S.S #3

ISHIZAKI-KUN WAS SERIOUSLY CONSIDERING ways to make Ayanokōji-kun join as a

comrade.

I hope it happens, but I think it'll still be difficult.

"That is...! Well then! Let's do this!"

"Do this?"

Seemingly struck by a new idea, Ishizaki-kun smiled.

I couldn't predict what he would say next, so I was somewhat excited.

"If you come to our class, you can date Shiina! How about that?"

Suddenly, Ishizaki-kun grabbed both Ayanokōji-kun's hand as well as mine, bringing them

together and raising them up.

"Eh, eh...?"

I couldn't understand what was happening, but before I knew it, I was holding that hand.

"What kind of proposal is that...?"

"It's an aspect your class doesn't have, but ours does!"

"I already have a girlfriend, you know?"

"So what, just break up with Karuizawa when you change classes!"

The warmth of Ayanokōji-kun's palm—as if responding, my hand subconsciously warmed

up, and I felt embarrassed by it.

Why has this situation even come about...

The situation changed in an instant, and my mind was in a panic.

"That's absurd."

"So you don't like Shiina then?"

At Ishizaki-kun's words asking if he disliked me, I found myself staring at Ayanokōji-kun

without thinking.

"I don't dislike her."

First came relief, then joy bubbled up amidst the panic.

I need to get a grip on the situation and calm down...

Ayanokōji-kun was an important friend, nothing more, nothing less.

"Then there's no problem, right? You like Ayanokōji too, don't you, Shiina?"

Just when I thought I could calm down, Ishizaki-kun said something unpredictable again.

"Eh...!?"

Ayanokōji-kun said he didn't dislike me, which was a relief.

But now... my feelings, you say...?

If it's a matter of like or dislike, of course, I like him... Because Ayanokōji-kun is...

I failed to control the emotions I had almost managed to rein in.

"Give it a rest, Ishizaki. It's better not to trouble Hiyori. It's cruel to make someone express

their feelings in front of the person concerned, whether she likes them or not. Only a few

people can say they don't like someone to their face."

"But, you know, Shiina is quite straightforward about what she wants to say..."

It's true that normally, I tend to speak what's on my mind relatively openly.

But, I feel like I shouldn't say that...

"Um... this is troubling."

Perhaps Ayanokōji-kun noticed my pathetic feelings. Perhaps he was pretending not to

notice, sparing me the concern.

Ayanokōji-kun gently released my heated hand.

If only he could become closer... like maybe a classmate...While I wasn't like Ishizaki-kun,

that was what I found myself thinking.Also, to seal these strange feelings, I need to shift my

focus...

"...Hiyori?"

"May I say just one thing, even if it's hopeless...?"

Hiding my feelings on the topic of like or dislike, I decided to invite Ayanokōji-kun just one

more time. I thought my desire to be in the same class was unmatched.