I’d decided to confess — but how exactly to do it was a separate question. There’s no right way to confess; there are definitely wrong ways.
For example, walking up to her table in this library and confessing right here — clearly wrong. Location, timing, situation — those matter. Even I know that.
“Yuito, since lunch you’ve been somewhere else. What’s up?”
“Kenji not focusing is normal — Yuito not focusing is rare, no?”
(I’d been so consumed by the confession plan I’d checked out.) Shou cut in.
“Yuito’s got the kind of problem you and Kenji’s trivial problems can’t compare to.”
“Don’t put me in the same bucket as Kenji.”
“You two are treating me too rough — I have real problems too.”
(The heavy mood lightened — Shou’s deft.) I re-focused on studying.
Time passed; the window outside went orange. We packed up. (Kenji’s homework was still half undone, but the hard parts were finished — if he didn’t slack he’d finish.) After we parted, I met up with Kano who was still in the library.
“Mayo-san went home?”
“Yeah, she had something this evening.”
(Innocuous chat, but my heart was hammering. The person I was going to confess to was right there. Bigger problem: I still didn’t have a plan for how to say it.)
I would not postpone. Bailing here would become a habit. I would do it tonight.
“Are you free after this?”
“Yes — somewhere you want to go?”
“There’s a hilltop park near here with great night view. Want to swing by on the way home?”
“I remember that park.”
(We’d both been there as kids — many times. Of course I’d go.)
We walked. By the time we got there, the sun had fully set. Streetlights lit the playground equipment — childhood-memory feel.
This was the same park where she’d confessed to me. Familiar ground for both of us. We went to the observation deck.
“The night view from here really is gorgeous.”
(Her line surfaced a memory from the fireworks festival — when she’d said isn’t there something you should say to me? The setup was identical.)
I remembered exactly what she’d been hoping to hear that day. I steadied myself.
“Kano-san — you’re hundreds of times more beautiful than this night view. Please go out with me.”
The moment I said it, even in the half-light I could see her pale skin go pink. Embarrassed, delighted.
“Finally — I’ve been waiting so long.”
“Sorry it took me so long to get to an answer.”
“You picked me — I forgive it. From now on, take care of me.”
The confession I’d left on hold since before summer break — answered, properly, by me reversing the direction. From this moment, Kano and I were no longer just childhood friends — we were a couple.
◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇
Yuito reached his own conclusion and they reached the finish line. The story continues, but this is a major milestone. Chapter 5 ends here. Chapter 6 will time-skip past summer break.
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