It's Hard for me, an Unremarkable Guy, to Believe that someone as Popular as Hirose-san would be Interested in me. - Chapter 5

Hirose-san had left work early. She had been crying so much… Was she really feeling that unwell?

I’d noticed she looked pale when she arrived, but with how busy things were, I hadn’t taken the time to check on her or even say a kind word. Now, I couldn’t help but regret it.

(It’s already dark outside… Will she be okay? Is she getting home safely?)

Unable to shake my worry, I bolted out of the store the moment my shift ended.

It had only been about 15 minutes since she left. If everything was fine, she should already be at the station by now.

Even if I rushed, I might not catch her. But what if she wasn’t feeling well and something happened on the way? I’d rather waste my effort than leave her in trouble. With that thought, I ran toward the station as fast as I could.

After making so many mistakes, crying in front of Yoshizawa-kun, and even lying to leave early, I couldn’t help but feel utterly disappointed in myself.

Dragging my feet, I slowly made my way toward the station.

Yesterday, I had walked this same path with Yoshizawa-kun, my heart pounding with excitement. Today, my steps felt heavy, and my chest ached with regret.

Before I knew it, I had reached the park where we exchanged contact information the day before.

I’d asked him to exchange numbers and be friends with me, and he had agreed.

But now… I realized I didn’t really know how to act around someone I liked, especially as just a “friend.”

I was used to being the one asked for my contact information, the one receiving messages. I’d always felt uneasy about the attention from boys I didn’t like.

But now I wondered, What if he finds it annoying to get a message from me?

Still, I thought about sending him a quick “sorry for today” message. But then again, messaging him right after leaving early might come across as strange.

As I sat on a park bench, staring at his profile picture on LINE, a new thought crossed my mind:

(I want to see him… I just saw him earlier, but I already want to see him again.)

Just then, someone called out to me.

“Huh? Is that you, Aizuki-chan?”

I looked up to see one of the regular customers from the restaurant.

“Oh, good evening…”
“Hey, did you just finish work?”
“Uh, yes…”

Feeling uncomfortable, I thought about leaving quickly, but—

“Hey, if you’re off work, why don’t you give me your number? We could hang out sometime.”

The regular stepped in front of me, blocking my way, and pressed me for an answer.

“Uh, um… I, uh…”

I didn’t want to give him my number, and I certainly didn’t want to hang out with him. But he was a regular at the restaurant, and I couldn’t just brush him off. I was at a loss for what to do.

(What should I do? How do I get out of this?)

As I stood there frozen, another voice called out.

“Hirose-san? You’re still here?”

It was Yoshizawa-kun, slightly out of breath.