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.”