"Don't underestimate yourself. You need to have more confidence in yourself, Miyamoto-san." Seiji smiled gently. "You're actually a talented and cute girl."
Kaori widened her eyes slightly.
It was that same smile again.
It was exactly the same as that time, a warm smile that seemed to contain light.
That scene from back then replayed itself clearly in her mind.
The impulse in her heart reached its peak.
"Harano -san, I..."
Her emotions were stuck in her throat, and she didn't know how to express them.
'No, this won't do.
I have to say it! No matter what, I have to say it! '
"Miyamoto-san?" Seiji felt that something was strange when he saw her expression.
"Harano -san!" Suddenly, a loud voice called out.
"Please... please go out with me!!" Kaori shouted with a flushed face.
Everyone instantly fell silent.
Chiaki and the others weren't the only ones who were shocked. Even the people nearby were attracted by the commotion and looked over.
Seiji was rendered speechless.
Kaori was rendered speechless.
Seeing his expression freeze over, she realized what she had said and felt as if a volcano was about to erupt within her!
There was no need to even mention Wakaba-san, Uehara-san, and the other two older beauties' gazes. There were also gazes from the passersby, and most importantly, Harano-san's gaze!
The handsome boy's eyes were filled with astonishment.
What kind of expression would he have next?
Would he be awkward, cold, or...
Kaori was unable to continue thinking about it.
She wanted to explain, but she was unable to speak.
She couldn't take it anymore.
Her body started moving on its own. She turned around and ran away!
"Wahhh!!!"
She ran away in tears.
Seiji and the others were dumbfounded.
What was going on?
Seiji didn't expect Miyamoto-san to suddenly confess in front of everyone, and then suddenly turn around and run away.
He didn't know how to react, but seeing her crying and running away, he reflexively felt the urge to chase after her.
Because he was worried.
Although he didn't understand what was going on, it was impossible for a girl to leave by herself in such a state!
Seiji glanced at Chiaki and the others.
Chiaki was the first to come back to her senses. When she saw the look in Seiji's eyes, she instantly understood what he meant.
"Go, Seigo."
"I'll go."
After informing Chiaki and the others, he immediately broke into a run and chased after them at a very fast speed.
Kaori sprinted all the way.
The effects of her daily morning jog showed at this time. She quickly passed through the crowd and ran out of the school. She kept running for a long time until she could no longer run.
"Huff … huff … huff …"
His body was sweating, and so was his face.
He felt his body heating up, and his mind was in a state of chaos.
He couldn't think, or rather he didn't want to think.
Kaori walked forward slowly. She had no idea where she was or where she was heading.
It's over …
Although he didn't want to think about it, the more he didn't want to think about it, the more likely it would appear.
'It's over … I said the wrong thing to Harano -san … I'll be misunderstood … I'll be rejected … I'll be looked down upon … I'll be considered a weirdo …'
A negative aura emanated from Mika.
It was as if she had become a zombie. Her eyes were lifeless, and her footsteps were unsteady. She seemed depressed and depressed.
'As expected, I shouldn't have come into contact with someone like me …'
"Miyamoto-san."
'Someone like me, how could I …'
"Miyamoto-san!"
A clear, familiar voice rang out next to her.
Kaori was startled. She turned around and saw the boy she was thinking about.
"Are you alright?"
Seiji smiled at her and tried his best to speak in the most gentle tone he could.
Kaori was stunned.
If she were to be depicted in a manga, her eyes would have turned into blank circles, and she stood there in a daze.
It didn't seem like she was alright.
Seiji wanted to say something as he looked at her, but he didn't know what to say.
A moment of silence fell between them.
"Sen … Harano -san … why are you …"
Kaho finally regained her senses and stammered out a reply.
"You suddenly started crying … and ran off just like that. I was worried, so I chased after you," Seiji told her.
'Worried …' Kaori felt a warmth in her heart.
'He actually chased after me … and abandoned everyone else!'
She felt both warm and uncomfortable.
"You … you didn't have to come over …" She turned her head away.
'Just leave me be.' That was what she wanted to express.
Seiji blinked in surprise.
"Why wouldn't I? I couldn't just leave Miyamoto-san like that."
A girl running off crying — no matter how he looked at it, he shouldn't just leave her be. That was what he believed.
Kaho's emotions became even more complex after hearing this.
Warmth, happiness, sadness, depression, guilt … all sorts of emotions were mixed together, and she couldn't sort them out.
She walked forward in silence.
Seiji quietly followed by her side.
At this moment, the two of them walked to the riverside and saw the clear flowing water, as well as the fallen leaves floating on the surface of the river.
For some reason, Kaho felt calmer as she watched a single leaf float into the distance.
"Harano -san …" She stopped walking.
"Hmm?" Seiji stopped as well.
"I … I don't want to go out with you; I just want to be your friend … a normal friend," Kaori said in a small voice.
"Oh … sure." Seiji smiled. "I'd be happy to … or rather, I made this request a long time ago.
At that time, I … didn't have self-confidence, and I didn't feel like I had the right to stand by your side, so … "
"What right? Don't say it like that, I'm not …"
"No, I want to say it!" Kaori furrowed her eyebrows. "I felt that the me who didn't work hard didn't have the right to stand by your side, since you worked so hard to change yourself.
So, at that time, I refused.
After that, I put in some effort and felt that I was barely good enough, so I intended to make the same request to you at the school festival.
But, I failed … and did something foolish. "She chuckled self-deprecatingly.
"To ask to go out with you, Harano -san … in front of so many people, just how foolish was I?"
Seiji was rendered speechless.
"After doing such a foolish thing, I couldn't take it anymore and ran away, but I made you worry about me, Harano -san …
Honestly, someone like me is just … "
"Look here." A pair of hands reached out in front of her.
"Eh?" Kaori reflexively raised her head.
* Smack! *
Seiji viciously slapped her face, startling her.
After recovering from her shock, Kaori suddenly recalled that she had been the victim of this once before.
"It's the second time you've fallen for this trick. Miyamoto-san, you're indeed rather foolish."
Seiji smiled faintly.
"Worrying about something you don't need to worry about and making yourself feel down is just like you."
"Harano -san …"
"So what if I said the wrong thing, and so what if I acted foolish in front of everyone? People will always do foolish things in life. Even I … no, I should say that everyone is like that. "
"It's natural to feel ashamed when you're foolish. But there's no need to be too depressed. Saying 'someone like me' or something like that sounds awful. "
"Listen up, Miyamoto-san, I'm happy to be your friend, and I'm already your friend. I really don't want to hear you say such things about yourself! I also don't want to see you get depressed over such a small matter and sink into a completely unnecessary depression. "
"Cheer up, and show me your confidence! Haven't you tried your best? You're indeed talented, and you've shown your abilities. Didn't you even improve your appearance? Why do you still look so gloomy? Cheer up! "
Seiji patted her on the back.
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