Because I Like You (Sakayanagi IF Route)

Oreki did not want to lie to himself.

Expulsion, so be it.

Wishful thinking, so be it.

Regardless, he did not come here to advance his education; he simply wanted to live out his life according to the story.

But now...

He had changed his mind.

Whatever story...

Whatever world...

Whatever God of Love...

None of it mattered, and it would absolutely not influence him, Oreki Houtarou.

"I... don't want to regret this."

Having said that, Oreki dropped his satchel.

He sprinted down the stairs.

He would definitely be able to catch up.

Sakayanagi Arisu could not have gone very far yet.

Finally.

Oreki arrived at the school gate.

The person he wanted to see was right there, but...

"Arisu!"

"!?"

Upon hearing Oreki's voice, Sakayanagi turned around.

The two of them just stared at each other like that.

"Wh-why are you here?"

"...Sorry, I'm late."

"What do you mean you're late... Houtarou, didn't I tell you..."

"I know! I know... but, it's just no good after all."

Oreki clenched his right hand.

If it were his usual self, he would never have said something so embarrassing.

But now...

He could no longer worry about such things.

The memories of these past few days kept flashing before his eyes.

It had come to this point.

Could he deny the feelings in his heart?

Could he still ignore these precious, irreplaceable memories?

"I like you!"

"I've liked you since that moment!"

"So! So... let me stay by your side for the time we have left."

The beret in Sakayanagi Arisu's hand fell to the ground.

The stray hairs at her temples were lifted by the wind.

"Y-yes?"

"No, that... wait, that's not it either..."

"In short..."

Sakayanagi Arisu spoke incoherently.

After taking a deep breath, she finally managed to calm down a little.

"Saying such things so suddenly... you idiot."

"Yes, I am an idiot."

"That's not what I meant... how should I put it... hmm."

Sakayanagi Arisu's fingertips unconsciously gripped her white dress.

Finally, she stepped up to Oreki's side and whispered into his ear:

"...I like you too."

After saying this, Sakayanagi Arisu lowered her beret, attempting to hide her already crimson cheeks.

"I thought I would never hear you say that again."

"..."

"Houtarou?"

"..."

Sakayanagi Arisu waved her right hand in front of Oreki.

Strange?

What's wrong?

Wasn't he perfectly fine just a moment ago?

She thought to herself.

But...

Only those experiencing love for the first time would understand.

Would understand how beautiful that moment was.

So beautiful that it could never happen in reality.

"...Sorry."

Coming back to his senses, Oreki looked at Sakayanagi.

Just as he was about to say something.

"Young Miss."

An elderly butler dressed in a proper suit stepped out of the black sedan.

He bowed to Sakayanagi first, then continued:

"I am afraid time is running out."

"Yes, I know. Give me one more minute..."

"Understood."

The butler tactfully stepped away.

And so, only Sakayanagi and Oreki remained.

"Houtarou..."

"I'm here."

"I am so happy."

"Yes..."

"I used to think that dying wouldn't matter. But now..."

"No, you won't die. I promise!"

Before Oreki could finish, Sakayanagi's fingertip pressed against his lips.

"But, to be able to hear those words at the very end..."

"Truly, truly..."

"I am so happy."

Tears streamed from the corners of his eyes.

Strange?

Oreki had thought he would never shed a tear in his life.

He fought to suppress his emotions.

"Idiot, how can you cry at a time like this... That's so unfair..."

Sakayanagi took a handkerchief from her pocket.

But before she could wipe Oreki's face...

She couldn't hold back her own tears any longer.

The more she had endured until now, the more she lost control.

Why did she have to meet Oreki only now?

Why was her heart so weak?

Why...

With less than a month left...

"I'm sorry!"

Sakayanagi Arisu ran away, sobbing.

Oreki hadn't even managed to grab her hand.

There was still so much left unsaid.

But...

The car had already driven away.

Everything that just happened had already turned into a memory.

Before long...

He would probably forget it.

--No! It absolutely cannot end like this.

--An ending like this...

--Is completely unacceptable.

But what could he even do now?

Without Sakayanagi Arisu...

Oreki didn't know how to proceed.

No, he simply had no energy left to do anything at all.

Go back, then.

In the end, he still couldn't change a thing.

He wanted to know what Sakayanagi Arisu meant by that "I'm sorry."

What could possibly make Sakayanagi Arisu feel guilty?

He didn't know...

He didn't know...

He didn't know, didn't know, didn't know...

Oreki slammed his right fist against the wall.

Even though it was his own hand that felt the pain.

The afternoon class was about to start.

He had no choice but to return to the classroom.

As soon as he stepped through the door, Hashimoto Masayoshi stood up to find Oreki.

"Houtarou, where did you run off to at noon? I couldn't find you anywhere."

"...Move."

"Eh?"

"I said move."

After being glared at by Oreki's cold, indifferent eyes, Hashimoto Masayoshi finally stepped aside.

He didn't understand what was going on.

Although he knew Oreki hadn't been acting like himself today...

This was just too abnormal.

After sitting down, Oreki rested his forehead on his left hand.

--Why didn't you take me with you, Arisu...

--To be continue