Confession

"Can you come behind the gym for a moment, Takahashi?"

After class ended for the day, Takahashi was just about to head back to the dorm when he got a message from Ichinose.

Behind the gym? I remember there aren't any cameras there.

"Okay."

When Takahashi arrived at the gym, he saw Ichinose wave to him. He started recording on his phone and walked over.

"What's up, Ichinose?"

"Um... well, I might be getting confessed to here." As she spoke, Ichinose took out an envelope with a heart sticker on it.

"Sorry to ask, but could I read what's inside?"

"Sure."

"I've been interested in you since the start of the school year, Ichinose. You're lively, straightforward, and kind.

"As I got to know you, I realized you were always so radiant, and I gradually fell for you. Maybe my feelings aren't very mature, but they're sincere. So I hope you can meet me behind the gym at four on Friday afternoon."

The handwriting was lovely, without a single crossed-out word.

"Do you want me to help you turn this person down?"

"Yeah. I asked my friends, and they said that turning someone down by saying you already have a boyfriend wouldn't hurt their feelings."

When Takahashi didn't reply, Ichinose looked up and met his deep-set eyes.

"Ichinose..." Before Takahashi could finish, a girl's voice came from behind them.

"Ichinose, who's he?"

"Um... he's Takahashi Shinma from Class D. Sorry, I brought someone you don't know."

"Wait... is he your boyfriend?"

"Uh... yeah..."

"No." Takahashi cut her off.

"Ichinose, falling for someone is easy, but expressing those feelings is hard. Maybe she rehearsed it hundreds or thousands of times in her head. Maybe she practiced her confession again and again, alone in some quiet corner, carefully weighing every word. Or maybe just now, outside the gym, she had to reassure herself who knows how many times and take who knows how many deep breaths, repeating the confession she already knew by heart. All so that when she stood in front of you, she could say every word perfectly and express her feelings completely. I read the letter. The handwriting is lovely, and there isn't a single correction. I imagine writing that letter took a lot of thought and time. So you shouldn't brush her off with a vague 'I have a boyfriend.' Please tell her how you really feel. Sincerity is all that matters."

After leaving the area behind the gym, Takahashi sat down against a wall. He opened his photo album. The first picture was of Sakura playing with a cat at the Cat Cafe.

Will I confess to someone someday?

About five minutes later, the girl who had confessed to Ichinose ran off, wiping her tears as she went.

A little while later, Ichinose came out too. She saw Takahashi sitting by the wall and stopped. Within seconds, she was beside him. She didn't seem to mind that the ground might dirty her skirt and simply sat down next to him.

"I was wrong. I didn't understand how Chihiro felt. I was only thinking about how to turn her down without hurting her, so I could avoid facing the situation."

Chihiro must have been the girl who had confessed to Ichinose.

When Takahashi didn't say anything, Ichinose continued, "I don't even know if we'll still be able to act like we used to tomorrow."

"This might be painful for both her and you, but the sky hasn't fallen. You still have to keep living your life."

"Takahashi, what does it feel like to love someone?"

"I don't know either. But I think if you love someone, you should want to make her happy. If you think that just because you love someone, she has to be with you, is that really love?"