It's Hard for me, an Unremarkable Guy, to Believe that someone as Popular as Hirose-san would be Interested in me. - Chapter 7

After walking silently with Hirose-san for a while, we had put some distance between us and the park. I decided to speak up.

“Um… sorry for making you walk so fast. Is your stomach feeling any better?”

I felt guilty for focusing so much on diffusing the situation earlier that I hadn’t properly checked on her well-being. Hirose-san looked a little awkward as she responded.

“…I’m sorry. I lied about the stomachache. It was just an excuse to get out of there.”

“Huh? But you looked really pale earlier.”

“That’s because… I didn’t sleep well the night before. I’m sorry for causing you so much trouble.”

Her voice was filled with regret as she apologized.

“…Even so, you must’ve had a reason that kept you up all night, right? You looked so distracted today, and you’re usually so focused. Is something on your mind?”

As soon as I said it, I worried I might be prying too much.

“…Um, can I ask you something instead? What kind of message would make you happy… if someone sent it to you?”

She glanced up at me shyly, her face flushed with embarrassment. That look was so endearing that my heart skipped a beat.

It almost felt like she had stayed up all night wondering what to send me on LINE. But thinking that was probably just me being overly hopeful… or at least, that’s what the old me would’ve believed.

But now—

—I couldn’t help but think that maybe, just maybe, Hirose-san liked me too.

If that were true, it wasn’t fair for her to carry all the embarrassment alone. If someone had to feel awkward, I wanted it to be me. After all, she’s the person I like.

With that thought, I decided to take the plunge, no matter the risk.

“…Honestly, if it’s from you, Hirose-san, any message would make me happy.”

“…Huh?”

“…I lied yesterday too. When I said I didn’t have someone I liked. I just couldn’t bring myself to admit it in front of the person I like.”

Her eyes widened in surprise at my confession.

Before she could say anything, I continued.

“…Hirose Aizuki, I like you. Will you go out with me?”

At my words, her lips trembled, and she suddenly began to cry.

“That’s not fair, Yoshizawa-kun… I thought it was unrequited.”

“Sorry. I thought the same… I thought my feelings didn’t stand a chance.”

“Why? I’ve been trying so hard to get closer to you, but you kept pulling away!”

“Well, I mean… I couldn’t imagine someone as cute as you liking someone like me.”

At my candid response, she suddenly froze.

“…Cute?”

“Yes.”

“You think I’m cute?”

“Uh… yes. I think you’re very cute, Hirose-san.”

Hearing that, she began crying again, but this time, she looked genuinely happy.

“…You know, when other guys tell me I’m cute, I can’t really take it at face value. But hearing it from you makes me so happy!”

I realized then how the word cute could feel insincere or even uncomfortable when spoken with ulterior motives.

“…I’m glad to hear that,” I replied, relieved that she appreciated my words.

And then, she mumbled something under her breath.

“Yoshizawa-kun… you’re handsome too.”

At that moment, I couldn’t believe she meant it. It felt impossible for someone like her to genuinely think that about someone like me.

It wasn’t until later in our relationship that I realized how sincere her words had been.

That night, long after I’d gotten home, I received my first LINE message from Hirose-san.

“Hey, I’ve been agonizing over what to send you for my first message.”

The first message from the popular Hirose-san was surprisingly simple.

“I don’t know what to say either, but honestly, anything from you would make me happy,” I replied.

Her response came quickly.

“Oh, really? In that case, any message from you would make me happy too! ”

And just like that, our awkward but earnest relationship began.

(End)