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.