Before the Second Class, the School Swimming Pool (Continued)

They called it a study session, but half the time was spent chatting.

The nervous tension in Airi Sakura's heart had eased quite a bit, too.

"Let's call it a day here. The next two days are the weekend, so we won't be having any study sessions."

It was about time to go, and Keima Katsuragi was getting ready to leave.

Beside him, Airi Sakura instantly grew serious again.

After the study session, I'll find Keima Katsuragi alone and give him the present!

After just managing to say Haruka Hasebe's name a moment ago, Airi Sakura had even felt she'd grown a little.

Perhaps she could use that courage to give him the present.

But, but... but!

What should she call him?

Did she really, really, really have to call him Keima?

At the thought, Airi Sakura's cheeks flushed, and her body trembled slightly.

I have to say it! I have to!

While Airi Sakura was still trying to get her mind under control, Shiina Hiyori walked over to Keima Katsuragi.

"Keima, do you have any plans for later?"

Shiina Hiyori's voice sounded a little nervous, too. She spoke slightly faster than her usual leisurely pace.

"What is it?"

"I tried the game you recommended yesterday, and it was really wonderful! It was my first time trying something like that... It gave me an experience beyond reading!"

As soon as they started talking about the game, Shiina Hiyori's expression grew especially earnest.

Today was her first time playing a game, and she'd had a very special experience.

Shiina Hiyori couldn't wait to share it with Keima Katsuragi.

It was like when she read an interesting novel and wanted to discuss it with a fellow reader.

At this school, Shiina Hiyori didn't have any fellow readers.

But games were different.

Talking about the story and sharing their thoughts—Shiina Hiyori really enjoyed that.

"Would you like to go to the school café later and have a cup of coffee together? I have a few questions about games that I'd like to ask you."

"Uh..."

A pained groan escaped the back of Airi Sakura's throat when she heard Shiina Hiyori's words.

"Sorry, Hiyori."

At that moment, Keima Katsuragi adjusted his glasses.

"I have other plans tonight."

Volume One: Chapter 59: Airi Sakura Makes Up Her Mind

"I have something to take care of tonight. How about tomorrow at noon instead?"

Keima Katsuragi smiled at Shiina Hiyori as he spoke.

"Sure."

Shiina Hiyori nodded with a smile.

It wouldn't be tonight, but she was still very happy that Keima Katsuragi had agreed.

"I'm heading out!"

Keima Katsuragi waved to the others, then hurried out of the library.

"Huh? What's got God in such a hurry?"

Haruka Hasebe had already decided that "God" would be her nickname for Keima Katsuragi.

It was the most unusual nickname she'd ever heard.

As she spoke, she made a prayer gesture toward Keima Katsuragi's retreating figure.

"Big Brother is definitely going to play games later! Honestly! Well, it's getting late. Let's go eat!"

Elsie looked at Shiina Hiyori and Airi Sakura as she spoke.

"Sorry, I'd like to read for a little longer. You can go ahead."

Shiina Hiyori said.

She hadn't gone to the cafeteria once since the start of the school year.

For one thing, Shiina Hiyori wasn't good at communicating with people. She'd never joined the others for a meal, because she didn't know how to get along with her classmates.

For another, Shiina Hiyori thought the cafeteria was too noisy and unsuitable for reading, so she usually bought bread or cake at the store and took it back to eat.

"Um, um... I-I... I'm not very hungry... You-you don't have to wait for me..."

Airi Sakura clutched her schoolbag tightly and spoke in a small voice.

"Okay."

Elsie and Haruka Hasebe said goodbye, then left the library first.

A little while later, when the sky had grown dim, Airi Sakura finally walked out of the library.

"I... still... can't do it..."

Airi Sakura lowered her head, her face devoid of a smile. Her heart was filled with disappointment in herself.

She couldn't even give Keima Katsuragi a present.

Shiina Hiyori seemed like the kind of person who wasn't good at communicating, either, but she'd still managed to invite Keima Katsuragi...

By comparison, Airi Sakura really was useless.

She'd probably never be able to give him this present in her entire life...

She leaned against the wall, her face full of dejection.

"Airi."

At that moment, a familiar voice sounded beside Airi Sakura.

Airi Sakura froze, then opened her eyes wide and looked toward the sound.

Keima Katsuragi was standing right beside her.

"K-Katsuragi... Katsuragi-kun?!"

Airi Sakura hadn't expected Keima Katsuragi to be standing beside her at that very moment.

She quickly realized that the way she'd addressed him might not have been quite right.

Haruka Hasebe had said earlier that friends should at least call each other by their first names.

He just called me... Airi...

Should I call him by his first name now, too?

"Kei, Kei, Kei..."

The words reached Airi Sakura's lips, then vanished like the wind.

"It's all right. Haruka isn't here, so you can call me whatever you like, Airi."

Keima Katsuragi spoke gently.

His words sounded incredibly warm to Airi Sakura. Her cheeks were already bright red, but she kept her head lowered and spoke softly.

"B-but H-Haruka said... Haruka said she was right, too. Friends should... should call each other by their first names..."

As she spoke, she raised her head a little and looked at Keima Katsuragi tentatively.

This was the first time Airi Sakura had ever called someone her friend.

The words gathered at Airi Sakura's lips again. Her jaw trembled, her heartbeat suddenly quickened, and her hands fidgeted helplessly with her skirt.

She raised her head and looked at Keima Katsuragi, then shyly turned her gaze away a moment later.

At least... at least I have to say his name.

"If you don't like it, I can go back to calling you Sakura..."

"N-no, you don't have to! K-Ke-Ke-Keima-kun!"

Airi Sakura gathered every last bit of courage she had and finally managed to say Keima Katsuragi's name.

After saying it, Airi Sakura let out a long, relieved breath.

I did it! I did it!

Airi Sakura felt as though she'd grown a little more.

"Keima-kun... Come to think of it, didn't you say you had something to do and had to leave?"

"I only wanted Hiyori to head back first. You seemed a little distracted today, so I thought I'd wait until everyone else had left and talk to you alone."

Keima Katsuragi looked at Airi Sakura and asked,

"If something's troubling you, you can tell me if you feel comfortable doing so."

Keima Katsuragi was incredibly observant. He'd noticed that something was off with Airi Sakura that morning.

And as the study session drew to a close, her behavior had become even more obvious.

"I... Keima-kun..."

A flicker of surprise passed through Airi Sakura's eyes. She hadn't expected Keima Katsuragi to notice that something was wrong.

Only Keima Katsuragi had been perceptive enough to notice her changing mood.

Did Keima-kun turn Hiyori down because he was worried about me?

Keima-kun was waiting for me all this time...

For some reason, even though it was a little awkward for her, Airi Sakura felt a small spark of happiness.

It was the first time Airi Sakura had ever experienced someone caring about her.

Ever since she was little, Airi Sakura had been invisible in class. Nobody ever noticed her.

And Airi Sakura didn't want anyone to notice her.

But Keima Katsuragi was different.

"If you don't feel comfortable saying it out loud, that's fine. You can message me on your device. If you need help, don't hesitate to come to me."

Keima Katsuragi spoke to Airi Sakura with complete sincerity.

"I..."

Airi Sakura realized that she absolutely couldn't give up this chance.

If she didn't give him the present today, she'd never have another chance!

"Keima-kun!"

Airi Sakura suddenly called Keima Katsuragi's name again, her voice several decibels louder than before.

"Hmm?"

"I-I prepared a present for you!"

Though she stammered a little, Airi Sakura managed to express herself clearly. She took the game cartridge out of her schoolbag.

After seeing Keima Katsuragi take it, Airi Sakura added in a small voice,

"B-because Ke-Keima-kun went with me to buy the camera last time, so I-I..."

"This is Goodbye Youth Love Story 2."

Keima Katsuragi stared at the cover on the box as he spoke.