The rainy season came to an end, and summer arrived.
Ever since my minor argument with Nagiura, things had become awkward between us. I had lost my go-to conversation partner in the classroom. I could have chatted with Hino or Okajima, but they usually hung out with Nagiura. Also, Nagiura was spending more time with Sakura and Shiratori lately. The three of them were from the same middle school, so it was hard for me to jump in.
Wait, do I have fewer close friends than I initially thought? It feels like I know a lot of people, but only to a shallow extent. Then again, I was a loner in middle school, so I’d say I’ve changed immensely. I’d like to have deeper relationships, though.
Eh, I’m sure Nagiura and I will patch things up eventually. We’re both on the basketball team, after all. More importantly, I really want a girlfriend. A girlfriend is an absolute necessity if I want to have a vibrant youth.
There are a lot of cute girls in this class, but I’ve gotta say, Hoshimiya’s the one for me. I feel like the mood has been good between us lately too. She always smiles whenever I strike up a conversation.
Summer vacation is starting soon. Once school’s out, I might not be able to see Hoshimiya for a long time. But if I start going out with her before the break, I’ll be able to see her whenever I want... Okay! I’ll muster up the courage and confess to her.
I feel like it’ll go well. Besides, an extrovert has to be proactive!
✦ ✦ ✦
My chance to confess came right away.
Hoshimiya and I were chatting after school in our classroom when, next thing I knew, we were the last two students in the room. We had been talking for so long that I had a feeling I was late for practice.
“Um, Haibara-kun, don’t you have practice?” she asked.
“Oh, it’s fine. Chatting with you is way more fun,” I replied.
“Ha ha ha... I’m happy to hear that, but you better go soon.”
Practice is important, but confessing to Hoshimiya is higher on my priority list.
I scoured the room one last time to make sure no one else was around, and faced Hoshimiya. A warm breeze wafted in through the window. Her chestnut-brown hair swayed gently. She peered at me with her clear, jewellike eyes, confused as to why I had suddenly fallen silent.
She tilted her head to the side. “Haibara-kun, is something wrong?”
My mind made up, I extended my hand to her. “Hoshimiya, I like you. Will you go out with me?”
She stared at my hand in surprise. Then she put on a troubled smile and lowered her head. “I’m sorry, Haibara-kun. I just want to be friends.”
Wh-What?! I thought I had pumped enough points into her affection meter, though...
When Hoshimiya saw the astonishment on my face, she awkwardly averted her gaze and said, “Um... If that’s all you wanted to say, I’m going to go home, okay?”
“Y-Yeah... Sorry for springing that on you out of nowhere.”
“I appreciate the sentiment. I really do. But I’m sorry.”
“D-Do you have a crush on someone else?”
“No, that isn’t why...”
She doesn’t like anyone else, but I still got shot down? So basically she’s saying I’m not even worth considering... How did it turn out like this?
“A-All right, then. Um, see you tomorrow?” Hoshimiya spared me a glance where I stood stock-still, and then fled the room.
Wait... Am I not as well-liked as I thought?