4.3

After that, we spent a while enjoying Keyaki Mall.

As Ichinose said, we just browsed around aimlessly rather than shopping.

We spent half the day together while she showed me her routine.

Then, we left the mall when it was time for lunch.

"Is it already raining?"

I wouldn't say it was raining heavily, but it looked like it had been raining for a while.

"It looks like it."

Since both of us had brought our umbrellas, we put them up and started walking.

"I'm sorry for accompanying you today while keeping my true intentions hidden"

"It's okay. Now I know that there are people who still care about me."

Everything I did today was to get information from Ichinose. I couldn't blame Ichinose for being angry, given her current position.

"Thank you Ayanokouji-kun."

But she didn't mind at all, rather she was being thankful

"No need to thank me. I'm sorry I should've asked you more upfront instead of going around and about."

"Don't be like that. You made a detour so I was able to spend time with…

you."

Ichinose muttered with a shy blush on her cheeks.

"Are you sure Karuizawa-san won't be angry? We've talked about that today, haven't we? Whatever the circumstances are, I'm sure she felt bad about her boyfriend spending the day alone with another girl."

Ichinose was worried about Kei, who was in a position contrary to her own feelings. Was this her true intention, or was it just a pretext?

"Maybe."

On the way home, puddles began to form, and water splashed on the ground as we walked.

The silence came unexpectedly. However, unlike this morning, the uneasy feeling of the silence had lessened.

"Can I ask you something? Did you confess? Or was it Karuizawa-san who confessed?"

Her eyes peered at me.

I couldn't give her the answer she wanted.

"I confessed."

"I see. You were the one that liked her, Ayanokouji-kun. I'm jealous…"

In the past, I never thought that I would have this kind of talk with Ichinose.

However, Ichinose, who was walking next to me, was rather reserved, or at least she was ready to accept it. Usually, this kind of situation happens when the person has already given up their feelings for the other.

However… Ichinose's love for me was still strong.

Then, what is Ichinose's current psychological state?

Is it just stubbornness? Or was she on the verge of giving up?

No matter which of the two I assumed, I couldn't come to a conclusion that made sense in my head. Strangely enough, Ichinose's eyes seemed to have more sparkle in them right after she heard about Kei.

"Did you cause any unnecessary misunderstandings with Karuizawa-san?"

"It didn't go so smoothly. I tried explaining it to her, but I think I offended her a little."

"I see. If you want, then I can tell her what happened today, okay?"

"It's not something you should worry about. It's my fault for not explaining it well enough in advance."

"But..."

Another moment of silence returned, and it lasted until the end.

We eventually arrived at the lobby of the dormitory, and we both got into the elevator that came down.

"I had a great time today. Thanks, Ayanokouji-kun."

When we reached the fourth floor and I got off, she waved goodbye to me.

"See you later, Ichinose."

Ichinose and I kept eye contact for a few seconds until the door closed.

Eventually, Ichinose disappeared from sight.

When I returned to my room, I contacted Kanzaki via a chat application and reported the incident.

[Ichinose has not given up hope for A class. The reason for resigning from the student council is so that she can concentrate more on fighting. A statement of her resignation will be known to the public tomorrow or Monday.]

I received a message from Kanzaki afterward, asking if I meant those things.

At least, as far as I could see, there was no false impression.

Above all, I was able to catch a glimpse of an unusual aggressiveness that Ichinose had never shown before.

Whether this would be a good thing or a bad thing remained to be seen, but I had a feeling that we would see a different side of Ichinose.

I told Ichinose that I would watch over her and support her, and that she should have more people with whom she can express her opinions.

Kanzaki sent me a message of deep gratitude, perhaps with a sense of relief.

"No word from Kei?"

I could have told her that it was over, but I would meet her at school tomorrow either way.

If I were to put forward an explanation then, that should be more than plenty.

So I decided to leave it as it is without any contact today.