I Accidentally Saw Her Get Dumped — Now the Losing Heroine Senpai Won’t Stop Clinging to Me - Episode 5

The next day, after school, I found myself heading “there” again.

Well, to be more accurate, it was like I was being drawn there.

At this point, it had become more of a habit—a routine, really.

What was once my secret spot beside the old storage shed behind the school had now completely turned into a shared space between me and Chiharu Shirakawa-senpai.

“You’re late! Three minutes behind schedule, Haruma-kun~!”

She waved enthusiastically, already seated on a sheet spread out on the ground.

“We never agreed on a set time, though.”

“It’s about the vibe, the vibe~! Come on, come on, sit here!”

She patted the spot beside her insistently. I had no reason to say no, so I sat down in silence.

“So, what should we talk about today~?”

“I’m not really someone who brings a lot of conversation topics…”

“Don’t people ever call you boring?”

“I wouldn’t care even if they did.”

“See, that’s exactly what I mean!”

She gave me a playful nudge again. I was starting to get used to this. That in itself was a little unsettling.

“Alright then~ today’s theme will be… secret-sharing!”

“Huh? Secrets?”

“Yep! This is a secret place, right? So wouldn’t it be fun to exchange secrets here?”

“Exchange…? What are we, kids?”

“Okay, I’ll go first! So, I actually used to want to be an idol!”

“…Seriously?”

“Yup! Back when I was in elementary school. I even auditioned and everything! Totally flopped, though!”

She laughed brightly. It was… unexpectedly endearing.

“I could actually see you as an idol.”

“Right~? Would you have been my fan?”

“Well… probably.”

“Hehe, then it’s not too late! You can still be my fan now, you know?”

“Please don’t. That’s kind of embarrassing.”

There were these moments—when we talked like this—where Senpai seemed like just an ordinary girl.

She was always bubbly and sociable in class, but I had a feeling this was closer to the real her.

“Okay, your turn, Haruma-kun!”

“I don’t really have anything like that…”

“Nope! No running away! Spill a secret!”

She grabbed my shoulder and started shaking me playfully.

Sudden physical contact like that—it’s honestly heart-stopping.

Be careful, Senpai… is what I wanted to say, but I could feel my face heating up instead.

“…I used to play the piano.”

“Whaaat!? That’s such a surprise!!”

Senpai looked genuinely shocked. Not sure why, though.

“My mom’s a music teacher. She made me take lessons.”

“Still, that’s impressive! So, can you still play?”

“Kind of. A little.”

“Wow~ I’d love to hear you play sometime!”

“That’s not happening. It’s a secret, remember?”

“Boo~ you’re no fun!”

Another light smack on the arm. I was no longer surprised. I guess this was just her version of affection.

________________________________________

Maybe this is how our days will go on.

Senpai probably doesn’t like me that way—she just wants someone to talk to. I get that. I really do. But still…

“…Senpai.”

“Hmm?”

“At school… you’re not really like this, are you?”

She was still cheerful, sure—but not like this. Not so… unguarded. Not so real. That’s it. This was the real her.

“Hmm, yeah, I guess. If I’m not bright and cheerful, people start worrying about me.”

“Isn’t that exhausting?”

“So exhausting! That’s why I sneak off here~ To recharge with you, Haruma-kun!”

“I’m not really trying to be therapeutic, you know…”

“Well, you are! I’m getting healed, whether you like it or not~!”

She beamed at me with a bright, unfiltered smile.

And seeing that smile—something about it made my chest tighten, just a little.

What could I possibly do for someone like Chiharu-senpai?

This distance between us, this strange relationship, this “secret place” we shared…

It was starting to feel… a little special.

________________________________________

That evening, as we walked home—

Senpai waved as usual and said, “See you tomorrow~” before heading toward the school gate.

I stood there watching her go, and suddenly, a thought came to me.

(…What is this, anyway?)

We’re not dating. We just spend a little time talking in this spot every day, letting our guards down.

But still—

This might be the first time I’ve connected with someone like this.

Maybe this is what people call a “relationship.” I don’t really get it, but—

I was already certain of one thing:

Tomorrow, she’ll be here again.

And just knowing that… made me a little happy.