My Overly Anxious and Devoted Girlfriend Never Gives Up on Me - Chapter 1.8

“Haaaaaah…”

Sitting on the bench in front of the station, I let out the biggest sigh of my life.

In the end, I hadn’t stayed to confirm Naruse-san’s confession results, instead dragging Kasumi along to board the train.

It’s not good to spy on someone’s confession.

That’s what I told Kasumi, but it was just an excuse.

I was scared.

I was terrified that even in one in a million chance, Sakuraba-kun might accept Naruse-san.

I had simply run away.

Kasumi, unusually gentle, patted my back before heading home.

I should go home too.

I thought that, but feeling somehow lonely and vulnerable, I remained sitting on the bench, unable to move.

“Ah… God.”

All I could do was pray that Sakuraba-kun had turned her down.

He did say he wouldn’t date Naruse-san.

But even so, the two of them had such good chemistry today that I couldn’t feel at ease.

“A perfect match.”

Kasumi’s words echoed in my head repeatedly, each time making my chest tighten and tears threaten to fall.

Naruse-san and Sakuraba-kun really were a perfect match.

Then what about me?

What about Sakuraba-kun and me?

Thinking about that made me freeze up again.

I really shouldn’t have gone.

If I hadn’t, maybe I wouldn’t have felt this depressed.

“Huh? Yunagi-san?”

“Eh…?”

Hearing the sudden voice, I looked up.

But there was no mistaking this voice.

There’s no way I could mishear it.

“Sakuraba-kun?!”

“…What’s wrong? Sitting here all alone like this.”

Immediately, I was overcome with the urge to hug Sakuraba-kun.

I wanted to hold him tight and cry out loud.

But if I did that, I’d just bother him again.

Sakuraba-kun looked at me curiously for a moment, then somehow plopped down beside me.

“…Did something happen?”

“Eh? N-no, nothing really.”

Sakuraba-kun’s gentle voice.

His face full of concern for me.

I was unbearably happy.

But at the same time, I became even more curious about Sakuraba-kun’s response to Naruse-san.

I wanted to ask.

But if I did, he’d know I’d been watching.

Sakuraba-kun would definitely feel uncomfortable.

He might even look down on me.

That was absolutely the last thing I wanted.

“…Sniff”

Before I knew it, I had started crying.

Not wanting Sakuraba-kun to notice, I desperately tried to hold back my tears.

But it was no use.

“Y-Yunagi-san? What’s wrong?”

“I-It’s nothing!”

“It can’t be nothing.”

Sakuraba-kun sounded slightly flustered.

I was happy he was worried about me like that, but more than that, I felt guilty.

Suddenly, something touched the corner of my eye.

It was a blue handkerchief held in Sakuraba-kun’s hand.

“I won’t ask what happened anymore”

“…”

“But I want you to stop crying. If I’m okay with you, I’ll stay with you for a while.”

At that moment, I knew with absolute certainty.

That I really, really loved this person.

That it had to be him, no one else.

“Ugh… Waaaaaah!!”

“Eh! What! What’s wrong all of a sudden?!”

“Sooooorry!!”

“Eh? Ehh?”

I had clung to Sakuraba-kun as if latching onto him.

At the same time, tears kept pouring out, and I didn’t know what was what anymore.

“I knew you were going out with Naruse-san today. Sniff. I was so worried, so worried that I went to spy on you.”

“W-what’s that about?”

“Sorryyyy!! And then I got really anxious. Sob. And then at the end, Naruse-san confessed to you”

“…You saw that far?”

“Yeah! But I was scared I couldn’t watch until the end. So, I came here, alone.”

I had reached my limit.

Taking advantage of not being pushed away, I clung tightly to Sakuraba-kun.

I’m sure many people were watching us.

But I couldn’t care about that.

“…You’re quite something, you know”

“…What?”

“…You’re hopeless”

“B-but…”

I could tell Sakuraba-kun was shaking his head in exasperation.

But it couldn’t be helped.

This is what happens because I love you.

“…I’m not going out with her”

“…Eh?”

“Naruse-san. She confessed, but I turned her down”

“…I-is that so”

I could feel the tension draining from my entire body.

Relief, and a little guilt.

But still, I was happy.

I’m such a terrible person.

“Besides, I told you before, didn’t I?”

“But! …You looked like you were having so much fun today, Sakuraba-kun”

“I did have fun. But that’s not a reason to date Naruse-san. It’s not like I love Naruse-san or anything. And…”

“…And?”

“…Well, I am, you know, technically your boyfriend”

Covering his mouth shyly, Sakuraba-kun muttered.

“…So, you don’t need to worry so much. I wouldn’t date someone else without telling you. But I can’t change how I act, so if it’s painful for you, then maybe.”

I could feel my tears receding.

Then, a different kind of tears welled up, and I cried loudly again.

“Sakuraba-kuuuuun!! I love you so muuuuuch!!”

“Hey! Your voice is too loud! Do you know where we are! Idiot!”

“I don’t care if I’m an idiot!! I really love yooou!!”

“I’m the one who’s no good! Here, quiet down!”

So happy, so incredibly happy, I cried while laughing.

I truly felt that there was no one else for me but this person.

But at the same time, anxiety crept in again.

Sakuraba-kun is probably popular, after all.

While Sakuraba-kun rubbed my back, I thought about the hardships to come and hugged him even tighter.

I won’t give him to anyone.

And I’ll definitely make him love me!