Before My Memories With You Melt Away in Tears - Episode 4

The train rocked back and forth as Ayaka quietly looked at Kyoya, who was standing beside her. She had never really talked to him before, and now she was not only going home with him, but had ended up in a relationship with him. She couldn’t help but feel a little anxious about it.

“Is something wrong?” Kyoya noticed that she was staring at him and tilted his head slightly with a smile.

“Oh, n-no…”

Ayaka had been caught staring. Feeling embarrassed, she quickly turned her face away. But soon, she regretted acting so strange. Was she making him uncomfortable? He had said he liked her smile, so maybe she should have just smiled shyly, saying, “Hehe,” instead. Was it too late to do that now? But even if she did, it probably wouldn’t feel right at this point.

She didn’t have the answer, but still, she found herself searching for the “correct” way to act. Kyoya noticed her discomfort and let out a soft laugh.

“Huh?”

“Ayaka-chan, you’re making all kinds of cute faces.”

“C-cute? I’m not…!”

“Hehe, did I fluster you?”

Kyoya laughed again, and Ayaka looked at him, slightly annoyed but with a smile creeping onto her face.

“You’re teasing me, aren’t you, Senpai?”

“Huh? Maybe?”

“That’s awful!”

Ayaka protested, her voice rising, though she couldn’t help but smile. Kyoya was amazing. He had this natural ability to make Ayaka’s smile appear, even when she would normally only give an awkward, forced one.

Before she knew it, an announcement came over the speakers that the train was approaching the station where Ayaka needed to change trains.

“Um, I’ll be getting off at the next stop.”

“I see. Well, take care.”

The train slowed down as it entered the station. Kyoya waved his hand, and Ayaka bowed her head as she got off.

“Ayaka-chan.”

Just before the train doors closed, Kyoya called out to her.

“I’ll see you tomorrow,” he said with a smile, waving at her.

“Yeah, see you tomorrow,” Ayaka replied with a natural smile of her own.

As she watched the train that Kyoya was on leave the station, Ayaka made her way across the platform to catch her connecting train.

She realized her cheeks were still relaxed, and she hurriedly tried to fix her expression.

“See you tomorrow…” she muttered to herself.

On the way home, she remembered the looks and words from the other girls. She felt a weight in her chest. What would they say when she got to school tomorrow? She couldn’t imagine it. Would they talk behind her back? What if no one would speak to her when she got to school?

Negative thoughts kept swirling in her mind, and her steps grew heavier. She just had to climb these last few steps to reach the platform, but somehow, she was stuck at the bottom, unable to move. People who had come later than her were walking past her to the platform, casting annoyed looks her way. The announcement came that the next train was approaching. If she didn’t board this one, she’d be late. But for some reason, her feet wouldn’t move.

“Ayaka-chan?”

“Huh…?”

She heard a voice, one she didn’t expect. Thinking it was impossible, she looked up, and there he was—Kyoya .

“What…?”

“I thought I’d wait for you on the platform, but you didn’t show up, so I got worried.”

Kyoya could easily catch a direct train to school without changing lines. But he had gotten off the train to wait for her at this station, just for her.

“Why…?” she asked, still confused.

“I thought it’d be nice to go to school together,” Kyoya said, his voice sincere.

“I-I mean, it’s not like I’m against it,” Ayaka stammered, feeling embarrassed from the directness of his gaze.

“You don’t mind?”

“No, it’s just… I didn’t think you’d want to spend more time with me…” Ayaka’s voice trailed off, feeling shy.

“Oh, it’s fine. But you don’t look so good. You were standing here looking kinda sick.”

Kyoya peered at her with concern, and Ayaka straightened up, suddenly feeling self-conscious.

“I-I’m fine! I just didn’t eat breakfast, so I’m a little hungry…”

She laughed awkwardly, though the real reason wasn’t hunger—it was the anxiety she’d been feeling, but she couldn’t tell Kyoya that.

“I see…” Kyoya paused, then reached into his bag.

“Here, take this,” he said, pulling out a chocolate bar.

“Chocolate?”

“Yeah. It’s good for when you’re too hungry to move.”

“Uh, thank you…”

Ayaka had claimed hunger as an excuse, so she had no choice but to accept. She hesitated, unwrapped the chocolate, and took a bite.

“It’s really good…”

The sweetness and slight bitterness spread in her mouth, and it tasted better than the chocolate she usually ate.

“I’m glad it helped. When you feel better, we can go to school.”

“Yeah. Ah!”

She suddenly realized the train had left without her.

“I’m so sorry, it’s all my fault…”

She apologized quickly, but Kyoya just smiled gently.

“It’s fine. We’ll just take our time. No rush, okay?”

Kyoya’s kind smile, along with his actions and attitude, made Ayaka feel a bit better. She nodded softly, “Okay.”

Though she still felt nervous about going to school, walking there with Kyoya made it seem a little less intimidating. With that thought in mind, she began to climb the stairs she had hesitated to ascend just moments ago, following Kyoya as he led the way.