Chapter 16 - Chapter 16 - A cold and unfriendly junior colleague confesses his feelings.

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"And now, for our grand finale! Entry number ten, Iroha Isshiki!"

"Nice to meet you all!"

Following that exchange was a thunderous applause.

I thought anyone would have received decent applause, but Isshiki's seemed to have more fervor.

Even with all her cold treatment, does Iroha Isshiki's charm still captivate people? I felt a wave of relief at the reaction, though I'm not sure why I felt that way.

"Uh, Isshiki-san, you're a first-year, but—"

The interview-style conversation, however, completely went over my head.

I thought Isshiki would handle it well, but... I felt an odd anxiety about the "talent show" part of the judging, and I was on pins and needles. No, why am I so worried about this, anyway?

"Alright, next question. Where are you from, Isshiki-san?"

"From our neighbor, Chiba Prefecture, a famous peanut production area."

Saying that, Isshiki glanced my way. I could even see a sense of composure in her playful gesture.

I see. Perhaps this girl really will be fine. She made me think that, appearing as her usual self, even while putting on an act.

To the rapid-fire questions, Isshiki responded with wit, eliciting reactions from the audience.

Snickers of laughter. Hearty guffaws at her obvious jokes and comebacks to the MC were, without exaggeration, now at the center of the "Iroha Isshiki vortex."

"Finally, we'd like to ask for your special talent. What kind of talent will you be showing us today?"

At that question, my back straightened. The question that concerned me the most had arrived.

I furtively glanced beside me, and Nene-san was watching the proceedings with a big, beaming smile. Next to her, Tetsuya-san was silently waving his cheering fan with a serious expression.

Both of them seemed to have complete faith in Isshiki, and at that moment, it finally dawned on me.

If I couldn't trust Isshiki, what good was I?

Iroha Isshiki had fulfilled her role as student council president since her first year and bore that heavy responsibility for two terms.

She was the kind of person whom Komachi, who succeeded her as student council president, had said, "Following her is too heavy a burden."

She'll surely be fine.

"Yes. My special talent is acting."

—Huh?

The moment I heard those words, my thoughts froze.

Isshiki's talent is acting? I've never heard her say she was in a drama club, nor did she ever show any signs of having such experience. No, if that character of hers was an act, then I'd understand, but...

"Oh ho! That sounds exciting! Alright, let's see it then!"

"But actually, I can't do it alone; I'd like a volunteer from the audience to help me."

Isshiki, who had said that with a smile, suddenly looked my way. "What's with that look...?" I thought, and the next moment, Isshiki said something unbelievable.

"You, sir, right there, would you mind helping me?"

Wait, hey. Huh?

What is this girl talking about?

"Alright! So, you've been nominated, please come up to the stage!"

A smattering of applause, as if forbidding any escape, vibrated my eardrums.

At this point, it couldn't be helped. Isshiki had made up her mind and was on stage. There was no reason for me not to respond to her request.

"Um, okay, so you just need to stand there."

Under the public eye, Isshiki and I faced each other on stage. With every beat of my pounding heart, time moved forward.

"Um, Senpai."

My heart trembled at the usual way she called me.

Just, as always. Even though it was just that familiar way of calling me, ingrained in my daily life.

"I followed you to this university, Senpai."

As if a frightened small animal, with a trembling voice.

With tear-filled eyes, Iroha Isshiki looked up at me.

Her flaxen hair swayed delicately and fleetingly.

"You might not think anything of me, Senpai. But I'm different."

Thump-thump, my heart was so loud.

This was acting. Since Isshiki declared it, there was no doubt. And yet, I—

"Always. I was always watching you, Senpai. At first, I had no interest at all. But before I knew it, I was only looking at you."

Why am I...?

"Before I knew it, I had fallen in love."

...So deeply moved?

"Please, go out with me."

The moment I heard those words, my thoughts completely abandoned their function.

My dry breath caught in my throat, and I couldn't form words properly.

What should I say here?

Something, quickly, I have to answer.

Before Isshiki's words, under the guise of acting, disappeared.

I have to answer quickly—

"Alright! Thank you very much! That was such a convincing performance, it even made my heart pound!"

That was the MC's voice, pulling my consciousness back to reality.

While I felt the sensation of being released from tension, a distinct emptiness filled my chest.

Was that really...

Was that really acting—?

—-----------

—And the glorious winner this year is.

"First-year! Iroha Isshiki!"

Being bewildered, watching the crowd erupt in cheers, was just ten minutes ago.

I thought Isshiki would come back right away, but with photoshoots and interviews, it seemed she wouldn't be released anytime soon.

I could have waited, but before I knew it, I was aimlessly walking through the school building.

Were Isshiki's words really just acting?

That question remained unanswered no matter how much time passed.

Because it was Isshiki who said it, I couldn't tell how much was truth and how much was a trick. If someone else had said those words, it would have been easier to understand.

No, what am I thinking about now?

I shook my head and started walking down the hallway, when suddenly a voice called out to my back.

"Senpai."

The way she called me was the same. But her tone was completely different.

I turned around to see Amane Sakura standing still, looking serious.

"Would you mind walking with me for a bit?"

"...No, not right now, I'm a bit..."

"You were just with Iroha-chan, so you can spare a little time for me, right?"

Her unusually strong tone startled me, and I looked at Sakura's face. Her eyes held a strong will.

Seeing her like that, I couldn't possibly refuse outright.

"...Alright. I'll join you."

I started walking alongside Sakura. However, there was none of our usual conversation.

Sakura always used to chat cheerfully with me about this and that, with a bright smile. The absence of that meant something had changed within her.

"Iroha-chan was amazing, wasn't she?"

"...She was."

It seemed Sakura had also watched the stage event. It wasn't just me who was overwhelmed by Isshiki's performance.

"Shall we go up a bit?"

Sakura said that, pointing upwards with her index finger. Was there a particular exhibit she wanted to see?

Climbing the stairs to the fourth floor, we came out onto the connecting walkway between the main building and the second building. The next stage event was apparently a comedy live show by professional comedians, and many people were crowded in front of the stage.

Were everyone heading to the stage event? The fourth floor itself, with few exhibits, was deserted, and before long, we were alone on the connecting walkway.

"I..."

As I vaguely looked down at the stage, Sakura said in a slightly elevated voice.

"I like you, Senpai."

It felt as if my heart had been suddenly knocked.

That's how abrupt Sakura's words were.

"—Huh?"

I wanted to reply, "Are you kidding?" but Sakura's eyes were utterly serious.

All that came out was a voice like air escaping my lungs.

"Mine isn't acting, you know."

Those words enveloped me, as if blocking my escape route.

The laughter of the audience beyond the window felt like something from a distant world.

"If you don't mind, I was hoping we could go out."

Before I knew it, my heart was pounding erratically.

Sakura was smiling apologetically. I found it hard to believe that I was the one making her wear such an expression.

"Please tell me how you feel right now, Senpai."

Her words were utterly sincere, and if that was the case, I too should answer straightforwardly.

Going out—that keyword, what came to mind was...

What was filling my heart the most right now was...

"...I'm sorry. There's someone else in my heart."

—It wasn't Sakura.

"...I see."

Receiving my answer, Sakura exhaled with a "haah," as if releasing tension.

Sakura looked at me and smiled gently. It was too much of a perfect, sad smile.

"Well, I kind of knew it already. So please don't worry about it. I'd be happy if we can continue as usual at our part-time job."

"Ah, yes, of course..."

Despite saying that, my voice came out somewhat shaky.

Even if Sakura could do that, it was a difficult suggestion for me.

"Well then, see you at work."

Saying that, Sakura waved her hand lightly and quickly walked away.

As if she wanted to escape from this place as quickly as possible.

Watching her receding back, I wondered how things had come to this—

—----------

The moment I heard those words, I thought my heart would stop.

"I like you, Senpai."

The connecting walkway on the fourth floor.

I had been searching for Senpai, walking around, and just when I thought I found him—Sakura-chan's desperate voice echoed in my head, reverberating.

"Mine isn't acting, you know."

Those words certainly entered my ears, but they didn't register in my mind at all. The scene before my eyes felt that unreal.

To confess at this timing, right after my performance... Honestly, the surprise was overwhelming.

"If you don't mind, I was hoping we could go out."

Perhaps, what spurred Sakura-chan on was my actions on stage.

But it's true that Sakura-chan's words were what inspired my confession. So I guess this means we're even.

"Please tell me how you feel right now, Senpai."

And then, Senpai...

What would Senpai answer Sakura-chan—?

"...I'm sorry. There's someone else in my heart."

The moment I heard those words, I felt my heart suddenly grow cold.

Someone else, he said.

If only.

If only it were me, Senpai would have accepted me more.

It wouldn't be strange if we were dating by now—but that wasn't happening in reality.

Senpai and my relationship had mostly just gone back and forth, making no progress.

I thought I had done everything I could.

You could even say I was devoted; I had always been by Senpai's side. I conveyed my feelings as clearly as I possibly could.

I guess my plan failed.

Even with all this affection, this adoration... even with all my effort, it wasn't enough.

—I couldn't take the place of those two.

"—!"

Before I knew it, I had turned on my heel.

I started walking aimlessly, then picked up pace, eventually breaking into a run to leave the place.

It was no good.

Completely, utterly no good.

It was completely, completely no good.

—It's not me.

With a pain in my chest that felt like it would shatter, I just kept running—