Call me Kiyotaka

“Is tea alright?”

“Yes, thank you Ayanokoji-kun.”

We were both alone in my room. Even though this situation has occurred quite a few times before, the weight of the air felt heavy. Even Horikita, who currently sits on my bed with a stiff posture, had a heavy air surrounding her.

I look at her with a slight sense of unease. For an odd reason, I did not like the way she acts in front of me. It's as if we had just met.

“W-What? Why are you looking at me like that?”

Maybe I stared too hard? Either way, she spotted me looking at her.

“It's nothing, but can I ask you something, Horikita?”

“G-Go on...”

“Does that mean we are a couple now?”

“Eh!”

She avoids eye contact from me once again. I don't understand why she's acting bashful, especially when I accepted her confession. Maybe I just don't understand human emotions at all?

“I-I..." she managed to speak through the hurdle that was her bashfulness, “I suppose we are a c-c-couple...”

“Ah, I see.” I still do not feel comfortable, “Then, even if our relationship is different from before, do you mind talking to me normally?”

“Huh?”

“I dislike how you talk to me, as if I was a stranger. I'd like you to correct it, is what I meant.”

Maybe I was a bit too harsh, forcing her to familiarize with me straight away. But we've been close together since April. And now it is September. I don't understand how she feels shy around me. Maybe it's an effect of love? I'd like to find out, if possible.

“Fine... if you insist...” she clears her throat, “Look, I’m trying, okay! I’m trying so hard! I’m trying so hard to make things less-awkward! I’m trying so hard to act as I usually do around you! Yet you act as if you're taking in a child! Just who do you think I am! I’m your... I’m your... girlfriend...”

I know I asked for it, but she surprised me quite a bit. It reminds me of her former personality, which, to be honest, I am quite fond of.

“That's better. I feel as though a burden has lifted from my chest, thank you Horikita.”

She looks at me in the eye.

“Just... call me Suzune. It will be a pain if you keep calling me by that name, you know?”

“Ah, that's right. Then, thank you, Suzune.”

She avoids eye contact once more. I guess she'll need more time adjusting to her new life.

“Anyway, I have another question that I longed to ask ever since I accepted you.”

“Another one? Ugh, make it brief.”

“Then I’ll keep it short. What was the development that led you to love me? I don't remember achieving incredible feats deserving of affection.”

As soon as I said that, I was reminded of the event that happened quite recently.

“Don't act stupid! Did you forget what happened on the island?”

“Ah, yes. It did just hit me. But I merely carried out a sequence of actions that led our class winning. Besides, I did need some help. It's not as if I was alone. It's really nothing too remarkable.”

“That's not the reason...”

“Hoh?” Naturally, I was confused. I rerun my memory to check if I had done anything to add to my success, but I found nothing. “Then, do you mind telling me? What did I do to bring forth that love?”

She smiles. It was a beautiful smile indeed, but not as beautiful as the one she displayed after I accepted her confession.

“You carried me to the teachers... didn't you? When I was sick and collapsed. Broken on the outside and in the inside. The only person who came was you. And to add on, you carried me all the way to the teachers for my safety. I know, I was awake the entire time...”

“Oh, you were awake, eh? Well, it is true that I practically saved you, but making you collapse was part of my plans. You see, I used you.”

“Even so, I don't care. The fact that you cared enough to put me in your plans was adequate. After all, that was the reason I came to loving you.”

“Mm...”

I guess a girl’s mind is more confusing than I thought, but I keep that to myself.

“Ayanokoji-kun. I hope you can continue this relationship... and... I look forward to it...”

Ah, that is youth. Girlfriends are the trends for teenagers, and I’m lucky enough to get one. Maybe the time will come when I will also come to love her, if I stick around her like this more often. Then, I can learn more about the spices of youth, and the exhilaration of a high school student.

For that, I’m grateful for her.

“Suzune.”

“W-What?”

I try my best to smile, even if forcing myself, “Just call me Kiyotaka.”

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