Confession

The back gate of the school.

Ichinose had probably thought the front gate would be crowded, and that with her popularity, she might not be able to get away for a while.

But there were plenty of people at the back gate too. Ichinose had underestimated her own popularity. Even here, quite a few people recognized her.

秋月 watched Ichinose greet one person after another and let out a deep sigh.

秋月: (...The person I least want to draw attention to myself with, and I've ended up with one of the most attention-grabbing people around.)

秋月 kept out of sight so Ichinose wouldn't notice him. Given Ichinose's personality, she would call out his name without a second thought—and then he'd really become famous.

He waited until there was hardly anyone left greeting Ichinose before stepping out.

"...Ichinose, sorry for the wait."

"Not at all. I haven't been waiting long. Let's go, 秋月."

Ichinose said this after checking her watch.

秋月: (No, she's clearly been waiting a while. It's getting late, too. 白波千寻's confession should be happening soon.)

(Our archangel Ichinose doesn't want to hurt anyone, but the way you checked your watch and hurried off has already given away that I'm late. Though, I guess we never agreed on a time...)

秋月 followed Ichinose to the back of the gymnasium, where she stopped.

秋月: (...So this is the place. It really is a great spot for a confession. What a shame Ichinose plans to turn her down.)

Ichinose faced 秋月 but lowered her head as she spoke.

"This is... the place where someone's going to confess to me... Here, take this."

"What's this?"

秋月: (...Ichinose is probably embarrassed about being confessed to... And this letter she gave me must be 白波千寻's confession letter.)

"...It's just what you think it is... Um... 秋月, you can read it, since I'm the one who asked you to come..."

秋月: (She really is clueless about romance... How can she just show someone else another person's confession letter?)

(I am curious, but I'd better not.)

(It was like this in the original, and it's still like this now. Even after I came to this world, the characters' personalities haven't changed because of me. That's good news.)

"No, I'd rather not. She wrote it for you. It's a sincere expression of someone's feelings for you, and not just anyone should read it."

As he spoke, 秋月 handed the letter back to Ichinose.

Ichinose took it back, looking a little bewildered. She was just about to say something when 秋月 spoke up.

"Ichinose, the person confessing is from Class B, right? That's why you asked someone from another class to come.

How are you planning to turn her down? Just don't pretend to be someone's boyfriend or anything.

Ichinose, every sincere feeling deserves to be treated seriously."

秋月: (Seriously... don't do it. If you follow your plan from the original and pretend to be someone's boyfriend, then have me dump you...)

(Then Class B's FFF Inquisition will put me on the grill! Ichinose, are you trying to make me a sinner?!)

"But... Ah...!"

"Ichinose, he's..."

秋月 followed Ichinose's gaze toward the voice. There stood a girl with short gray hair.

"Uh... Ah... Um... Sorry, Chihiro-chan. I brought someone you don't know. He's 秋月 from Class D."

"...Could he be your boy..."

Tears welled in 白波千寻's eyes, and her voice trembled slightly. She couldn't bring herself to say the last two words.

"秋月... He's..."

Ichinose grew flustered too. It was hard to tell whether 秋月's words had worked or whether she simply didn't want to lie.

秋月: (Sigh... Looks like she can't say it. She doesn't want to hurt the other person, but that's often what ends up hurting them more, Ichinose.)

(Lying because you don't want to hurt someone is just an excuse.)

(A gentle lie. It may seem to leave a glimmer of hope, but in truth, it's a roundabout way of filling someone with despair. The speaker probably knows full well that what they're promising may not happen, but leaves the other person room to hold on to hope.)

(It won't do either of you any good. In the end, you'll both get hurt.)

(Sigh... I really am a hypocrite. So, Teacher, lend me your self-destruct move.)

"There's nothing wrong with telling her. Ichinose, you're 白波, right? The truth is, I was the one who asked Ichinose to come here. She didn't want to hurt me, so she said she was the one who brought me.

I don't know what important thing you wanted to tell Ichinose here, but I've just finished what I came to do.

You know how kind Ichinose is. That's why she's stammering like this. I just confessed to her here.

As expected, she turned me down. Ichinose said she wasn't ready to date anyone yet.

But at least I asked, and she told me she doesn't like anyone right now. So I still have a chance. I'm going to exchange contact information with her first."

秋月: (Phew, that should work. I've told her indirectly that she'd be turned down if she confessed now, while also letting her know she still has a chance. That should at least stop her from confessing today.)

(I've basically turned 白波 down on Ichinose's behalf—for now, anyway. The problem isn't completely solved.)

(I think Ichinose still needs to handle this properly herself in the end. It'll help her grow, too.)

(Whatever the case, 白波's feelings are sincere. Every sincere feeling deserves to be treated seriously.)

Ichinose stared at 秋月 in shock. 白波 looked surprised too, but after her expression dimmed for a moment, she smiled again.

"Ichinose, could I have your contact information?"

"Uh... Ah... Oh... Oh, sure..."

Ichinose fumbled for her phone.

"Great, we're connected. Ichinose, 白波 still has something to talk to you about, so I'll leave you two to it. Bye."

秋月 put away his phone and turned to leave. Ichinose was still stunned, silently watching him go.

"Ichinose?"

"Ah... Chihiro-chan, what is it?"

Ichinose looked at 白波千寻, still a little nervous.

"Nothing. Let's go back together."

"Uh... Sure."

Dormitory building, Room 415

秋月 looked at his short contact list, opened "Ichinose," and typed out a message.

[Ichinose, are you asleep?]

[Not yet. 秋月, how could you do that today? I told Chihiro-chan not to tell anyone, but what if someone spreads it? That wouldn't be good for you. Still, thank you, 秋月. I'll treat you to a meal sometime.]

Ichinose replied quickly.

[It's nothing. I'm not exactly a big deal, so even if people find out Ichinose turned me down, it's no big deal. It's only natural.]

[If you talk about yourself like that, I'm going to get mad. ヽ(≧Д≦)ノ]

[But, Ichinose, that's not what I wanted to talk to you about.

Do you know how much courage it takes to confess your feelings to someone?

It's not that you're afraid of rejection. You're afraid that if it goes wrong, you might lose your friendship, too.

That's why there's April Fools' Day "Valentine's Day"—so you can pass it off as a joke.

So you need to sit down and talk properly with her. Make sure she understands how you really feel.]

[Okay, I understand. I'll find Chihiro-chan tomorrow and apologize.

Thank you, 秋月. If you ever need help with anything, don't hesitate to come to me. I'll try to do whatever I can.]

Thanks to 依克西娅, the only person around yesterday and today, for the bubble tea.

The author's notes can only be used after the chapter gets a recommendation, so I'm posting this here.