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 43: Summoned by the Popular Guys

It was a clear autumn afternoon.

The sky, visible from the rooftop, stretched endlessly above.

The trees had just begun to turn color, and even the breeze carried a faint, nostalgic scent.

“…Feels like fall’s really here.”

During lunch break, as I sat eating with Hiyori, those words slipped out of my mouth.

“Yeah, I love autumn. It just feels… calming somehow.”

Hiyori smiled as she said it—her profile as beautiful as ever.

But what struck me even more was… that smile felt just a little distant.

Those words she said the other day kept echoing in my chest: “Do you remember why I confessed to you in the first place?”

Back then, I couldn’t give her a proper answer.

(That’s why—I need to say it.)

How I feel. That I really do like her.

Not just receive her feelings—

But face her properly, and tell her, from me.

“…Hey, Hiyori.”

“Hmm?”

“Are you free this Saturday?”

She paused, chopsticks midair, looking a bit surprised—then gave me a gentle smile.

“Yeah, I’m free. Why?”

“…There’s somewhere I want to go. I mean, I was planning to go, and if you’re okay with it, maybe we could go… together.”

“…Wait, is that you asking me out on a date?”

She said it playfully, but her eyes were serious.

“…Yeah. I wanted to be the one to ask you.”

After hearing that, Hiyori’s cheeks flushed slightly, and she gave a small, happy laugh.

“…I’d love to. Let’s go.”

That smile of hers made my chest feel a little warmer.

***

After School

As I was changing out of my indoor shoes at the lockers, someone tapped me on the shoulder from behind.

And then, a loud voice rang out.

“Mana-bee~~! You’re not getting away today!”

“Ugh—”

“C’mon, don’t ‘ugh’ me like that!”

I turned around to see the three popular guys—Kurokawa, Nishina, and Soma—grinning at me.

And somehow, their smiles gave me a very bad feeling.

“Wh-What do you guys want…”

“So I hear you’ve got a date this weekend?”

Kurokawa asked, grinning smugly.

What the hell? How did he know?

“Huh? How’d you—”

“Hiyori → Suzu → me. The info chain’s complete.”

“That’s way too fast!”

It’s definitely Suzu-san’s fault.

As I let out a half-exasperated sigh, Soma suddenly leaned in and shouted:

“Mana-beeeee!!! You’re finally taking the leap!!”

“You’re loud… seriously, tone it down.”

“By the way! I went on my second date with Mei-chan just the other day!”

“Wait, really?”

“Yup. We went to the zoo. She asked, ‘Can I draw you while you sit?’ So I sat on a bench for three hours straight.”

“…You’re something else, man.”

“Next up, we’re going to the aquarium! Already got it planned out~”

Watching Soma talk so proudly gave me this weird mix of frustration and envy.

…Still, as his former “mentor,” I guess I should be proud.

Nishina, arms folded, spoke up seriously.

“So, Manabe. What’s your plan?”

“Plan… for what?”

“Don’t tell me… you’re going in with no plan?”

“…”

“Knew it.”

Kurokawa chuckled and clapped me on the back.

“Come on, Manabe. You’re the one who asked her out, right?

Then you’ve gotta make sure you give her a time she’ll actually enjoy.”

“…Me, huh?”

“Yeah. I mean, up to now, you’ve always been kind of… passive, right?”

“Well… yeah, I guess.”

He wasn’t wrong. I couldn’t argue with that.

“But this time, you took the initiative. Asked her out yourself. That’s a big step, right?”

“…Yeah.”

“Then take the next one. Plan something you think Hiyori would love.”

His words struck deep in my chest.

Because… they were exactly what I’d been thinking about earlier today.

(I want to say it properly. That I like her.)

Nishina chimed in.

“We could help you come up with a plan if you want. But… that kind of defeats the purpose, doesn’t it?

You’ve got to decide this one yourself, Manabe.”

I thought about it for a second—then gave a small nod.

“…Yeah. Thanks. But this time, I want to try planning it on my own.”

“Whoa, really?!”

Kurokawa laughed.

“That’s badass, Manabe!”

“Can’t believe I’m hearing you say that…” Nishina added with a smile.

Then Soma suddenly stuck out his fist toward me.

“Hey, Manabe. A date… it’s a day where even if you don’t say ‘I like you,’ your feelings still come through loud and clear.”

“That’s… actually kinda profound. For you.”

“Heh! I’m gonna keep chasing your back, sensei!”

“I’m not your sensei…”

Still, I bumped my fist against his.

And somehow… my heart felt just a little bit lighter.

***

On the Way Home

I checked my phone and saw a message from Hiyori.

“I’m looking forward to Saturday. Anywhere’s fine—as long as I get to walk beside you, Madoka-kun.”

Just reading that made my chest feel warm.

(I want to tell her how I feel.)

(So I’ll walk forward—on my own feet, think it through, and choose.)

The autumn wind brushed against my cheek.

A gentle breeze, almost like it was nudging me forward.