Chapter Five: “The Princess Wants to Seize the Chance” — Part Five
“Right, shall we head back?”
“Yes.”
We paid and left the restaurant. Iori-senpai’s feet were already heading straight for the station.
At this rate, in a few more minutes we’d be on a train and going our separate ways. I had to say what I needed to say before we got on board.
“Senpai.”
I reached out and gripped Iori-senpai’s hand tightly. Embarrassingly, my hand was trembling.
“Himena-chan?”
“There’s, there’s something I want to talk about!! Could I have a little more of your time…?”
I could hear how strange my own voice sounded, I was so nervous.
Senpai looked steadily into my eyes and nodded slowly.
“Let’s talk over there, then.”
She pointed to a bench set a little way off.
“Yes. Thank you.”
We walked over without speaking. I thought maybe I should say something, but my mind had gone blank, and nothing cheerful came to me.
“So, Himena-chan. What did you want to talk about?”
The moment we sat down, Senpai asked.
“…I always tell you I like you, Senpai, don’t I.”
“Yes.”
“It’s not just something I say. I mean, in the sense of, well, um…”
This was no good. I’d run through the confession in my head countless times, and yet here, with Senpai actually in front of me, my voice and my whole body were shaking.
But I had to say it.
If I didn’t say it properly, I couldn’t move forward.
“I like you in a romantic sense, Iori-senpai. Not admiration, not friendship. Romantically.”
I took a breath and held her hand tightly in both of mine. She flinched, just for an instant, but she didn’t pull away.
“I’m in love with you, Iori-senpai.”
My heart was pounding, and I couldn’t breathe properly. But I refused to look away.
I wanted my feelings, the ones that mattered most to me, to reach her honestly.
“So, so I… I want to go out with you, Senpai.”
“Himena-chan…”
Her beautiful eyes filled with something close to confusion.
For the first time, looking at her face actually hurt.
I’m sorry, Senpai. I never wanted to make things difficult for you.
“First, thank you for telling me. I’m happy you feel that way.”
“…Yes.”
“As for my answer…”
What do I do. What if she says no. What if she tells me she can’t be my girlfriend.
“W-wait, please wait!”
Before I knew it, I’d clapped my hand over her mouth.
I know. It’s shameless to confess and then be too afraid to hear the answer. But I genuinely couldn’t bring myself to listen to it.
“Um, I… I have, a proposal for you, Senpai!”
“A proposal?”
“F-for now, could we… try going out, just as a trial?!”