The boy named Aida and Serizawa Yukiha were very close friends. They often met and chatted in the library. For Serizawa, who had few friends, she naturally developed feelings for him over time.
Not just her—Aida liked her too.
No man could refuse such a beautiful, gentle, pure girl. He was no exception.
He didn't know if it was his imagination, but Serizawa seemed even more beautiful today. Her flushed cheeks, her delicate body in the school uniform—nothing outwardly different.
Yet she radiated a special aura. Hard to explain. Just more attractive than before.
When he saw her that afternoon, he froze.
"Aida-kun?" Noticing his stare, she tilted her head. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing." He looked away, embarrassed. He hesitated, then glanced at her. Like an innocent boy, he gathered courage.
"I just think... Serizawa is very beautiful today."
"Is that so?" She blinked. "Thank you."
'My reaction... surprisingly calm. Before, Aida-kun's praise would make me happy. Now... nothing. Just an ordinary compliment.'
She bit her lip, confused. 'Is it because of Mu-kun?'
Aida hadn't noticed—she chatted with him, but her thoughts drifted elsewhere. This Serizawa, talking as usual, was different.
"Huh? Mu-kun?"
Spotting a familiar figure, she exclaimed. She'd just thought of him—and there he was.
'Mu-kun? Who?'
Aida turned. A strange boy with a schoolbag walked in. Unfamiliar. He'd never seen him in the library before. But Serizawa knew him?
"Hey, Yukiha." Mu Xiaoxiao waved. His eyes lingered on the other boy, then moved on.
"Why are you here? No club?"
"Didn't join. Just waiting for someone." He checked his phone. "Don't mind me."
"Waiting for someone? A girl?" The question slipped out. Realizing, she flushed. A hint of sourness in her voice.
She didn't know why she suddenly cared.
She knew he had many confidantes. She'd seen them.
"Yukiha, do you mind?" He joked.
"I—just asking. I don't care who you wait for." She looked down.
Aida watched them, expression stiff.
'What's happening? Why does she smile more around him? Is it my imagination? And he calls her by name so casually?'
'What's their relationship?'
He watched the boy find a corner, set down his bag, pull out a chair. Serizawa's eyes followed.
A sense of crisis bloomed.
"Serizawa? Serizawa?"
"Huh? What, Aida-kun?"
Distracted. Clearly distracted. He grew anxious. "Serizawa, who is he? You know him?"
"Yes, I know him."
"What's your relationship?"
"Relationship? We're... friends, I guess." She hesitated. They hadn't known each other long. No confessions. Just friends.
But not ordinary. After what happened during PE... being rescued by Mu-kun... things were different.
At least for her. She couldn't see him as just a friend anymore. Friends didn't do such intimate things. Even if it was to save him.
What happened, happened. Facts couldn't change.
Two red clouds floated on her cheeks. Aida saw her blush. Alarm bells rang.
Strong sense of crisis.
"Serizawa, I..."
He didn't know what to say. She'd already said they were friends. He had no right to question. Ask if she liked him?
Couldn't ask that.
Struggling, facing her curious gaze, he glanced at Mu Xiaoxiao in the distance. Found courage.
"Well, I..." He took a deep breath. "Serizawa, I'm happy with you. Even just chatting like this."
"Why?"
'Why say that?' She was dumbfounded.
'If I don't speak now, I'll lose my chance.' Crisis pushed him. "I don't just want to chat. I want more."
"Serizawa... I've always liked you. Please go out with me."
"..."
"Is that okay?" He reached for her arm.
She flinched. Quickly pulled away.
He froze.
She froze too. Eyelashes trembling. She never expected a confession here. "Aida-kun... I'm happy you said that."
Before, she'd have agreed. But now... resistance. To his approach. To his confession.
"But I think we're better as friends."
"..."
"Chatting with you is happy and relaxing. But that's all. I see you as a friend. I don't want that to change. Friends is fine, isn't it?"
Silence.
After a long pause, he gritted his teeth. "You're lying. It's because of him, isn't it? You like someone else?"
'Is that it?'
'Do I like someone?'
She froze. Then, after a moment, met his gaze. "I don't know. But... it's connected to him."
'Do I like Mu-kun? I don't know. But I care about him. Can't forget him.'
'Because of him, I rejected Aida-kun.'
"Is it him?"
Pale, he glanced at the distant seat.
"..."
She said nothing. But he knew. Bitterness filled his mouth. His whole body trembled. He couldn't accept it.