CH 36

Ageha was amazed at the half-impulsive confession.

I’m trying to spin some words by moving my mouth around.

Before the words could be released from her mouth, I had already spoken out my pent up feelings.

“I like you, Ageha. Not as a substitute for Karen, but I have fallen in love with a girl named Ageha Aizawa.”

I had no script or anything prepared, but the words were spun with ease.

What comes to mind is Christmas Eve last year.

I was in a state of disappointment when Karen, my first love, told me that she had found a boyfriend.

Four months have passed since then. Looking back, I think we spent a lot of time together.

I was saved many times by her innocent and open-heartedness, and her frankness and affection.

If you were to ask me what I liked about her, I would probably be at a loss for an answer.

It was no deception, I fell in love with everything about her.

I want to spend more time with her.

I want to share joy, pleasure, and sometimes even sadness.

As I spun my words one after the other, her mouth, which had been moving with a crackling sound, was now tied in a straight line.

Toward her, I bowed my head and held out my right hand.

“–Please go out with me.”

It is a small room.

My hand is stuck out right in front of the nose of Ageha.

I shut my eyes.

I’ve told her what I need to tell her.

All I have to do now is wait for her answer.

In the silence, the sound of the Ferris wheel spinning echoes.

The gondola is swaying slightly, but my body is frozen like a stone statue, motionless.

The silence, which would normally be comfortable for me, feels unbearable now.

It was she who confessed her love to me four months ago.

And until today, she has always been interested in me.

But I wouldn’t be surprised if she has changed her mind about me.

… My confession may be rejected.

This doubt grew the longer the silence continued.

Suddenly, the Ferris wheel began to make announcements.

It was a reminder that we were almost at the top of the Ferris wheel.

Reflexively, I looked up, and my eyes met with those of Ageha.

She was staring at me. A few tears were blurring the corners of her eyes.

The moment our eyes met, Ageha hurriedly tried to turn away, but after letting her gaze wander for a moment, she stared at me again.

I knew instinctively what was coming.

I stared back at her with bated breath.

Hesitantly, she opened her mouth.

“… No”

“–“

“I was thinking of saying that.”

“Eh?”

Despite my confusion, Ageha let out a big sigh while looking out the window.

“You know, I thought about it sometimes while I was with Haru-kun. What if Haru-kun really liked me and confessed to me?”

As she spun her words, her voice gradually trembled.

“So, if Haru-kun confessed to me, I thought I’d turn him down… that’s what I thought. Let’s be a little mean.”

After listening to Ageha’s story, I was convinced that it was just like her to do so.

She was probably thinking of some kind of revenge against me for refusing her confession.

So, she cut off her words and turned her head once.

Both shoulders were shaking.

As soon as the announcement was made that we had reached the top, she looked up.

“….”

At that moment, large tears streamed down from both of Ageha’s eyes.

Hurriedly wiping her tears with the sleeve of her dress, she smiled shyly.

“But you know, I can’t do that. The moment Haru-kun confessed to me, I was so happy that my heart felt like it would explode. My head was filled with joy and my head went blank… all those clever thoughts were blown away.”

“Hehehe,” she said with a beaming smile.

I almost hugged her and lifted my hips in the air.

But I almost stopped myself from doing so and asked her again.

“Well then…”

The anxiety and nervousness I had felt earlier were gone, and anticipation filled my heart.

Even though I didn’t clearly articulate my question, she knew what I wanted to ask.

As soon as I sat back down, she straightened her back and looked at me with slightly reddened eyes.

Then her lips moved.

I love you too, Haru-kun. I know I’m a bit of a loose cannon, but I’d really appreciate it if you’d go out with me.”

“Haha, what’s with that tone…”

Perhaps out of relief, I thrust in with a trembling voice.

She shook her head, perhaps from relief.

The next moment――my field of vision was filled with black hair.

“A-A-Ageha…?”

I was too late to realize that I was being hugged by Ageha because it was so abrupt.

When I called out to Ageha, who rested her chin on my shoulder, Ageha whispered in a trembling voice.

“It wasn’t a dream, was it…? I was confessed by Haru-kun, wasn’t I?”

“Yeah. Sorry to keep you waiting. Thank you for waiting…. I love you, Ageha.”

I gently hugged back the trembling body of Ageha.

For me, I thought that action was quick.