Chapter 61

With Reika’s support, Satoru was able to take a few more days off, but time flies when you’re resting.

Before he knew it, morning had come and it was time to return to school.

“Ughhh, I don’t wanna go to schooool!”

“Ugh, you’re so loud in the morning! You’ve had this much time off and still you’re whining?”

Next to him, his sister chomped down on toast slathered in jam as usual, while Satoru screamed out his reluctance to return to school.

He knew this every time, but the more you rest, the worse the backlash when the break ends.

“It’s not just that I don’t want to go, okay?”

“Huh? What do you mean by that?”

“Well, Reika and I were both out at the same time. I’m pretty sure by now everyone’s caught on to our relationship…”

“Ooh! So it’s finally time for your big coming out! I want to be there for it!”

“You say that so casually…”

He had expected his sister to react like this when it came to publicly revealing their relationship.

“Ahhh, so today’s the day all the guys pining for Reika-neesan totally die….”

“You never know. When they see me, they might think there’s still a chance.”

“Okay okay. Just don’t bring that negativity with you when you come out. Normally I’d chew you out right now, but I’ll let it slide this time only, on the condition that you do it properly.”

“Y-yes, ma’am…”

“Mm, look at the time. If we don’t leave soon, we’ll be late.”

Saying that, she shoved the rest of the toast into her mouth and brushed the crumbs off her hands.

Watching her, Satoru also shoved his toast in his mouth and started getting ready to leave.

“Well then, I’m heading out now. I get that you don’t wanna go, but if you don’t leave soon, you will be late.”

“Yeah, I know. Be careful out there.”

“I will. And I expect a full report when I get back, got it?”

“Just ask Reika.”

“Oh I will. You think I’d only ask one of you in this kind of situation? No way! I’m getting both versions! See ya!”

With that, his sister cheerfully dashed out of the house.

Satoru saw her off, then finished getting ready and left the house a little later than usual.

And because of that, he arrived at school a little later than normal too.

As he stepped into the school building, his steps grew heavier.

He knew he should hold his head high like his sister told him to, but for some reason, he just couldn’t do it.

After switching into his indoor shoes, he made his way to the classroom.

Along the way, he passed a few classmates in the hallway. They gave him curious, knowing looks.

(So it really has come to this… I need to brace myself…)

He told himself that, but his heart kept pounding faster and faster.

When he reached the classroom, he tried to walk in and sit down as if nothing had happened but—

“Ah! It’s Takashima-kun!”

He was suddenly called out by a girl he didn’t usually talk to much—one of the girls Reika was close with.

“O-oh, good morning.”

“Are you feeling better now?”

“Y-yeah. It just took a little longer to get over it…”

“Ah, Takashima-kun! Morning!”

As he was stopped, more and more girls began gathering around him.

“U-um, is there some reason everyone’s here…?”

“We’ll cut to the chase! Are you dating Reika?! You two taking time off together is way too suspicious!”

The question echoed through the entire classroom.

Instantly, all eyes were on Satoru.

“Uh, well… I mean…”

He’d come here ready to say it—to clearly declare they were dating.

But now, the words wouldn’t come out.

He was just… afraid. Afraid of what kind of reaction he’d get.

He’d been told over and over by his sister and others close to him that his lack of confidence was the problem, but even he didn’t realize it had gotten this bad.

Everyone started closing in on him with questions, and he began to back away, bit by bit.

Even though not denying it was practically the same as admitting it, the words still wouldn’t come out.

He felt pathetic—and just as that thought crossed his mind—

An arm gently wrapped around his neck.

It was a familiar sensation. The usual spot, the usual pressure, the softness, and a sweet scent in the air.

“Oh my, do you need something from my beloved boyfriend? He’s a delicate soul, so please don’t bully him too much, okay?”

Reika had arrived a bit after Satoru and jumped right into the situation.

“Come now. Just accept it already, and say it loud and clear—from your own mouth. Tell them what we are.”

She whispered softly in his ear, gently urging him.

And with those words, Satoru’s panic began to fade.

“…Yeah. Reika and I are dating. We may not look like it, but we’re doing pretty well together.”

The moment those words left his mouth, the entire classroom erupted with cheers loud enough to shake the walls.