Chapter 101: The Feelings Between Two Girls

When school ended the next day, Hikaru, having no study session scheduled, prepared to head to the library to find Hiyori. However, just as he stood up with his bag in hand, a familiar voice called out to him.

"Hikaru-kun, can you help me with something?" Ichinose's cheeks were tinged with a faint blush, her tone carrying a hint of embarrassment.

"What kind of help?"

Hikaru glanced at Ichinose, curious about her sudden request.

"Let's talk outside. There are too many people here." Ichinose, seeing no objection from him, quickly grabbed her bag and gently ushered him out of the classroom.

Once they reached a quiet corner, Ichinose slowly took a pink envelope from her bag. A heart-shaped sticker sealed it shut.

"Actually... I found this in my shoe locker this morning. Someone wants to meet me this afternoon."

As she revealed the letter, she fixed her gaze on Hikaru's face, trying to gauge his reaction.

"A confession letter?"

A single glance was enough for Hikaru to grasp the situation. In these adolescent years, such things weren't exactly uncommon.

"Yeah. I don't know what to do. I don't want to hurt her feelings, so I thought I'd ask you for advice."

Noticing Hikaru's calm expression, Ichinose felt a twinge of disappointment. She had hoped to see a flicker of concern, maybe even jealousy. Yet aside from mild surprise, his demeanor remained composed, as though the letter was of little consequence to him.

"If you don't share those feelings, you should be clear and straightforward. Just reject her directly."

Hikaru's tone carried a sense of matter-of-fact certainty. He had always believed that confessing in such an impulsive manner was unwise. Love doesn't simply fall from the sky unless the feelings already exist. In those cases, a confession can serve as a catalyst for a mutual connection.

But if it was just a shot in the dark—a hopeful gamble—it was about as effective as buying a lottery ticket.

After giving his advice, Hikaru's expression shifted as a sudden realization struck him.

Wait… her?

Did Ichinose just say she didn't want to hurt 'her' feelings?

In Japanese, the words for "he" and "she" are distinct. Was a girl confessing to her?

"Being clear about your decision, huh?" Ichinose repeated softly, as though tasting the words on her tongue. In truth, she had already made up her mind. This wasn't the first time she'd received a confession from a girl, so she knew what to say.

However, this letter gave her a different idea: she could use it to test Hikaru's reaction and see how he felt upon hearing that someone had confessed to her.

Unfortunately, she'd only found disappointment.

Aside from mild surprise, Hikaru's demeanor never changed. It was as if he didn't care at all.

"Yes," Hikaru said with a slight smile. "If you don't feel the same way, it's best to be direct. Only then can you truly convey your own feelings."

"Whoever wrote that letter probably made up their mind before sending it. If someone is brave enough to confess, they deserve an honest answer—even if it's a rejection."

"..."

Ichinose fell into thought for a moment before nodding. "I understand. I'll make sure to tell her clearly."

"Anything else you need help with?" Hikaru asked, glancing at the time. Hikaru should already be at the library by now.

"No, that's all. Thank you for the advice, Hikaru-kun. I'll remember everything you said today." Ichinose met his eyes, her voice carrying a rare firmness—a resolve she'd never expressed to anyone before.

"Alright. I'm heading to the library then. Bye, Ichinose-san."

As Hikaru turned and walked away, the pink-haired girl stood still, watching his departing figure.

She softly murmured, "Have I... made up my mind?"

---

Later that day, Ichinose arrived at the designated meeting spot mentioned in the letter. She waited for several minutes before spotting a familiar figure approaching.

With her short hair and a flower-shaped hair clip, Shiranami Chihiro's face was already flushed with nervousness.

"Ichinose-san!"

"Chihiro-chan, you're here." Ichinose greeted her with a gentle smile, watching her friend approach.

"Um... after reading my letter..." Shiranami hesitated, anxiety evident in her eyes. "What... what do you think?"

"About that—"

Ichinose took a deep breath to steady herself, then bowed slightly.

"I'm sorry, Chihiro-chan. I can't return your feelings. Please... give up on liking me."

"..."

The short-haired girl's expression turned desolate, though it was clear she'd braced herself for this response.

"I see... yeah. I kind of expected that."

"Even if I can't respond to your feelings, we'll still be friends. We have so much more of our school life ahead of us together."

Seeing Shiranami's crestfallen look, Ichinose quickly tried to soften the blow.

"Ichinose-san... you really do like Hikaru-kun, don't you?"

Shiranami's gaze was direct, her voice trembling yet certain.

"Eh?!"

The bluntness of the question sent a wave of crimson rushing across Ichinose's cheeks. She instinctively waved her hands in denial. "W-Why would you say that? That's not—"

Her frantic attempt to dodge the question faltered when Shiranami spoke again.

"There's no one else around. Can't you be honest with me?"

Despite the heartbreak she felt, Shiranami pushed herself to ask the question. "I just want to know how you really feel about Hikaru-kun. If you want me to give up, can't you at least answer me honestly?"

"..."

Ichinose froze. The embarrassment that had consumed her moments ago slowly ebbed away. She took a quick look around, confirming that the area was deserted.

Her hand instinctively moved to her chest, resting over her heart.

What lay beneath her palm wasn't an illusion. It was a warmth that had only grown stronger with time.

His subtle expressions, the restrained warmth in his voice, the moments they spent together, the memory of that fleeting instant in his dorm room when she felt a sense of attachment she couldn't shake.

The countless fragments of those moments filled her mind, pushing her uncertainty aside.

Then she met Shiranami's gaze and answered.

"Yes, I like Hikaru-kun. Not the way you like a classmate, but the way a woman likes a man."

"I want to be with him, as his girlfriend. I want to share every moment of my life with him."

"This is how I feel, Chihiro-chan. Now you understand, don't you?"

~~~

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