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 7 – A Heart That’s Getting Lighter

I’d arrived a little earlier than usual and was walking down the hallway toward my classroom.

This time of day, both the halls and classrooms were mostly empty, which made things calm and peaceful.

For me lately, this was the only time at school when I could “walk around without being noticed.”

A rare, valuable moment of peace.

…Or at least, that’s how it should’ve been.

***

“Manabecchi~~!”

A bright, cheerful voice echoed down the hall.

I flinched instinctively, my shoulders jumping.

I turned toward the voice—and there she was.

Suzu Tachibana, in full-on gyaru mode as usual. Bright and flashy.

But she wasn’t the kind of cliché gyaru that people might think of—

She was more like a fashionable, outgoing extrovert, the trendy kind.

Bright half-twin tails, bold eyeliner making her big eyes pop, short skirt, loose socks—the complete extrovert ensemble.

And yet—

She looked right at me and waved like it was the most normal thing in the world.

***

“Morning, Manabecchi!”

“…M-Morning.”

I could only reply in a tiny voice.

There were two other students nearby, and Suzu’s voice carried perfectly across the hallway.

Those two turned to look at us.

…And one of the girls, when our eyes met, gave me a small nod.

***

“Oh! That was Amane and Mei! Morning, you two~!”

“Morning, Suzu-chan!”

“Morning, Suzu.”

The two of them casually exchanged greetings with Suzu and walked past the two of us.

***

(Wait… was that Amane Minamino and Mei Saeki…?)

Minamino-san was the calm, gentle type—super soothing, like she could heal your soul just by existing.

Saeki-san was quiet, an art club girl with this mysterious aura that made her seem kind of cool.

Both of them were part of the “popular girl group” that Amano belonged to.

I’d never spoken to either of them before.

And yet… they acknowledged me.

They recognized me.

They knew who I was.

***

(No way… Am I… not invisible anymore?)

Still processing that weird realization, I stepped into the classroom.

And, like always, Amano greeted me with a bright smile.

***

“Good morning, Masato-kun!”

“G-Good morning.”

“Ah! You’ve got that ‘Why are you here so early?’ face!

See, I was gonna come in early to change for morning practice, but I totally forgot my practice clothes!”

She said it like it was no big deal, grinning the whole time.

She didn’t look embarrassed. Didn’t look flustered.

Just genuinely… happy.

***

This morning, I’d gotten randomly called out to by Suzu.

Then I’d been acknowledged by two other popular girls I’d never spoken to before.

And now Amano was smiling at me, like always, like it was just natural.

Why?

Why can she stay so natural and relaxed?

While I’m still struggling to make sense of everything in my head.

***

After school.

I was packing up when Suzu came by to pick up Amano.

From down the hallway, I heard her call out:

“Hiyori~~! Let’s hit the changing room!”

Amano glanced my way, smiled, and waved.

Suzu gave me a wave too, saying,

“See ya later, Manabecchi~!”

I just raised my hand in return.

That was all I could manage.

And then, a thought slipped into my mind.

***

(…Should I call her ‘Hiyori’?)

(But names… they’re not something you can just say easily.)

(I mean, I thought this was a punishment game at first. But… at this point, that can’t be it anymore, right?)

Maybe…

Maybe it’s okay to believe.

And with that one thought—

My heart felt just a little bit lighter.