Chapter 7 – Anniversary

《side: Asagiri Shino》

“Haah…”

I let out yet another sigh—I’ve lost count.

It’s been a year since high school started, and I’ve perfected the art of being a loner.

During my first year, I spent some time in the nurse’s office, so I still go there occasionally. At least I can manage functional conversations with the nurse.

“I wonder if prince charmings like in romance novels don’t exist in real life…?”

I thought I’d enjoy the full high school girl experience, so I worked hard at subjects I’m not good at to get here.

I wanted to avoid the same loner route I took in middle school… but what am I even doing?

I have a younger sister who’s cute and has great social skills. Compared to her, I’m not cute and I’m a gloomy mess with communication issues… That’s why Mom and Dad only dote on her, and I have no place at home either.

And the fact that my sister is kind and worries about me makes it even more miserable.

Alone at home, alone at school. With this kind of personality, it was probably inevitable that I’d escape into delusions.

But recently, there’s someone who’s caught my attention.

It’s Kamiya Ren-kun from my class.

He’s not the loud type with tons of friends. He’s not too quiet either—he gives off a peaceful atmosphere. …And there are always girls around him.

I’m jealous…

The reason I’m interested in him is… to be honest, his face.

Actually, that’s the only reason. I mean, I haven’t talked to anyone except teachers since second year started…

His slim nose, his gentle expression… like my ideal prince charming.

Basically… his face hit me right in the strike zone.

“…What are you doing, Hikari?”

I always watch him talking with his classmates through the gap in my long bangs. My seat position makes it easy to see him—lucky me.

While keeping him in my field of vision, I pretend to read and lose myself in my daily delusions.

…Wait…? Did our eyes just meet…?

M-Maybe it’s just my imagination…?

—The next day—

Glance, glance…

N-No, it’s not my imagination…!?

Our eyes definitely met… Maybe he’s interested in me too…?

My fantasy world expands.

—Another day—

“We made eye contact twelve times today…”

Today was a happy day…

That gentle gaze was looking at me.

The heroine in romance novels starts with just eye contact too. So I must be the same.

This is definitely mutual love.

My head fills with thoughts of him.

—Yet another day—

Scribble, scribble…

Today we only made eye contact eleven times.

Considering it was twelve yesterday, that’s sad.

I want to see his face more… I want to talk to him.

I was writing in my diary—my recent habit—at my desk before heading home, when I heard his unmistakable voice from behind me.

“Asagiri-san, did you drop this…?”

He held out my favorite bookmark.

I’m so nervous… I can’t speak.

I shake off those feelings and force my voice out.

“Yeah.”

“Good thing I got it right… It’d be terrible to lose such a beautiful pressed flower bookmark. …Is that a red tulip?”

He carefully returned the fallen bookmark to me with both hands.

I’m so happy he worried about me.

“Yes.”

“I tried making pressed flowers once… but it was hard, so I understand how much work that is. …Flowers are beautiful and fleeting, and they have meanings like flower language, which makes them wonderful.”

He likes flowers too, just like me.

I learned something new about him.

Flower language too… what was the meaning of red tulips again?

“Ren~!”

“Ah… I have to get going… See you tomorrow.”

His footsteps fade away.

The flower language is…

“Declaration of love”

“…!?”

He confessed to me…!?

I’m so happy… Ren-kun.

So all those times our eyes met really were because it’s mutual love!

Actually, since we’re lovers now, I can call you without honorifics, right…? Re~n.

Yeah! Such an easy, wonderful name to say.

Confessing through flower language… ahaha, my boyfriend is a romantic, kind, perfect lover!

—————————

So then why…

Why are you hugging that stupid-looking girl?

Why are you holding hands with that two-faced woman?

Why… won’t you call me Shino?

No one ever noticed the things I liked. But he noticed my pressed flowers.

I want to be alone with Ren at school…

There’s a cardboard box in front of the teacher’s desk. Me and one other person are on daily duty today.

I put some medicine in the other person’s drink. Now there’s only one person on duty.

“Sensei, I can’t carry this alone. I need one more person.”

I consult with the teacher.

“The other one, Sasaki, is in the nurse’s office with a stomachache… Was anyone left in the classroom?”

“Kamiya-kun was there.”

“Then I’ll talk to him. It’d be hard for you to ask yourself, right, Asagiri-san?”

“Please do.”

I return to the classroom and wait for the teacher to come.

Kamiya-kun always talks with people around him, so he leaves late. That’s my timing.

“Perfect that you’re here, Kamiya. Help Asagiri carry her stuff. She’s on daily duty today, but unlucky for her, there’s a lot to move.”

Alone together at school…

“…Will you go out with me…?”

“…If that’s what you want.”

Ehehe, even a second confession makes me happy!

But… I want to feel more of Ren… I want proof we’re lovers.

“They say the blood of someone you love tastes good.”

Someone said that once.

The heroine in romance novels slept holding his handkerchief. So I’ll—take his blood.

I can see Ren’s neck as I hug him.

I slowly move closer…

…Chomp… lick… swallow.

Delicious…

And now I have proof we’re lovers.

Now Ren is inside me… fufu. Lovers share blood and become one, so we’re probably connected more deeply than family, right?