76 - Ayaka Tojo's Love⑦

RAW

Finally... finally, my feelings reached him!

I've always dreamed of this, and now we're real lovers!

I'm Haruto's girlfriend!!

Joy is exploding inside my chest.

I never knew a person could feel such an intense emotion as "happiness." My heart is completely filled with it.

Haruto is my boyfriend!

Thinking that, I couldn't hold back and hugged him tightly.

Haruto told me to let go because he was sweaty, but I didn't care at all.

When I visited his house, I always noticed his faint scent. Now I can clearly feel it, wrapping around me. My heart pounds, but at the same time, I feel strangely calm and dreamy.

As I hugged him tightly, Haruto gently put his arms around me and held me close.

Ah... this is almost too much happiness to handle...

I wonder how long I stayed like that, hugging Haruto?

Forgetting time, lost in the feeling of him, he gently spoke to me.

"Ayaka, it's getting late. We should head back. I'll walk you home."

"…Okay."

If I could, I would stay like this forever.

But it's late, and I don't want to inconvenience Haruto. His grandmother might worry too.

"Can we hold hands?"

Even though I had just let go, the summer night air between us felt a little cold, and I longed for him again.

He smiled that gentle, warm smile I loved so much.

"Of course. We're real lovers now, after all."

"Yeah!"

I couldn't hide my excitement and responded enthusiastically, like Ryota would.

It was a bit embarrassing... but I felt so happy.

Holding his hand, I felt warmth and a reassuring sense of comfort spread through me.

Before, we held hands as "practice," but we don't need an excuse anymore. Now, whenever I walk beside Haruto, I can hold his hand like this.

The park we're in is close to my house. It's only about a three-minute walk, but I walked very slowly, wanting to stay with Haruto as long as possible.

Haruto matched my pace without any complaint.

Does he feel the same way? Does he want to be with me too?

Curious, I glanced up at him. Noticing my gaze, he smiled and asked, "Hmm?" That sweet smile made me feel giddy.

"Nothing."

I really wanted to say, "I want to stay with you longer," but I was too shy.

Just seeing his face made me believe he felt the same, filling my heart with joy.

I really wanted to keep walking with him, holding hands.

But my wish couldn’t come true forever, and soon we reached my house.

"…Well then."

"…Yeah."

Standing in front of the door, we faced each other again.

"Do you... want to come in for a bit?"

Haruto had visited many times as part of his housekeeping job. My mom and Ryota knew him, so even at this late hour, it would be okay.

Thinking up excuses, I looked up at him. He smiled apologetically and shook his head.

"No, it's late. I don't want to trouble your family. I'll greet your mom properly tomorrow."

"Yeah... you're right."

"See you tomorrow."

"Yeah… Will you come over early in the afternoon?"

We don't need to practice being lovers anymore, but now that we're real, I want to see him even more.

My heart is filled with joy, but a hint of sadness creeps in. Haruto smiles, brushing it away.

"Of course. I want to see you soon too, Ayaka."

"Me too!"

His words filled me with overwhelming happiness, and I hugged him again.

He gently hugged me back and patted my head. It felt a bit childish but comforting.

Suppressing my desire to stay like this, I reluctantly let go.

"Good night."

I tried to hide my sadness, but it seeped into my voice.

"Good night. See you tomorrow."

He hugged me once more, and my heart overflowed with joy.

I watched him until he disappeared, then went inside.

In the living room, my mom was still sitting on the sofa reading a book. She looked up at me.

"Welcome home."

She smiled warmly, and I smiled back.

"I'm home. Mom, I… I’m dating Haruto now."

"Oh! Congratulations! I'm so happy for you!"

"Thanks."

Her blessing made me smile even more.

"Where’s Otsuki-kun? Did he already leave?"

"Yeah, it’s late. He said he'd greet you properly tomorrow."

"I see. I’m looking forward to it."

Mom really likes Haruto, and seeing her happiness made me even happier.

"Mom."

"Yes, Ayaka?"

"Thank you."

"Why so formal all of a sudden?"

"Nothing. Good night!"

She looked puzzled, but I just smiled and headed to my room.

The book she was reading was upside down—I guess she was waiting for me.

Touched by her love, I ran to my room and threw myself onto the bed.

"Haruto is my boyfriend… ugh..."

Saying it out loud made me squirm with happiness.

"Oh! I need to tell Saki!"

It was late, but she was probably still awake. I grabbed my phone and called her.

"…So, what happened?"

Her worried voice came through, and I couldn’t hide my excitement.

"I'm Haruto's girlfriend! We’re dating!"

"Whoooo! Congrats!"

Saki’s loud voice almost broke my speaker.

"Thank you! It's all thanks to your advice!"

"I didn’t do anything. You were brave and made it happen."

Her words made me smile shyly.

"I’m so glad. If he’d rejected you, I’d have beaten him up after summer break."

I laughed at her dramatic threat.

"Thanks, Saki. But don’t bully my boyfriend, okay?"

"Already bragging, huh?"

We both laughed.

"How did it happen? Did you confess?"

"No, he did."

"Really? What did he say?"

"He listed all the things he liked about me..."

"And?"

"Then he said, 'I love everything about you.'"

Saki squealed loudly. I blushed, remembering it.

"Then he asked me to be his real girlfriend."

"Nice! And what did you say?"

"I asked him to make me his real girlfriend."

Saki cheered again, making me laugh.

"I also… kissed him."

She gasped, then screamed, "Congrats! And explode!"

We talked until almost midnight, and I fell asleep thinking about Haruto.

As I drifted off, I typed a note on my phone:

—Otsuki Ayaka.

The moment I saw the words, I felt my face turn red and pressed my face into the pillow.

I don't know yet! I don't know yet!!

Besides, if I act like that now, Haruto will think I'm clingy!

But... if we keep going out like this, eventually...

The moment I imagine that future, I'm enveloped in a sense of happiness that makes me feel like I'm floating.

For a high school student like me, it's still a long way off.

But, as Saki said, it's not so far-fetched that it's hard to imagine.

In five years we'll both be working adults.

Then, when we'll be independent in society and in a position to take on various responsibilities, then...

If Haruto is my destined partner...

"Ah, I think I'll get my fortune told by his name..."

After that, I couldn't fall asleep easily, even after the date had changed.

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Well... these last chapters were so good, the next update will be on 12/4/24 because I will be in Finland for a few days.