<Author's Comment>
Suddenly, I apologize, but I found a contradiction in the part scheduled for publication today and am currently working on correcting it!
Since it seems like it will take a little time, I wrote a short story to fill the gap (to put it that way).
I would be happy if you could enjoy that today and probably tomorrow.
I will do my best to return to the main story the day after tomorrow!
"Hmm...?"
Morning. When I arrived at school and sat in my seat, I noticed a letter made of folded loose-leaf paper in my drawer.
『To Takuto Konuma-kun』
T-This is...?
While feeling flustered, I leaned my body in a way that would be a blind spot, mainly from the window seats.
When I secretly opened it, there were rows of rounded handwriting.
『I have something important to talk about. Please come to the back of the cafeteria after school today.』
『P.S. Don't tell anyone.』
Wait, what is this? Is it a prank...? Even if it is a prank, why me? I don't have any friends who would play such a trick...
Even so, it's hard to imagine it's a real confession.
Then, what is it...?
While I was thinking about it with a frown, homeroom ended.
During the move between classrooms for the first period,
"Konuma-kun, are you worried about something?"
Ichikawa spoke to me.
"W-Why?"
"Your brow is wrinkled, you know?"
The Angel-san tilted her head worriedly.
"I-I'm not particularly worried about anything, though."
"Why are you using polite speech?"
"Ah—no..."
...I mean, if I'm actually going after school, I have to settle things with Ichikawa.
"Ichikawa, uh, about after school today..."
However, I didn't know what to say and hesitated,
"After school? Oh, that's right! I have a Club Presidents' Meeting. Did you know about that?"
"Ah—no, well, I thought it was about time..."
"I see! In that case, I'd feel bad making you wait, so please just head home first today, okay?"
"Ah, yeah..."
...Things are progressing suspiciously conveniently.
I wonder if the sender of the letter knows about this...?
With my heart in suspense, after school arrived.
"Phew..."
While calming my pounding heart, I timidly went to the back of the cafeteria and found...
"Ah, Takuto-kun!"
"Eh, Erina-san...?"
There stood Erina-san, wearing a brown duffle coat.
"I wondered what I'd do if you didn't notice!"
"It was Erina-san, huh..."
Somehow, rather than the question of "Why Erina-san?", a sense of relief that it was her prevailed, and my strength drained away.
"Thank goodness..."
"Why? Did you want to be confessed to by Erina?"
"No, that's not it..."
It's because it doesn't seem like it was either a confession or a prank.
...Wait, is the possibility of a prank still not gone?
"Hey, hey, how did you feel all day today?"
At the same time the doubt reared its head inside me again, Erina-san asked that with a mischievous, smirking smile.
"What do you mean how did I feel? I was on edge... No, what is this?"
"What do you mean 'what', it's a confession, you know?"
"A c-confession...!?"
Erina-san, when did she start feeling... for me!?
"Yep! Confession practice!"
"I thought so!!"
...Even though there was no way that could be it, I was embarrassed by the possibility that flashed through my mind for an instant, and my voice came out loud as if to drown it out.
"Is it effective? If you're called out by a letter and Erina is there, does it make your heart flutter?"
"Rather than a flutter, I just felt relieved..."
"Is that a good thing?"
"Who knows..."
No, more importantly.
"Are you going to confess again? To Ma?"
"Yeah, of course! I'll confess as many times as it takes! The confession at the school festival had a strong surprise element, but I felt it was a bit weak for making the heart flutter. So, I thought I'd try a different method, and first, I'm practicing with Takuto-kun!"
"If that's the case, tell me in advance..."
"If I tell you in advance, your heart won't pound, right?"
That's true, but...
"Well, in terms of my heart pounding, it was intense... although it might be closer to say I was anxious. I mean, it was so cliché that I actually didn't think it would be a normal confession. Ma has a lot of friends, so they might think it's a prank."
"I see, then it might not be very good."
Erina-san nodded, going "Hmm, hmm."
I realized once again that when she has a serious face, her features are quite well-defined. By the way, that duffle coat really suits you.
"Well, please try thinking of another method..."
"Then I'll try it on Takuto-kun again!"
"No, please spare me from that... So, can we call the experiment finished?"
"Ah, yeah."
"Well then, see you later."