103 Thank You for Liking Me (2/2)

”Actually, I ordered some sushi for takeout, and I wanted to invite you if you hadn’t eaten already… But it seems like I’ll have to wait for next time.” There was a hint of frustration in Kaede’s eyes as she sighed.

Seiji didn’t know how to reply to this.

”This is the moving-in present I was going to give you, but we were interrupted. Is now… a good time?” Kaede handed him the cake box for the second time.

”…Thanks, I’ll accept it.” Seiji took the cake box from her.

”Sorry to be a bother. Please take care and have a good rest now.” Kaede bowed slightly as she turned around to leave.

Her pretty figure looked lonely as she walked off.

Seiji’s expression flickered as he held on to the cake box.

”Wait a moment!” he called out to her.

The blonde girl’s footsteps paused.

”Would you like to come in and sit down? Although I don’t have much to entertain guests with…”

Kaede slowly turned around.

”I… would be delighted to do so.”

Her beautiful face was blushing, and her eyes were sparkling.

‘I’m such an idiot!’ Seiji thought to himself as he watched the blonde girl walk towards him.

But he couldn’t let things remain the way they were.

It was necessary to have a discussion with her.

Thinking this, Seiji invited her into his room.

His apartment was small and narrow; it wasn’t suited to accommodating guests. Seiji let her sit on his own chair, while he sat on the edge of his bed.

Thankfully he had two cups… They were the only two cups he possessed.

He poured two cups of tea and opened the cake box, putting everything together on his table. He figured this would count as him treating a guest.

”These tea leaves are rather cheap, so there’s no need to have any expectations about the flavor. Please feel free to have as much as you would like.”

”No… as long as you brewed this tea, it’s good tea to me.” Kaede’s face reddened slightly as she spoke. She slowly took the teacup in both hands and lifted it to her mouth.

Seeing how careful she was being with even the teacup, Seiji inwardly sighed.

For such a high-class beauty to have such feelings towards a boy, what were the odds that the boy wouldn’t be moved at all?

Seiji felt like it was zero.

At the very least, he would definitely be moved.

At school, when he received all those love letters, the situation was different. After all, they were only love letters; he didn’t have to meet the girls personally, so he was able to deal with it.

But Kaede Juumonji was an unmistakable beauty who had followed him all the way here!

Although he was slightly inconvenienced, it was impossible for him to remain completely unmoved.

It still wasn’t at a romantic level yet, though, and he still had to consider her identity as a member of the mafia.

‘No matter what, it’s best to have a fruitful discussion first.’

”Juumonji-san, you don’t need to act so polite around me. Feel free to relax and little and be more casual.”

”Is that really alright?” Kaede’s eyes lit up upon hearing those words.

”By all means, please do so. It’s nice to have manners, but I’m not used to such etiquette.” Seiji lifted his own teacup and took a sip.

”Okay…” Kaede was delighted at closing the distance between her and Seiji.

Silence fell in the room for a few seconds.

”I’m not very good at beating around the bush, so I’ll just say things directly.” Seiji scratched his face awkwardly. ”If I’ve misunderstood things, or if I’m being impolite, then I apologize beforehand… Anyways, I need to ask, you came here because of me, right?”

Kaede’s face became a deeper shade of red as she nodded slowly.

”Since that’s the case, I’m happy that you… have feelings for me, but I currently have no intention of getting a girlfriend,” Seiji stated sincerely while looking into her eyes.

Kaede’s face darkened slightly.

”Harano-kun… am I bothering you by coming here?” she asked in a small voice.

”No, you’re not bothering me… but honestly, it’s a little bit inconvenient,” Seiji told her directly.

Kaede’s face darkened yet again.

”But you didn’t do anything wrong. Living here or wherever, it’s your freedom to choose. You came here for me, so I should respond to your feelings, and that’s what I just did. Although I don’t believe that I’m worthy of you doing so much, but… in any case…”

Seiji’s gaze became slightly unfocused as he scratched his face awkwardly, showing a hint of embarrassment. ”Thank you for liking me.”

Hearing these words and seeing his expression, Kaede’s dark expression cleared up, and an indescribable light flashed through her eyes.

This person is definitely…

A difficult-to-describe feeling of warmth welled up within her heart. It felt as if all the bitterness she’d accrued from her earlier defeat had been herded out of her chest.

‘I won’t… give up,’ she resolved, gritting her teeth in determination.