words I needed to hear.

…Honestly, Arata-kun is really…

“Fufu, fufufu~”

“A-Akari?”

Before I knew it, I was smiling.

I couldn’t help it.

After all, if Arata-kun says something like that…

Arata-kun, looking flustered.

And yet, all of it felt so dear to me.

“Hey, Arata-kun.”

I gazed straight at Arata-kun and, with my brightest smile, spoke.

“Thank you! Thanks to you, I’m okay now!!”

“O-Oh… That’s good to hear.”

Arata-kun murmured in relief and stepped into the classroom.

I followed right after him, as if diving into the space his broad back created.

Nakano Yuya’s Perspective

The test was over.

I turned down all my friends’ invitations, taking only my phone as I left the classroom.

I immediately called her.

This time, she picked up right away.

[Hello? What’s up, Nakano-kun?]

“Manami-chan, can we meet today?”

[That’s pretty sudden.]

“I just… I really need to see you. I’m feeling down.”

Honestly, I hadn’t been able to focus on the test at all.

My mind was a mess, and I wanted to run away from everything.

Somehow, I had managed to hold myself together until the test ended, but I was at my limit.

“…I want you to comfort me. I realized that you’re the only one I have. I want to see you, touch your hand, your hair… I just want to feel safe. Manami-chan, I really need you right now.”

I spoke my feelings honestly.

Manami-chan had always been there for me.

She was like an angel, gently embracing me with kindness.

[Nakano-kun…]

“Can we meet at our usual place now? Or I can go ahead and book a room, and you can come whenever you’re free—”

[Sorry.]

“…Huh?”

[I have plans today, so I don’t think I can make time for you.]

My mind went blank at her unexpected words.

“I-Is it to visit your grandmother?”

[Hmm… Something like that. Sorry, okay? Let’s meet another time.]

“O-Okay… I understand.”

[Alright, see you later~]

The call ended.

As soon as it did, I collapsed onto the ground.

“She never used to be like this…”

If she’s visiting her grandmother, I get it.

…But even knowing how I feel, she won’t come see me?

“Manami-chan…”

I was alone.

I knew I had no choice.

But still…

“I feel so lonely… Manami-chan… Ugh.”

Manami Aikawa’s Perspective

I ended the call.

Dropping the smile I had worn, I let out a deep sigh.

“…Ugh, how annoying.”