This is a Story From a Long Time Ago. ④
That night, Kasahara never told me the outcome of the confession. I remember falling asleep with a restless, uneasy feeling.
Why did Kasahara tell me about being confessed to by a guy back then? And why was she so hesitant to share her response? Even now, after graduating high school, I still don’t have answers.
But that day marked a turning point. I started feeling the need to shake off my recent wishy-washy emotions. That said, it’s not like I suddenly found the courage to confess to Kasahara myself. Probably, back then, even though I was such a mess, I hadn’t fully realized my feelings for her.
The trigger was probably the cultural festival.
The festival’s afterparty. Traditionally, the cultural festival committee president was supposed to host it. During the afterparty, with the campfire blazing, couples danced wildly, and with the festival finally over, the atmosphere was incredibly lively and carefree.
I declined to host the afterparty. It was mostly because of my personality. With my twisted nature, if I’d taken on such a big role, the vibe would’ve probably turned disastrous. So, it wasn’t running away—it was a strategic retreat.
The one who stepped up to host in my place was Kasahara.
Under Kasahara’s lead, the students who stayed for the afterparty were cherishing every moment of that precious time.
As for me, I just wanted to go home and was waiting for time to pass. There was no way someone like me could enjoy that party-animal atmosphere. The only reason I stayed was because of my position.
Alone, I stood at a distance, watching the excited crowd in the schoolyard.
In the dark of the night, with the orange glow of the campfire at the center, everyone was laughing.
That’s when it happened.
“Kasahara-san!”
A guy’s voice rang out.
He called out to Kasahara. The hyped-up crowd instantly turned their attention to him and… to Kasahara, who was hosting the afterparty. At that moment, they probably all knew what this guy was about to do. Whistles, cheers, words of encouragement, people pulling out their phones to record—the air turned sweet with anticipation.
“What?”
Kasahara was her usual self. Smiling as always, kind—a girl like that.
When Kasahara responded to the guy’s call, the crowd grew even more excited…
And there I was, alone in a corner, feeling like I was losing my mind.
The reason the guy had called out to Kasahara.
Whatever was about to unfold between him and her.
And the crowd’s eager expectations for it.
This wasn’t fair.
I was fuming.
With everyone’s expectations and the situation, confessing here would make it nearly impossible for her to say no, wouldn’t it?
That’s when it hit me.
I thought, If it’s come to this, I should’ve confessed to Kasahara first.
It surprised even me.
I knew I had special feelings for Kasahara, something beyond friendship. But I hadn’t thought of it as romantic. I never imagined a time would come when I’d fall for someone.
“I’m sorry. I like someone else.”
Kasahara, with a wry smile, turned down the guy’s confession.
The guy, rejected by Kasahara, clutched his head in frustration before laughing it off with the crowd.
I thought to myself, How can he laugh like that?
But I also felt a bit of admiration for him.
…The cultural festival afterparty. In front of the campfire. The perfect setting. Confessing to the person you like. And even if you get rejected, you can laugh it off with your friends, no hard feelings.
I respected that nameless guy, and at the same time, I regretted my own cowardice.
I hated that I was filled with regret.
The afterparty ended, and the students started heading home.
The festival committee members had to check the fire and other things before leaving.
“Hey, Kasahara, wanna walk home together today?”
Surprisingly, the words came out smoothly.
I wasn’t even nervous.
“Sure. Sounds good.”
Kasahara agreed to my suggestion.
And so, we saw off the other committee members as they left.
“…That was unexpected.”
Standing together in the schoolyard, now wrapped in darkness, Kasahara spoke.
“What’s that?”
“I never thought you’d ask me to walk home together, Yamamoto-kun.”
“…Yeah, fair enough.”
I gave a wry smile. Up until now, I’d always been so passive. I’d only walk home with Kasahara because she asked me to. When I heard she’d been confessed to, I just harbored dark feelings inside.
That was all it had been.
“Sorry. You probably wanted to walk home with Hayashi or someone.”
“No way. They probably left already. Honestly, everyone’s so mean, right?”
“…Yeah, true.”
I wasn’t nervous.
But what was I supposed to say?
I responded vaguely, lost in thought.
…But then it hit me.
There was no need to put on airs.
I could just be myself, right?
If it didn’t work out, so be it. I’d just say what I wanted to say… like always.
“Kasahara, I like you.”
My voice echoed clearly in the schoolyard, which had been so noisy just moments before.
But Kasahara didn’t respond at all. There’s no way she didn’t hear me.
So, I guess that meant it was a no.
Well, that’s how it goes. There was no spark. That’s all there was to it.
…Strangely, I felt refreshed. Even if I was rejected, I had no regrets.
“Me too.”
In the dead-quiet schoolyard, for a moment, I thought I’d gone deaf.
I couldn’t hear what Kasahara said. No, that’s not right. I heard it. But I couldn’t process it.
“Huh?”
“I like you too, Yamamoto-kun.”
“…Is that so?”
“Yup.”
“…Is that so.”
My body felt numb. Even though Kasahara and I were mutual, I kept feeling number and number. I couldn’t wrap my head around it. Kasahara and I, mutual?
“Wanna head home?”
“…Yeah.”
Even though we were mutual, the air between us was completely different from before. We’d gotten so comfortable with each other that it never felt awkward anymore. But now, it wasn’t just awkward—it was downright stiff.
“Hey, Yamamoto-kun?”
“Hm?”
“…Are we, like, a couple now?”
“…Yeah.”
Well, that’s how it works, right? We’re mutual, after all.
“Got it.”
“…Yeah.”
“Got it, got it.”
“…So, uh, what do couples even do?”
“No idea.”
After a moment, we both burst into wry laughter.
Who’s the heroine of this story?
The heroine of this story is Kasahara Akari.
