Chapter 4: A Difficult Choice

That day felt heavier for Ryo. After returning from the library, he felt more anxious than usual. The distractions from Mika, Ayumi, and Haruka, who seemed to be getting closer to him, made him feel torn. He wanted to stay focused on his goals, but their presence was taking up more of his time, and it was beginning to affect his concentration.

During the afternoon lesson, Ryo sat in class with diminished focus. His eyes drifted toward the window, watching the clear weather outside. He knew that his books contained countless materials he needed to study for the university entrance exams. The dream of getting into the best university had always been on his mind, but now it felt more distant due to these complicated emotions.

Suddenly, the sound of footsteps approached from behind, and Mika appeared beside his desk, carrying a warm cup of tea.

"You look tired," she said gently, placing the tea on his desk. "I know you're probably thinking a lot about exams and everything, but you should take a break and rest."

Ryo was surprised but also touched by Mika's concern. "Mika… that's really kind of you, but I have to study."

Mika just smiled. "I know, but you need to give yourself time to pause, or you'll burn out. Maybe after class, we can have lunch together?"

Ryo felt even more anxious. How was he supposed to respond? On one hand, he wanted to avoid the temptation of getting involved in social activities that could disrupt his goals, but on the other hand, rejecting her outright would make Mika feel bad.

"I… maybe after the next class," Ryo replied, trying to be polite. However, before Mika could say anything else, Ayumi suddenly appeared, as if she didn't want to be left behind.

"Ryo! Let's go to the café after school! A lot of friends are inviting you. We can have fun and chat. You need some entertainment!" Ayumi said cheerfully.

Ryo almost felt overwhelmed. Ayumi always brought an infectious energy that naturally attracted attention, and he knew that if he joined her, his study time would definitely be disrupted. But at the same time, he felt bad rejecting her, especially since she had invited him multiple times.

"I… I have to study, Ayumi," he answered hesitantly.

Ayumi stepped closer, her eyes full of enthusiasm. "Don't be too serious, Ryo. Life isn't just about exams. Having fun once in a while is important!" She smiled, hoping he would change his mind.

As Ayumi left, Haruka, who had been quietly observing the situation, finally stood up and walked over.

"You can't keep going like this," she said in a serious yet gentle tone. "You need to make a choice, Ryo. Do you want to keep fighting for your dream, or are you going to go with the flow and get caught up in distractions?"

Ryo felt as if everything was becoming too much to handle. Haruka was right—he couldn't keep feeling lost like this. Time was running out, and the big exam was getting closer. But at the same time, the attention from these three girls was becoming harder to ignore. Mika, who sincerely wanted to help him, Ayumi, who constantly invited him to have fun, and Haruka, who always offered wise guidance—they were all making his life more complicated.

"Haruka, I know… but I don't know how to distance myself from them," Ryo admitted, frustration creeping into his voice. "I don't want to disappoint them, but I also can't ignore my dream."

Haruka looked at him with understanding eyes. "They respect you, Ryo. But they'll also understand if you choose to focus on your goal. Don't trap yourself in the wrong choice just because of guilt."

Ryo slowly nodded. Haruka always gave wise advice, even if it sometimes felt harsh. But her words struck a chord in him. Maybe it really was time for him to make a clearer decision.

Throughout the rest of the day, Ryo tried his best to focus on studying, but his heart was still filled with uncertainty. Mika, Ayumi, and Haruka each had their own way of approaching him. Every time he tried to calm himself and think about his future, the same feelings returned—should he choose to chase his dream, or should he consider the feelings of the people who had become so close to him?