Vol. 3: Chapter 17 - Confession

3rd Day, 6:30 AM.

Almost everyone from Class B has woken up. I was currently doing some chores; cleaning the remains of our fire pit and such. Voices of girls could be heard from a considerable distance behind me. I could barely make out what they were saying.

"You can do it, Kokoro-chan!"

"We're here for you!"

"We'll be cheering you on!"

Kikyou, Ishikura, Nishimura, and the other girls, huh?

Oh— Is this what I think it will be...?

I was too scared to even look. A few seconds passed before I started hearing light footsteps.

"U-Uhm, Ayanokouji-kun-" Unsurprisingly, it was Inogashira's voice.

Of course, I turned around to face her.

"Good morning, Inogashira. Can I help you?" I tried to be as polite as I could, emulating what Hirata might say.

"Good morning... Um, is it alright if I take your time for a little bit...? There's... something that I've been meaning to tell you for a long time now..."

I see...

"Sure. I'm done with my work here, anyway."

"I-Is it alright if we talk in private? It's pretty embarrassing, so I want to get away from the camp before I tell you..." Inogashira bowed her head apologetically.

"It's all good, as long as we don't walk too far and make the others worry."

"Okay," she nodded.

I led her towards a part of the forest where it was far enough to avoid eavesdropping but close enough to go back easily.

"Is this place alright with you?" I asked.

"Yes, thank you very much."

"Well then, I'm all ears."

Inogashira's face went red as soon as I passed the mic. The pressure finally caught up to her.

"Um, uhh... You see, Ayanokouji-kun..." she muttered, looking downwards.

Inogashira was really struggling with her words, but she psyched herself up and mustered enough courage to face me straight.

"A-Ayanokouji-kun, I..." Inogashira closed her eyes before continuing. "I like you. Please go out with me."

At least, I wasn't being overly conscious this time. I was ready to bury myself alive.

Her words echoed across these parts of the woods and Inogashira slowly started realizing what she had just said.

"Thank you, Inogashira," I replied.

"Uh- Uhm, that was..."

Inogashira was extremely gentle regardless of the situation. She wasn't like Airi who panics whenever she's high-strung. Even in this kind of situation, Inogashira's expression was timid, but it was almost as if she wasn't feeling tense. If Airi was in the same situation, her lips would probably tremble nonstop.

"Sorry if I'm not giving any sort of reaction. No one has ever confessed to me before so I don't really know what to feel or say."

"No... It's okay, Ayanokouji-kun..."

This will be hard, but I need to respond.

"I'm really grateful for your feelings, Inogashira, but... I don't think I can be that person for you."

Anyone can instantly know what a person is feeling just by looking at their facial expressions. However, it's an entirely different thing whether you can sympathize with what they feel. Right now, all I know is that Inogashira is hurt... by my words.

"I... I see..."

"I'm sorry..." That was probably the only thing I can say at this point.

Inogashira shook her head slowly, trying to hold back the tears that had been forming around her misty eyes.

"No, please don't be, Ayanokouji-kun... To be honest... I... I kind of expected this already..."

"I think you're a wonderful person, Inogashira. Those are my honest thoughts. But at this point in time, I just don't think I'm ready for a relationship yet. It doesn't really matter who confesses."

The last part was a lie, but Inogashira is too innocent to be involved with me from an intimate distance. If I decide to go out with her, she'll be nothing but a target.

Inogashira sheepishly wiped her tears and smiled.

"You don't have to make me feel better, Ayanokouji-kun. I understand that it's just a one-sided crush."

"I'm sorry."

"Please stop apologizing. I'm the one who's starting to feel bad," Inogashira chuckled melancholically.

"I see..." I wanted to continue talking, but she spoke out in a hurry.

"Uhm, Ayanokouji-kun, I'll be going back to the base camp. I know my way back, so I'll be fine... See you later!"

Before I could respond, Inogashira turned around and ran back towards the campsite's direction. As I watched her back, I could only sigh. If Matsushita's words are true, then she shouldn't be the only girl who has romantic feelings for me. Inogashira Kokoro; the girl that always came off as someone who's not strong-willed, was actually the one who had the courage to confess first.

I don't think I should go back just yet... And besides...

"Why did you follow us here, Haruka?"

"Eh-?! I got busted?!"

A lone girl walked away from a tree that covered her body.

"W-When did you find out, Kiyopon...?" Haruka guiltily scratched her head as she approached me.

"Right from the beginning."

"Geh- A-As expected from you, I guess..."

"So? You wanna explain yourself?"

"Well, I certainly did a bad thing, but I was just curious! I saw you walk off with Inogashira-san so I was interested in what you guys would talk about... I didn't expect it to be a confession!"

"Regardless of the topic, isn't it still bad for you to eavesdrop?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Ugh-... I'm sorry..." Haruka apologized while drooping her head.

I sat beneath the tree beside me since the morning air was making me feel relaxed. 

I like this feeling. In an environment like this, the invitations of such trees always draw me in. Haruka decided to sit beside me in a similar fashion.

"Um, if you don't mind me asking, why did you reject Inogashira-san?" Haruka rested her cheek on top of her knees while facing me.

"Didn't you already hear what I told her?" I answered with a question.

"Well, yeah. But you were kinda lying, right? Whenever you talk about getting a girlfriend with Miyacchi and Kencchin, you always say that you wanted one."

"I certainly did, and that has some truth in it. But after experiencing a real confession... I figured that, as you've heard, I may not be suited to be in a relationship just yet," I shrugged. "Getting everyone to Class A is my main priority right now."

"Ohh, I thought you replied like you did so that you wouldn't hurt her too much... As expected of you, I guess."

"It's pretty stressful, you know? If Inogashira and I were to go out, I don't think I'd have enough time for her."

"So you'll be up for it once we get into Class A? Wouldn't the stress increase because everyone will be after us?"

"Well, that's just one factor. If I find a girl that I like, then I probably won't care if it gets in the way of my role as the leader."

"A girl that Kiyopon likes, huh...? There isn't anyone in your mind right now?"

"Hmm... not really." I shook my head in response.

"It's making the rounds, though— about you and Kushida-san getting really close last night."

Woah, so fast. Did they talk about it as soon as they woke up? Or did more of my classmates see us from their tents...? Regardless, I am, once again, everyone's gossip material. At this point, I've become used to it.

"We were just sitting together, but I guess it makes sense for our classmates to talk about it."

"Do you really not like Kushida-san?" she asked.

"Well, if I were to choose between like or dislike, then I definitely like her."

"How about me and Airi?" Haruka sat up enthusiastically.

"You guys are my friends. Of course, I like you."

"Hmm~, I see. So Kiyopon likes us, huh? I'll be sure to tell Airi later!"

"Don't say things that people will misunderstand, you idiot."

"I won't, I won't, I promise~!" Haruka laughed as she replied.

Both of us heaved a sigh, looking at the green leaves ruffling through the morning breeze.

"You know, Kiyopon. The group has been trying to find some time to hang out with you. Kencchin was hyped about it, but Miyacchi told us to give you some space. After all, you're busy leading us in this exam. We get his point, and it's really not a requirement for you to be present in the group. That's the way we are, right? A band of loners..." Haruka looked up at the sky while sighing. "But as expected, it feels pretty incomplete when you're not there."

"I see. I'm glad that you guys feel that way, but it's also true that I've got a lot on my plate. We've found some spots yesterday. As the assigned leader, I have to run around the entire island just to occupy them."

"Oh, that's cool! But... that's what Miyacchi's worried about. We don't want to get in your way."

"I'll have time to hang out with you guys after the exam."

Haruka opened her mouth as if she wanted to say something, but stopped and sighed before standing up.

"Let's get back, Kiyopon. We'll have breakfast before the roll call, remember?" Haruka shrugged. "It's okay if you act as if nothing happened. It's not like you're the one who confessed, anyway."

So that's how it works? I'll trust an actual girl's opinion this time.

As we walked back to the campsite, I realized that another day had passed in this special test. Each class's plans are slowly being realized. It's only a matter of time before a clash between any of us happens.

And also, I hope she was happy with what she heard.