When I Told the Most Beautiful Girl in the School That My Confession Had Failed, She Suddenly Started Coming at Me With Unbearably Heavy Feelings - Chapter 8: Hair Color and Bonds

Chapter 8: Hair Color and Bonds

“Do you like that color, Hinate-kun?”

In a quiet, empty classroom, far from the bustle of students, I was eating a sweet pastry I’d bought from a nearby bakery that morning when Rinne suddenly spoke up.

Her gaze was fixed on the smartphone in my hand—or, more precisely, its case.

“Your pens and notebooks are that color too, right, Hinate-kun?”

“Oh, this? It’s kind of a striking color, you know… and it holds a bit of sentimental value for me.”

Ultramarine. That’s what it’s called, I think.

The color reminds me of the clear morning sky at dawn.

Back in middle school, I was in the volleyball club, so morning runs were a habit. Seeing this color brings back those memories and makes me a little nostalgic.

Middle school was full of drama and challenges, but looking back, I think it wasn’t such a bad time.

“Hmm… a color tied to memories, huh?”

“I bet blue would suit you, Kisaragi. It matches your refined, mature features.”

“You shouldn’t say things like that so carelessly. Think about the weight of your words.”

I meant it as a compliment, but Rinne shot me a displeased glare. Did I say something wrong…?

“I’m not mocking you or anything. I really think your face is beautiful, Kisaragi…”

“That’s enough! …Just refrain from saying things like that to anyone else. Especially that blonde junior of yours.”

“Huh…?”

“Well?”

“Yes, ma’am…”

Rinne let out a huff and turned her gaze away.

Having known her since middle school, I understood. Her sharp words were just the flip side of her affection.

Unable to express herself openly, her ears betrayed her true feelings.

▼▽

≪Rinne’s Side≫

(Really, why does he say things like that so casually…?)

Ignoring the school announcements echoing through the campus, Rinne left the station with a sigh, recalling the events of lunch break.

She had always known this about Renji: he had no qualms about expressing kindness toward others. His straightforward nature made him popular with guys, a well-known fact.

But when it came to the opposite sex, that same openness could lead to unfortunate misunderstandings. For Rinne, who was determined to make Renji hers, this was something she couldn’t overlook.

(He says things like that so easily, and that’s why he gets caught up with weird girls… though, I do like that about him.)

Regardless, Rinne decided some level of control over his behavior was necessary.

“You bet blue would suit you, Kisaragi. It matches your refined, mature features.”

Renji’s words echoed in Rinne’s mind.

That single sentence, filled with unreserved sincerity, had struck her heart like a critical hit.

(Blue suits me, huh…)

For Rinne, the color blue felt like a chain binding her.

Her mature features didn’t suit cute, girly clothes. She understood this and distanced herself from them.

But Rinne wasn’t immune to the sadness of abandoning the “cuteness” that was a core part of being a girl.

She wanted to wear cute clothes too. Yet, they didn’t suit her. That conflict had become a kind of curse within her.

That’s why Renji’s words meant so much to her. He said blue suited her.

(If Hinate-kun says so, maybe blue isn’t so bad…)

Looking up at the sky, she saw it was already tinged with crimson, far from the ultramarine Renji loved.

(…Colors are a kind of curse too, aren’t they?)

“Oh, Rinne-chan!”

A sudden voice pulled her attention downward, where a short-haired woman emerging from a shop waved at her. Rinne returned a polite nod and hurried over.

“Takamura-san, hello.”

“Hey there. Heading home? You’re as gorgeous as ever~”

The woman smiling warmly at Rinne was Minori Takamura, a stylist at the salon Rinne frequented.

Running into her on the way home wasn’t a first; they often chatted like this.

“How’s school lately? No weird guys bothering you?”

“No, thankfully it’s been peaceful.”

“Good to hear. …Your hair’s gotten a bit long, hasn’t it? I’m free right now—want me to tidy it up?”

“Really? I’ll take you up on that.”

Following Minori’s invitation, Rinne entered the salon and was guided to a chair. She loved the calm atmosphere of this place, where she’d been coming since middle school.

“So, what’s the plan? Just a trim like usual?”

“Yes. …Um, Takamura-san.”

She wanted to capture his attention, no matter what.

She didn’t want him looking at other girls.

She wanted him to love her blindly.

She wanted him to depend on her obsessively.

Renji’s words flashed through her mind, and Rinne made up her mind.

“I know it’s a big ask, but… could you do an inner color?”

“What, Rinne-chan, you’re into coloring now? Yeah, that’s awesome! But what’s with the sudden change? …Got a crush or something?”

“Yes.”

“Haha, just kidding—wait, WHAT!?”

Minori’s shout echoed through the spacious salon.

Rinne fidgeted with her hands, looking down. Minori’s eyes widened even more at the sight of her blushing profile.

“No way! W-Who’s the guy!? An actor? A celebrity? An athlete? Does he even have a last name!?”

“He’s a guy in my class. We’ve known each other since middle school.”

“Oh, phew… I thought with someone like you, it’d be some big-shot celebrity or something…”

Seeing Minori’s relieved smile, Rinne gave a wry grin.

(What does she think I am…?)

“But that’s great! You’ve got that girly side too, huh, Rinne-chan?”

“…I have those feelings like anyone else.”

Minori laughed, saying, “Sorry, sorry,” to Rinne’s sulky expression. Having someone she could open up to like this was something Rinne cherished deeply.

“So, what color are we going with?”

“Can you do ultramarine?”

“Ultramarine… nice, it’s a beautiful color. Is it his favorite, by any chance?”

“…Yes.”

“Aww, that’s so cute~! My heart’s all fluttery! Alright, let’s make you absolutely adorable!”

▼▽

The next day, Rinne arrived at school early and drew many stares from the other students.

“Is that Kisaragi-san…?”

“She got an inner color~ It’s so cute~”

(…Maybe it doesn’t suit me after all. And dyeing my hair his favorite color—won’t that seem too intense…?)

Despite her poised demeanor, Rinne’s heart was anything but calm.

Her anxieties lingered, but her desire for Renji to see her burned just as strongly.

“…Kisaragi.”

“Oh, Hinate-kun! …So, I dyed it. …What do you think?”

Renji looked surprised at first but soon broke into a gentle smile.

“Yeah, it suits you. You look super cute.”

“C-Cute…!?”

Rinne quickly turned her face away. But Renji pressed on, undeterred by her defenses.

“That’s ultramarine, right? …Did you do it because of what I said?”

Rinne gave a small nod.

“I see. That makes me happy. Blue really does suit you, Kisaragi.”

“…Th-Thank you.”

Whether Rinne’s plan to capture his attention had fully succeeded wasn’t clear. But her heart was filled with satisfaction.

(I didn’t need to worry about Hinate-kun… Taking his color into my body feels like I’ve become his…)

“Heh, Kisaragi, your face is red.”

“…Shut up.”

Even as she reeled from her own embarrassment, Rinne’s feelings for him only grew stronger.