Before My Memories With You Melt Away in Tears - Episode 2:

Suddenly, Ayaka was caught off guard when someone called out to her. She couldn’t hide her confusion and ended up staring at the person in front of her.

A well-defined face, soft-looking hair, and a smile that could rival any idol on TV—this person stood before Ayaka, smiling at her.

There was no need to ask who they were. Kyoya Ikeda, a second-year high school student, was one year older than Ayaka. If you were a girl at Sakura High, you’d likely have seen him at least once, as he was extremely popular among the female students across all grades.

Ayaka had definitely heard of him before. He was always smiling, a person who never lost his cheerful expression. Unlike Ayaka, who only ever smiled out of politeness, Kyoya wore a genuine smile—a real one.

Ayaka knew that difference all too well. She could easily tell between a fake smile and a real one. Kyoya’s smile was, without a doubt, real.

But what in the world would make someone like him approach her? She had no idea. He had called her by name, so it wasn’t a case of mistaken identity.

“U-um, may I ask what you need?” Ayaka asked, her voice shaky.

Since it would have been too conspicuous to talk in the hallway, Kyoya led her to the courtyard. The sound of practice from the nearby archery dojo reached them as they walked.

Sitting side by side on a bench, Ayaka nervously asked, “W-what’s going on?”

Kyoya smiled again, the kind of smile that could make anyone like him.

“I’ve always been watching you, Ayaka-chan. I thought you were really nice,” he said.

“Nice…?” Ayaka repeated, still unsure about what he meant.

She wanted to ask him exactly what he thought was so “nice” about her, but she wasn’t brave enough to ask him directly.

“Ah, I see,” she muttered.

Despite her confusion, Ayaka ended up forcing a smile.

“Uh, thank you…?” she said, but it came out more like a question.

Kyoya chuckled lightly. “Ayaka-chan, you’re funny.”

“R-really…?”

It was the first time anyone had said something like that to her. She couldn’t tell if he was complimenting her or making fun of her. If it had been anyone else, she would have definitely thought he was mocking her. But with Kyoya’s constant smile, she couldn’t quite be sure.

“Thank you for thinking that way about me,” she said, still unsure.

“Yeah, and… I want you to go out with me,” he said casually.

“…W-what?” Ayaka blinked, surprised.

She nearly asked, “Where are we going?” because his tone was so light, as if he was asking her to buy him a drink or something.

If he had asked her to buy him a drink, it would have been easier to either agree or decline. But this was different.

“W-why?” Ayaka asked, her voice trembling.

“Huh? Why?” Kyoya asked back, his expression still cheerful.

Ayaka couldn’t help herself. Someone as popular as Kyoya, who was adored by so many, was confessing to her. Surely, there must be some important reason behind it. Although she had no idea what that reason might be.

She looked up at him, and with a soft smile, Kyoya answered.

“Because you’re always smiling.”

“Eh…?” Ayaka was stunned.

That was his reason for wanting to go out with her? She never expected anything like this, and it left her feeling shocked. He liked her for something she hated about herself. Some people might find that kind of thing flattering, but for Ayaka, it was only painful.

She wanted to reject him. He liked her, but she couldn’t bring herself to like the version of herself that he liked.

“I… I…” she began, trying to say that she couldn’t go out with him.

But before she could finish, Kyoya interrupted her.

“It’s okay if it’s just a trial,” he said.

“A trial?” Ayaka repeated, confused.

“Yeah, like for a month. We can go out for a month, and if you don’t end up liking me, you can just break up with me. How about it?”

With those words, Ayaka found it hard to continue refusing. She wasn’t strong enough to say a firm “no.”

“Well, if it’s like that…,” she said, her voice trailing off.

She forced another vague smile and, despite her hesitation, nodded.

She hated how easily she gave in, just like she always did, to avoid causing trouble or making anyone upset. She had always been the type to accept things, whether it was helping out a teacher or taking on a cleaning duty for a friend, but now, even in response to a confession, she couldn’t help but act the same way. It made her feel pathetic.

But to her surprise, Kyoya seemed genuinely happy. He smiled widely and his face lit up.

“Yay!”

Ayaka felt a warm sensation in her chest as she realized how happy he was to be with someone like her.

But deep down, Ayaka knew that Kyoya would eventually realize that her smile wasn’t real—it was fake. What would he do then? Would he feel deceived? Or would he…?

“Well then, let’s make it official. Starting now, we’re going out,” Kyoya said.

“Ah… I-I’ll do my best,” Ayaka replied, hurriedly bowing her head.

Although she couldn’t bring herself to refuse, she couldn’t shake the feeling of doubt. Was this really the right thing to do? As those thoughts filled her mind, Ayaka forced another fake smile.