Sakura Airi Wanted to Confide in Someone

Haruka pressed her forehead against Hoshino's chest, took a deep breath of the scent of the boy she liked, then spent several seconds slowly letting it out.

After doing all that, she slowly lifted her face and looked into Hoshino's rose-red eyes. "Five minutes are up."

Feeling the resolve in her voice, Hoshino let go.

Haruka held Hoshino's gaze and slowly stepped two paces to the side. She quickly straightened her clothes, then blinked, pressed her lips together in a smile, and waved at him. "I'm leaving."

"If anything comes up, you can come find me anytime."

"What would I find you for? So you can bully me again?"

"Then it's settled."

Haruka rolled her eyes prettily, turned around, and headed down the stairs.

Hoshino stood at the stairwell and watched her, following Haruka's figure until she disappeared. She never looked back.

Hoshino let out a long sigh. "So... does this count as being rejected? And by a girl I knew liked me, no less."

It was the first time in his life, so Hoshino could not help but remember it deeply.

After composing himself and straightening his clothes, Hoshino returned to where Sakura was waiting. The red-haired girl stood quietly by the corridor window, though he did not know what she was looking at outside—or whether she was simply spacing out.

"Sakura."

Hoshino walked over and called to her. Sakura turned at the sound and gave him a sweet smile.

"Let's go eat."

Sakura gave a small nod and stepped up beside Hoshino.

"We're going to Keyaki Mall. I made a reservation this morning at that famous café," Hoshino said as they walked.

"Huh?" Sakura froze slightly. "Then please let me pay later, okay? I was the one who wanted to treat you to a meal, Hoshino, to express my thanks."

Hoshino looked at her and teased, "Sakura, it seems you have quite a few points to spare. I'd better eat a lot, then."

"Ah... um..."

Sakura immediately became flustered, but when she saw Hoshino's expression, she realized he was joking with her.

"Haha, that's why Sakura really is so cute. You give me exactly the reaction I'm hoping for every time."

"Ugh..." Sakura did not know whether she should be happy that Hoshino had called her cute or upset over her own slowness.

Just then, Hoshino gently patted her head. For some reason, Sakura's heart immediately calmed down.

"Sakura," Hoshino said, his voice like the warm midday sun in winter, soothing to hear, "I tease you a lot. Does it bother you?"

Sakura quickly shook her head. "I don't dislike you, Hoshino."

"That's good." Hoshino smiled. "Then I'll keep flirting with you from now on."

Sakura vaguely felt that something was not quite right. It seemed she had been flirted with again. Of course, she did not dislike it.

The two chatted casually all the way until they finally arrived at the café inside Keyaki Mall.

Not long after school began, this café had become famous among the students. Everyone who had visited praised it—the atmosphere was comfortable, the décor was stylish, and the coffee and desserts were delicious.

As a result, the café was extremely popular. Fortunately, Hoshino had reserved a table in advance, allowing the two of them to get in.

A waitress led them to a corner table. It was probably around five-thirty now, and some club activities had not yet ended, but the shop was already packed at this hour. Waitresses in maid outfits hurried back and forth through the café, looking very busy.

After sitting down, Hoshino looked around curiously. "Why maid outfits?" The waitresses wore black dresses paired with white lace-trimmed aprons, the classic maid attire often seen in anime.

Noticing Hoshino's gaze, the waitress smiled with quiet pride and gracefully lifted the hem of her skirt in a curtsey. "It's an in-store event. This week is Maid Theme Week."

Hoshino nodded. "Not bad. They're very pretty."

"Thank you for the compliment." The waitress smiled faintly, then added, "But your girlfriend is the truly beautiful one. I think she would look very good in a maid outfit too."

On the way here, Hoshino had half-jokingly suggested that Sakura try a different look. Sakura had taken off her plain glasses and changed her hairstyle, and the result was that she immediately looked like an entirely different person.

It was closer to the look she had as the idol Shizuku. Perhaps she wanted to use this method to make herself braver.

Now, dressed like that, she received the waitress's praise. Watching Sakura's expression, Hoshino replied, "Sorry, but my friend doesn't really like people talking about that sort of thing."

The waitress was taken aback, then showed an apologetic expression. Hoshino quickly finished ordering. After the waitress left, she soon returned with their coffee and desserts.

Once she had gone, Sakura finally raised her head and met Hoshino's eyes. She spoke cautiously. "Hoshino?"

"Don't mind me, Sakura. I was just curious how long you could hold your breath."

Sakura froze for a moment, then realized Hoshino was teasing her. She had been keeping her head lowered in embarrassment just now, and combined with her impressive assets, it looked as if she had buried her entire face in them.

"N-No..."

"Really? Then please be sure to let me experience it firsthand someday."

"Huh? Huhhh? Um..."

Hoshino did not give Sakura a chance to refuse and promptly changed the subject. "It looks like your makeover worked rather well."

Simply removing her glasses and changing her hairstyle should not have been enough to transform her so drastically. What made her seem completely different was the air she carried herself with. In other words, through changing her appearance, Sakura had awakened the side of herself that was the idol Shizuku.

However, the more dazzling Shizuku was as an idol, the larger the shadow cast over Sakura Airi would become. Hoshino found it difficult to judge whether continuing like this would worsen the rift between her two identities.

Sakura seemed unable to bear the intensity of Hoshino's gaze. She lowered her head and aimlessly stirred her coffee with a spoon.

"Sakura," Hoshino said gently, "you seem to have something on your mind?"

"I..." Sakura hesitated, unable to speak.

"You must have something," Hoshino said, looking at her with concern. "Is there anything I can help with?"

The red-haired girl blushed under his gaze, but she finally gathered the courage to speak. "Th-Then... I want to tell you something, Hoshino. Could I trouble you to listen?"

"If that's the case..." Hoshino smiled slightly, stood up, walked around the table, and sat beside Sakura instead of across from her. This brought them close together, and with Hoshino seated on the outside, he also blocked the looks coming from nearby.

"All right, I'm ready. Sakura, you can tell me now."

"Hoshino! You're, you're so close..."

"I think it's better to be close. That way, I can hear you clearly without you having to speak loudly, and it will keep the people nearby from overhearing." Hoshino explained with a serious expression.

"O-Okay." Sakura hesitated for a moment, but ultimately nodded.