The front entrance of the school was overflowing with students on their way home for the day.

I was a little worried about how I would meet up with Ichinose, but my worries were immediately resolved. She managed to stand out, even among so many other students.

Although her cute appearance could have been part of the reason, it also felt like she had a presence that controlled the area.

Honestly, I didnt know how to describe it. I could only vaguely describe it as a gentle, yet powerful feeling. Something that was amplified by the attention she received from the surrounding first-year students.

It was similar to the attention Kushida received, if not more so. She was popular with everyone, constantly being called out to by the other students one after the other. As a result, I wasted about 5 minutes trying to find the right time to call out to her.

Ah! Ayanokouji-kun, over here!

Ichinose eventually noticed and called out to me.

I pretended as if I had just arrived as I raised my hand and joined up with her.

So, what should I do next?

I intend to wrap this up as quickly as possible, so follow me.

I put on my shoes and followed Ichinose to the other side of the school.

We eventually arrived behind the gymnasium. It seemed like an ideal place to make a confession.

Well

After taking a moment to prepare herself, Ichinose turned around to face me. Theres no way Ichinose, to me!?

Confess-

No, something like that

I I think someones going to confess to me here.

Huh?

Ichinose then showed me a letter. It was a sweet love letter sealed with a cute little heart sticker. Although it would be rude for me to look inside, I took the letter out as I was prompted to. It didnt seem like the letter was written by a boy at all. Instead, the handwriting on the inside was pretty and clean, no different from the envelopes appearance.

I then noticed what I had been feeling curious about ever since coming to this school.

The meeting information written in the letter was Friday evening at four oclock, behind the gymnasium. It was about ten minutes away.

Wouldnt it be better if I wasnt here?

I I dont know much about love. I dont know how to respond without hurting their feelings, and I dont know if I can stay close friends with them after this as well. So I want you to help me.

I dont think Im the guy you should be asking since I dont have any experience with confessions either. Im sure theres plenty of other people you could depend on in Class B.

The person confessing to me is in Class B.

I see, so thats how it is. I was somewhat able to understand why she asked for my company.

Id like this to be kept a secret as much as possible. Otherwise, things would become rather awkward in the future. If its you, Ayanokouji-kun, I think its unlikely that youll go around spreading rumors.

But Ichinose, arent you used to confessions by now?

Eh?! No, not at all. Of course not. Ive never been confessed to before.

If she hadnt called me out here to help, I wouldve never believed it.

So, really, I just dont understand why this is happening.

I could only think that it was to be expected, since Ichinose is cute after all. Moreover, considering the way she had interacted with others since this morning, her personality seems to be pretty good as well.

Thats why can you please pretend to be my boyfriend?

Whoa, is this seriously turning into such a cliche situation?!

I did some research and found out that if the person being confessed to is already in a relationship, it will hurt the other person less

I understand that you want to avoid hurting the other persons feelings, but it will only hurt them more if they realise you lied about it, you know?

I could say that we broke up, or that you dumped me later on.

I dont think thats the problem here

Honestly, I think it would be much better to meet and talk together with him one on one.

But- Ah!

Ichinose noticed something and awkwardly raised her hand.

It looks like the confessor came earlier than expected. What kind of glam rock appearance is he sporting?

When I gazed upon his face, the visage of a boyish androgynous male was in my presence. He was even donned in a neat skirt.

No, she was definitely a girl no matter which way I looked at her.

I had some doubts after seeing the letters handwriting, but it really was a girl after all.

Unlike a confession between boys, it felt like this confession would look a bit better. Then again, that might only be because Im a guy myself.

Um, Ichinose-san who is that person?

The girl who had come to confess seemed to be wary of my presence.

Hes Ayanokouji-kun from Class D. Im sorry Chihiro-chan, for bringing somebody along that you dont know.

Is he possibly Ichinose-sans boyfriend?

Ah, uh

Ichinose tried to speak, but she paused. She probably intended to say thats right but the words got stuck in her throat due to the guilt she felt for lying.

Why is this Ayanokouji-kun person here?

Confused by the unexpected situation, tears began to form in Chihiros eyes.

Is he her boyfriend? Why would he be here if he wasnt?; these were thoughts that were most likely going through her head as she seemed unable to understand the situation.

Noticing her tear up, Ichinose quickly began to panic, not knowing what to do.

I had expected her to be a fairly reliable person, but it seems like she has some unexpected weaknesses.

Um, could you please go somewhere else? Theres something important Id like to talk about with Ichinose-san.

W-Wait a minute, Chihiro-san. Thats, uh- To be honest, Ayanokouji-kun is

It seemed that Ichinose intended to turn her down first.

She probably thought it would have made things harder for her if Chihiro actually confessed her feelings.

What is it?

Ayanokouji-kun? Hes, you know, my-

There was almost nothing I could do in this situation. If there was, it would have to be this

Im just a friend.

I cut in before Ichinose could say the word.

Ichinose, it may not be convincing for me to say this since Ive never been confessed to before, but I think calling me out here was a mistake.

I spoke honestly for their sake.

Confessing to someone isnt such an easy thing. Every day, you spend your time in endless worry, simulating the situation over and over again in your head. Yet, you still cant confess. Even when you gather the courage to do it, the actual words get stuck in your throat and cant come out. I think thats just how it works. Dont you think that these desperate feelings deserve a proper response? If you give a vague answer in a situation like yours, both of you will only come to regret it afterward.

Ugh

Its likely that Ichinose has never seriously fallen for someone before.

Therefore, she didnt know the right thing to do, or if she was making a mistake.

Trying to prevent somebody from having their feelings hurt is a fruitless effort.

When refusing a confession, hurting the other persons feelings is unavoidable.

If you muster your wisdom and come up with a decent excuse, its true that you can somewhat smooth it over.

An excuse like: I want to concentrate on my studies right now, Theres somebody else that I like, or, as what occurred here, Im already dating someone else. No matter which excuse you give, the other person is still bound to get hurt.

Not to mention that if that excuse is built upon a lie, the other person would only be hurt more if they ever find out the truth. I left the area without waiting for Ichinose to reply. Instead of heading back to the dormitory, I stopped and waited along the tree-lined pathway.

I leaned against the handrailing and sighed as I looked up towards the green leaves.

After about 5 minutes, a girl rushed past me from behind the gymnasium.

There were faint traces of tears in her eyes.

Despite that, I continued to kill some time without moving from the spot.

Around the time the sun began to set, Ichinose wearily walked back from behind the gym.

Ah

Upon seeing me, she hung her head a little awkwardly. However, she looked back up immediately.

I was wrong. I was trying to avoid hurting her. I didnt even think about properly responding to her feelings, and instead tried so desperately to run away from them. That was my mistake.

Ichinose mumbled, Love sure is difficult as she sat down on the handrail next to me.

I asked if things could go on as they always have tomorrow, but I wonder if thats possible.

That will be up to the two of you.

Yeah She trailed off.

Thank you for today. Coming with me on such a strange request.

Its fine. There are days like this from time to time.

Our positions reversed huh? I came to you because I intended on lending you a hand, but I ended up relying on you instead.

Im sorry for speaking like a know-it-all back there.

Ichinose looked at me and blinked a couple of times as if I had said something peculiar.

Theres no need for you to apologize. None at all.

Stretching her hands up towards the sky, she then hopped down onto the ground.

This time, its my turn to help you. Ill try to do all that I can.

I wonder what Class Bs Ichinose Honami intends to do to confront this difficult situation.

I was looking forward to it a little bit.