I asked Ayanokouji-kun for advice regarding a certain matter at a cafe corner. But I wasn't able to take the initiative and a long silence followed.

I need to do something about it, I need to do something about it.

That feeling took priority even over the matter I had wanted to get his advice on. I feel bad for Ayanokouji-kun, who's wasting his time on me...

"Umm, you see...umm, it's about Hirata-kun".

I somehow desperately managed to squeeze my voice out. I continued before I end up choking my words back.

"I want you to tell me all about him......".

I think I explained that badly too but there's nothing I can do about it. Because I can't straight up tell him 'I'm in love with Hirata-kun' after all.

"Hirata and I aren't particularly close, you know?".

Even after seeing me panicking, Ayanokouji-kun's tone remained the same as always.

"But Hirata-kun told me Ayanokouji-kun is the most reliable one though?".

"...did he now?".

The impression I had of Ayanokouji-kun was that he's like 'air'. Describing it as 'air' may be somewhat rude but I've got nothing else to go on. He's a boy whose thoughts I find hard to tell after all. Besides, he seems a little scary in a way different from that of Sudou-kun and the others. But---

"Yeah. He says you're the most level-headed one in class. He really sang your praises".

Hirata-kun, who cares more about his classmates than anyone else and who keeps an eye on his classmates more than anyone else, praised Ayanokouji-kun.

I've never seen Hirata-kun talk about a friend that energetically before so that surprised me.

I still don't know the reason for that though but......

"Recently there's been talk that Hirata-kun and Karuizawa-san, umm...broke up, have you heard?".

"Of course".

It's not just Class C but the whole school year that's paying attention to this topic. The calamity that befell Hirata-kun and Karuizawa-san. It was unbelievable for me too.

But I can't take action on my own.

Because I can't possibly confess knowing full well I may be rejected.

"That's why, umm.....".

Let's get some advice. From Ayanokouji-kun, who Hirata-kun referred to as the most reliable one. I'm a coward but...in order to be able to confess.

".....d-does Hirata-kun currently have someone he's interested in?".

Let's take the first step towards overcoming this cowardice. I definitely can't look in the mirror, knowing my face is probably turning red. That's what I thought.