“I see, so that’s why little Miss elementary school girl is mad at you.” It was the next day after school, and I was getting advice from my reliable senpai at the Amaryllis coffee shop inbetween serving customers. “I know it’s pathetic, but I don't know how to apologize...” I can’t say I never had a fight with a friend before. But having a fight with a girl... especially one still in elementary school girl, was a first for me. I had no idea what to do. “Hmm... I can help you out sure, but first, do you understand why little Miss elementary school girl is actually mad at you?” “Because she misunderstood my relationship with Koyanagi-senpai.” “ut why would she be mad about that? I mean, you both aren’t dating yet. Even if she misunderstood the situation, I don’t think that's enough of a reason for her to get angry.” “No. Suzu... Miyanoshita has every right to be angry.” “Why is that?” “Because I’ve been taking advantage of her feelings.” She’d confessed to me... But I’d put off giving her an answer. Even though she wanted one, I’d been happy to keep things the way they were. I was glad that we were able to continue our relationship like this... without destroying what we have. With that in mind, I had to be as honest with her as possible. I had to take her confession seriously. It was out of the question that I would date anyone else while we were in this situation. “... If I had another girlfriend, she’d have every right to be angry. Well, I mean, I didn’t actually get another girlfriend, but still...” “Yes, yes, I see... Okay, you pass!” “Huh?” “It seems like you’ve really thought about your situation and what Miss elementary school girl is feeling. That’s good. If you’d said something like, ‘I don’t know why she’s mad at me’ or ‘She doesn’t have any reason to be angry,’ I would have given up on you.” "Haha... So I was being tested, huh?” What a scary person. I shuddered at the thought of what would have happened if I'd made the wrong choice. “Alright, I’ll help you out. All I can offer is my wisdom, though.” “That’s very important.” As a senpai, she would understand what Suzu was thinking right now. She should also be able to come up with a way to make up with her. “You ready? So first of all...” ———————————————— The next day. Sunday.

I was back at the hamburger chain restaurant in front of the station. Yesterday I setup a meeting with Suzu here. The person I was waiting for was Suzu. But I didn’t know if she would actually show up. I’d sent her a message through the messenger, saying that I would be waiting for her at the store in front of the station at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday. She’d read the message, but had not replyed. This was one of senpai’s ideas. If I called her, there was a good chance that she wouldn’t answer, since she was still angry. However, as long as she hadn’t blocked my number, she would get the message. And according to senpai, given Suzu’s personality, she would certainly read it. In addition to that, if I gave her a concrete place to meet, she wouldn't be able to ignore me. Maybe it was because she was a girl, too, but my senpai seemed to know a lot about Suzu. She was able to easily predict her behavior. She really was a college student. That’s what I’d call a true adult woman. “...” While beeing lost in thought, someone sat down in the seat across from me. When I looked up from my phone, I saw... “...What do you want? Why did you call me out here?” It was Suzu. It was a bit scary that things were going exactly as senpai had planned. At the same time, it was reassuring. “I wanted to explain what happened the other day and apologize,” I said. “Hmph...” Suzu puffed her cheeks, as if she already knew what I was going to say. I could tell her mood had taken a nosedive. Still... She didn’t get up and leave. No matter what, she was going to listen to what I had to say. That, too, was one of my senpai's predictions. Suzu had gotten angry and yelled at me, but she wasn’t really mad. If anything she was mostly sulking. However, it would be difficult for her to make the first step...

Senpai had said that if I made the first move, Suzu would listen to what I had to say, even if she was still in a bad mood. Everything was going according to her plan. Could she be a reincarnation of Kong Ming? “The truth is... I was with a girl the other day,” I said. “...!” “It was the girl I told you about the other day, my senpai from school. You've met her at the store, right? That's who it was... and we're not in the kind of relationship you're imagining.” “Hmph, buuu, hmmm... Then why were you at her house? Conversations like that only happen when your in someones home, right?” “Koyanagi-senpai... Oh, that's her name by the way. Anyway, she had some very heavy bags to carry. I felt a bit weird to just leaver her alone like that. So I carried them home for her. Then she offered me some tea as a thank-you... and I thought it’d be rude to turn her down...” “Hmph... Mmmm” Suzu’s expression softened a little. “It’s all a big misunderstanding. Nothing is the way you’re thinking it is. I don’t have any feelings for Koyanagi-senpai. We are simply kouhai and senpai. And maybe friends, but that’s all.” “But you can't prove it. It's just your word, Naoto-san. What if you're lying? I couldn't doubt you. After all they are the words of the person I like. I couldn’t help but believe them...” Suzu’s expression had softened a bit, but her tone was still sharp. My heart ached at her accusatory words and stern expression. But I knew her attitude was only natural. Suzu said that she fell in love with me because I was always there for her. She had always been alone. That’s why having someone by her side was so important to her. And I... ...had left her alone. I've let her alone with those dark thoughts. I made her believe she was alone after all. ...I think I’ve hurt her. Even though it wasn't intentional, it wasn't something that could be easily forgiven. “Yeah, I can only give you my word. It might not be enough. But... All I can do now is ask you to believe me. I don't want to deceiv you.” “...” “But before I hear your answer, there’s something else I’d like to say.” “...What is it?” “Whether I can reciprocate your feelings or not. To be honest, I can't give you a final answer yet. It’s going to take some time to come to a decision. But there is one thing I can say for certain.” “And that is?” “You’re my best friend, Suzu.” “...!” “If someone asked me, ‘Who’s the most important person to you?’ I would answer without hesitation that it’s you. Our relationship is complicated, but that doesn’t change the fact that you’re the most important person to me. I care about you that much, Suzu.” “Naoto-san...” “So... I’m sorry. And please, let’s make up. I’m lonely when we’re fighting. Even if I go play with other friends, I feel like something’s missing, and I can’t relax... I want you to be by my side, Suzu.” “That...” “Once again, I’m sorry. I can’t say that I’ll never make a mistake like that again, but... I’ll be more careful from now on. I’ll do anything you want, so please forgive me.” I placed my hands on the table and bowed my head deeply.