Volume 2 - CH 40

I guess this is what I mean when I say my brain can’t keep up.

Sugimoto likes Takayama. So far, so good.

He used to like me, but now it’s normal.

So we’re just friends, right? Yes, so far so good.

I lied to Anri but listened to what she had to say, including about her past.

I don’t know if Anri will agree, but I can say that Sugimoto has told her all his feelings.

Yeah, this is okay too.

Takayama? What about Takayama?

Takayama was after Anri, right?

Everyone here is silent for a while.

I guess they are processing the same thing in their brains as I am.

How Takayama responds to Sugimoto will determine what happens next.

I gently look at Takayama.

Takayama also looks at me. Is he trying to tell me something?

Maybe he’s thinking, ‘So this is the surprise!’ ‘ or something like that?

No, it is totally unplanned. Good luck, Takayama.

“I’m sorry, Sugimoto. Oh, I…”

He seems very confused. I would be confused too if I were in the opposing position.

I hope you can make it through this. Fight!

Everyone is waiting for Takayama’s answer.

Gaze upon gaze, and all eyes pierce Takayama for all of them.

“Sugimoto, follow me for a minute.”

Takayama suddenly got up from his seat and left the room.

Sugimoto quickly followed Takayama, and Anri and I also left the room following Sugimoto.

Takayama walked silently and approached the restaurant staff.

The staff guided us and took us to the window of the restaurant. Where on earth are we going?

We arrived at the terrace of the restaurant.

The terrace, where you can see the night view and the stars, has tables and chairs in the middle so that you can enjoy your meal while looking outside.

“Sugimoto. And Tendo and Himekawa-san, I want you to listen to me. This is the terrace I personally reserved. Tendo and Himekawa-san, please sit there and make yourselves at home.”

We sat in the chairs Takayama led us to and watched them on the terrace where we could see the night view.

Takayama takes Sugimoto’s hand and walks toward the back of the terrace.

Their shadows emerge against the night view and starry sky.

It looks like a scene from a movie.

As Sugimoto stands on the terrace, Takayama kneels down on one knee in front of him and holds both of Sugimoto’s hands.

He looks like a prince proposing to a princess.

No way…

“Sugimoto. I love Sugimoto. I can make you the happiest person in the world. That’s why I want you to go out with me.”

He said it! It’s not every day you get to see a confession scene!

Anri next to me was holding her mouth with both hands and looking at them with her face bright red.

“Takayama-kun…are you okay with me? I’m selfish, gloomy, plain, and not cute…”

“Sugimoto is the only one for me. I want you to make me a bento again. Sugimoto makes the best lunches in the world.”

“Oh, thank you…”

While watching this scene, Anri and I were secretly holding hands.

I was actually planning to talk about me and Anri, but it turned out completely different.

But I still think it’s okay.

I can always tell them about us.

Tomorrow or the day after tomorrow. But for Sugimoto and Takayama, it’s now or never.

If they miss this moment, it will never come again.

I think we have to cherish that time.

“Ah! I have to go home soon! Well, Takayama, take care of the rest! We’ll talk more about it later.”

“I have a curfew too! See you later, Ayane!”

We left the two of them and went back to the room we had been shown and got ready to go home.

This has gone completely unplanned, so let’s break it down once again.

But didn’t Takayama like Anri?

I’m going to ask him one of these days!

“Well, do you mind if we leave some money here?”

“I’m sure it’ll be fine. Now, let’s go home before they come back.”

“Right, we’d better get out of here.”

I finished getting ready in forty seconds and checked to make sure I hadn’t forgotten anything.

Then I pick up the strawberries I left on the dessert plate and bring them to Anri’s mouth.

“Here you go.”

“I knew it. I knew those strawberries would come for me.”

“As expected.”

“As expected, isn’t it?”

Anri and I smiled at each other, told the reception staff that we were leaving first, and left the restaurant.

I am not certain what happened to those two after that.

In the elevator on the way home, Anri and I look out, holding hands and cuddling.

Guess we missed our chance to talk after all…