My Overly Anxious and Devoted Girlfriend Never Gives Up on Me - Chapter 2.10

Thud. The sound of the paperback closing echoed hollowly in the room.

At the same time, a heavy sigh escaped me, and I lay down on the bed, my body feeling strangely heavy.

I’d finished the book I borrowed from Aoto-kun by the evening of the next day.

It wasn’t that the content itself suited my tastes.

But thinking things like, So this is the kind of book Aoto-kun likes, or, Once I finish reading, I’ll be able to talk to Aoto-kun again…

Those thoughts kept my hands turning the pages without pause.

Until yesterday, this book must have been in Aoto-kun’s room.

And now, it’s here in my hands.

When I think that, I feel this strange mix of pain and happiness.

When I met Aoto-kun at the café yesterday, he was as carefree as ever.

Unaffected by anyone, never losing his own pace and atmosphere, no matter where he was or what was happening.

And yet, for some reason, he couldn’t just ignore someone in trouble.

I’ve always been hopelessly drawn to that side of him.

“……Haaah.”

Lying face down with my chin on the pillow, another sigh slipped out.

We first met last year, during the first semester of our first year.

Back then, as class representative, I was frequently given trivial tasks.

I never thought of those naturally assigned duties as bothersome or unpleasant.

If someone had to do them, I was probably the most efficient choice.

Besides, getting angry at others’ lack of ability or sense of responsibility was just a source of stress.

If I took on the role myself, any oversights or failures would be entirely my responsibility.

That’s how I’ve always approached things.

So, I never once thought to ask for help.

“But it’d be more efficient if we did it together, right?”

That day, the first time he helped me.

As we carried a large stack of textbooks side by side, Aoto-kun said that to me.

“Perhaps. But isn’t the time spent finding someone to cooperate with also a waste?”

“So, you’re saying it’s better if I notice and help on my own, right?”

“Well… yes, but…”

“Then let’s go with that. Of course, there might be times I don’t notice.”

Aoto-kun said that proudly, chuckling to himself without looking at me.

“Still, you’re pretty argumentative, aren’t you? Are you always like this?”

Somehow, I felt like I’d been neatly outmaneuvered, so I ended up saying something sarcastic.

Looking back now, it was childish.

But in response, he said:

“Not at all. If I didn’t say something like that, Mikura-san, you wouldn’t honestly let me help you, would you?”

“Huh…?”

“Efficiency… honestly, it doesn’t really matter. It just bothers me to see you working alone. That’s all.”

The face he made then, laughing as if joking, is still burned into my mind.

Those eyes, full of mischievous innocence and yet overflowing with kindness.

In the end, I’m still in love with those eyes.

But…

“……Not interested, huh?”

When I asked what he thought about dating, that was his answer.

He said he disliked the idea of his time for hobbies being reduced because of a relationship with the opposite sex.

I’d been constantly wondering how Aoto-kun felt about me.

But even before any personal feelings toward me, it seemed he wasn’t particularly enthusiastic about romance itself.

In fact, Aoto-kun told me he found me attractive.

That made me really happy.

Yesterday, I even remembered it in the bath and ended up screaming into the tub.

But at the same time, I also thought:

Maybe he said that because he has no interest in me to begin with.

Maybe he’s interested in me as a classmate, as a friend, but as a member of the opposite sex, I don’t even register in his eyes.

And most likely, that guess is right.

“Haaaah…”

I sighed for who knows how many times and rolled onto my back.

Staring at the ceiling, I felt like his face appeared there.

“Aoto-kuuun…”

A pathetic voice slipped out unintentionally.

There was one more major obstacle in this path of love.

And that, to be perfectly honest, was the existence of Yunagi-san.

Yunagi Shizuno.

That girl who, before I knew it, had gotten close to Aoto-kun and even become friends with him.

She’s definitely in love with Aoto-kun.

No doubt about it. One hundred percent.

Otherwise, there’s no way she’d come to our class so often just to talk with him.

Plus, her face when they’re talking is completely that of someone in love.

Aoto-kun’s just too nice, so he ends up humoring her like that, dammit…

But when and why did a girl like that fall for Aoto-kun?

Well, it’s true Aoto-kun is a wonderful guy.

Cool. Cute. Composed. Kind. But sometimes cold. Smells nice. Has beautiful eyes.

And so on, if I started listing his good points, there’d be no end.

But I don’t think he and Yunagi-san had any connection before.

If they did, there’s no way I wouldn’t have noticed.

Could it be outside of school?

If so, that would make sense, but the possibility should be low.

…No, there’s no point thinking about that now.

The problem is that she’s an incredibly beautiful girl, and her personality seems flawless too.

Honestly, we’re not close.

But from what I’ve heard in rumors and from observing her a little, it’s clear Yunagi-san is what you’d call a “good girl.”

On top of that, she’s charming.

She strikes a good balance between being lively and reserved.

In short, she’s a formidable rival.

It might not be an exaggeration to say she’s the last opponent I’d want to face.

Yunagi Shizuno, and Aoto-kun, who has no interest in romance.

Mikura Yuzuri, your first love is a thorny path, huh…?

But even so, these feelings aren’t so small that I could just give up because of that.

I will absolutely, no matter what, become Aoto-kun’s girlfriend.

I’ve already decided to devote my heart and body to him.

Of course, that means strategy is crucial.

I have to devise a plan.

A plan to make Aoto-kun, who’s reluctant about romance, come around while not letting my rival have him…

………………

…………

……

That’s it—I hadn’t thought of that!

Startled by my own sharp insight, I leaped up from the bed.

Strike while the iron is hot.

Now that I’ve decided, it’s time to act.