Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/2912051597934651646/episodes/2912051600877971618
As lunch break drew to a close, Hotarou and the others were about to head back to class.
Just as Seika was about to leave, Miyuki called out to her.
She had been looking forward to walking home with Hotarou.
Stopped in her tracks, Seika pouted.
“…Achi-kun, I’m sorry. I’m going to borrow Seika for a bit.”
“Got it. See you later, Hirugami-san.”
Watching Houtarou’s back as he walked away, Seika let out a deep sigh.
She wanted to go home with him.
“…You idiot.”
“What’s that supposed to mean, out of the blue?”
Fuyuki lectured her at length.
She told her that what just happened was a perfect pass from Houtarou.
She asked what she was missing that she’d struck out.
“Why is book a pass?”
“……You only lend books to someone you’re interested in. Lending and borrowing can lead to all sorts of developments, right? Like going to a bookstore together to pick out a book. Or sending sweets as a thank-you gift.”
Seika’s eyes widened, and she dropped to her knees right there.
It seemed she had finally realized her mistake.
What a blunder.
“I-is it too late now…?”
To Seika, who looked like she was about to cry, Miyuki dismissed her with a curt, “I don’t know.”
But this was Miyuki’s strategy: by deliberately being cold and dismissive, she was trying to heighten Seika’s sense of urgency.
No matter what, Miyuki truly wished for her friend Seika’s happiness.
“O-okay! I’m going!”
“…Yeah. That’s the right move.”
Seika thanked Miyuki and dashed off at full speed.
Houtarou hadn’t returned to class yet.
If she shouted, she’d draw attention to herself.
So she went over to him, tapped him on the shoulder, and said,
“I want to read the book! Give it to me!”
……Houtarou’s eyes widened.
“Give it to me”—that basically meant she was asking him to hand it over.
It was supposed to be about borrowing it, wasn’t it?
But Houtarou didn’t point out Seika’s mistake.
With a wry smile, he said,
“I can’t give it to you, but I can lend it to you.”
Seika squirmed at the sheer stupidity of her own words, but Houtarou’s kindness made her squirm even more.
If they hadn’t been at school, and if Houtarou hadn’t been right in front of her, she would have been screaming at the top of her lungs that she loved him.
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