4.6

After Ayanokōji left, Sakayanagi quietly blushed and smiled all alone.

"I talked with Ichinose-san the other day, on the last day of the second term."

She muttered with a soft voice that was almost swept away by the wind.

"I always thought I was in a position to teach her, but I found out that wasn't the case."

It was the moment Sakayanagi became fully aware of her own love.

In the middle of a snowy night with no one around, Sakayanagi continued her monologue.

"I recognize you as an enemy that I must defeat."

This was the truth.

Without a doubt, the real truth.

"As a natural-born genius, I can't lose to a created genius like you."

That was her belief.

"But you recognized that my feelings to defeat you gave birth to another type of feeling, didn't you?"

Towards Ayanokōji's out-of-sight back.

Delivering her unreachable voice.

She spoke the words once more.

"I love you."

Ichinose, who was as insignificant as trash on the side of the road, had made Sakayanagi realize this.

"Even if I had expressed my feelings more clearly, your expression wouldn't have changed."

That was the only reason she chose not to say it more firmly to his face.

Nevertheless, she wasn't scared of being accepted or rejected.

"Yes, that's how you are, Ayanokōji-kun. You're not the kind of person who would let petty things, something to this extent, disturb your heart."

Ordinarily, a maiden would be hurt and troubled by this.

However, Sakayanagi was the opposite.

If anything, it made her feel even more attracted to Ayanokōji.

"You treat all of us in this school, me included, like children. You think everything will go according to your plan, and you've made it so."

She took a step, walking along the snowy path.

Ayanokōji's plan was clearly understood.

The picture she imagined for the third year.

It wouldn't be interesting if I let things go just as he wanted.

So, what should I do to disturb it?

The answer was already clear.

I want to obstruct him.

I want to see his troubled face.

I want to confront him with things he can't foresee.

I want to draw out his emotions and break him. I want to love him.

"It's a pity. Your plan has been going awry since the summer uninhabited island exam."

I couldn't help wanting to say that, but it's still a secret.

It's precisely because we don't know—precisely because we can't foresee—that there is excitement in what lies ahead.

"I assure you that this fact will be the first step in changing you in an unexpected direction."

I can't help looking forward to what decisions he'll make in the future.

"I really can't wait for the third term…"