29 Chapter 29: Explosion (1/2)
”I already decided I would marry you when we return… I love you.” I never really thought about it while rehearsing, but I have to kiss her now, right? There's no way I'll be able to do that!
Hiroisora opened her eyes while lying in the bed. Her eyes were telling me, 'What are you doing?' Is that a sign that I have permission? What if I kissed her and she was only telling me to pretend? I can't prolong the scene any longer.
I decided to lower my head and placed it as near to her face as possible, so that it would look like I kissed her. She was looking at me the whole time, while her face turned to red. I could feel my face turn red, as well. I could also hear my heart beat so fast.
After the play, we were greeted with a rousing round of applause. I think everyone who watched enjoyed the show. I felt like all our hard work paid off. All of the cast and crew stood in front of the stage. I took a glance at Nariyuki. She seemed very happy our play was a success.
---
While at the backstage after our performance, everyone was celebrating our success.
”Thank you everyone for your hard work! This wouldn't have been possible without all of you!” Nariyuki was on the verge of tears.
”There, there. We wouldn't have been able to do it without you, too. So thank you, Kosui-san.” Hiroisora hugged Nariyuki. I could then see the tears pouring out from Nariyuki's eyes.
As we were all celebrating and enjoying the touching scene, Jirai approached me.
”So, how was your kiss with Hiroisora-sama?” He had that oblivious look on his face. ”I'm obviously jealous, but as your friend, I allow you to kiss her whenever you want.” Everyone suddenly looked at our direction, as if waiting for my response. I looked at Hiroisora to see her reaction. She was hiding her face while still hugging Nariyuki.
”We didn't actually kiss, you know…” I just told them the truth. I could hear the collective sigh of disappointment. Some were even saying aloud if we're even a real couple.I then remembered what Hiroisora told me before we did the play. I was supposed to meet her at the rooftop later. I have to tell her the truth, before she tells me want she wants to tell me.
---
I decided to help in the cleaning of the props. It was already in the afternoon and the closing ceremony was near. Nariyuki also decided to stay behind.
”What are you still doing here, Takaiyama-san?” Nariyuki was curious. ”Aren't you supposed to be with Kari-chan by now?”
”H-how do you know about that?”
”I don't. I just assumed you planned to meet after the play. I guess I was right.” She had that smirk on her face again. ”So, what are you planning to do now?”
”What do you mean?”
”As far as I remember, you are only pretending to be a couple because you want to help the club. Well, now that our play is over, will you stop pretending and finally become a real couple?”
”I… I don't know.”
”Don't tell me you're hiding here? That's why you stayed behind to help clean?”
”Well, it's not—”
”Stop being so indecisive!” Nariyuki was irritated, but she calmed herself down before talking again. ”Kari-chan has her reasons for doing what she is doing. I'm sure she'll tell you everything about it. She's willing to risk being hurt so she can finally be true to herself.”
”I know…” That's why it's so difficult to face her now.
”If you understand, then be true to yourself as well. Nobody can guarantee what will happen, but at least you both were true to yourselves.” Nariyuki's right. Even though I'm having second thoughts on telling Hiroisora, I owe her the truth.
”Thanks, Nariyuki.”
”Take it as payment for all your help in the club.”
”So, I guess I'm free of all my debt to you?”
”What are you talking about? There's still next year's festival. Now, get going!”
”Okay.” I ran outside the gymnasium and headed to the rooftop of the school building.
---
I got to the rooftop before Hiroisora. I stood by the railings, looking down at the students who were preparing for the closing ceremony.
After what Nariyuki told me, I've prepared myself to tell Hiroisora the truth. She was right. The play was a success. There's no need to continue on our act as a couple.
”Takaiyama-san.” I heard someone call from behind me.
”Hiroisora, I have something to tell you first...” I turned around and there I saw standing was... Koujou. ”What are you doing here?”
”I was waiting for you to leave the gymnasium. Then I followed you up here.”
”I don't mean to be rude, but I need to talk to Hiroisora privately and she'll be here—”
”I heard you talking with that lady the morning we ate at the restaurant! I didn't say anything until now because we had to focus on the play. But now...”
”What do you mean you heard us? Do you mean Elizabeth-san?”
”I know who she is. She's been with Hiroisora ever since we were in elementary.”
”Okay. Whatever you heard, I will tell it to—”
”Does it mean you're not really in love with Hiroisora?”
”No, it's not what you think...”
”But that lady is blackmailing you, isn't she? She said she has the title of your house. So it means you're in a relationship with Hiroisora because of that... You want to get back the title of your house...”
”It's true, but—” No, not this way... Why is she here now? ”Hiroisora...?” Her face was in shock.
”Takaiyama-kun... Is all of that... really true?” She couldn't believe what she just heard, as she was on the verge of tears.
”I... I was going to tell you everything... I didn't mean to—”
”So was that why... you were willing to pretend to be in a relationship... with me?” Her tears were falling down through her cheeks as her hand was covering her mouth. She was shaking her head in disbelief. ”I knew... you had your reasons... but this is just... too cruel!” She ran towards the stairs.
I wanted to chase after her but I stopped myself. I knew I didn't have the right to.
”What did she mean by 'pretend to be in a relationship'?” I forgot that Koujou was still here.
”We're really not a couple. We did that to popularize the theatre club, thus having more members for Nariyuki. But as you have heard, that was my real reason for doing it. Although, Elizabeth-san doesn't know we were only pretending. I've lied to many people.”
”I understand. You were just a victim of circumstances.” She hugged me from behind.
”That may be the case, but what I did was unforgivable.” I stood still. ”In spite of that, there is something that I have to clarify.” I removed her hands that were hugging me, and turned around. ”I really do love Hiroisora. Whether it started the wrong way, this is what I feel now. Even if she hates me and probably will not believe me, I still want to tell her that.” I looked at Koujou in the eyes.”I'm sorry, but I can't return your feelings.”