What is this...
When I try to talk to Kuonji, she runs away. Even when I try to get ahead of her, she flees. In the end, she gives off an atmosphere as if I'm not even in her sight.
It's like we've reverted to how things were before the 'Red Thread of Fate Syndrome' manifested.
...No, the situation is more serious than that. Back then, it didn't bother me if we didn't talk, and I didn't think anything of it. But now...
"It's really exhausting."
I can't talk to Kuonji. I didn't realize it would be this painful.
After what happened on Saturday, I thought we had gotten a bit closer... School is over and all that's left is to go home, but my heavy hips won't budge. ...Ah, that's right, I have that promise with Tsuchimikado before that. Kuonji already went home anyway... I really don't want to go.
As I sat shallowly in my chair, Ryuya, who sat behind me, called out.
"Hey Akito, let's hang out today."
"Ah... sorry. Today seems a bit impossible."
"Hm? Isn't the gym closed today?"
"Just things."
I'm not in the mood to play, even without the Tsuchimikado thing. But Ryuya didn't seem to get it. Seeing Ryuya like that, Neika slapped his back repeatedly with a 'good grief' kind of feeling.
"Honestly, Ryuya, you don't understand at all."
"What do you mean?"
"Today's Akky was being avoided by his wifey, right? He's feeling down."
"That's exactly why. Let's play and forget about today. I'm sure Kuonji was just in a bad mood because it's her girl's day."
"Ryuya is the worst!"
"He-bu!"
Ryuya collapsed from Neika's jumping slap. As usual, what is up with Neika's physical ability?
Neika hopped onto my lap and leaned against me as if to comfort me.
"It's okay, Akky. You'll make up soon. I guarantee it!"
"...You haven't changed since long ago."
"Nishishi. People don't change that easily, you know?"
Not changing... not changing, huh. My relationship with Kuonji might seem like it's changing, but maybe it hasn't... after all.
...No, that's not it. We are firmly looking forward. We are changing. Tsuchimikado said those things, but... I still...
"...Alright. Thanks, Neika."
"Next time, a Dangerous Parfait, okay~"
"Where does a monster-sized parfait like that fit in such a tiny body... well, alright."
I put my hands under Neika's arms and lifted her up like a child. She's still way too light.
"You're touching my chest. Perve~rt."
"Say whatever you want, kid."
"I'll beat you up."
◆
Separating from the two, I headed behind the school building where Tsuchimikado was waiting. The area behind this school is a complete blind spot that can't be seen from the outside or from the school building. That's precisely why it's off-limits, and no one else but us comes here.
It was completely just me and Tsuchimikado.
"I've been waiting, Sana-tan."
"Tsuchimikado..."
In the dim school backyard where sunlight barely reached, Tsuchimikado smiled happily. A smile like a sunny spot. Just like in class, her smile alone makes the atmosphere bright. That smile was now directed only at me.
"Thanks for coming. I'm so happy."
"Well, I promised. Even if it was one-sided."
"Even so."
She effortlessly entered my territory, as if she had no sense of personal space. It was a distance where I could hug her if I reached out, or kiss her if I leaned in a bit.
"Is your heart pounding?"
"Eh, no..."
"Mine is. Because I'm alone with the person I love... at this distance."
...Damn, Tsuchimikado really is a top-tier beautiful girl...! To say such lines at this distance...
"Hey... let me hear it. Your answer from the other day."
"H-Here?"
"Yes. It has to be now. Now is good. In a loud, clear voice."
She touched my chest and looked straight at me. Then... I have to tell her too. My true feelings.
"Tsuchimikado. I can't respond to your feelings. ...I'm sorry."
"...Go on."
"...I have someone I like."
"Your Fated Person?"
"...Yeah."
"Is that Rila-tan?"
"...Yeah."
I've come this far. There's no point in hiding it now.
"Kuonji and I are tied together by the Red Thread of Fate. I don't know what she thinks of me, but... I love her."
Ah... I said it. I finally said it. My true feelings that I haven't told anyone else. My true heart that I haven't even told Kuonji herself.
Hearing that, Tsuchimikado's smile didn't waver.
"But, didn't you guys have a bad relationship?"
"Well, yeah. I still think that sometimes... but I love her, including all of that."
"...I see."
She still didn't stop smiling. Rather, it was like she knew this answer from the beginning...
"...Ah~, what a shame. This is the first time in my life I've been dumped."
"Sorry."
"Mm-mm. I don't mind at all. It's definitely a shock, but the Red Thread of Fate didn't choose us. That was fate."
Tsuchimikado turned to leave and looked back just a little.
"Take good care of Rila-tan~"
"Yeah, of course."
"Nihi. Bye then."
Waving her moe-sode, she ran away from behind the school building. ...I should go home too. And then, I'll talk to Kuonji properly tomorrow. Bracing myself, I also left the area behind the school building.