"What did you just say?" I said to Aika.
In the middle of the empty rooftop, she slowly opened her mouth.
"Don't you like me?"
"No, that's not it. But why me?"
I lightly brushed my hair back and listened while pretending to be as calm as possible.
Aika was staring straight at me. For some reason, her small body looked so unstable to me, like it might disappear. I felt like I'd seen this feeling somewhere before. What was this? Had I forgotten? Or was it deja vu?
Aika kept a small distance between us and gazed at me. Silence enveloped the area, making me feel truly uncomfortable. What would happen if I refused? Surely she wouldn't stab me?
"Please, Susumu."
Aihua said.
"You're the only one here."
"O-Okay... but..."
"please"
Aika spoke to confirm. It seemed that it wasn't a misunderstanding, and that he had really confessed his feelings. However, that didn't mean that it was something that could be accepted so easily.
"Why me? We just met today, right?"
"Because you're Shindoshin."
"N-no, that's true, but that doesn't mean..."
"So that's all I need."
"That's just ridiculous..."
What should I do about this guy?
"I've had my eye on you for a long time. That's why I transferred to your high school. Or do I need a reason other than just liking you?"
"No, no. That's not it."
I said, shaking my head.
"I think there's a reason for that. It's not like I'm not happy about it either. But if you suddenly tell me, I'm not going to just say, 'Yes, I see.'"
"So what should I do? How can I get them to accept me?"
"N-no, even if you say that... it won't work unless we talk more and get to know each other better."
"Do you want to know about me?"
"Well, I guess so."
"Then I'll teach you... little by little."
Aika suddenly smiled. It looked like she was crying just a little.
"Aika..."
A look of sadness flashes through my mind for a moment.
"Have we met somewhere before? I just can't remember. And I feel like something really sad happened."
"That's right. So."
"Is that correct?"
I had a bad feeling about this, but I guess that's what happened. I sighed.
"When? Since when did that happen?"
"It wasn't that long ago. If you remember, it might be soon."
It felt like I was being played with, or teased, but either way it wasn't much fun. In fact, when I was in elementary and middle school, Shiori would hang around me almost all day, so I definitely didn't have the time to deal with such a beautiful girl. No, it's not that I'm unpopular or anything like that. It's true.
"...I'm not the good guy you think I am. You'll only lose out if you date me. You'll end up disappointed anyway, so you should find someone better."
It was a little sad, but I said it firmly.
However, Aika just stood in front of me and didn't move.
"So... right?"
Unable to bear the gaze that made me want to run away, I cowardly told him.
"I can't go with you. Sorry."
Aika's face became expressionless, and she stared at me with icy eyes. Oh no. I'm going to be killed. Those are the eyes of someone who's completely lost it.
The entrance is behind Aika. There's a fence right behind me. I must have positioned myself wrong. If I keep going like this, I'll get pushed down... What am I thinking? Don't be scared of such a petite woman!
As I was struggling with the conflict in my mind, Aika's body suddenly disappeared.
- Kiss.
When I looked, I saw Aika's face right next to me and felt a soft sensation on her lips.
A nice smell tickled my nose on the wind.
In the next moment, she quickly let go of my lips. Then she stared at me,
"Not right now, but I'll think about it."
What emotions did I have at that time?
"Here, here."
I wanted to ask, "Is that a chicken?" but I didn't have the time.
"What are you going to do by doing this?"
Aika doesn't move an inch. She just stares straight at me.
"That's what I mean when I say it's troubling."
Even I could tell I was panicking, but I managed to string words together.
Aika continued to stare at me. It seemed like she was planning to stay there forever unless I said yes. It was a lot better than being stabbed, but it still bothered me.
"I got it, I got it. I'll think about it, so stop glaring at me."
I said, writing my head.
"Anyway, let's start off as friends. If we get along, we can go out together, but if not, we can just stay as we are. Is that okay?"
"When will we get an answer?"
When... I don't know, but it won't take that long."
"So it's not impossible?"
"ah"
"If that's the case, I'll be waiting."
Aihana's expression finally relaxed.
"I'll wait for you, no matter how long it takes. I..."
"Yes. I'll get back to you as soon as possible."
"Yes. I'll see you tomorrow."
With a bow, Aika opened the door and left the rooftop. After making sure that her back was out of sight, I took a deep breath. It was my first confession in my life. And to such a beautiful girl. To my shame, my hands were sweating profusely.
"What on earth was that..."
At that moment, the door behind me slammed open.
"Whoa!"
I was so surprised that I screamed out loud.
"...Su-kun?"
I thought Aika had returned, but standing there was a familiar face.
"H-Honoka. Don't surprise me."
"S-sorry. I just happened to see you on the roof from the grounds."
Honoka came up to me, feeling a bit nervous.
"What were you and Hiiragi talking about?"
"Huh? It's nothing special, you know? I just wanted to ask for your advice."
"What do you mean, consultation? ...Does it have to be Su-kun?"
"N-no, not really. You see, we sit next to each other, so it's just like, 'What?'
Why did I lie and not tell him that he had confessed to me? I asked myself, but I couldn't find an answer.
"By the way, what happened to Honoka? Why did you go all the way to the roof?"
"Oh, well, that's not it. It's not that I was worried about Su-kun or anything... Um, what am I saying? What was I saying just now?"
"Well, calm down for now. It wasn't a big deal."
That said, considering that my heart had been pounding ever since I heard his confession, this was not cool at all.
"Uh, yeah... that's right. Well then, shall we go home together?"
"Yeah, that's right."
The two of them left the rooftop and left the school.