Chapter 12: Her Silent Confession

“Qiuqiu, Qiuqiu…”

Nina called my name softly, gently poking my upper arm with a tentative touch.

“What is it?”

“Did you… have a fight with Yueyue?”

“…No, why the sudden question?”

It wasn’t exactly a fight, merely a difference of opinion.

“Because she hasn’t been talking to me, and you’re not going to the Charging Club to eat with her right now.”

“…”

Indeed, I was currently seated at a six-person table in the cafeteria, with Nina and Makino Kaede to my right, and directly opposite, the idiotic childhood sweethearts were still endlessly flaunting their affection.

I could, in fact, understand the young lady’s feelings.

She had stood there, head bowed, in silence for a long time, before turning and walking away.

She hadn’t spoken to anyone since.

So, just as I was momentarily unsure how to face her, she was likely unsure what expression to wear when facing Nina.

Yet, Nina’s eyes, brimming with worry and an almost pleading earnestness, made it impossible for me to heartlessly ignore her.

“Shall we go over there together now?”

“Yes, yes!”

Nina immediately clasped my arm with both hands, her face lighting up, then quickly glanced at her meal tray with a hint of concern.

“But…”

“It’s fine, just remember to return the tray.”

“Then let’s hurry!!”

“Hold on… slow down! Don’t fall!”

In the brief moment it took for me to utter a reminder, Nina had already dashed out of the cafeteria, tray in hand, like a gust of wind.

“Sigh…”

I couldn’t help but sigh, turning back to pick up my own tray, only to see Makino Kaede waving at me with a mischievous grin.

“Go on, hurry! If she really does fall, remember to pat her head and say, ‘Good girl, good girl’!”

“Can’t you ever wish for something good?”

I couldn’t help but roll my eyes at her.

Her words, however, made me involuntarily imagine the scenario.

Then I noticed the idiotic couple had stopped their public display of affection, their gazes flitting about as they feigned an air of ‘We didn’t see anything at all~’.

Not a single reliable person among them.

Utterly speechless, I picked up my meal tray and left.

****

When I reached the floor where the club room was located, I immediately spotted Nina standing hesitantly outside the door.

‘…Where did all her usual bravado go?’

Approaching her with a helpless sigh, I found Nina staring up at my face with a truly pitiful expression.

“Qiuqiu, what should I do? I… I don’t dare to knock…”

“Oh, you…”

I couldn’t help but offer a wry smile and shake my head, then freed one hand to casually tap twice on the door before pulling it open.

“Hand over your brains, now!~”

I had intended to stride in, shouting those words, but the moment one foot stepped into the club room, my entire body froze.

Su Yuanyi, who had just taken a bite of bread, remained perfectly still, staring blankly at me.

Nina peeked out from behind my shoulder.

“Qiuqiu, it seems you’ve quite successfully messed things up.”

‘It seems you’re also incredibly adept at twisting the knife at times like these, aren’t you…’

“My apologies, Student Su, I didn’t mean to startle you.”

Su Yuanyi released the bread from her mouth and gently shook her head.

“N-no… it’s fine… I-I… wasn’t… startled…”

Yet, as she spoke, her hands clasped tightly, and her head lowered.

This person truly struggles with communicating with others.

“That’s good then. Do you know where Student Lan went?”

“…The… the rooftop…”

“Thank you. I won’t bother you any further.”

“Qiuqiu, I’m leaving this to you!”

No sooner had I turned around than Nina placed her meal tray directly onto mine.

“Yueyue! I’m coming! Please don’t do anything stupid!!”

“…”

‘What an overly cute little idiot. The rooftop has railings and security measures; otherwise, how could it possibly be open to students… And there’s no need for such excessive worry; that young lady would never have such thoughts.’

“Zhao… Student Zhao…”

Still contemplating how to manage the meal trays so I could follow, I heard Su Yuanyi call out to me.

“Is something the matter, Student Su?”

I turned to reply, seeing her still wearing that unchanging, expressionless look. She gazed at me for two seconds, then shifted her eyes away, repeating this several times, yet unable to utter a single word.

After a moment’s thought, I placed the meal trays on the table, sat opposite her, and took out my phone.

“Student Su, if it’s alright, would you like to add me as a friend?”

This was the best solution I could think of at the moment.

If I insisted on her communicating verbally, not only would lunch break not be enough, but probably the entire afternoon wouldn’t suffice.

And apart from the light novels and manga the young lady had haphazardly crammed in, there was no paper or pen in the club room.

Actually, that wasn’t entirely true; there was also a thick stack of club application forms.

‘Honestly, the club room simply can’t accommodate that many people.’

Su Yuanyi, however, quickly nodded, pulled out her phone, and skillfully added me as a friend.

In truth, I was incredibly nervous, as I had never dared to imagine adding a girl’s contact information four days in a row, and this time, I had even initiated it myself.

On this point, the other three should probably reflect on themselves.

[My Top Pick is Arin and Idols: ‘Hello, Student Su, I’m Zhao Wangqiu from Class 1-3. Please take care of me (Arin bowing respectfully)’]

‘Considering the somewhat heavy atmosphere, I thought this opening would be more appropriate.’

[Fantasy Colored Bookmark: ‘Don’t make such an obvious joke, you’re clearly from Class 1-2! (Little Bear serious)’]

‘Wow, such fast typing speed, it’s like a different personality entirely.’

[My Top Pick is Arin and Idols: ‘Eh? How do you know? (Idol confused)’]

[Fantasy Colored Bookmark: ‘Because I’m from Class 1-3! (Little Bear righteously indignant)’]

[My Top Pick is Arin and Idols: ‘Oh dear, to be exposed right in front of the real thing, I truly am careless (Arin shy)’]

[Fantasy Colored Bookmark: ‘So Student Zhao is really good at lightening the mood (Little Bear secretly laughing)’]

[My Top Pick is Arin and Idols: ‘You flatter me, you flatter me. So, Student Su, what did you want to talk about just now? (Arin serious face)’]

Su Yuanyi first looked up at me, appearing noticeably less nervous than before.

After a short while, I saw her message.

[‘Actually, this morning, I heard you and Student Lan arguing, and I also mentioned it to her just now.’]

‘Ah…’

‘This person seems quite adept at hiding things.’

‘Now I understand why the young lady ran to the rooftop.’

[‘I’m sorry, it was clearly my own problem, yet it caused you two to argue. I am truly deeply apologetic.’]

[‘You really don’t need to worry about it. After all, you heard it yourself; we didn’t actually argue, there was just a difference of opinion.’]

[‘You don’t need to comfort me, that was absolutely an argument (Little Bear crying) (Little Bear apologizing) (Little Bear apologizing) (Little Bear apologizing)’]

‘Ugh, don’t let your actual expression turn into a blank face with eyes about to cry.’

[‘Seriously, don’t worry about it, and certainly don’t be anxious. Nina will be able to coax the young lady around very soon.’]

[‘Really?’]

[‘Yes, after all, she’s the young lady’s best friend, her ultimate nemesis, and her most beloved pet.’]

[‘“Pet” is a bit too much, isn’t it!?’]

[‘But those were the young lady’s own words. “Though she’s mischievous, she doesn’t bite, so please cherish her well.”’]

[‘Oh, I see. They have such a good relationship.’]

[‘Right?’]

Su Yuanyi’s movements suddenly paused.

I looked over, confused, and saw that she seemed to have deleted her previous message and started typing again.

[‘Student Zhao, I am truly grateful for everything you and Student Lan have done for me. And please rest assured, I am actually fine now.’]

‘Eh? Is it what I’m thinking?’

I looked up and met her gaze, and in those tear-filled eyes, I sensed an extraordinarily complex emotion.

[‘Are you saying…’]

She lowered her head, holding her phone, remaining motionless for a long time.

I could only wait quietly.

After about five minutes, her fingers finally began to move.

[‘Actually, I already knew he wouldn’t accept my feelings. I just never expected that the childhood friend he often spoke of would actually be plural.’]

‘Ah, this…’

[‘Perhaps there’s only one childhood friend.’]

[‘Perhaps.’]

I was suddenly at a loss for words.

After all, with Su Yuanyi’s mindset, how could one appropriately describe the entire process that led to her agreement with the young lady?

‘Hmm… perhaps a desperate pursuit, even knowing it was a losing battle?’

[‘You don’t need to be so considerate of me.’]

[‘Student Su, if you’ll excuse my bluntness, this difficulty level is a bit too high; my current skill level is completely insufficient.’]

[‘Hehe, Student Zhao is indeed quite humorous. I’m beginning to understand why Student Lan enjoys spending time with you.’]

[‘Isn’t it because I’m easily led around by the nose?’]

[‘Isn’t it because you willingly allow yourself to be led around by the nose?’]

‘So, being led around by the nose is a given, then.’

[‘So that’s the only impression I’ve left? How disheartening.’]

Su Yuanyi lowered her head and paused again.

This made me feel a little flustered.

[‘My apologies, Student Su, that was just a joke. Please don’t take it seriously.’]

Su Yuanyi saw the message, looked up at me, shook her head gently, and continued typing.

[‘On the contrary, I’m a little envious.’]

[‘Huh?’]

[‘Because I also really wish I could chat with him anytime, anywhere.’]

[‘Actually, it’s not too late.’]

I had originally intended to reply, ‘Isn’t that a simple matter?’

But considering her personality, it truly wasn’t an easy task.

[‘But now I no longer have the courage to hope for such a thing.’]

Seeing her sadness, I, due to my own nervousness, couldn’t find any words of comfort for a moment.

[‘Whenever I think that there are so many girls more outstanding than me who can easily do all the things I don’t dare to do, I just can’t muster the courage anymore.’]

‘Hmm, whether those girls are truly more outstanding than her, I’m not sure, but I can largely understand her feelings.’

It was just like how the young lady now absolutely refused to see the idiotic couple.

Even if they weren’t showing off their affection together, she would deliberately avoid either of them.

[‘Student Zhao, do you know, he was once a light in my life.’]

Before I could reply, I saw the next message.

[‘That sounds like an exaggeration.’]

Her fingers showed no sign of stopping.

[‘But he really was, before high school,’]

[‘apart from my parents,’]

[‘the only person who, when faced with my personality,’]

[‘never mocked or distanced himself from me.’]

[‘The fact that I can go from not even daring to send a chat message,’]

[‘to being able to communicate with you like this now,’]

[‘can largely be attributed to him.’]

[‘I originally found it difficult to distinguish my feelings;’]

[‘was it just gratitude, or was it love?’]

[‘It wasn’t until I found my gaze unable to leave him,’]

[‘and when I learned he had a very close childhood friend,’]

[‘that I became so completely restless with annoyance,’]

[‘that I suddenly realized’]

[‘I had truly fallen in love with him.’]

[‘Actually, I had considered giving up.’]

[‘But every time such a thought arose,’]

[‘I would remember everything he did for me,’]

[‘and all those words of encouragement.’]

[‘So I finally mustered the courage to confess.’]

Her typing paused slightly here.

[‘And when he said he needed to seriously consider it,’]

[‘and asked me to seriously consider it again,’]

[‘I already knew then’]

[‘that I had been rejected.’]

[‘It’s just that at that moment,’]

[‘I didn’t have the courage to face reality.’]

Watching the continuous stream of messages, I couldn’t help but feel a surge of irritation.

What on earth had that scoundrel Ye Wenxuan done?

Did he feel no guilt for hurting a girl like this, with such a half-hearted attitude?

[‘So, I really envy you and Student Lan.’]

[‘Because I still really want to chat with him.’]

[‘I want to go out and play with him.’]

[‘I want to see more scenery with him.’]

[‘I want to create many beautiful memories with him.’]

[‘I want to hold his hand.’]

[‘I want to hug him.’]

[‘I want to—’]

The unfinished message appeared on the screen as she raised her phone to shield her forehead.

“It turns out… falling in love with someone… isn’t necessarily… always a good thing…”

“…After all, love is essentially unreasonable.”

I had already intended to get up and leave, believing I shouldn’t say anything at all.

After all, in this overly similar situation, and still essentially strangers, allowing her to quietly vent her emotions alone seemed like the best option.

But then I reconsidered; wasn’t her pouring out so much in one breath also a display of her last bit of courage?

To simply leave without a word would be too cruel.

However, it turned out not all loves ended in spectacular, crushing defeat.

The sobs gradually subsided, slowly calming, only as the pre-bell for the end of lunch break rang.

[‘Thank you, but I also showed you a disgraceful side of myself, I’m truly sorry (Little Bear apologizing)’]

[‘It’s alright, in fact, we’re the ones who caused you trouble.’]

[‘It’s just as Student Lan said, Student Zhao, you are sometimes too humble. I am genuinely very grateful to you.’]

‘Humble? Me?’

‘I really wish the young lady would take some responsibility when she speaks.’

‘But this would only go on endlessly, so it seems I can only let nature take its course.’

[‘You’re making me blush, so I’ll generously accept the compliment. But are you really okay? I’m quite familiar with Teacher Lin, perhaps you should just go home and rest today.’]

[‘Hehe, you really are gentle towards girls. Thank you for being so thoughtful, but I truly am fine now.’]

She finished sending the message and looked up at me.

Her eyes were reddened, her eyelashes damp.

And a rare, slight curve touched her lips.

“Because… I must, with greater strength… face, the future.”

I wasn’t sure how best to describe it.

In any case, I was momentarily so captivated that I couldn’t speak.

[‘Moreover, I promised Student Lan that regardless of the outcome, after this matter concludes, I would join the club as Vice President.’]

‘As expected, that was the young lady’s original intention, after all.’

‘Eh?’

‘That’s not quite right.’

‘I remember Nina saying she wanted to join the club but was firmly rejected by the young lady.’

‘Eh?… Eh!? Following this current trajectory… could it actually be true?’

‘Is that fellow really planning to fill this place with ‘defeated heroines’?’

I couldn’t help but glance at the stack of club application forms.

‘There’s simply no room for them, honestly.’

[‘So, please take good care of me from now on, Errands-kun (Little Bear serious)’]

‘You’re determined to make me retort, aren’t you?’

[‘Then I’ll also ask you to take good care of me, Vice President-sama (Idol serious)’]

[‘Student Zhao, you know this is just a joke, right? Don’t tease me like this (Little Bear scared)’]

[‘Then don’t take it so seriously either! (Idol flustered)’]

[‘Hehe, then let’s get along well from now on (Little Bear bowing politely)’]

[‘Same to you (Idol scattering flowers)’]

In the dwindling time before we had to rush to class, the conversation, which should have ended there, took a completely unexpected turn as Su Yuanyi covered her face with her phone.

[‘Also, after hearing so much from me, Student Zhao, you absolutely cannot make the same mistake and upset Student Lan, okay?’]

After a brief moment of stunned silence, I couldn’t help but look at her, only to see her blink with hopeful eyes.

[‘You seem to have a deep misunderstanding; the young lady and I are just ordinary classmates.’]

Dissatisfaction immediately flashed in her eyes.

[‘How can you lie? You willingly allowed yourself to be led around by the nose!’]

‘Please stop mentioning being led around by the nose.’

[‘That’s because she has something on me.’]

[‘But when Student Lan talks about you, she doesn’t imply anything of the sort, and you didn’t seem unwilling at all when you agreed to her request. Otherwise, you could have just refused yesterday.’]

‘Oh, so that’s what you’re talking about.’

[‘I’m really not lying; you don’t know how utterly exhausted I’ve been these past few days because of her capriciousness.’]

[‘So why didn’t you refuse? Without a convincing reason, you’re just a big liar!’]

(‘Because’)

I suddenly felt that these words would be better spoken aloud.

So I stopped typing, deleted the two characters I had just entered, and looked into Su Yuanyi’s eyes, then, involuntarily, smiled.

Just like Su Yuanyi had done moments ago—to confront her own shortcomings, to display her determination, to convince herself, and to show respect to the person listening—she had painstakingly transformed all of it into words, expressing it both to the other person and to herself.

“Because, I am the one who fears loneliness more.”

The truth was that simple.

My social circle had suddenly been disrupted, and I did feel deeply troubled.

But without this catalyst, I wouldn’t have become friends with the pure-hearted and straightforward Nina, and thus wouldn’t have encountered so many new things.

I wouldn’t have known that the often mischievous Makino Kaede actually had a caring side, skilled at looking after others.

Nor would I have known that while Li Pengcheng was annoying, he was still a decent person, accommodating many of his childhood friend Bai Yingwan’s flaws while also firmly urging her to improve.

So, even though I was being led around by the nose by the young lady, I feared more that my life would return to its former unchanging monotony.

The girl, who had been staring at me blankly for a moment, suddenly put down her phone, stood up, and rushed to the window. As her chair clattered to the floor, and I simultaneously felt utterly bewildered, she forcefully pulled open the window.

*Whoosh!*—

As the summer heat wave surged into the room, her waist-length black hair shimmered in the sunlight.

The girl cupped her hands around her mouth and leaned out the window.

“Ah!!~~~ Damn it! You philandering scumbag! If you didn’t! Mean it! Then don’t! Just casually! Come close! And turn someone’s life! Upside down! It’s truly! Infuriating!!”

“Ah.”

This was bad.

I retract my previous statement.

Summer, afternoon, the sun ablaze.

The romance, which should have quietly ended without a ripple in the not-so-spacious room, reached its inevitable conclusion amidst the girl’s self-breaking, hoarse declaration of defeat, followed by violent coughing.