Chapter 166 - Worry (2/2)

I gave a reply refusing Ougoshi-san. I was hesitant on whether to accept the chocolate or not though, and as I was wondering what would be ruder, Ougoshi-san forcefully handed it to me, before running off.

It was like this the previous time as well, however, I can never get used to this indescribable sense of punishment.

◆ Hiiragi Haruka ◆

When should I hand him the chocolate?

Should I call him out after school—I was thinking of such a high school student-like plan.

While walking down the hall and worrying about a good timing, I found Seiji-kun walking behind two girls. Dokun, my heartbeat started beating harder.

“…”

This feeling of pain within me was on a different level from before.

I can’t explain it very well, but it was different from jealousy or even anxiety.

Seiji-kun will definitely be confessed to. I wasn’t worried specifically about that, as he will definitely turn her down. I trust him.

——Sensei is an adult, you should just have a romance with other adults. Why are you with Nii-san.

——Sensei, Nii-san is just caught up in the moment. There are definitely a lot of other people out there, he’s just in a state where he isn’t looking at them.

The words that Sana-chan said at the end of the year resonated within my mind.

“…”

At that time, I argued with Sana, however that blade was constantly stabbing into my chest.

Am I limiting Seiji-kun’s choices…?

I wouldn’t like that…

I stood there in the hallway, as if time had stopped for me. After a while, one of the girls came back and returned towards the classrooms, and a little while after that, another girl passed by with red eyes looking downwards as she ran.

He’s dependable, although sometimes perverted. Even at work, he’s excellent and kind.

“…”

Being caught up in the moment and not looking elsewhere. That’s something that also applies to me. Wanting to monopolize him, to prevent him from being taken by anyone else, I may have unknowingly blocked out Seiji-kun’s ears and eyes.

Seiji-kun’s best option, might even be someone other than me.

Do I happen to have any charm in being an adult woman?

I’m bad at work, and often clumsy. A terrible drunk as well.

Your charm is only in your body and family—I can’t laugh at that.

In the end, I couldn’t hand over the chocolate that I had poured my love and gratitude into.

“…Seiji-kun, sorry, I thought to prepare one, but I got busy with work—”

I ended up lying to Seiji-kun. Something inside me seemed to grind down.

“I see. It seems like a lot of hard work after all.”

Well, it can’t be helped, Seiji-kun said over the phone. As usual, he’s a student but it helps that he’s very understanding when it comes to work.

That’s why, an even larger amount of guilt flooded in.

It was a waste to throw it away, so I gave it to Natsumi who came to hangout over the weekend.

The beautiful wrapping that I gave it was thrown away as it would have given it away.

Without being able to have a proper conversation with Seiji-kun, we headed into the final testing period.

For the final exam results, Seiji-kun scored an average score as usual.

Finals testing ended, and the last thing that was left for school was graduation, filling the school with a relaxed atmosphere.

Before final exams, I was absorbed into work as if I was running away from my problems. However, after that was all done, I ended up thinking about it. About Seiji-kun.

What would be best for Seiji-kun? What would be best for me? What would be the best for both of us?

An amazing person likes me. Loves me. That’s something that I’m very happy about, but a shadow is cast over it.

I’m fine with it, but is he really fine with just me?