When I Helped Out At My Classy Classmate's Family Home, They Started Going All Out To Close In On Me From Every Angle. - Chapter 56: Uncool Me And Cool Ayame —4

Uncool Me And Cool Ayame —4

I—Takamine Ayame—lay on my bed, staring blankly at the ceiling.

Since returning from the trip, I’ve been like this. I must look like a corpse, with vacant eyes.

I have no desire to do anything at all, and my body feels as heavy as lead. It’s as if my body and soul have been separated.

Mikage, who had been worried about me, brought me meals last night, this morning, and at noon, but I couldn’t bring myself to eat.

I should be hungry, but I don’t feel anything. Even if I did, I wouldn’t have the strength to eat.

I once read a novel about a man who was rejected by his first love and, in his shock, stopped eating and eventually starved to death.

At the time, I couldn’t understand why he chose such a painful death, but now I can understand his feelings.

I had never experienced love.

I had admired love, but there was no one I wanted to be with. I probably thought my sensitivity in matters of love was dull.

But it wasn’t like that. My values and self-analysis were turned upside down by Tetsu-kun.

I didn’t know that I could care for someone this much.

I didn’t know that I was such a heavy-hearted woman when it came to love.

It was only when I fell in love with Tetsu-kun that I discovered the real me.

It was my first love.

It was a love that changed my view of life.

That’s why I desperately wanted to make this love come true. I asked many people for help, endured my embarrassment, and made proactive moves toward him.

However, my love didn’t come true.

In fact, things were heading in the worst direction.

By rejecting my confession, Tetsu-kun must feel awkward. He probably doesn’t want to face me. He may even decide to quit his part-time job, leave the Takamine household, and go away.

Not only that, but our connection at school might fade, and our relationship might end. We could become strangers.

“I… I don’t want that.”

The tears I thought had withered up suddenly overflowed. My vision blurred, and I was overcome by a sense that the world around me had distorted.

The thought of becoming a stranger to Tetsu-kun, just imagining it, sent a chill down my spine. If that were to happen, I’m sure I wouldn’t be able to live on.

Without Tetsu-kun, I am nothing. That’s how it’s become.

Knock knock

Amidst my trembling, I heard a knock. Was Mikage coming to check on me?

I’m glad she’s worried about me, but I no longer have the strength to respond.

Even though I felt guilty, I silently waited for Mikage to leave.

However, my assumption was wrong from the start.

“Ayame?”

“――――――!”

My body, which had felt so heavy, sprang up as if it were all a lie.

The voice I heard was not Mikage’s, but Tetsu-kun’s.

I couldn’t understand why Tetsu-kun was here, and I was plunged into confusion.

As I stood there unable to respond, Tetsu-kun continued.

“I have something I want to talk about, is that okay?”

The moment I understood what he meant, I was hit with a chill unlike anything I had ever felt before. It was as if my blood had turned to ice.

As I had suspected earlier, Tetsu-kun must feel awkward. He probably doesn’t want to face me.

If that’s the case, then the conversation Tetsu-kun wants to have must be about leaving the Takamine household, right?

No! I don’t want that! I don’t want to be separated from Tetsu-kun!

In my panic, my teeth began to chatter.

I answered in a trembling voice, weakly.

“…I-I don’t want to talk.”

Saying something like that might only deepen the gap between Tetsu-kun and me. But I couldn’t bear the fear of losing my relationship with Tetsu-kun.

There was no reaction from Tetsu-kun. The silence was the most terrifying thing I had ever experienced.

My heart pounded erratically, and finally, the silence was broken.

“I’m sorry… but this is something I really need to tell you.”

The door was opened with a creak.

I couldn’t believe it. Given Tetsu-kun’s personality, I thought he would leave if I rejected him. I never imagined he would force his way in…

Before I could even react to the shock, Tetsu-kun moved closer to me. It felt like the end was drawing near, and I instinctively took a step back.

But I was blocked by the wall behind me, and there was no escape.

Now, Tetsu-kun was right in front of me.

Like a lost kitten separated from its mother, I could only tremble in place.

Please! Don’t say you’re leaving! I want to be with Tetsu-kun! If our relationship ends, I… I…

As tears fell uncontrollably, Tetsu-kun finally spoke.

“I don’t want to end my relationship with you, Ayame.”

“…Huh?”

His words were the complete opposite of what I had feared.

I could only stand there, stunned, unable to comprehend what he had just said.