My Overly Anxious and Devoted Girlfriend Never Gives Up on Me - Chapter 2.12

The afternoon classes were even harder to focus on than the morning ones.

“You know, I actually noticed how you felt about Mikura-san.”

Naruse-san said this with a sad smile.

“That’s why I panicked and confessed to Sakuraba-kun, but he turned me down.”

I knew.

High schoolers’ mouths aren’t as tight-lipped as you might think.

“But I want to change my feelings and support Mikura-san instead.”

She’s strong, I thought.

There aren’t many people who could genuinely think that way.

“Sakuraba-kun said he doesn’t want to date anyone.”

“R-really…?”

“Yeah. But I couldn’t give up, so I asked if I could wait until his feelings changed.”

The final bell rang, and classmates began leaving the classroom as they pleased.

I could only remain seated at my desk, looking down.

“He told me to stop.”

When she told me this, Naruse-san seemed to be crying just a little.

“So, I want Mikura-san to take her time falling in love. If you confess now, I think it would only end up making both Sakuraba-kun and you sad.”

I couldn’t possibly think Naruse-san was lying.

Partly because of her kind-hearted nature, and partly because of what Aoto-kun had said at the cafe.

“But maybe you’re the one who could change Sakuraba-kun’s mind…! Maybe he was just making excuses to reject me!”

I could only watch Naruse-san’s back as she walked away with a tearful smile.

I was troubled.

Should I really go through with my plan and confess to Aoto-kun?

Maybe it would be incredibly bothersome for him.

Naruse-san had asked if she could wait, and his answer was “stop.”

If that was his genuine, unfiltered feelings…

My resolve, which had been firm just this morning, was now completely shaken.

“Mikura-san.”

At the familiar voice, I reflexively looked up.

Before I realized it, only Aoto-kun and I remained in the classroom.

“Ah, um… Aoto-kun”

“What’s wrong? You’re frozen.”

“N-no, it’s nothing.”

“Really?”

Aoto-kun said with his usual calm expression and plopped down in the seat next to mine.

I took a deep breath and handed him the paperback I’d taken from my bag.

“Thank you again.”

“I should be thanking you. I’m glad you read it. What did you think?”

“Y-yes! It was really good! It was exactly like they say – I couldn’t stop turning the pages!”

“Really! I thought it was the kind of novel that would really divide opinions, so I’m glad to hear that.”

Aoto-kun directed a genuinely happy smile at me.

His usual calm, mature atmosphere suddenly filled with childish innocence.

He must really love books.

He probably couldn’t even imagine that the girl in front of him was agonizing over whether to confess to him or not.

Yes, this was my one-sided, selfish request.

A self-centered plea that ignored Aoto-kun’s feelings, born from nothing but my desire to have him for myself.

“Maybe you’re the one who could change Sakuraba-kun’s mind!”

That’s not true, Naruse-san.

I’m not that confident, nor am I insensitive.

And I don’t have the courage either.

“…Mikura-san, what’s wrong? Did something happen after all?”

“Ah, no… really, it’s nothing!”

“…I see.”

Aoto-kun tilted his head, peering up at my face from below.

“If you’re troubled by something, you can always rely on me. If I can be of help, I’ll do what I can.”

Aoto-kun is kind.

Always, to everyone.

I hated making him worry unnecessarily or causing him trouble.

“If you want to read something else, just let me know. I have lots of recommendations, and I’ll lend them to you anytime.”

Aoto-kun smiled brightly, waved at me still frozen at my desk, and left the classroom.

I’m such a coward.

“As if I could tell him…”

In the now-empty classroom, I cried, my shoulders shaking.

I cried uncontrollably – frustrated, pathetic, and disgusted with myself.