I Accidentally Saw Her Get Dumped — Now the Losing Heroine Senpai Won’t Stop Clinging to Me - Episode 4

By this point, it had become completely routine.

After school, at my usual “secret spot” next to the storage shed, there she was again—Shirakawa Chiharu-senpai.

“Ah, Ayase-kun~! You came again today!”

Hey, that’s supposed to be my line. This place was mine to begin with.

Not that I could say that out loud. So, I just replied with a simple “Hello” and sat down in my usual spot.

“Today, I brought snacks!”

Senpai cheerfully pulled a bag of chips from her bag. I recognized the packaging—it’s a common brand from the convenience store.

“…Can I have some?”

“Don’t be shy~ I’m the one who showed up later, remember? That makes you the senior here!”

She pushed the bag toward me with surprising enthusiasm. She’s really close. Personal space clearly isn’t a concern.

“Thanks…”

I took one and popped it into my mouth. Salty cheese flavor spread across my tongue. Not bad at all.

“Oh, you actually ate it! Harumacchi’s more obedient than I thought!”

“…Harumacchi?”

“Yep, your nickname! ‘Ayase-kun’ is kinda stiff, and calling you ‘Haruma’ feels a bit embarrassing… So, Harumacchi it is!”

Please don’t get embarrassed on your own. And Harumacchi? Seriously?

“…Isn’t that kinda lame?”

“Ehh~!? I thought it was cute! Okay then, how about Haru-pee? Yo-chan? Himajin?”

“I hate all of those.”

Am I being teased here?

Is this just how popular people are—playing with others’ reactions for fun?

No… this is probably just her being weird.

“Geez, then what do you want to be called? You call me ‘senpai,’ so let me call you something too~”

“Just… Ayase is fine.”

Senpai puffed out her cheeks in protest, but started munching on the snacks again. Then a bit of silence fell between us, and I started to get a little nervous.

Wait… did the mood just turn awkward?

“…Am I being annoying?”

She suddenly muttered, almost too quietly to hear—so different from her usual cheerful self.

“Huh?”

“I mean, it kinda feels like I’m the only one getting all excited… Maybe I’m too loud and you’re just tolerating it. If that’s the case, I’m sorry.”

There it was again. Every now and then, her real self slips out like that.

“…That’s not it.”

I tried to make sure my voice didn’t come out flat or emotionless.

She looked at me and gave a crinkly-eyed smile.

“…You’re so honest. Cute~!”

There she goes again. The usual Shirakawa Chiharu is back.

“I’m not cute. I’m a guy.”

“Yeah, yeah, sure~ You’re totally blushing though! That’s just so Harumacchi!”

She laughed teasingly and gave my shoulder a light tap. That small gesture felt just a bit closer than yesterday.

“Ahh~ but you know, talking like this is kinda healing.”

As she folded up the empty snack bag, she let that comment slip out almost absentmindedly.

“…Are you okay now? About that thing?”

Before I realized it, I asked. That thing—being rejected by Kamiya-senpai.

“Hmm, well… kinda. I might still be hung up on it a little, but…”

She smiled as she spoke. But I’d seen her crying. I knew that smile was just a front.

“Ugh, I take it back! Come on, comfort meee~~!”

She leaned toward me like she was about to rest her head on my shoulder—stopping just short. Still, my heart nearly stopped.

“…Just kidding.”

She grinned mischievously, then looked up at the sky.

This girl… she’s offbeat. But I can’t bring myself to ignore her.

My secret place is slowly becoming… not so secret anymore.

And I already knew—

Tomorrow, without a doubt, she’ll be here again.