"Huh!?" I was startled and reflexively pulled away. "Ehehe." When I opened my eyes, I saw Miyanoshita with her cheeks flushed. "You..." "Yes? What is it?" "What did you just do?" "Hmm, I wonder what it could have been." Miyanoshita chuckled, feigning innocence. But her cheeks were still slightly flushed. "That was my way of saying thank you. Would you like to know more... details about what it was?" "...I'll pass on that." I decided to pretend it didn't happen, since confirming the truth would probably just lead to sticky situations. What a coward I am. If I imagined correctly, Miyanoshita-chan must have worked up a lot of courage to do that... But what else could I do? I had no idea how I should react. What words should I say - I was completely at a loss. I was a high school student. Miyanoshita-chan was an elementary school student. There was no way I could move forward in our relationship. "Haah..." I let out a sigh. "It's a bit late to ask this, but why did you fall for me, Miyanoshita-chan?" "I told you before, didn't I?" "I wanted to confirm it again." "Well, let's see. It's because you stayed with me, you were kind, you gave me the words I needed to hear... there are various reasons, but it's difficult to explain it clearly in words." "Is that how it is?" "That's how it is." Miyanoshita-chan spoke while gazing off into the distance. "Falling in love is ultimately a matter of the soul, isn't it? And the soul is invisible. It's not something that's been completely figured out. That's why we don't fully understand it." "Are you really an elementary school student, Miyanoshita-chan...?" I didn't think there were many elementary school students who thought like this. Or perhaps this was normal nowadays? "So, I'd like to give you a very simple explanation that's been passed down through the ages."

"Which is?" "Before I knew it, I had fallen for you, Yuuki-san." "..." "After all, love isn't something you do, it's something you fall into." Saying that, she smiled gently. Her smile wasn't overflowing with her usual brightness and energy. But not in a bad way. It was quiet and calm, yet so full of kindness. I hate to admit it. I really hate to admit it, but I found myself briefly captivated. "Love is something you fall into, huh?" "In the end, don't you think that's the best way to describe it? It's something that's been said over and over, but that's why I feel it must be right." "Maybe you're right." "So, tell me, Yuuki-san, when will you fall for me?" Mianoshita asked. "At the very earliest, maybe in about 8 years." "Boo. I can't wait that long." "Well, it has to be that way or it'd be a problem." "Why don't we just leap over those pesky legal barriers with the power of love?" "And I'd land straight in jail?" "I'd visit you every day♪" "Please stop with these reckless ideas. You're free to give up on me, you know." "I don't want to." It was an instant reply. There seemed to be no need for thought or hesitation on her part. I really wondered why she liked me so much. It was a mystery. ... Would I understand if I fell in love too? "Yuuki-san, do you still have time?" Mianoshita asked. "That's actually my line, but... well, yeah i do," I replied. I lived alone, and I wasn't afraid of walking at night. "In that case, why don't we play Fan-Nex together?" she suggested. "How?" I asked. "I'll play on my game console. You can use the PC." "You have it installed on both?" I asked, surprised. "That's right!" Wow, she's a hardcore gamer.

"That's fine, but make sure you don't leave any IDs or personal info, okay?" I cautioned. "...Of course," she replied, a bit too eagerly. This girl, she was aiming for that, wasn't she? I'm glad I warned her in advance. "Well, I guess it's not bad to play in the same room," I conceded. "It's our first time... exchanging our firsts with each other, Yuuki-san... Kyaa♪" she squealed excitedly. "Don't say such old man-like things," I chided. "Doesn't it make your heart race?" she asked excitedly. "Not at all," I replied flatly. "Yuuki-san, are you all dried up inside?" "If it was a gorgeous beauty, my heart might race, but... hmm." "Huh!? Where exactly were you looking when you said that!? Which part of me were you looking at!?" she demanded to know. "Who knows?" I shrugged. "Mmph, mmph! This is sexual harassment! I'll report you! I'll tell Papa and Mama!" she threatened, puffing her cheeks. "I'm sorry," I quickly apologized. If she actually did that, i would be in serious trouble. I bowed my head right that instant. I was weak. It felt like a hierarchy of Miyanoshita > me had been firmly established. "Geez, you're hopeless. But... that's what makes you worth pursuing, Yuuki-san♪" she said with a mischievous smile. "Your motivation in that area is really something else," I remarked. She was an elementary schooler unlike any other elementary schooler. But... Perhaps that's exactly why we could spend time together like this. It was comfortable, in a way. Relaxing, you could say. I found myself enjoying the time spent with Miyanoshita, despite everything. She was my closest friend, the one I got along with best out of anyone. We booted up our gaming devices and computers, logging into Fan-Nex. Just as the game was about to start... "Yuuki-san," Miyanoshita called out. She smiled sweetly at me. Then, with a radiant grin, she declared, "I like you♪" Her words were filled with sweet affection. ...Here I was, a high school boy, being confessed to by an elementary school girl. Was this what they call a "sticky situation"?