The Girl Everyone Admires Loves Me… and I Don’t Remember Why. - Chapter 15: Steady Progress.

Steady Progress.

Monday morning.

On my way to school as usual, my thoughts drifted back to what had happened at the shopping mall the other day.

Afterward, it seemed Mitsuki had been running an errand, so she headed straight home.

If she stayed out too late, her family would worry, after all.

That was when I learned she apparently has a little sister.

“I’ll introduce you next time you come over to my house to play.”

That’s what Mitsuki had said as we parted.

……Wait. Doesn’t that mean I’ve just been invited to Takanashi’s house?

Going to Mitsuki’s house…

Somehow, the thought alone makes my heart race with nerves.

“But lately, we’ve really been messaging each other a lot, haven’t we?”

Ever since we exchanged contact information, Mitsuki and I have been talking every single day.

Lately, we’ve also spent every lunch break together.

What used to feel special has quietly become part of my everyday life.

When I arrived at school, entered the classroom, and took my seat, Mitsuki approached.

“Good morning, Miyase-kun.”

“Good morning, Takanashi.”

We exchanged our usual greetings.

The classmates who used to be surprised by it have long since stopped paying any attention.

After a bit of light small talk, she spoke again.

“I should get back to my seat soon.”

“Right.”

“Oh—and Miyase-kun… look forward to lunch break today, okay?”

After Mitsuki returned to her seat, Chitose arrived shortly after—cutting it characteristically close to the bell again.

Lately she’s always like this, so no one bats an eye anymore.

……At this rate, she’s actually going to be late one of these days, isn’t she?

And then—the long-awaited lunch break.

“Miyase-kun.”

After buying a drink, I headed to our usual spot and found Mitsuki already waiting.

“Sorry. Did I keep you?”

“No, don’t worry about it. Actually, I came a little too early.”

When I sat down beside her, Mitsuki shifted closer than usual.

A noticeably smaller gap between us.

“Miyase-kun. Once again… thank you so much for helping me at the shopping mall. And, as promised—this is the karaage I made for you.”

“Wow. It still looks incredible.”

Just looking at it, you could tell how delicious it would be.

And it absolutely was.

“But today I really put my all into it—more than usual.”

“I can tell. Thank you. Seriously.”

“Mm. Then… here you go, Miyase-kun.”

Mitsuki picked up a piece of karaage with her chopsticks and brought it right to my mouth.

“Uh… you’re feeding me?”

“There’s a little more than usual today, so I won’t make you eat all of it… but one or two pieces… is that okay?”

“No—it’s not that it’s not okay, it’s just…”

Even though she’s done this once before, it still makes my face burn.

I ate the piece.

“It’s seriously amazing.”

“Right? I changed the seasoning a little this time. I’m glad it suits your taste.”

“Yeah, I noticed. The sauce tastes different from last time. Sweeter, maybe?”

“Mm. That’s right.”

She looked genuinely delighted that I’d noticed, nodding with a happy smile.

“Then, Miyase-kun. Here—another one.”

“Ah—thanks.”

I ate another piece.

Honestly, I could eat these forever and never get tired.

I’d probably be happy eating them every single day.

It seems my stomach has been completely captured by Mitsuki.

Before I knew it, the box was empty.

“Thanks for the meal. Man, that was really good.”

“I’m glad.”

“Thank you, Takanashi.”

“…Mm.”

Mitsuki looked down and gave a small nod.

“What’s wrong?”

“Um… Miyase-kun. Can I ask you for one thing?”

I had no idea what it might be, but my answer was already decided.

“Of course. What is it?”

“…Well… would it be okay if, from now on… we called each other by our first names?”

“…Huh?”

The suggestion was so unexpected that I froze.

“Uh—why all of a sudden?”

“There’s no deep reason. I just… thought I’d like that. Is it… no good?”

Mitsuki looked up at me with those big, pleading eyes.

There was no way I could refuse.

“N-no, it’s not no good. It’s just… people are probably going to be really surprised.”

Right now, the only guy who calls her by her first name is her childhood friend, Chitose.

I can already imagine classmates starting to ask about our relationship.

“Then… for now, how about just when we’re alone together? Would that be okay?”

“…Got it. M-Mitsuki.”

“Y-yeah… T-Tomoya-kun.”

“……”

“……”

A heavy silence settled between us.

“T-Tomoya-kun. Your face is bright red.”

“Yours is too, Mitsuki.”

“B-because… it’s embarrassing. We’ll just have to… get used to it, right?”

“Then… to get used to it… here’s to many more times together, Mitsuki.”

“…!”

In an instant, Mitsuki’s entire face flushed scarlet.

“I-I’m going to go buy a drink. My throat’s suddenly really dry.”

“Sure. I’ll wait here.”

“Mm. I’ll be right back… Tomoya-kun.”

After Mitsuki walked off, I took a sip of the drink I’d bought earlier.

For some reason, it tasted noticeably sweeter than before.

After school.

While I was getting ready to head home—

“Miyase-kun.”

“What’s up, Ichinose?”

“Um… do you have a little time right now?”

And then Ichinose said,

“…There’s something important I need to talk about.”

***

Chitose Yuuki’s POV.

A little earlier… during lunch break.

“…Mitsuki?”

On my way to buy a drink, I caught sight of Mitsuki walking toward the back of the school building.

…Why would she go there?

Oh… right.

She must have been called out back there for a confession.

I’ve accidentally seen her get confessed to behind the school building once before.

And then… for some reason, I suddenly remembered the time I saw Miyase heading in the exact same direction during lunch break a while ago.

“…Nah. No way.”

Scolding myself for thinking something so ridiculous, I turned and headed back to the classroom.