Chapter 56: The Day after White Day (1/2)

“So, how did White Day go?”

The next day, Itsuki asked Amane about the latter’s thoughts, who then frowned hard.

Itsuki was considerate enough not to ask Amane at school. They dropped by at a fast food restaurant after school, and Itsuki asked with a smile the moment they sat down.

Amane only showed up because he wanted to eat something salty stuff like fries once in a while, but he thought he should not have come if he knew this question would be asked.

“How, you ask…I just gave it to her, as normal.”

“Was she happy?”

“…Sorta.”

Whether she was happy, the answer would be yes, she was.

She did not smile as innocently as a child, but her smile to Amane was apprehensive and sweet, unspeakably alluring. He felt she should be rather happy.

He felt restless just recalling that beautiful smile.

He tried to answer as calmly as possible while he suppressed the heat rising up from within to his cheeks. Ituski then folded his arms “Yep yep”, nodding away in understanding.

“So, looking at you, it seems to have gone well. I guess you caught her fancy to see her adorable smile.”

“Wha!?”

“See, you two are on better terms now?”

Amane bit his lips after hearing this voice that was more impressed than teasing.

Itsuki would never probe into anything Amane did not want others to know of, but as a close friend, he would accurately pinpoint what the latter was thinking, which made him difficult to deal with. Even if Amane wanted to retaliate, Itsuki was on such good terms with Chitose to begin with, so it was pointless.

Grrr, Amane gritted speechlessly. Itsuki showed a calm smile, the ambiguous calm expression infuriating the former.

Left with no choice, he turned his face aside as he ate the fries, and Itsuki shot him a wry smile.

“You look rather happy to me though? Seems like spring has come for you, Amane”

“That’s not it.”

“You don’t know what you feel about her?”

“…Nope, that’s impossible.”

It was true that Amane personally knew how Mahiru really trusted him. In that case, he intended to be close enough such that he would be the most trustworthy to her. Amongst all she was acquainted with, Amane might be the one she could open up most to.

However, it would be wrong to say it was love.

Sometimes, he would be embarrassed as he treated her as a girl, but that was common between those of different genders. He had received her goodwill, but he did not think that involved any love.

Recently, he had started to tidy his appearance a little bit, but the fact remained that he was a lowlife, and he did not she would like someone like him.

“Seriously, you’re having low self-esteem here. You’re always thinking that you’re not the type to be liked.”

“It’s like she’s been given everything from the heavens…ah no, she did work hard for them at least. She’s hardworking, cute, an amazing kid, and I got nothing. You think she’ll like me?”

“If all the pretty girls are to fall for all the capable handsome guys, those unpopular guys will launch terrorist attacks, you know.”

He felt that the handsome lad Itsuki should not be saying such things.

“Well, if you want to take it as that, so be it…but as a friend, I’ll give a prediction.”

“What?”

“You’ll change someday. Actually, you’re showing signs of change now; all that’s left is for you to take the next step.”

“…You’re saying like you know me.”

“Ha ha ha, how many years have I been your friend?”

“Not even a year.”

Amane coldly retorted “Seems that way” and Itsuki burst out laughing.

While the conversation seemed foolish and unhelpful, but Itsuki, who was his friend in high school, seemed to be more understanding and helpful to Amane, compared to the other male friends back at Amane’s hometown during elementary and middle schools.

“Speaking of which.”

“Hm?”

“You say you’re not a match for her, but what you say, that attitude of yours, basically admits that you have some feelings for her.”

“I’ll stab some fries into your nose.”

“Sorry.”