I Ended up Getting Close With the Class Madonna Who Keeps Rejecting Confessions, Saying She Doesn’t Plan to Date Anyone

“Hurry up, we’re gonna miss it!”

“What’s going on?”

“Looks like Kokonoe’s getting confessed again.”

“Eh, who’s the guy?”

“They say it’s Sawatari-senpai, the second-year.”

“For real? The handsome guy from the basketball team?”

It’s the end of the third term.

On this day, there’s only the closing ceremony and homeroom, so we’re free to go home before noon.

I, who didn’t feel any sadness about saying goodbye to my classmates, was changing my shoes at the entrance, planning to head home right away.

Then, a group of noisy boys ran past me. They were unbelievable running off in indoor shoes.

From what I overheard, it sounds like Kokonoe Shinoba’s being confessed to again. But I have no interest in that, so I wasn’t planning to go see.

After putting on my shoes, I left the entrance and headed toward the school gate, only to find a crowd gathered along the path.

Seriously?

Confessions are supposed to happen behind the school building or in an empty classroom after school, not on a busy path to the gate.

Sighing at how little this Sawatari-senpai guy must know about romance, I, Gojou Sousuke, rubbed my temple.

“…I guess I have no choice.”

Letting out a tired sigh, I walked toward the growing crowd.

As I got closer, I could hear voices, even though I couldn’t see them yet.

“Kokonoe-san, go out with me. I’ll make every day fun for you!”

That must be Sawatari-senpai’s voice, which was clear and full of confidence. From what I’d heard earlier, he’s handsome and on the basketball team.

Anyone would think he’s worth a try, unless they really hated him. They could just date him and see, then break up if it didn’t work out.

“Um, well.”

That uncertain voice belonged to Kokonoe.

Kokonoe Shinoba is my classmate.

I’ve barely talked to her, but I know she’s beautiful. She has this soft and almost dreamy vibe that’s hard to pin down.

I don’t often see her talk to guys, but she’s always smiling and chatting happily with the girls. It’s no wonder she’s so popular.

Thinking that, I moved around to the edge of the crowd to get a better look.

“…I’m sorry! I don’t plan on dating anyone right now!”

The crowd murmured after Kokonoe’s answer.

People were whispering things like, “So even Sawatari-senpai got rejected?” Seems like that guy had quite the reputation.

“Wait a second. Isn’t it too soon to give me that answer? Do you hate me or something?”

“…No, it’s not like that.”

“Right. Then let’s just go out, for now. Not to brag, but I’m pretty popular, just so you know? I’ve been confessed to a lot. But I turned them all down because I wanted to date you, Kokonoe-san. If you turn me down now, I might never get another chance.”

Finally, I found an opening in the crowd.

When I got close enough, I finally saw this Sawatari-senpai guy’s face. I had to admit that he really was handsome.

Sharp features.

Short brownish hair. A lean but strong-looking build. He looked about 180 cm tall. Yeah, he’s definitely the kind of guy everyone says is popular.

“Um, that’s why…”

“I promise I won’t treat you badly. You won’t regret it, I swear. So come on, just go out with me… Wait, who the hell are you!?”

Sawatari-senpai suddenly turned to me as I happened to walk by.

“I was just heading home.”

The school gate was right there.

It was the shortest way out.

I pointed at it as I spoke.

The onlookers started whispering again.

“I’m in the middle of confessing here. Can’t you tell?”

“That’s pretty obvious.”

It should’ve been just as obvious that I was trying to go home, but that was apparently too much to expect.

“People normally wait or take another route. Don’t you have any sense of the mood!?”

“Well, I mean, I want to get home fast. This way is the shortest from the entrance. You can’t tell?”

Why should I go out of my way just because someone’s confessing? Waiting for it to end? No way.

When I threw back a sarcastic answer like that, Sawatari-sen[ai groaned in frustration.

“I’ll just walk through real quick, so please go ahead and continue.”

“That’s not the point. Confessions need atmosphere. Can’t you read the room a little!?”

Did this guy really think there was an atmosphere in front of the school gate?

Even if he’s handsome and popular on the basketball team, I guess being bad at reading the room is still possible.

Well, that’s actually pretty common.

This might drag on if I just stand here. I’d better wrap it up and go home soon.

“You’re telling me to read the mood, but maybe Sawatari-senpai should try reading her expression. She clearly looks uncomfortable.”

I pointed at Kokonoe.

Sawatari-senpai twitched his eyebrow and turned to look at her. At the same time, I heard soft laughter coming from the crowd. He looked shaken by it.

Alright, now’s my chance to leave quietly.

Trying not to draw his attention, I started walking away quickly, but then I happened to glance at Kokonoe.

She was looking at me, too. When our eyes met, she gave me a small bow.

Huh, why did she bow to me?

I tilted my head in confusion and walked toward the school gate.

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