Chapter 75: The Resolve to Face Things Head-On

The Resolve to Face Things Head-On

There are several duties assigned to the student council during the cultural festival.

Among them, the task Fujikawa and I were responsible for was managing the stage performances.

On our way to the gymnasium, I called out to Fujikawa, who was walking ahead of me.

“Fujikawa, you’re supposed to be on break right now, aren’t you?”

“Yes. But I can’t just leave you alone like this.”

Seeing me shaken after all the things Uhyou-senpai said, it made sense that Fujikawa would say that.

I not only dragged Mia into this, but now Fujikawa was worrying about me too. It was really pathetic.

“You’re slowing down.”

“Sorry.”

“Once we get to the gym, you won’t have time to mope, so pull yourself together.”

“Yeah, you’re right.”

Fujikawa was always dependable, but maybe because I was feeling down, she looked even more reliable than usual today.

“Hey.”

Just as we reached the gym and began preparing for work, Fujikawa called out to me.

“What is it?”

“Do you have a moment after our shift ends?”

“I don’t mind, but…”

“Thanks.”

What could this be about?

The only thing that came to mind was, of course, Uhyou-senpai’s matter.

I had caused Fujikawa trouble, and I owed her an explanation.

In any case, I needed to focus on my work for now.

Clearing my thoughts, I began my duties for the event.

What am I even doing…

Even though it wasn’t my shift, I found myself helping near the stage, questioning my own behavior. I, Fujikawa Ayase, couldn’t understand myself.

Until recently, I actually disliked Matake Satoshi.

And yet, these past few days, I haven’t been able to get him out of my mind.

The old me would’ve seen him feeling down after meeting Uhyou-senpai and thought it served him right.

But now, I just felt angry at Uhyou-senpai instead.

And to top it off, I even lied about wanting to talk to him.

It wasn’t true that I had something to say. No, to be precise, there was something I wanted to ask, but I couldn’t put it into words.

What am I supposed to do now?

Strangely enough, time always seems to pass faster when you want more time to think.

Before I realized it, my doubts were still unresolved, and his shift had already ended.

“Fujikawa, I’m done.”

“Let’s go outside for now.”

We couldn’t talk properly inside the gym with all the noise from the performances on stage.

Saying that, I led him to the area behind the gym.

It was a typical spot for confessions, but at this hour, no one else was around.

A typical spot for confessions…?

“…!”

“Hey, what’s wrong?”

“N-nothing!”

“I see… So, what did you want to talk about?”

His question left me speechless.

I couldn’t just say “nothing.” That would make it sound like I simply wanted to talk to Matake Satoshi.

That would make me seem like a lovestruck girl.

I blurted out the first thing that came to mind.

“Matake Satoshi, don’t you have something you should be telling me?”

Even as I said it, I realized how weak that sounded.

But maybe he really did have something on his mind, because he gave a small nod and began speaking.

“I guess it’s fine to tell you, Fujikawa.”

With that, Matake Satoshi began to talk about what had been troubling him.

“You might not believe this, but recently, I’ve started feeling drawn to someone who once rejected me.”

I was caught off guard by what he suddenly said.

I wanted to tease him, but his expression was completely serious.

Then he continued.

“I’ve been avoiding facing the feelings of the girls who care about me.”

I didn’t understand. If they were cute girls, shouldn’t he just accept them right away?

But apparently, he’d realized something I hadn’t known.

That there was something more wonderful than just dating a pretty girl.

That itself was admirable.

But ironically, that realization had become his source of worry.

If he gave them an answer, their happy days together would come to an end.

So he had chosen not to answer them.

And that was what Uhyou-senpai didn’t like.

“Matake Satoshi. I agree with Uhyou-senpai.”

Of course, I didn’t know what her real reasons were.

Knowing her, I was sure they were different from mine.

But there was one thing I could say with certainty.

“If happiness like this depends on hurting others, it’s better if it doesn’t last.”

“Can I ask why you think that?”

“During lunch break today, you hurt Hayasaka-san. Maybe the one who actually hurt her was Uhyou-senpai, but the reason it happened is because you were indecisive.”

I was sure Matake Satoshi himself already knew that his current happiness was built on suppressing and wounding someone else’s feelings.

If that’s the kind of happiness it is, then I don’t need it.

“Yeah… you’re right.”

His shoulders slumped as he lowered his head.

Realizing what I had said, I quickly added,

“Sorry. I went too far…”

“No, you’re completely right, Fujikawa.”

While I was feeling a pang in my chest, he suddenly slapped both of his cheeks with his hands.

What on earth have I been doing?

I couldn’t even make up my mind until Fujikawa said it to me outright. It was pathetic.

Deep down, part of me had been denying what Uhyou-senpai said.

But Fujikawa’s words snapped me out of that. Thanks to her, my head finally cleared.

From now on, I’ll face reality.

Seeing Fujikawa startled by my sudden self-slap, I smiled at her.

“Sorry for scaring you.”

“Y-yeah…!”

“And thank you.”

“Eh…?”

“It might take some time, but I’ll come up with an answer.”

“…Alright.”

Fujikawa said nothing more, only stared at me blankly.

“That’s all you wanted to talk about?”

“Y-yeah.”

“Then, can you call Uhyou-senpai for me?”

“Got it… wait, what!?”

Because nothing could begin until I settled things with Uhyou-senpai.