43 - I will win your heart over!

I walked to school with determination— today, I would win Nagi’s heart!

After consulting with my two masters, Akane and Chiharu, both of them gave me the same advice: "BE AGRESSIVE!"

Especially when the target was someone as easily teased as Nagi. Maybe that would increase my chances.

I stared intensely at Nagi, who was walking beside me.

At first, Akane told me to push Nagi against the wall, just like a KABEDON. But since I was still a newbie, I asked for a lighter approach. So— Akane suggested that I just hold his hand instead.

Even so—

I observed the shape of Nagi’s palm, which looked so big, and then shifted my gaze back to my own hand.

The difference in size between our hands was obvious.

H-how could Nagi’s hands be so big...?

Are all guys hands really this big..? No... The problem is, Nagi’s are just different. Even when I was still a guy, my hands weren’t this big.

Thump.

My heart pounded rapidly, and my face turned redder each time I imagined the sheer size difference between us. For some reason, thoughts of an 18+ nature kept flashing through my mind.

A-ah! No way!!! I wasn’t thinking about anything dirty!!!

As time passed, my face grew even hotter. My breath felt heavy, and my hands started to tremble. I pressed my palms against my cheeks, feeling the heat seeping through my skin.

Oh god, why am I suddenly like this..? Am I turning into a pervert..?

I wanted to hold his hand, but I couldn’t...

Hng...

How long was I going to stay like this?

If I didn’t take the chance now, I would never be able to win him over.

I gathered all my courage into a single sentence. Then, fully prepared, I called out his name loudly. "NAGI!"

"Huh.. Eh.. Yeah?!" Nagi looked flustered upon hearing his name. Only now did I realize— his face was red too.

Eh? Is Nagi blushing..?

Nagi scratched his cheek awkwardly. "What’s up... Yuichi..?"

Okay. Nagi asked. This was the perfect time to say it!

"NA-NAGI! D-do you... want me to give you the best website to watch ****?"

"Huh?"

UWAAAAHHHHH!!!

I said the wrong thing..!

Because my mind was filled with all those 18+ thoughts, I accidentally blurted it out!

"N-no..!" I waved my hands frantically, panicking. "I-I misspoke..!"

"O-okay!?" Nagi still looked flustered. His reaction worsened when he saw how panicked I was. "S-so what did you actually want to say, Yuichi..?"

I swallowed nervously. "It’s... Nagi... I..." Even though I had prepared myself, I just couldn’t say it. My mouth felt so heavy.

Suddenly, I felt scared. Memories from my past replayed in my mind— what if Nagi rejected me?

I wanted to move forward without worrying about the worst-case scenario. But the fear of rejection held me back. I didn’t want to be pushed away like when I was a child.

Even though Nagi wasn’t that kind of person, I was still afraid of how he would see me afterward if I openly expressed my feelings.

My eyes widened, and my heart felt like it had been pricked by a needle. It hurt...

I was a guy.

And a guy... wasn’t supposed to have feelings for someone of the same gender.

Grip..!

Huh..?

Suddenly, I felt a soft hand gripping mine. I hadn’t expected it at all. My heart almost leaped out of my chest from the shock.

I turned to Nagi, confused, my face heating up even more. Nagi couldn’t hold eye contact with me for long. But that gentle smile on his face... once again, it melted my heart...

U.... I was supposed to be the one making the first move, but once again... he beat me to it...

"Nagi... Are you okay..?" I asked nervously, stealing glances at him.

"H-hm..? What do you mean?" Nagi swallowed hard.

"I-it’s just... You’re holding hands so sweetly with another guy... If someone like Natsu or Akane-san saw us... They might think we’re a homo couple..." My words trembled. I couldn’t take it anymore! My heart felt like it would explode..! I could faint at any moment, my hands shaking uncontrollably.

I didn’t even know how red my face was now... I wondered if Nagi was feeling the same..?

"Well... I don’t mind..?" Nagi looked at me with uneasy eyes. His face was red too. "Besides, no matter how you look at it... You’re a real girl now, aren’t you..? So you don’t have to worry about that too much."

"Y-yeah. That’s true... But..." I bit my lip nervously.

How could just holding hands make me feel this intense?

A-ah..! I couldn’t even imagine doing anything more than this with Nagi..!!!

I secretly observed Nagi’s face.

Before anything else— I wanted to ask him something that had been on my mind for a long time.

I took a deep breath, then softly called his name, "Nagi..."

"Yeah..?"

"What do you think... about me?" I lowered my head, too embarrassed to see his reaction.

"You mean... Physically, personality, or..."

"Everything!" I blurted out. I quickly turned my face away in embarrassment.

Silence fell between us for a few moments.

"Well... If I had to say... Yuichi... You’re super duper cute and beautiful! Your tsundere attitude always makes my heart race too."

Mm..?!

The corners of my lips curled upward on their own. I couldn’t help but feel happy from Nagi’s compliment.

"I also admire how much you’ve grown. You’ve become such a kind person, even willing to sacrifice yourself for others. Especially when you gave advice to Akane-san. That moment... I admired you the most," Nagi continued. Even though I couldn’t see his face, his voice sounded so serious. He must have thought carefully about his answer.

So that’s how he felt...

"Th-thanks..." I muttered.

"Alright... Yuichi... Now it’s my turn!" Nagi suddenly said. My hands trembled in panic— I wasn’t expecting to be questioned back. "What do you think about me, Yuichi..?"

"Uh..."

You were someone I always admired. Even though you seemed useless in daily life, but in vulnerable moments— when I was sad or struggling— you were always there for me.

You were always by my side, no matter how hard the road ahead was. Even when others disliked how you meddled in things, you kept smiling and comforting them in your own way.

You always viewed the world optimistically. No matter how difficult the obstacle, you believed there was always a way forward.

In the end, your way of thinking influenced those around you. You didn’t just change the perspective of pessimistic people— you helped them see the world in a better light. I was one of them!

I loved that side of you. I would even say— Nagi was the green flag of all green flags.

I admired you so, so, so much... Nagi...

Even if I couldn’t say it to your face.

"You... You're nice. That's it," I replied briefly after a long silence. I looked at Nagi’s face, who had clearly been anticipating my response, a playful smirk formed on my lips.

"Haaah...? That's it?! Why do I feel disappointed?" Nagi let out a deep sigh.

"Well, what can I say? You don't have any other redeeming qualities."

Of course, that was a lie.

"I'm not handsome?!" Nagi pointed at his own face multiple times.

You totally are.

"Nope," I replied instantly.

Nagi rolled up the sleeves of his uniform and flexed his biceps, which he always bragged about. "What about this? At least I'm muscular, right?" He continued posing— showing off his back muscles, broad shoulders, and more.

Absolutely impressive ♡.

"Hmph. Not bigger than Chris Bumstead’s, though."

"Hey! Don’t compare me to him!!" Nagi groaned, followed by another sigh.

Heheheh..!

I guess I really do act like a tsundere.

...

Idiot...

You absolute fool...

I've been making it so obvious, so why haven’t you noticed yet?

"I like you, idiot!" I muttered in an intentionally low voice, ensuring Nagi wouldn’t hear it.

Well, even if he doesn't realize it now, I’m sure he’ll figure it out soon. When that time comes, I’ll confess to him directly. No matter what answer I receive from him, I'll accept it wholeheartedly.

From the very beginning— meeting you was already a miracle.

So, I won’t be greedy. Just spending time like this with you is already more than enough for me.

I looked at Nagi with a gentle smile and playfully pinched his cheek a few times.

So cute~

TO BE CONTINUED.