Yuuta suddenly pulled Airi into a tight hug.
"I never wanted to leave," he said, his voice trembling. "I don't know what happened… what I said that hurt you. If I said I was bored, if I said I didn't want you… all of it was a lie. I've never once wanted to be away from you."
Airi froze, stunned by the warmth of his embrace.
"I've always wanted you by my side," Yuuta continued, gripping her tighter. "When you stopped talking to me… when you went missing… all I wished for was to have you back. If I slapped you, if I hurt you—I'm sorry. I'll never do that again. I'll take care of you. I'll do better… I swear."
His voice was serious, eyes locked onto hers.
Airi clenched her fists, voice breaking into a scream.
"Then why did you leave me?! Why did you break my heart?!"
"I don't know!" Yuuta shouted, overwhelmed. "But… I want to start again. From the beginning. Please, Airi… give me a second chance. I'll never leave you again. I'll love you—always."
Airi's eyes welled up. Then, through tears, she smiled.
"Then please… stay by my side, Yuuta."
Yuuta cried too, smiling through his tears. "Thank you, Airi…"
Unbeknownst to them, a shadowy figure stood in the distance… snapping photos.
---
Later, at Airi's house—
"You're back," Saya said casually, looking up from the couch.
"But… did you find Airi?" Hikari asked.
"No," Saya replied, dropping her bag onto the table. "I checked the mall, got a few things… but they weren't there."
"Where could they have gone?" Hikari muttered to herself.
---
Outside, Yuuta picked up a small item from the ground.
"Found it! Airi, here's the last one," he said proudly.
"Thank goodness," Airi smiled. "If we lost this, our presentation would be ruined."
"Should we go home now?" Yuuta asked.
Airi gave a gentle nod. "Mm. Let's go."
They walked side by side, Airi quietly smiling to herself.
From that moment on, Yuuta thought, things between us felt clearer. I was just happy to see her smile again.
"Yuuta," Airi called.
"Yeah?"
"What do you think? Should we… go back to how we were before?" she asked, cheeks tinted pink.
Yuuta smiled. "Oh, definitely."
Airi beamed. "Okay then… from now on, we're—"
"—friends," Yuuta said cheerfully.
Airi froze. "…Huh?"
"You said we should be like we were back then, right? So… friends!" Yuuta declared.
Our dumb MC.
Airi's expression turned dark. Without a word, she marched ahead.
Yuuta stood there, confused. "Wait—Airi? What happened?!"
She suddenly turned back and punched him hard in the stomach.
"Gwahh—AIRIII!!" Yuuta collapsed, rolling on the ground in pain.
"I hate you, Yuuta Kanzaki!" Airi screamed, storming off.
Yuuta lay on the pavement, groaning. "W-what did I do this time…?"
---
Back at home—
Airi entered the room, still furious, and plopped down next to Hikari.
Yuuta followed, rubbing his stomach, and quietly sat at the other end of the table.
"What happened?" Hikari asked, concerned. "Did Yuuta do something again?"
Yuuta flinched.
"N-nothing happened," Airi replied quickly.
Hikari narrowed her eyes. "It's fine… but if he messes with you, just tell me. I'll handle it."
"Okay," Airi said with a small nod.
Everyone got back to work.
Yuuta sighed internally. Why now? Things were going so well…
He reached for a cookie on the table—only for Airi to slide the plate away and glare at him, pouting.
"Eh?! What did I do now?!" Yuuta cried in his mind.
Hikari checked the time. "Airi!"
"Huh? What's up? I'm working," Airi replied.
"It's time! Takamura's match—we'll be late!"
Airi's eyes widened. "Ah! You're right—we forgot!"
They both jumped up, panicked.
Everyone stared at them.
"What's going on?" Sakura asked.
"We promised Takamura we'd watch his match!" Hikari explained.
"We need to go now, Airi!"
"Right!"
As they headed out, Airi paused and glared at Yuuta.
"Take care of the assignment, my friend," she said with icy sarcasm.
The room went silent.
"L-let's go, Airi!" Hikari dragged her out.
Renji turned to Yuuta. "You made progress… and then blew it. What did you say to her?"
"I don't know…" Yuuta muttered.
---
At the stadium—
Airi and Hikari arrived just in time for the final pitch.
The crowd held its breath. The pitcher wound up, then—strike!
"Renshou High wins! Five to three!"
The crowd roared.
Takamura spotted Airi and smiled. She came…
After the game, Takamura approached them.
"Hikari, do you mind if I talk to Airi? Just the two of us?"
"Sure!" Hikari said, understanding the moment. "I'll grab some juice."
She jogged off.
"So… Takamura, what did you want to say?" Airi asked.
Takamura took a breath, then bowed slightly and held out his hand.
"Will you go out with me, Airi?"
Airi's eyes widened in shock.
"I've liked you for a long time," Takamura said, cheeks red. "But you had a boyfriend… so I waited. When I heard you broke up, I was honestly happy. I thought—after today's victory—I'd finally confess."
Airi hesitated. Her voice trembled. "Takamura… I'm sorry."
Takamura's smile faltered. "...What?"
"I'm grateful… really. And I'll always be your friend. But I don't have romantic feelings for you. I… I'm sorry."
She bowed her head.
Takamura stood frozen. "Airi… are you saying this because of Yuuta? Do you still love him?"
"It's not about that," Airi said softly. "Whether I love him or not… this has nothing to do with him. I just don't feel the same way. I should go now."
She turned to leave—but suddenly, Takamura grabbed her wrist and hugged her tightly.
"Airi… it's not fair. It's not right…"
Airi stood frozen.
"Takamura… what are you doing?"
Please add to library and leave a power stone if you like my story