I Accidentally Saw Her Get Dumped — Now the Losing Heroine Senpai Won’t Stop Clinging to Me - Episode 8

“Alright, today’s snack is Ramune!”

After school.

At our usual “secret spot” — beside the storage shed behind the school building — I sat side by side with Shirakawa Chiharu-senpai.

“Why Ramune?”

“Didn’t it feel hot today? A little sugar and citric acid for a quick refresh! We used to get these a lot during club activities.”

With a pop, she opened the Ramune bottle, flashing her usual cheerful smile.

You’d never guess she was crying her eyes out just a short while ago. She’s really something else.

That smile of hers made me relax just a little, without even realizing it.

“But Ramune bottles can be kind of annoying when the marble gets stuck, right?”

“Totally! That’s why you drink it sideways like this—ah, wait, no—!”

“Senpai, it’s spilling, it’s spilling!”

“Ahaha, whoops, I messed up!”

Senpai burst out laughing. Her profile, lit by the warm afternoon sun, looked almost unreal — like she belonged somewhere far away from the rest of us.

—This is bad.

That thought surfaced before I could stop it, and I quickly turned my gaze away.

Then, out of nowhere—

“Hey, by the way, do you have someone you like, Haruma-kun?”

She dropped that bomb like it was nothing.

“…Huh?”

“Hmm?”

“I mean… where did that come from?”

“Dunno, just felt like asking. You never really talk about that kind of stuff, so I wondered if you’re just not interested.”

She spun the Ramune bottle lazily in her hand, her tone light and casual.

“…No. No one like that.”

“Oh no~ So you’re saying there’s no competition, huh?”

“What?”

“I mean, if you don’t like anyone, maybe I’ve got a shot~”

“…………”

My heart skipped a beat.

I knew it was a joke. With that kind of tone, there’s no way she was serious. But still—

“Kidding! Totally kidding! Don’t look so freaked out!”

Senpai waved her hands frantically and laughed.

But for some reason, I couldn’t laugh with her.

What was this feeling?

It was like a line had suddenly appeared between us — one that shouldn’t be crossed.

Shirakawa Chiharu was just my upperclassman. We only spent time together by chance — that was all.

And yet—

The second she said “Maybe I’ve got a shot,” the fact that I actually started to consider it scared the hell out of me.

“…Senpai.”

“Hmm?”

“Even if it’s a joke… maybe don’t say stuff like that.”

“Ah, sorry sorry! Got a little carried away!”

She laughed it off like always, carefree and innocent. Maybe too innocent.

Or maybe… cruel.

“…Do you say things like that a lot?”

“Hmm, depends on the person, I guess?”

“So, I’m the kind of guy you can joke like that with?”

“Aww, Haruma-kun, are you sulking? That’s cute~”

She teased as she poked lightly at my arm.

What is with this girl? Seriously. What is she?

“I’m not good with that kind of thing.”

“Ah, yeah, I figured. You’re kinda serious, huh?”

Her expression softened slightly as she looked up at the sky.
“You know, Haruma-kun… you’re more straightforward than I thought.

It’s… kind of a relief.”
“Huh?”

“Nah, never mind! Alright, listen to me complain today too~ So the P.E. teacher, right—”

She changed the subject effortlessly and slipped right back into her usual banter.

But something inside me still caught on that earlier moment — wouldn’t let go.

That one line.

“Maybe I’ve got a shot~”

The way she said it so casually. So playfully.

It felt like a line had been drawn between us.

A clear boundary — one I shouldn’t cross.

________________________________________

—This is as far as it goes.

That’s what I told myself.

And yet, I already knew—

Come tomorrow,

I’d still end up coming back to this place.