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 5: Her Warmth
The afternoon classroom.
It was the time just after the final class of the day had ended—when the air started to loosen with that “Ah, it’s finally over!” vibe spreading around the room.
I was slumped over my desk alone.
It wasn’t like anything had happened.
But for some reason, I felt restless. I couldn’t focus properly.
…Yeah, it’s probably because of that.
Everything from this morning, the way things had gone with Amano-san, was still lingering in my mind.
(Don’t make that face…)
Even when I avoided her gaze, she smiled at me like always.
Even when I was cold to her, she replied with gentle words.
Even when I half-jokingly said, “You don’t have to force yourself to hang out with me,” she seriously responded, “I’m not forcing anything.”
That was unfair.
She made me want to believe her—warming up my heart like that isn’t playing fair.
As I closed my eyes in the empty classroom, I suddenly felt someone’s presence nearby.
“…Masato-kun.”
I recognized the voice instantly. Amano-san.
When I lifted my head, she was standing next to my desk, holding a can of coffee.
“…Here, if you want it.”
She placed the can on my desk. It was hot. The sweet kind.
And—exactly the same brand I’d bought once before at the school store.
“You liked the sweet kind, right?”
She remembered…? But I only bought that once, after becoming a second-year. Just once. It was the only drink I’d gotten from the vending machine this year. And she noticed that?
“…It’s not like I was feeling down or anything,” I muttered, trying to brush it off as I took the can from her. It was still warm—not lukewarm. She must’ve bought it just a moment ago.
“…Thanks.”
That was all I said as I accepted the can. Not thanking her felt wrong somehow.
But even that small gesture made my chest ache with something warm.
She had bought this just for me, and timed it perfectly.
Amano-san sat down quietly across from me.
She didn’t say anything, as if waiting for me to speak first.
Silence. And yet, it didn’t feel uncomfortable.
Without thinking, I mumbled:
“…There’s nothing worth knowing about me.”
It was more honest than I intended.
Things from my past, my personality, all the parts that made up who I was—I knew myself well enough to know I wasn’t someone worth getting involved with.
Amano-san looked at me and smiled softly.
“…Then I’ll get to know everything before I say I love you.”
My heart throbbed painfully.
That was cheating.
I knew I shouldn’t take those words at face value. And yet—I wanted to believe them.
“You don’t have to… act like you didn’t hear that…”
“I don’t want to.”
She replied instantly.
And then, her voice was firm and sincere.
“Because the one I like… is you, Masato-kun. And if I don’t get to know the real you, how can I say I love you and mean it?”
There it was again.
She always said things I never expected.
Warm, straightforward… and strong.
She gave me the words I most wanted to deny, but wrapped in kindness and honest reasons.
“…You’re really weird, you know that?”
“People say that a lot!”
She laughed brightly, and her smile practically glowed.
If that wasn’t a lie—if she really meant it—
Then maybe, just maybe… I found myself imagining a future with her.
***
After getting home, I collapsed onto my bed, phone still plugged into the charger.
The can of coffee was still in my bag. I hadn’t finished it.
It was lukewarm by now, but for some reason, I couldn’t bring myself to throw it away.
My phone buzzed softly. One notification.
“Thanks again today! I was really happy to talk with you, Masato-kun! See you tomorrow!”
Sender: Amano Hiyori
She ended the message with just one shy, smiling sticker.
(…I can’t say ‘This is just a punishment game’ anymore.)
It still scares me. Trusting someone still scares me.
But… the warmth of that canned coffee—it felt real.