Chapter Fifteen: Hanada Doesn't Understand My Feelings - 

The campus was abuzz with the energy of a new day, students milling about, attending classes, and filling the air with the lively chatter of youth. However, within this vibrant scene, Akari's world was clouded by a storm of emotions. As she walked through the quad, her thoughts were consumed by the enigmatic Hanada-kun and the tangled web of feelings she couldn't untangle.

---

Akari sat on a bench under a large cherry blossom tree, its pink petals falling gently around her like a soft, fragrant rain. The sight would have been serene, even beautiful, but her mind was far from peaceful. She clutched her phone, debating whether to send the message she'd been drafting for hours. 

"I just wanted to see you, Hanada-kun. Is that so wrong?"

The words replayed in her head, over and over, from the confrontation in the library. Hanada's reaction, his relief when she intervened, and his words of gratitude all felt hollow now. Was he really grateful, or was he just relieved to escape Ayaka's obsessive grasp?

Akari sighed deeply, shaking her head. "Why am I doing this to myself?" she muttered under her breath.

Just then, her phone buzzed with a message. Her heart skipped a beat, hoping it was from Hanada. But when she checked, it was just a reminder about an upcoming assignment. She slumped back against the bench, feeling more deflated than ever.

"Akari?"

She looked up to see Satoshi, a classmate and a good friend, standing in front of her with a concerned expression. "Are you okay? You look... troubled."

Akari forced a smile, trying to mask the turmoil inside. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just a lot on my mind."

Satoshi sat down beside her, his presence comforting. "Is it about Hanada-kun?"

Akari's smile faded, replaced by a look of confusion and vulnerability. "How did you know?"

Satoshi chuckled softly. "It's kind of obvious. You two have been spending a lot of time together lately, and I've seen the way you look at him."

Akari blushed, feeling exposed. "Is it that obvious?"

"Only to someone who cares about you," Satoshi replied gently. "Do you want to talk about it?"

Akari took a deep breath, feeling the weight of her emotions pressing down on her. "I don't know, Satoshi. I feel so conflicted. I care about Hanada-kun, but he doesn't seem to understand my feelings. He's so wrapped up in his own world, dealing with his trauma and the attention from all those girls. I just... I don't know how to reach him."

Satoshi listened patiently, his expression thoughtful. "Have you tried telling him how you feel? Maybe he's just oblivious and needs a little push to see what's right in front of him."

Akari shook her head. "I've tried dropping hints, but he's so dense sometimes. And then there's Ayaka... she's obsessed with him. I'm worried about what she might do if she finds out how I feel."

Satoshi frowned, his concern deepening. "Ayaka is definitely a problem. But you can't let her control your life or your feelings. If you care about Hanada-kun, you owe it to yourself to be honest with him. Who knows? Maybe he feels the same way but is too scared to admit it."

Akari felt a flicker of hope at Satoshi's words. "Maybe you're right. I just... I don't want to get hurt."

Satoshi placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Taking risks is part of life, Akari. But remember, you have friends who care about you, no matter what happens."

---

Later that day, Akari found herself standing outside Hanada's dorm room, her heart pounding in her chest. She took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. With a shaking hand, she knocked on the door.

After a moment, the door creaked open, and Hanada's handsome face appeared, his expression one of mild surprise. "Akari? What are you doing here?"

Akari swallowed hard, trying to find her voice. "Hanada-kun, can we talk? It's important."

Hanada stepped aside, allowing her to enter. His room was neat and tidy, a stark contrast to the chaos swirling in her mind. She sat down on the edge of his bed, clasping her hands together to stop them from trembling.

Hanada sat across from her, his eyes filled with curiosity and concern. "What's going on, Akari?"

Akari took a deep breath, summoning all her courage. "Hanada-kun, I've been wanting to tell you something for a while now. I... I care about you, more than just a friend. I have feelings for you."

For a moment, there was silence. Hanada's expression remained unreadable, and Akari's heart sank, fearing the worst.

"Akari, I..." Hanada began, struggling to find the right words. "I'm really flattered, but... I'm not sure I'm ready for a relationship. I have so much going on in my life right now, and I don't want to hurt you."

Akari felt tears welling up in her eyes, but she blinked them back, refusing to let them fall. "I understand, Hanada-kun. I just needed to tell you how I feel. Even if you don't feel the same way, I can't keep it bottled up inside anymore."

Hanada reached out, taking her hand in his. "I appreciate your honesty, Akari. You mean a lot to me, and I don't want to lose our friendship. Can we take things slow? Maybe see where things go, without any pressure?"

Akari nodded, her heart aching but also hopeful. "I'd like that, Hanada-kun. Thank you for understanding."

As she left his room, a mix of emotions swirling inside her, Akari felt a sense of relief. She had taken the first step, and now it was up to Hanada to decide their future. Whatever happened, she knew she had done the right thing by being honest with herself and with him.

---

The next few days were a blur for Akari. She focused on her studies, trying to keep her mind off Hanada and their uncertain future. But no matter how hard she tried, her thoughts kept drifting back to him, to his gentle smile and the warmth of his hand in hers.

One afternoon, as she was leaving the library, she spotted Hanada sitting alone under the cherry blossom tree where they had often sat together. Her heart skipped a beat, and she hesitated for a moment before walking over to him.

"Hanada-kun, mind if I join you?" she asked softly.

Hanada looked up, a small smile playing on his lips. "Of course, Akari. Have a seat."

They sat in companionable silence for a while, the soft rustling of the cherry blossoms providing a soothing backdrop to their thoughts.

"Akari," Hanada began, breaking the silence. "I've been doing a lot of thinking. About us, about everything. And I realized something important."

Akari's heart pounded in her chest as she waited for him to continue.

"I realized that I've been so focused on my own problems and fears that I haven't been fair to you or to myself. I don't know what the future holds, but I do know that I want to explore it with you, one step at a time."

Tears welled up in Akari's eyes, and this time she didn't hold them back. "Hanada-kun, you have no idea how much that means to me. I'm willing to take things slow, as long as we're together."

Hanada reached out, gently wiping away her tears. "Then let's do this, Akari. Let's face whatever comes our way, together."

As they sat under the cherry blossom tree, surrounded by falling petals and the promise of a new beginning, Akari felt a sense of peace and hope she hadn't felt in a long time. She knew that the road ahead wouldn't be easy, but with Hanada by her side, she was ready to face any challenge that came their way.