Episode 65: Two Steps Forward, One Step Back

I wake to the sound of birdsong.

I open my eyes to find a beautiful girl sleeping there.
It looks as though she won’t be waking any time soon.

Ever since I was a child, I’ve had a strange habit of waking up early in the morning.
I used to hate getting up so early, thinking I could have slept longer, but lately I’ve stopped feeling that way.

　She is sleeping soundly, breathing gently.
Making full use of the privilege of waking up early, I gently touch her all over. Whether I touch her hair, stroke her eyelashes, or brush her lips, she shows no sign of waking.

A lot happened yesterday.
Takizawa seemed happy, having enjoyed herself so much.
That alone was enough to make me happy.
And yet, Takizawa opened up to me of her own accord.

　Given Takizawa’s personality, she must have been suffering in silence all this time, unable to tell anyone.

Yesterday, Takizawa was like a glass of water spilling over, she was completely overwhelmed, and all sorts of emotions were pouring out of her.

But I’m glad it was me who got to see her like that. I’m sure it’s a side of her she doesn’t show to Mayo-san or any of her other friends.

　Friends…

That makes me want to sigh.

We hug and kiss, to be honest, we do things you don’t usually do with friends. What’s more, Takizawa confided in me things she couldn’t tell anyone else.

I did have a little hope.

But it seems Takizawa is currently looking for a friend in me.

I want to respond to Takizawa’s feelings, but contrary to those feelings, my own feelings are growing stronger.

　I’ve been given permission to carry on as before, but will I be able to stop there? I don’t trust my own reason very much, so I feel anxious.

　Even so, I’m glad that I’ve managed to get a little closer to Takizawa.

　In a few days, we’ll be in our third year—

‘I hope I’m in the same class as Takizawa…’

　Then it won’t seem strange to be together or to speak to her, and Takizawa won’t be able to avoid me either. Looking at Takizawa right in front of me, my feelings well up.

‘I like you.’

Where can I vent this agony of not being able to convey those two words? The more I think about it, the more my consciousness is sucked into a dark abyss. It’s just like a black hole.

I’ll stop thinking about it for now.

I simply closed my eyes beside Takizawa, wishing that I could stay by her side from now on.