I tried to confess my feelings to the girl I like, but I got too excited and ended up proposing. Was her response OK?! ~

Chapter 24

When I woke up the next day, the time was already past 8:50.

Oh no, I’m totally late.

Huh, come to think of it, where’s Mana?

I glanced over to the side, but Mana wasn’t there. And upon closer inspection, the dishes that I had left out from last night were also gone.

Is Mana already awake?

…Huh, so does that mean Mana ignored me and went to school ahead?

As I was entertaining such suspicions, the door opened.

“Oh, you’re awake, good morning, Sora-kun. You’re quite a sleeper.”

“Oh, um, good morning. Has your fever gone down? And what about school?”

“My fever has gone down, I’m feeling much better. I decided to take the day off from school. Sora-kun didn’t wake up either, and I was kind of reluctant to go alone. Ah, I asked mother-in-law to contact Sora-kun.”

“Oh, I see. You took the day off today. Well, I guess it’s okay for today. Mana just recovered from being sick anyway.”

“In that case, let’s have breakfast first. I checked the kitchen, but Sora-kun, you didn’t eat dinner yesterday, did you?”

Ah, that’s right. Yesterday, I was preoccupied with Mana and didn’t eat anything.

“Now that you mention it, I might not have eaten. I’m really hungry now.”

“I’ll get things ready, so please change your clothes and wash your face.”

“Got it. Oh, hey Mana? Why won’t you even look at me once?”

Throughout this entire conversation, Mana hadn’t looked my way even once.

I could guess the reason, but still, not making eye contact hurt.

“T-That’s not… true, okay?”

She was clearly flustered.

Her face was turning red, and her eyes were avoiding mine.

This is why I end up wanting to tease Mana.

“Hmm? Then look over here?”

“N-No. Not right now…”

“In that case, maybe I should come into your line of sight.”

Oh no, I can’t stop grinning. If Mana catches me looking at her again, she’ll scold me.

But I can’t help it. It’s Mana’s fault for being so cute.

After a bit of silence and seeing no indication that Mana would look at me, I reluctantly started to move.

I got up from the bed and slowly walked towards where Mana was.

Mana is shorter than me, so she was looking down to avoid meeting my gaze.

When I reached in front of Mana, I gave her one last piece of advice.

“Mana, wouldn’t it be better to do things on your own rather than being forced? Or do you dislike me now?”

As I said that, Mana immediately looked at me.

“I wouldn’t dislike you, Sora-kun! …Ah.”

Mana’s words stopped there, and gradually her expression turned resentful.

Then, she began to speak like a sulking kindergartener, puffing out her cheeks.

“Geez, Sora-kun, you’re mean. Are you having fun teasing me like this?”

“Haha, sorry sorry, that wasn’t my intention, but you’re just too cute, Mana. You know, like when you tease a kid you like, and they get mad? Exactly like that.”

While I was talking, Mana seemed to calm down a bit, still sulking but looking at me properly now.

“So, can I assume Sora-kun’s mental age is equivalent to that of an elementary schooler? So, Sora-kun, you’re basically a kid inside. If I think of it that way, I guess I can forgive your teasing. After all, you’re just a child, hehe.”

Are you making fun of me with that?

Well, if Mana’s mood has improved, I guess it’s fine.

“Let’s leave it at that. I’m really hungry now, so I want to eat soon.”

“Oh, right. I completely forgot. I’ll get it ready now!”

Saying so, Mana hurried back to the kitchen.

“Well then, I should change for now. But waking up at this time on a weekday feels kinda guilty.”

And for good reason.

I’ve never skipped school or taken sick leave for the most part.

And to skip school on only the second day after summer vacation.

“Well, what’s done is done.”

While I was thinking that I heard Mana’s voice from the living room.

“Sora-kun, breakfast is ready, hurry up!”