Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/2912051597934651646/episodes/2912051598961697710
The sweet-and-salty aroma of yakisoba bread wafted through the quiet literary club room.
Sitting next to Houtarou, whom she adored, and eating lunch together.
Just that simple act made Seika so happy she could have jumped for joy; it was the most wonderful time.
Still in high spirits, Seika stuffed her mouth full of bread and chattered away nonstop about yesterday’s TV show and the latest beauty trends.
But when she glanced over at him, she saw that Houtarou was just quietly chewing his bread, not saying a single word.
The moment she saw his calm profile, Seika’s heart thudded with a nasty sound.
(Oh no. I talked too much again.)
Her feverish head cooled instantly, and the blood drained from her face.
People already find her noisy enough to be exasperating, so it’s only natural he’d find it unpleasant if she rambled on like this all by herself.
Seeing Seika suddenly fall completely silent, her invisible dog ears flattened against her head, Houtarou tilted his head in puzzlement.
“What’s wrong?”
“S-sorry. I was the only one talking too much… I’m being noisy, aren’t I?”
Seika shrunk back and apologized in a voice so faint it was almost inaudible.
As Seika hung her head dejectedly, wishing she could vanish right then and there, Houtarou replied in his usual flat tone.
“I don’t think you’re noisy at all. You’re just full of energy.”
“Uuuuuuuuuuugh.”
He wasn’t angry or exasperated; he simply accepted her just as she was.
Seika’s heart melted into a gooey mess at the boundless warmth hidden behind her aloof demeanor.
(I love him so much! Ah, I want to tell him I love him!)
Her invisible tail wagged frantically from side to side, as if it might snap off.
She wanted to be with him more.
Not just for this brief moment during lunch break, but forever and ever, she wanted to be right next to him, talking.
The heavy weight of her love, threatening to overflow, squeezed Seika’s chest tightly.
(But I’m scared to tell him. After all, I don’t know how Achi-kun feels about me… Ugh.)
What if I confess and this comfortable relationship gets ruined?
Such negative thoughts began to surface, and Seika started agonizing over it all again.
Thwack.
Suddenly, she was lightly tapped on the head with a rolled-up paperback.
When Seika looked up in surprise, Miyuki, sitting next to her, was looking down at her with eyes that betrayed no emotion.
“Huh?”
“Shut up.”
Miyuki stated curtly in a flat voice.
At those words, Houtarou, sitting across from her, widened his eyes.
“Noisy? Hasn’t she been silent this whole time?”
Just as Houtarou said, Seika hadn’t uttered a single word for the past few minutes.
However, having known her for years, Miyuki could clearly sense the noisy inner turmoil raging within Seika.
“Noisy. If you have something to say, just say it.”
“Waaah…”
Miyuki’s words hit the nail on the head, and Seika’s face turned bright red as if she’d been caught red-handed.
Her heavy feelings of love had been completely seen through, and she let out a pitiful cry as she covered her face with both hands.
Ding-dong, ding-dong.
Just then, the bell signaling the end of lunch break rang out through the school building.
Miyuki snapped her book shut and stood up.
She then headed briskly toward the clubroom door.
“Thank you for letting me use it.”
Houtarou stood up and politely thanked Miyuki, who had her back turned to him.
Miyuki didn’t stop walking; she merely turned her head slightly.
“It’s nothing. And you don’t need to use honorifics.”
“Thank you, Chino-san.”
Houtarou replied briefly and gave a slight bow.
Miyuki said nothing more and quietly left the clubroom.
Left behind were only Seika, frozen with a bright red face, and Houtarou, looking dumbfounded.
“Ugh…”
“Let’s go, Hirugami-san. Lunch break is almost over.”
Urged on by Houtarou, Seika snapped her head up as if she’d been flicked.
“Huh? I’m coming!”
She hurriedly tidied up the trash and jogged after him.
Inside the innocent gal’s head, thoughts of him were still swirling noisily, just as before.
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