Chapter 76: A Fake Confession and Realization

A Fake Confession and Realization

I do not need happiness that comes from hurting someone.

When Mia was hurt and Fujikawa said that to me, I finally realized my mistake.

I had grown comfortable with the situation I was in, and I looked away from what I should have faced, relying on the kindness of Nagisa, Urui-san, and Uhyou-senpai, who had gathered the courage to reach out to me.

Back when I was chasing after pretty girls, I was a terrible person, but at least I was honest about my feelings.

In terms of my attitude and the way I carry myself, the current me is far more rotten.

Alright. That is enough self-loathing. Time to get back to reality.

“Are you really going?”

“Yeah. I already called her to the rooftop.”

As we walked through the school overflowing with festival excitement, I nodded to Fujikawa’s worried question.

Right after that, I contacted Uhyou-senpai and asked if we could talk, and she happily agreed.

I did not expect her to refuse, but I was grateful she agreed to meet so quickly.

If too much time passed, my resolve would fade.

When we reached the stairs to the rooftop, I turned toward Fujikawa.

“W-what is it…?”

“Fujikawa, can you go along with a little act for a moment?”

“An act…?”

“It is something I am good at.”

I took a small step back and looked directly into her eyes.

“Fujikawa. I have always liked you. Please go out with me.”

“…!”

I bent my body at a right angle and reached out my right hand.

This was a kind of ritual. Something to bring my mindset back to how it was.

I did not know if she would realize that, but if it was Fujikawa, she would definitely reject me.

Fortunately, the rooftop was currently off-limits, so no one else was around.

I wanted her to reject me while telling me off as much as she wanted.

Confessing and getting rejected. That is who I, Matake Satoshi, am.

But after a long pause, Fujikawa took my hand.

Huh…?

“U-um, Fujikawa-san…?”

When I lifted my head, I met Fujikawa’s flushed face.

What was this situation…?

“If you go and do your best now, I will go out with you.”

“W-wait, um, that is…”

Completely thrown off, I watched as she released my hand and slapped my right cheek.

“F-Fujikawa…?”

“Do not be stupid. There is no way I would go out with you.”

“Y-yeah… sorry.”

“So, did that clear your head?”

When she asked me in her usual tone, I found myself smiling.

“Yeah. I feel better. Though this is the first time I have been slapped.”

“T-that is because you suddenly did something like that here…”

“I know. Thank you.”

“…! I-it is not like I…”

Even if she knew it was just an act, I had forced something unreasonable on her.

Even so, she still went along with it. I could only be grateful.

“I think I can face this now.”

“Then go. Do not waste it.”

“Yeah. I am going.”

I turned away from her and headed up the stairs.

And standing in front of the door to the rooftop was Yaomi-senpai.

She had likely been called by Uhyou-senpai to allow me entry.

“Thank you for being here, Yaomi-senpai.”

“Matake-kun. Are you truly sure about this?”

“Yes. I have made up my mind.”

“…I see. In the end, I could not do anything.”

“That is not true. The fact that you cared was more than enough.”

“I-in that case… No, never mind.”

Seeing Yaomi-senpai bite her lip in frustration, I realized it again.

I had been depending on her kindness all this time.

And that deciding to settle things with Uhyou-senpai really was the right choice.

“Do not worry. I am alright now.”

“R-really…?”

“Yes. And please look after Fujikawa instead of me.”

“Ayase…?”

“Yes. I pushed her a little earlier.”

“I-I see… understood.”

“Please. Then…”

After asking her to look after Fujikawa, I opened the door that led to Uhyou-senpai.

What am I even doing…

Left behind in the hallway, I, Fujikawa Ayase, could not make sense of my own actions.

When he said he liked me, even though I knew it was a fake confession, I was honestly happy.

Because of that, I grabbed his hand and said something like that…

“I really do like Matake Satoshi.”

“It looks that way.”

“Ah… Yaomi-senpai…!?”

No way. She heard that…?

My mind could not keep up.

To say something so embarrassing in front of the senpai I admired…

“I-I…”

“You do not need to be embarrassed.”

Yaomi-senpai smiled gently at me.

“He is a charming person. You simply realized it now.”

“Yaomi-senpai…”

She stepped closer and gently embraced me.

“Ayase. Unlike me, you still have a chance.”

“A chance…?”

“Yes. Do not lose it.”

I did not understand what Yaomi-senpai meant.

But her voice carried regret and resignation.

When I stepped onto the rooftop, Uhyou-senpai was leaning against the safety railing, waiting.

“Sorry for calling you out so suddenly, Uhyou-senpai.”

“It is alright. Hearing that you wanted to talk made me genuinely happy, Matake-kun.”

With a graceful, alluring smile, Uhyou-senpai asked,

“So, let me hear it. The answer you have reached.”

“Yes.”

Time to face the storm.