BHSAF 161: Date with Airi 8

"………………"

　After returning from the amusement park, Yu sat down on his bed in his room.

　Airi disappeared from Yu's sight saying she was going to pick flowers, and returned about 30 minutes later.

　However, that doesn't mean she's sorted out her feelings, it just means she's somehow managed to put an end to her emotions. In fact, on the train ride home, Airi spoke to Yu several times, but his usual overflowing energy was practically gone, and it was clear that he was just desperately trying to act normal.

　Airi sat at a distance, desperately trying to smile but unable to even manage it, and spoke to him in a monotonous voice, as if she had suppressed her emotions. Yu tried to say kind words to her, but was tormented by the realization that he was not worthy of them.

　Still, it was a relief that Airi had spoken to him first, because it showed that she still wanted to maintain a connection with Yu, even if their love had not been reciprocated.

"Hmm..."

　Judging by the way she handled things on the way home, Airi would continue to treat Yu without avoiding him. That was the only thing that saved Yu right now.

　I didn't feel like doing anything right now. I was tired from working out at the amusement park, so even though it was still dusk, I decided to take a nap.

　―――

　Beep beep beep.

　Yu's smartphone, which he was napping on, started making electronic sounds.

　Hearing this, Yuu felt a little under-slept, but he sat up and answered the call.

"Fight..."

"Oh, hello, Yu-kun. ...? You look sleepy. Are you asleep too?"

"No, I was just dozing off for a bit."

"I see. Airi was crying just now, but she fell asleep a little while ago."

"...Are you okay?"

『Yeah, somehow…………』

　Hearing those words, Yuu feels relieved.

"I haven't heard what happened, but I can kind of imagine... So, I'm grateful, but... well, well..."

"I know, so it's okay. Sorry for making you say that."

　As someone who loves Yuu, I'm glad that she firmly rejected my confession, but as Airi's older sister, I feel hesitant to thank her because my beloved younger sister's confession failed.

"Now I'm starting to regret telling Yuu-kun that he could go out with Airi today..."

　Yui knew that Airi was determined, but she never expected her to confess. When Airi returned, she realized everything and felt sorry.

　Even though she didn't want Yu to choose Airi, she didn't want him to reject her confession.

　Although the meaning is the same, the feelings behind it are different.

"It's not Yui-chan's fault. Besides, this was bound to happen sooner or later."

"Yu-kun is so kind..."

　Over the phone, I could hear Yui smiling with relief.

"Love is difficult, I wish everyone could be happy"

"……I agree"

"'………………'"

　A heavy atmosphere hangs between the two of them.

"Hey, Yui-chan. Can I tell you something?"

"Okay, but...?"

　As I thought about it after Airi confessed her feelings to me, one thought came to mind.

"Well, Airi thinks we're dating, but in reality, that's not the case, right?"

『Yeah, that’s true…』

　Yui feels that her current boyfriend is Yu, but to her classmates and others, she still thinks she is dating Takuya.

"But when he confessed to me today, I felt bad. I turned him down because I acted like we were dating, even though we weren't actually dating."

"Yeah……"

"I also learned that falling in love is extremely difficult and painful."

"That's right... When you fall in love with someone, you go through ups and downs, and you're really scared of what you'll do if you get rejected..."

　As a girl in love herself, Yui knows this all too well.

"That's why I thought we should make our relationship more stable. That way, Yui-chan will feel more at ease, right?"

"? Yeah……?"

"So, you can tell her at school. Whenever you feel like it, tell her that you've decided to break up with Takuya and go out with me."

『Eh?! Y-you can really say that?!』

　I can hear Yui's happy voice.

　Not only has Airi been affected, but Takuya's behavior has also become a little outrageous recently. And although it hasn't been made public, the reactions of those around him are starting to show some signs of being negative.

　It's probably time to move on in many ways.

"Ah, but if you do decide to reject Takuya, please let me know. I'll keep an eye on you from a distance for a while."

　Breaking up often becomes a complicated conversation. That's when Yu comes in. He has a trump card: secretly filming the school festival.

"Really?! Is it okay if I do it at a time that suits me?"

　Although he feels sorry for Airi, he is excited by the green light from his loved one for something that had previously been considered wrong.

"Yeah"

"I did it, I did it! Thanks, Yu-kun..."

　Yui's voice sounded happy and delighted. Hearing that, Yu felt a little recompense for the guilt he felt for dumping Airi.