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 48: A Slightly Changed Day

Monday morning.

The autumn breeze was cool as I rolled up my shirt sleeves and walked through the school gates.

The day before yesterday, I spent the whole day with Hiyori—and I properly told her how I felt. I said “I like you.”

Nothing dramatic changed the moment I said it.

But just walking to school like this… somewhere in my heart, it felt a little lighter, almost like I was floating.

As I reached the school entrance, I looked up—and there she was.

“Good morning, Makoto-kun!”

Hiyori waved at me with a bright smile, just like always.

Not long ago, I would’ve just muttered to myself, “So much energy this early in the morning…”

“…Morning.”

But this time, the words came out naturally.

Even though they came out naturally, I still felt a little embarrassed inside.

Just hearing her say “Makoto-kun” made my heart skip a beat more than it did yesterday.

(Crap, I’m probably smiling like an idiot right now…)

Trying not to grin too much, I changed into my indoor shoes.

Next to me, Hiyori was putting away her shoes when she let out a quiet giggle.

“You’re kinda cute today, Makoto-kun.”

“…Huh?”

“Nothing~!”

She said that and walked off quickly to the classroom.

Meanwhile, I was already off-balance first thing in the morning.

(All I did was tell her I liked her… so why does everything feel so different?)

That’s all I did.

And yet, just that “all,” was enough to change something between us.

***

Lunchtime.

Today, I stood up with my lunchbox before Hiyori could come over to my seat.

It was just a small thing, but the fact that I felt like moving first probably came from how I felt yesterday.

“Wanna eat together?”

“…Yeah.”

We opened our lunchboxes side by side.

Everyone in the class had gotten so used to it by now, no one even blinked an eye.

Actually, I spotted Suzu in the corner grinning at us with a knowing look.

My lunch was the usual fried chicken bento. Same taste as always—but just having Hiyori smiling next to me made it taste better somehow.

“Oh yeah, I’ve been thinking—I wanna go see another movie.”

“Hm? What kind?”

“Romance is nice and all, but I kinda want to try a mystery next time. You like those, right?”

“Ah… yeah. I watch those pretty often.”

“Figures. You seem like the type who quietly imagines stuff and pieces things together.”

“…Is that a compliment?”

“Of course it is!”

She smiled at me while popping a piece of tamagoyaki in her mouth.

We’ve had conversations like this before, but now it felt like…

Every word she said reached my heart in a way they hadn’t before.

Before I realized it, I kept glancing at her face—and she noticed, giggling again.

What is this happy loop?

(Maybe not much has changed after all…)

(But just being able to properly say how I feel—something inside me feels more certain now.)

I’m really glad I said those two words.

I mean it.

***

Before afternoon classes.

Just as I was about to head back to my seat, Hiyori gently tugged at my sleeve.

“Hey, Makoto-kun.”

“…Hm?”

“You can tell me you like me again, if you want.”

My heart nearly stopped.

That smile was way too unfair.

“…Maybe if I feel like it.”

“Fufu, that’s fine too. I’ll be waiting.”

With that, she fluttered off back to her seat.

Watching her go, I covered my face with my hand and let out a small breath.

(Saying ‘I like you’ still isn’t easy…)

But—

If my words really reached her,

And if that brought us just a little closer together…

Then I’d want to say them as many times as it takes.

***

After school, a little detour—

It was Hiyori’s suggestion.

“Wanna stop by the bookstore? A new volume’s out today.”

“…Sure.”

I didn’t have anything urgent to do, and honestly, any extra time I could spend with her was worth it.

We walked side by side down the sidewalk.

The setting sun stretched our shadows out, and the evening breeze was gentle.

“Hey, Makoto-kun—do you have any favorite authors?”

“…Ah, yeah. A few.”

“What kind of stuff?”

“Kind of quiet stories. Some romance, but the kind where they don’t say ‘I love you’ outright.”

“Ooh… so you like the ‘unspoken but understood’ type?”

“…Maybe.”

Saying it made me a little embarrassed.

Hiyori giggled beside me and peeked up at my face.

“I’m the type who says it, though.”

“I know…”

Saying that out loud made my face heat up again, and I looked down at my phone.

“I love you, Makoto-kun.”

My face flushed red and I looked away.

Hiyori looked amused, grinning at me.

But even as I raised my head, I didn’t want to look away from her.

***

At the bookstore, we stood in front of the paperback shelf, browsing together.

We trailed our fingers along the spines of the books lined up side by side.

“…Ah, this one. I like it. Have you read it before?”

Hiyori held up a book I didn’t recognize.

“No, never seen it.”

“Then I’ll lend it to you next time. I wanna hear what you think.”

“…Not sure I’ll be able to explain it well.”

“That’s okay. I like your awkward explanations too.”

“….”

I didn’t have a reply right away.

So I just gave a small nod.

And somehow, I think that was more than enough for her.

***

After leaving the store, we stepped into a quiet little café nearby.

It was away from the after-school crowd, calm and cozy.

Facing each other at the table, Hiyori ordered two cups of cocoa.

“Here, we’ll share this one, okay?”

“…I already ordered mine.”

“But this one’s better. Sharing tastes best.”

Her smile as she said that was so full of joy that I couldn’t resist and took the cocoa from her.

“You used to be kind of hesitant, Makoto-kun… but now, you really face me properly.”

“…You think so?”

“Yeah. I do. I think now, you really try to notice things more.”

I repeated her words in my mind.

Yeah… maybe I’ve been relying on her smile too much all this time.

I thought my feelings had been getting through.

But now, I want to be sure they do.

So—

I put down my cup and quietly said,

“…Thanks.”

“Hm?”

“Because you were there… I think I was able to change.

…Even if I can’t say it well.”

“I love how you try to say it, even when you can’t say it well.”

Her words filled my chest with warmth.

It was proof that they reached deeper than words.

***

On the way home, we walked side by side in silence—but it was the kind of silence that felt peaceful.

Near the park by our houses, as the streetlights began to glow,

Hiyori suddenly stopped and looked up at the sky.

“Hey, Makoto-kun.”

“…Yeah?”

“Let’s stay together… always.”

She said it like it was the most natural thing in the world.

I looked away for just a second, but answered her straight.

“…Yeah. I think so too.”

Maybe this is what they call “from here on out.”

Nothing’s dramatically different… but I believe it will keep going.

From the day we put a name to this feeling called “love,”

The world seemed just a little bit kinder than before.

No one knows what tomorrow will bring.

But no matter what happens, I want to keep smiling beside her.

Our hands—had already naturally found each other.

***

Lunchtime. By the classroom window.

A small group of boys and girls were eating together, chatting and laughing.

Suzu opened her lunchbox with a dramatic flair.

“Alright, everyone! Suzu’s lunch today is salmon marinade~!”

“Wait, is that something you announce with that much energy? Also, salmon in a lunchbox… aren’t you worried it’s spoiled or something?”

Nishina muttered dryly as he adjusted his glasses.

“Ugh, what’s with the logical comeback?! Marinades are filled with dreams! And I packed it with a ton of ice packs, so it’s fine. Probably.”

“So what’s the dream part of that?” Soma laughed, joining in.

Next to him, Kurokawa chimed in, “Hey, check this out—my omelet’s shaped like a heart today.”

“Did you make it yourself?” Hiyori asked.

“Nah, my mom did.”

“Your mom’s a legend.”

Makoto let out a small laugh.

Before he knew it—he was laughing naturally, right there in the middle of that noisy group.

Back then, he never would’ve imagined standing in a place like this.

“Hey, Manabecchi, you’re in a good mood today, huh?”

“Huh? I’m normal.”

“Sounds like you’re still riding the high from yesterday’s date~!”

“Shut up…!”

Getting teased, snapping back, laughing—

Mei was still mostly quiet, but even her small smile and nods were enough for everyone.

Amane was the same—always smiling gently like she was wrapping everyone up.

Quiet, lively, noisy, and somehow gentle.

Within this everyday life that people call the “extrovert gang,” Makoto was no longer—alone.

Hiyori was beside him.

His friends surrounded him.

And that simple fact… was something he cherished deeply now.

—And so, another ordinary day continued, just like always.

***

Thank you so much for reading all the way to the end!