A Popular Girl Confessed to Me, the Loner—Thinking It Was a Prank, I Tried to Scare Her Off... But She Was Actually Serious. - Chapter 27: Even If the World Changes, I Won’t

(From Hiyori’s POV)

Ever since the sports tournament ended, something about the atmosphere around us had changed.

“Manabe’s pretty quiet, but he’s the real deal, huh?”

“He was seriously cool in table tennis. His form was so clean, it freaked me out.”

I started hearing comments like that all over the classroom.

The boys were mimicking his table tennis moves during lunch, joking around.

The girls were saying things like, “His back was surprisingly broad, I didn’t expect that.”

It was like Masato-kun, who had always been practically invisible, was finally being seen for real.

(…Yeah. It’s okay that they see him now. Because he really was that cool.)

I felt… just a little happy about that.

A little ticklish inside.

And just a little—restless in my chest.

***

During lunch break.

When Masato-kun returned to his seat, Kurokawa-kun immediately called out like he’d been waiting for him.

“You seriously had that in you? Man, if I’d known, I would’ve dragged you into the basketball club!”

“Well, if I’d said I played table tennis, you guys totally would’ve called me lame…”

“No way, dude! You’d be, like, the god of the low-key crowd!”

“Is that supposed to be a compliment…?”

Laughter broke out around them at the exchange.

But—I was watching with slightly different feelings.

(Masato-kun really has changed.)

He used to freeze up every time someone talked to him, but now he responds naturally.

Someone who once couldn’t even join in on conversations is now, even without being the center of attention, truly part of the group.

That made me feel so proud.

Before I realized it, the words slipped from my mouth.

“Masato-kun has always been cool, you know.”

The room went silent for a moment, and Masato-kun froze in place.

His face slowly turned red.

“W-What’s with you, all of a sudden…”

“I’m just telling the truth, that’s all.”

I smiled—but deep down, I felt like I might cry just a little.

Because I think… that’s what it means to love someone.

***

After school.

We walked home together again today.

It was Wednesday, so I didn’t have club activities, and Masato-kun was in his usual “go straight home” mode.

We’ve walked this path many times, but today—for some reason—it looked a little different.

“…Hey, Masato-kun.”

“Yeah?”

“I was thinking about something.”

“What is it?”

“I used to think I was the only one who really knew you.”

“…”

“But now, everyone else knows too.

That you’re amazing. That you’re cool. That you’re funny.”

“Hold on—I don’t think anyone said I’m funny…”

He chuckled quietly, and I went on.

“But you know, I was… kind of happy about it.”

As I said it, I surprised myself with how honest I was being.

It wasn’t about comparing myself to others.

It wasn’t jealousy.

It was just… I felt proud that the person I liked had finally been noticed by everyone.

But then—what he said next stirred something deep in my chest.

“…You know,”

“Yeah?”

“I’m really glad you were the first one to notice me.”

His voice was warm. Honest. Straight from the heart.

And it squeezed mine.

Even if the world around us changes, he’s still looking at me.

That’s why—I didn’t say anything. I just reached out my hand.

Masato-kun didn’t say anything either—but he took my hand.

His warmth reached me. Our fingers naturally intertwined.

He might have called himself “just another gloomy guy” at first.

But now—he’s my pride.

No matter how much people’s opinions change—

(To me, Masato-kun will always be the same Masato-kun I first fell for.)

***

The crosswalk light turned green, and we started walking again.

Still holding hands.

Even without saying much, our hearts felt close.

Even with people watching, even if we felt shy—

I could feel my love growing deeper and deeper.

Even if the world slowly changes—

The person I want to be closest to is right here, by my side.

And that was the happiest thing of all.