Chapter 3

July. My parents bought me a phone. They were worried that I might come home late from cram school, so they practically forced me to get one.

I felt bad, but the phone gave me a breath of fresh air.

Every night, before I fell asleep, I exchanged ‘Good night’ with Suzuno. And whenever we woke up in the morning, we exchanged ‘Good morning.’

Our new routine made me happy.

* * *

August, summer vacation. I devoted myself to studying for the high school entrance exam. Suzuno had already been accepted to an all-girls school from a recommendation. At first, I was relieved that she got accepted there. Since there were no guys around her, I thought that I could rest easy. Then Momo-chan hit me in the face with her words.

“You’re too naive, Yamaoka-kun! With that kind of look, even girls will fall for Suzu-chan!”

R-Right. I guess I couldn’t let my guard down. I should keep doing my best so that I could become a man that was worthy of her love.

* * *

September, cultural festival. Since third years were exempt from participating, Suzuno and I went around the school together.

Instinctively, we went to a certain nostalgic place.

“This is where Yamaoka-kun confessed to me.”

Just like it was a year ago, the place was painted in the color of autumn.

“I was so nervous back then. I still remember how hard my heart pounded when I did it.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. I mean, I didn’t think that I deserved to be with you back then, but I ended up confessing anyway…”

I let out an exaggerated sigh.

“And yet you thought that I was being forced to confess to you. Seriously, what’s up with that?”

“Sorry, sorry. But, the reason why I thought that was because you were avoiding me!”

She hit a sore spot.

“I’m really sorry about that!”

“Haha, let’s put it behind us. We ended up as lovers anyway!”

ED: samheart564