BHSAF 159: Date with Airi 6

　On the way home, I rode the Ferris wheel. At first, I did this just to imitate a scene from my favorite manga, but now I really enjoy it.

　Whenever I visit an amusement park, I almost always ride the Ferris wheel on my way home.

　As it got dark and it was getting close to time to leave the park, she couldn't help but think back to the fun times she had had up until then, and felt lonely. But even in those gloomy moods, the streetlights that shone brightly in the dark outdoors, and the headlights of cars driving in the distance, lit up Airi's heart like illuminations, making her feel happy. She loved that.

　But today, no matter how much I look at the scenery outside from the top of the Ferris wheel, I don't think I'll feel that way.

　A confession that you know will be rejected.

　That doesn't mean I don't get nervous, though. Telling someone I like that I like them is like a once-in-a-lifetime decision, so I get nervous.

　Airi arrives in front of the Ferris wheel alongside Yu.

　Luckily, there was a line of visitors waiting in front of the Ferris wheel to enjoy it.

　Many of the people waiting in line are couples who appear to be very close.

"There are a lot of people lined up."

"That's right..."

　This waiting time would normally be boring, and you could tell that from Yu's tone of voice.

　However, for Airi, this time is the last grace period she has been given before she can confess her feelings to Yu.

"Do you like Ferris wheels, Airi?"

"I like it. It's nice to ride during the day, but the night view is beautiful when you ride after dark."

"Wow."

　"I see," Yu nodded in understanding.

　We just chatted as usual, but it was a bit sad to think that this might no longer be possible in the few minutes after we finished riding the Ferris wheel.

　What would happen if she confessed and got rejected? Airi wondered as she chatted with Yu.

　Will they continue to treat me as before without worrying, or will they distance themselves from me?

　...I don't know. And that's why it's scary.

　A naive thought crosses my mind: maybe I don't need to confess.

　I wondered if I should just continue to suppress my emotions like I had done up until now. No matter how many times I tried to resolve it, no matter how many times I tried to push the thought away, it just kept popping up.

　However, if that was possible, I would never have thought of confessing to Yu in the first place.

　If she isn't rejected clearly here, she will continue to have feelings for Yu, even though she knows he will never look at her.

　The reason Airi decided to confess her feelings to Yu and give up was not only because she realized that her feelings would not be reciprocated, but also because if she continued to love Yu, she would end up hating Yui, her beloved sister.

　It's not that anyone is to blame for Yuu choosing Yui over Airi. But even so, as someone who wasn't chosen, I envy Yuu. Still, it's only natural that Yuu would choose her, since she's an older sister he respects, and I think the two are a good match.

　I should be able to think that...

"Ah, Airi. It's our turn."

　While I was struggling with this, it seemed my turn had come before I even realized it.

　Led by Yu, Airi slowly walks towards the gondola.

　The gondola carrying the two of them slowly ascends towards the summit.

"…………"

　I want to talk more, I want to hear Yu's voice more, I want to enjoy this time until the very last second.

　Even though she thought so, Airi found it difficult to speak.

"It's as beautiful as Airi said... Airi?"

　The gondola gradually rises, and the view becomes clearer.

　Yuu speaks to Airi, saying that it is just as he had heard beforehand, but she doesn't seem to respond. Puzzled by this, Yuu stares at Airi.

　Airi noticed Yu when the gondola reached the top of the mountain.

"Yu-senpai..."

"Hmm? What's wrong?"

　Airi finally showed a reaction.

　He stares at me with a longing, lonely look.

"There's something important I need to tell you..."

"Is that important?"

"Yes. ...Um, is that okay?"

"Yeah. Just tell me anything."

　Yu, who hadn't expected to be confessed to, seemed calm, unlike Airi, whose heart was beating fast with excitement.

"...Yu, senpai. Airi has loved you ever since we first met. Ever since the first time I met you, Yuu. Would you please choose Airi over my sister...? I want to go out with you, Yuu."

"Huh!! ...Ah, Airi..."

　Unexpected words of love.

　He was extremely happy to be told of her feelings, but there was always only one woman in Yu's heart.

　So his answer was already decided. No matter how many words he was told, no matter how many feelings he was told, Yuu could not respond to the feelings of anyone other than that one woman.

"...Um, I'm sorry. I'm glad you said that, but..."

　As she said this, Airi's expression became increasingly distorted, as if she was desperately trying to hold back tears.

　Airi's face looks like she's about to cry.

　Strangely, Yu felt a sense of déjà vu and instinctively closed his mouth.

　Yu immediately realized the true nature of this sense of déjà vu.

　The only woman Yuu loves, and her crying face looks exactly like the one she showed when she was in middle school.

"No... Don't say that..."

　In the gap where Yuu had stopped speaking, Airi forced herself to speak.

　Confess, get rejected, and that's it. That's what she had decided, but when Yuu actually turned her down, she realized that it just wasn't possible after all. The pain of a broken heart was too great for Airi, a small middle school girl with a small frame.

　The intense pain that gripped her heart forced Airi to continue speaking.

"Please don't reject me, Yuu-senpai... Airi, I can do anything. For Yuu-senpai, I'd really do anything... Unlike Onee-chan, I can go on dates to all kinds of places... My breasts are smaller than Onee-chan's, but... I can even do naughty things..."

　As if to prove this, Airi slowly lifted her jacket with her left hand and her miniskirt with her right hand, revealing to Yu her hidden pale pink underwear of the same design.

"I'm not lying... Airi, I haven't had this kind of experience yet... But even so, I'll learn any naughty thing for Yuu-senpai..."

　I really didn't mean to say that. Telling Yu something like that would only cause him trouble. Even though I knew that in my head, my heart wouldn't allow me to keep my mouth shut.

"If you have any doubts, it's fine if we do it in the bathroom or outside after we get off the Ferris wheel. Airi's first time... is dedicated to you, Yuu-senpai. Even after I get you to go out with me, I'll keep trying my best. I'll keep trying my best to make sure you're to my liking, and don't make you regret choosing Airi over Onee-chan. ...So, Yuu-senpai... please don't abandon Airi..."

　With tears welling up in her eyes, so big that it's a wonder they won't fall, Airi desperately tells him that she wants him to look only at her.

"......I understand. I really understand Airi's feelings."

　After thinking for a bit, Yuu seems to have made up his mind and slowly lifts his body and approaches Airi.

"Yuu...senpai?"

　Airi noticed that Yu's lips, or rather Yu's lips, were gradually moving towards her face, and she closed her eyes to accept it.