"I never would've guessed..."
Ichinose Honami looked helplessly at the boy before her. The redness at the corners of her eyes hadn't faded yet, but her gaze had regained its sparkle.
"At a time like this... is this really what Kazehara-kun is thinking about?"
"The way we address each other... is that really more important than what we just said?"
She shook her head, her long pink hair swaying gently with the motion.
"Until now, these were all just your own... I mean, 'one-sided' thoughts, weren't they, Kazehara-kun?"
Ichinose Honami tilted her head slightly, a hint of long-missed playfulness in her voice.
"I never officially said I 'agreed' to any of that..."
She paused.
Her gaze softened as she looked deeply into Kazehara Tetsu's eyes.
"But..." Her voice grew quieter.
"It doesn't matter now, does it?"
Or rather...
If it was him.
Being addressed so affectionately by him... didn't seem unpleasant.
"Oh?"
"So you're giving up the fight? Ichinose... no, Honami."
"Could it be... that you've already fallen for me?"
If anyone else had made such a blunt, almost narcissistic tease, it probably would've come across as sleazy.
"Wha..."
"Heh... You're still as conceited as ever, Kazehara-kun!"
She glared at him, looking a little embarrassed and annoyed, but there was no real force behind her gaze. If anything, she looked like she was pouting.
"W-who would fall for a mean guy who's always picking on people and reopening old wounds so easily?"
Even if it wasn't "love," the bond between them had already grown far beyond that of "classmates" or even "friends."
Kazehara Tetsu watched her flustered expression and chuckled.
"All right."
Kazehara Tetsu's smile faded.
"Even though this place is secluded, staying here together too long might attract the attention of someone who's watching."
He pointed toward the edge