It was dismissal time again.
"Utaha, walking home together?"
Packing her things, Utaha looked up at Yoshikawa Yuki, who stood at Class C's door with her bag on. She shook her head. "No, I have somewhere to go today."
"Alright then." Yuki nodded. "I'll head off with Tooru and the others."
"Yeah, be safe."
"You should head home early too, or a certain someone will worry~ Hehe."
Shooting a playful glare at the snickering Yuki, Utaha pretended to be mad and raised her novel. After successfully scaring her off, she couldn't help but let out a fond, helpless smile, lowering the book.
She pulled a pair of pure white earphones from her bag, connected them to her phone, and opened her music app.
"Even your flaws, I like them too.
Even your slightly unreliable side, I like it just the same.
More than friends, less than lovers.
What do you really think of me?
Only I am left alone, suppressing these feelings of affection.
Every time you treat me gently, I can't help but rejoice..."
Listening to the melody, a gentle, peaceful expression softened Utaha's features.
"Hmm hmm..." Since she'd only just started listening, she couldn't sing it flawlessly like Miyani's other tracks. She could only hum the tune lightly.
But that didn't diminish her love for the song. If anything, the simple yet profoundly touching lyrics, every word striking right at her heart, made her—a lover of words—sink deeper into it.
'Miyahito... really isn't "Miyani", is he?'
Walking home, the midday conversation between Kyoko and Yuki echoed in her mind.
'Probably not.' Biting her lower lip, she lowered her head, reaffirming it to herself.
One was her admired singer.
The other was the boy she liked.
...Honestly, she kinda hated herself right now for wavering between them.
'The current me.'
Listening to the music, she inexplicably stopped. Looking up at the afternoon sky, her gaze grew complicated.
'How am I any different from those shameless women?'
Saying I like him, yet keeping another silhouette in my heart.
I really hate this version of myself.
Self-disgust churned inside her, her expression darkening.
She turned off the music, removed the earphones, and stuffed everything into her bag.
"Alright. Decided."
Since the person she liked was the silly boy who stayed by her side, Mr. Miyahito...
From now on, she would slowly let that singer who inspired her to become an author fade from her heart.
Even if Miyahito would never know about this past.
Utaha would never allow another shadow to taint her feelings for him.
This was her.
Kasumigaoka Utaha's own "Declaration of Love."
"I wonder if Miyahito is back yet?"
The realization suddenly made her want—no, need—to see that slightly goofy boy right now.
Hey, Miyahito-kun. I miss you.
Standing on the busy street, her gaze uncontrollably drifted to her left.
In the direction of Chiba.
Even with skyscrapers, bustling shopping streets, and the warm glow of city lights before her, she could almost see that gentle, doting smile.
"Mou." Pouting slightly, she looked down, kicking a small pebble in dissatisfaction. "Hurry up and come back, Miyahito-kun."
"Then could you please look up, dear Ms. Utaha?"
Hearing that familiar, unmistakably boyish voice, Utaha didn't hesitate. She looked up, her face instantly lighting up with a mix of shock and joy.
"Yo."
Still that familiar, sunny, handsome smile. Still that familiar uniform and schoolbag.
Seeing her stunned expression, Miyahito, holding a bag in his right hand and raising his left, smiled with deep doting affection.
"I'm back, Utaha."
"Mhm."
Unable to contain her joy, Utaha's smile turned incredibly gentle and reassuring.
"Welcome back, Miyahito."
...
"Sigh, I have no idea what got into Mom and Dad. Suddenly kicking me out and constantly nagging me to return to Tokyo."
"Mhm."
"And this morning, Ayase actually took Mom's side! Mou, what kind of little sister eagerly kicks her brother out of the house? So unreasonable."
"Mhm."
Sitting shoulder-to-shoulder on a park bench, Utaha listened to the boy's grievances, her eyes curved in amusement.
"Seriously, I'm just so wronged."
"There, there~ It's okay, it's okay, Mr. Miyahito." Gently stroking his hair, she comforted him as if soothing a child, her tone incredibly doting. "I know you're the best. Don't be upset."
Slightly embarrassed by the pampering, Miyahito unconsciously looked away.
Noticing his shy reaction, Utaha's smile grew even softer.
"Oh, right. Utaha."
Finally remembering the gifts, Miyahito quickly picked up the cake box and another gift box neatly wrapped with a wine-red ribbon from beside him.
Smiling, he placed them in front of the slightly confused Utaha.
"These are for you."
"Eh, so sudden." Caught off guard, Utaha looked up at him, then quickly looked down, her cheeks flushing. "I-I... I didn't prepare a return gift."
"I'll wait for you." Without missing a beat, Miyahito replied instantly. "Whether it's a return gift or anything else, I'll wait for you, Utaha."
Utaha paused, then looked up, her face blooming like a flower. "Mhm. Then you absolutely must wait for me."
The boy and girl shared a smile.
"Hurry and see if you like what's in the box." Miyahito pointed to the gift on top, which he'd picked at the station, his tone slightly eager. "The one below is the souvenir my mom specially made me bring. It's from 'Nathan Cake Shop'."
"I saw this one while waiting for the train. I felt it really suited you, so I thought of giving it to you. Tell me if you like it."
"Mhm." Nodding with a soft smile, Utaha carefully untied the ribbon on the box resting on her lap.
Gently lifting the lid...
Appearing before Utaha's eyes...
...was a pure white hairband—simple, yet undeniably cute.
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