Chapter 20

Reading Settings

Translator: Soafp

---

“—P-Please go on a date with me!”

“…………”

Lunch break. I was up on the rooftop.

I had a bad feeling the moment I was suddenly called out, but this request went far beyond anything I had expected, leaving me completely at a loss.

“…Is this some kind of punishment game?”

“N-No, it's not!”

My first instinct was to suspect someone put her up to it.

…but I quickly dismissed that idea.

There's no way she'd do something that mean-spirited.

That said… why a date all of a sudden?

There's no way Maaya still likes me—

We hadn't even properly faced each other for four years. On top of that, I clearly told her I hated her.

For her to still like me after that would be borderline insanity.

Well… I don't even know if what she called “liking” me back then was actually romantic love, so I can't say for sure…

Either way, this is way too sudden. I really don't understand what Maaya is thinking.

That said…

Sorry, but I can't accept that invitation.

“No. What if someone sees us?”

If we were seen on a date, it'd be all-out war.

I'd probably get burned at the stake for corrupting the class's “angel.”

Even aside from that, I don't want to add any more unnecessary complications right now.

“It's fine! I've come up with a thousand excuses just in case!”

Maaya replied with confidence.

A thousand… Honestly, with her, it doesn't even sound like an exaggeration.

“More importantly, why do you even want to go on a date with me?”

“Th-that's… because… we're childhood friends?”

“Why does that sound like a question?”

Does she not even understand it herself?

Or is she just dodging the question?

“Please! Just once is enough!”

“Even if you say that…”

If it were just about how I feel, I wouldn't mind at all.

It's still a bit awkward, but with Maaya, I'd even want to ask her out myself.

But not now.

I haven't changed yet.

The worst-case scenario is becoming the subject of rumors.

And right now, I'm not in a position to deal with that.

For a moment, I considered explaining everything to her…

But I don't even know when that “everything” will resolve, and I don't want to give her false hope without certainty.

Besides, knowing her, she'd probably tell me I don't have to try so hard and just spoil me…

And then we'd both fall apart.

In that case…

Maybe it's better if she gives up on me completely, at least for now.

Even if that means her feelings for me disappear, that's fine.

It's better than her clinging to something pointless.

If I accept this date, we'll just end up heading toward ruin together.

“…Is it really not okay?”

Maaya looked up at me, on the verge of tears.

I'm still weak to that face.

But not today.

“No. It'll only hurt both of us.”

“It's fine if I get hurt a little. If I can go on a date with you, it's more than worth it.”

“That's just your perspective.”

“Ah… sorry. I wasn't thinking about how you feel again…”

As she kept pushing, I ended up saying something I didn't need to.

It felt like I was repeating that moment from before, and it made my chest tighten.

But if I don't do this, she won't give up…

Telling myself that, I turned away, almost like I was running.

“That's how it is. See you.”

“W-Wait…”

But Maaya still wouldn't give up.

“Um… uh… that is…”

She desperately searched for words—probably stopping me without even thinking.

Watching her like that almost hurt.

I don't want to see her like this anymore.

Maybe the problem is that I've been too half-hearted.

By leaving room for hope, I'm just making it harder for her to let go.

Maybe I should just ignore her and leave.

Thinking that, I tried to walk away again—

—but then she said something completely unexpected.

“If you go on a date with me… I-I'll let you touch my b00bs!!!”

Her voice echoed across the rooftop.

Face bright red, she threw out a completely desperate line.

“…”

I was speechless.

That's what she came up with…?

My head started to hurt.

I've already had enough to deal with lately—at this rate, my brain might just give up.

Maaya's unpredictability never fails to surprise me.

“Do you even realize what you're saying…? You should calm down first…”

“I-I am calm! If that's what you want, I'd even go further—”

No… she's not calm at all.

How badly does she want this date?

At this point, refusing her might just cause a different kind of problem.

At first, I thought it was some kind of joke because it was so sudden.

But it looks like she's completely serious.

If I leave like this, she'll probably end up crying again.

…

In that case…

Maybe I should look at this from a different angle.

Back then, I pushed her away—and that's what led to the worst possible outcome between us.

So maybe… accepting her now is the better choice.

If it's just a date, I can control the time and place to minimize the chance of being seen.

At worst, as long as we don't get caught, it's fine.

In other words, I just need to find a solution other than distancing myself.

If I handle things properly, it might be possible to balance my goals and my relationship with Maaya.

And that way, I won't have to make her sad.

Unlike back then, I have my memories now.

And the feelings I didn't have before.

If I'm really thinking about Maaya, then—

“…Alright.”

“—! Really!?”

“Yeah. But we'll set strict conditions so we don't get found out.”

For starters, we go separately and leave separately.

We'll lightly disguise ourselves and meet somewhere away from our usual area.

At the very least, we need to do that.

“Okay, okay! That's totally fine!”

As soon as I laid out the conditions, Maaya perked right back up.

Honestly… she really throws me off.

I ended up giving in to her again—but is this really the right choice?

It still feels uncertain, like everything is half-baked.

But—

Maaya was smiling so happily.

And after seeing that smile, there was no turning back.

With those complicated feelings in my chest, I started planning the date with Maaya.