100 - Ayaka Tōjō’s Struggles②

RAW

I stepped out of my room and stood in front of Ryota's, right next door.

After dinner, Haruto-kun had been keeping Ryota entertained the entire time. Ryota was obviously thrilled about it, so I couldn’t really complain. But from my perspective as his girlfriend, I couldn’t help feeling a little put out about having my boyfriend “stolen” by my little brother all evening.

That’s why I wanted to have a quick chat with Haruto-kun before bed, just to say goodnight.

With that thought in mind, I raised my hand to knock on his door. But before I could, I heard Ryota’s voice coming from the other side.

"Hey, big brother?"

"Hm? What is it?"

Wait, is Ryota planning to sleep in Haruto-kun's room tonight?

...Lucky. I want to sleep next to Haruto-kun too! But, well, that’s a bit much for now. We did already take a bath together earlier…

Besides, I’d probably be too nervous to actually fall asleep if Haruto-kun were next to me.

That said, isn’t Ryota hogging him a bit too much?

Haruto-kun is my boyfriend, you know!?

As his girlfriend, it’s okay for me to be a little selfish, right? I should be allowed to have him all to myself for just a little while before bed, right?

I convinced myself of this and was about to knock when I overheard a very intriguing conversation.

"Big brother, what do you like about my sister?"

"Everything about her."

"Everything?"

"Yeah, everything."

Wha—?! Ryota! What kind of question is that!?

And Haruto-kun answered without hesitation! Everything about me? H-he likes everything about me… Well, he did say “I love everything about you” when he confessed to me…

Even now, I can vividly recall the moment he confessed.

His intense gaze, so warm it felt like it could burn me, and the sweet words of love that spilled from his lips...

Ugh… just remembering it makes my chest feel like it’s about to burst from happiness.

"But big brother, isn’t liking everything a bit greedy?"

"Haha, maybe it is. But that’s just how much I love Ayaka."

—!?!

Oh no! M-my heart! It’s racing so fast it feels like it’s about to explode! I can’t handle this!

I lowered my hand, abandoned the idea of knocking, and retreated back to my own room.

Any more of this, and I wouldn’t be able to hold myself together. If I faced Haruto-kun in my current state, I’d definitely lose control and let all my feelings for him spill out.

Back in my room, I dove onto my bed and buried my face in my pillow.

Since Haruto-kun and I started dating, he’s told me “I love you” face-to-face a few times. Each time, it feels like my heart becomes weightless, wrapped in an overwhelming sense of joy.

But when I hear something like that unexpectedly, it’s not just weightless—it's like my heart goes flying off, bursting with emotions I can’t contain.

It’s like… boom!… then bang!… and whoosh!… my feelings for Haruto-kun overflow, and my heart just can’t stay still.

“Ugh… I love him so much it hurts…”

Isn’t my boyfriend just way too amazing?

I always thought Haruto-kun was pretty incredible, but I never imagined I’d be this head over heels for him…

“Haruto-kun loves everything about me… ughhh…”

Repeating his words to myself, I buried my face deeper into my pillow, writhing in embarrassment.

What should I do? My feelings for Haruto-kun keep growing stronger, and if I don’t do something, I might just explode.

Should I scream into my pillow, “I love everything about you too, Haruto-kun!!”?

But… if he heard me, I’d die of embarrassment.

After all, Haruto-kun is right next door…

…Right on the other side of this wall.

I stared at the wall separating my room from Ryota’s, briefly wondering if I could somehow develop x-ray vision.

Sigh… I wonder if Saki’s still awake.

I grabbed my phone and sent a message to my best friend.

—Are you still up?

—Asleep.

Her reply came back almost instantly, accompanied by a sticker of a rabbit snoring loudly.

I chuckled at Saki’s typical response and initiated a call. After just a few rings, she picked up.

“What’s up?”

“I just… needed to talk to someone to distract myself.”

“Distract yourself from what?”

I explained to Saki that Haruto-kun was staying over and told her everything that had just happened.

“Wow, that’s ridiculously sweet. I think I need to brush my teeth again after hearing that.”

“Sorry… but I felt like I was about to explode.”

“Explode, huh?”

I could hear the exasperation in her voice on the other end of the call.

“So, today your family had that discussion with the Otsuki family, right? How’d it go?”

“Oh, well…”

I explained to Saki what the plan for Haruto-kun and me living together would look like going forward.

“So, Friday nights are for cuddling on the couch and staying up late together, huh?”

“I-I don’t know about that… but I do want to sit next to him on the couch and watch movies or dramas…”

“And share snacks while you’re at it, huh?”

“If I’m not careful, I’ll gain weight… but that sounds so tempting…”

Imagining it, I could see us sharing chocolate while watching a romantic drama. Our hands might touch as we reach for snacks, and then we’d look into each other’s eyes… and maybe even kiss! Ughhh… that sounds too perfect…

“Hey, Ayaka, whatever you’re imagining right now, you might want to tone it down. You’re grinning like an idiot.”

“Ugh…”

Whenever I think about Haruto-kun, I just can’t control my expression.

But I have to keep it together, especially with his grandmother, Kiyoko-san, around. I want her to think I’m a good girlfriend.

“By the way, where are we meeting up for tomorrow’s fireworks festival?”

“Oh, right. How about the plaza in front of the station?”

Tomorrow, I’ll be going to the festival with Haruto-kun. But to avoid any awkward encounters with people from school, we’ll pretend to bump into each other there.

“Sure, let’s meet at the plaza in the evening.”

“Are you wearing a yukata, Saki?”

“Yeah, that’s the plan.”

“I can’t wait to see you in it!”

“Oh? Cheating on your boyfriend already?”

Ignoring her teasing, I started imagining what Haruto-kun would wear tomorrow.

“I wonder if Haruto-kun will wear a jinbei…”

“You want him to?”

“Yeah, I think he’d look amazing in one!”

With his toned build and broad shoulders, a jinbei would suit him perfectly. I might even catch a glimpse of his arms or chest…

“If you want him to wear one, just ask him tomorrow morning.”

“But that might feel like I’m forcing him…”

What if he doesn’t like jinbei? I wouldn’t want to make him uncomfortable.

“Don’t overthink it. You’re his girlfriend—just ask him cutely, like, ‘Let’s wear yukata and jinbei together!’”

“You think so? Maybe I should…”

“Definitely.”

Saki’s encouragement gave me the push I needed.

“Okay, I’ll ask him tomorrow morning.”

“Good. So, have I helped you calm down? Explosion averted?”

“Yeah, thanks, Saki.”

Talking about tomorrow with her helped shift my focus from the overwhelming emotions to the excitement of the festival.

“Well, I’m heading to bed now.”

“Goodnight, Saki.”

“Night!”

After ending the call, I lay back on my bed and stared at the ceiling.

“Tomorrow’s the fireworks festival with Haruto-kun. I can’t wait…”

The thought of watching the fireworks with the person I love filled me with so much joy that I couldn’t help but smile as I drifted off to sleep.

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Ayaka's worries: I love you too much, it hurts...

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Already the 100th chapter, I hope you have a great holiday, thanks to everyone who keeps reading this story!