I like you, not as a friend, but in a romantic way.
Azusa Stonefield’s sudden confession left Miss Tachibana Tomoku stunned for a while, and after confirming it wasn’t a joke, her eyes, clear like a deer’s, showed a hint of panic.
"B-but... I’m a girl too."
"That doesn’t matter, I just like you, that’s all."
Tachibana Tomoku remained silent for a while as the fireworks blossod in the sky. The air around the two girls seed to freeze, creating a bizarre contrast with Tsukimi Sakurazawa and Ise Yu, who were bouncing happily in front. Azusa Stonefield suddenly felt a bit of regret, regretting putting Tachibana Tomoku in such an impossible situation.
If only I had waited a little longer... just a little longer, just a little closer...
But... this grand and desolate atmosphere does make it hard for one not to confess... besides, if I had waited a little longer...
"I’m sorry."
This expected answer cut off the last thread of hope in Azusa Stonefield’s heart. She was silent for a mont and revealed a bitter smile.
"Is it... because of him..."
"Hmm?"
"Shirakawa."
Tachibana Tomoku paused for a mont, then, as if making a firm decision, nodded softly.
"So, I’m sorry."
In the tears welling up in her transparent eyes, sorrowful and apologetic emotions were evident. She looked at this forr good friend and instinctively wanted to say sothing, but found herself without a position to speak from.
"Actually, I’ve known for a long ti." Azusa Stonefield said, "After all, your eyes were always full of him... Well, although I’ve failed, it does an I’ve bravely confessed just once, doesn’t it!"
"Confessing without a love letter! That’s a big improvent! Next ti I et soone I like, I can confidently tell her!"
"Using friendship to get closer to you was indeed a bit sneaky, but I couldn’t help it, you see. Soone as odd as I am, without using friendship as a pretense, probably wouldn’t even get to see you often, Tachibana..."
Her voice sounded like she was trying hard, striving to sound carefree, but it beca smaller and smaller, until she completely sank into silence, unable to keep up the charade.
I should have known... Even though I was very sure in my heart, I still couldn’t deceive that last bit of wishful thinking...
What if it was a misunderstanding? What if Tachibana doesn’t like Shirakawa Sawahei?
Azusa Stonefield had told herself many tis that she still had a chance, but the more she said it, the less convincing it beca, especially when she saw Tachibana Tomoku’s gaze always secretly chasing that shadow. The last shred of hope in her heart burst like a bubble.
Perhaps, precisely because she knew she had no chance of winning, she chose to confess in such a desolate environnt.
"I’m sorry."
Tachibana Tomoku said again, Azusa Stonefield breathed in through her nose, and softly said, "No need to apologize, really, I’m the one who should apologize. I approached you as a friend, but I’ve always wanted sothing more."
"Actually, it’s good that you’re with Shirakawa Sawahei... There are many girls around him, but truly, none of them have the feeling of love... and he does act a little different around you..."
"Um... Can I ask you a question?"
Azusa Stonefield hesitated a bit, then quietly said, "Though this question might be a bit rude..."
"Why do you like him?"
Upon hearing this, Tachibana Tomoku’s eyes briefly showed a trace of bewildernt and haze. She refocused slightly and said softly, "I just like him."
The cool night breeze carried the moisture from the riverside and slightly dispersed the frozen atmosphere around the two. The translucently clear voice floated gently in the breeze, like a dreamy whisper, causing Azusa Stonefield to fall silent once more.
"On Shirakawa, there’s a kind of courage that I admire... The confidence and courage to ignore others’ opinions, to break the atmosphere, and advance alone."
"He’s gentle, but not too gentle — he won’t impose his gentleness on others as a shackle... It’s like Ise Yu said, having him around makes one feel at ease..."
"But he’s the only boy around you." Azusa Stonefield said, "Perhaps... you haven’t yet distinguished between admiration, idolization, and love."
"It’s not like that." The transparent one shook her head slightly, "It’s not because he’s the only one around that I like him; it’s because I like him that he’s the only one around ."
"Whether it’s admiration or idolization or anything else, I just like him. Even if it were another ti, in another way, I would still only fall for him."
Her thoughts seed to drift back to the club recruitnt at the beginning of her first year in high school. Among the throngs of people, Tachibana Tomoku looked blankly at the various club signs, feeling helpless, and yet happened to et those calm, clear boy’s eyes.
For so people, a single glance surpasses all the shared hours and days.
Azusa Stonefield fell completely silent, as the fireworks blood soundlessly, the whole world seed to withdraw its sound in front of her, leaving only thin hues.
She sighed lightly and gave a bitter smile.
"I see."
"You should be waiting for him to confess to you now."
"It’s not like that."
To her surprise, the girl in front of Azusa Stonefield shook her head softly.
"I’m waiting for myself."
"Waiting for the day when I can muster the courage to confess to him."
"..."
"Good luck."
Azusa Stonefield turned around, as if to detach herself from Tachibana Tomoku’s side. She faced away from the girl and tilted her face upwards, saying, "Sorry, said so strange things... I have to head back now!"
"Please tell Minister Sakurazawa and the others that it was nice getting to know them during this ti! I won’t be going to the beach camp~ I plan to use the last bit of the sumr break to study, getting ready for the final push in my third year!"
"Tachibana, don’t think too much about it. I know it’s hard to co across sumr romance... But I’ve made up my mind! I’ll go to college and find my love there!"
"Wish luck, Tachibana! I hope I can et soone better than you, and who doesn’t like Shirakawa Sawahei~"
She chuckled, waved her hand with her back to her, and then stepped away from the riverside, her silhouette lonely like fireworks about to fade into the night.
"Mm, good luck."
Tachibana Tomoku’s soft murmur, along with the previously sad and lonely emotions, all drifted into the wind, as if heading far away..
"Huh? Where did Zi go? Wasn’t she with you, Xiao Mo?"
"Could it be that she went to the restroom?" the idle girl mused, "After eating shaved ice, it’s understandable to think that way..."
The transparent one shook her head, "She said she had sothing to do, so she left first..."
"I see... It’s troubleso to run into unforeseen events..."
"Eh? By the way, Xiao Mo... why does your expression look a bit off... Are you feeling unwell?"
"No... Departnt Director Tsukimi... Let’s go find Shirakawa."
"Mm! You’re right, the fireworks are almost over! It’s ti to get ready to head back!"
...
anwhile, Shirakawa Sawahei hurried back with ice, when suddenly a system ssage shocked him into place.
[Target: Tachibana Tomoku; confession progress 30%, now at 100%; formally entering attack progress.]
Shirakawa Sawahei expertly typed out a question mark slowly.
?
What did I do? I just went to get so ice for Black Hearted Lolita, so how is it suddenly at 100%?
Void Strategy’s Number One, Shirakawa Sawahei??
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