Aoki's voice came from beside her, pulling Yamada Ryo back from her thoughts.
Ever since hearing bits about Aoki's past, she couldn't help but feel a stronger curiosity—maybe even concern—about him.
Right now, she wanted to ask him directly. She wanted to know about his past, about where he came from.
But when Aoki started speaking in that usual light, easy tone of his… Ryo suddenly found herself unable to bring it up at all.
The curiosity didn't fade.
Watching his profile in that moment, an inexplicable feeling welled up inside her—
If she never tried to understand him, someday he might drift further and further away from her.
But… that shouldn't happen.
Suki-san had once said that no matter what, he'd stay with Kessoku Band until the very end, leading everyone to the biggest stage.
Her breathing quickened a little. Her thoughts tangled into a messy knot again.
She took a deep breath, forcing herself to hold those thoughts down.
Everything could wait until after the celebration party.
The final decision from KL's project committee still hadn't been announced.
Since they didn't yet know which song would be chosen, even gathering everyone for a meal didn't feel relaxing.
So, they decided to hold the celebration dinner that night instead.
They agreed to meet at STARRY around 1 p.m.—by then, the results would probably be out.
Bocchi-chan left first, catching the train alone.
Ryo and Nijika went together since they lived close to each other.
As for Kita…
Wanting to wait until the very end so she could leave with Aoki, she deliberately slowed down while packing up her guitar.
When everyone else had already left, and Aoki was the only one still there, she quickly zipped her guitar into its case, slung it over her shoulder, and stood up.
"All done packing?" Aoki asked.
"Mm." Kita's reply was soft.
And so, they left the venue together.
One in front and one behind, they strolled slowly toward the station.
It was around noon—most people were eating lunch, so the streets were quiet.
The late autumn air was cool but pleasant, the faint chill making it unexpectedly refreshing.
After about five minutes, they stopped at a street corner, waiting for the traffic light.
There was no one else around. The street was calm.
"Kei-senpai."
Her voice came softly from behind.
A November breeze swept past, rustling the dusty miller plants along the roadside.
Still facing the light, Aoki didn't turn around. "Hm?"
Confusion. Uncertainty. Hesitation.
Sooner or later, these feelings would have to be faced.
He drew in a quiet breath.
Kita's voice came again.
"I think… the way we've been lately isn't good at all."
Her tone was still light, but there was a faint, forced cheer in it.
"It used to be easy between us, but after I said what I did that day, it's like we suddenly went backwards. We talk less, you seem like you're avoiding me, and little by little… we're growing apart."
She spoke as if talking to him, but her voice was low enough to sound like she might just be talking to herself.
Then she paused.
When she spoke again, her voice trembled slightly, a trace of tears in it.
"I don't like it this way. Forcing myself to smile in front of you every day is exhausting… thinking about you while making lunch is exhausting… trying to come up with topics to text you on LINE at night is exhausting…"
"But… but there's nothing I can do about it."
She sniffled, wiping at her eyes.
"I don't know your life, Kei-senpai. I can't give you a sense of security. The chances of the person you like just happening to like you back are so small… But feelings aren't something you can just give up on because of that, right?"
As if pouring out all the words she'd held in yesterday, she let it spill in one breath.
Her voice steadied slightly.
"I want to know more about your life, Kei-senpai. I want our lives to intersect. Even if I can't make you feel safe, I still want to get closer—"
"So… so…"
"Even if you can't give me an answer about your feelings, could we at least… go back to how things were three weeks ago?"
She paused again.
Then, before he could respond, she spoke once more—
"And… Kei-senpai…"
Her voice was still tinged with the remnants of tears, soft and careful, almost like cotton candy.
"Can you tell me… just an answer is enough—"
"From the first time we met until now… even if it was only for a moment… when you looked at me, did you ever feel something like… 'I like her'?"
"…"
The words hung in the air.
For the first time, she had placed the thought of "liking" directly before him.
He could keep avoiding it, keep running like before.
But constant hesitation wouldn't solve anything.
"People have to look forward."
The light turned green.
Aoki took a deep breath, turned, and looked at Kita Ikuyo.
Her eyes were slightly red, yet she still looked unbearably cute.
"I have." His voice was calm. "I've always liked you."
"…"
The November wind stirred the plants along the roadside, and lifted strands of her hair.
"Mm."
Kita nodded firmly, meeting his eyes.
Through the blur of tears, his face looked faintly hazy.
She took a small step back, then slowly raised her arms.
At that quiet intersection, she faced him and opened her arms.
The world around them was silent, leaving only the sound of her heartbeat in her ears.
"Kei-senpai… please… don't say anything. Just for now… just for now, let me hold you. Just for a little while."
The light turned red again.
After a brief hesitation, Aoki nodded.
Kita stepped forward, took a deep breath, and wrapped her arms tightly around him.
The November breeze carried the faint freshness of her shampoo.
Her arms around his waist felt impossibly real.
Her tear-warmed face pressed firmly against his chest.
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