131 - Ayaka Tōjō's Struggles⑦

RAW

The break after the third period.

I headed to the changing room to change into my gym uniform for PE class.

"It's still hot, and now we have PE outside? Ugh, this is so depressing."

Saki, who was changing next to me, slipped her arms into her T-shirt and grumbled with a gloomy expression.

"Totally. They should reschedule sports festivals to avoid heatstroke season."

Agreeing with her, I unbuttoned my uniform shirt.

"If someone collapses from heatstroke nowadays, it'll be all over the national news... Wait, Ayaka?"

"Hm?"

"Are you... growing again?"

"Huh?"

At first, I didn't understand what Saki meant, but I followed her gaze and realized.

"Uh, um... Maybe?"

I looked down at myself and tilted my head.

"Now that you mention it, the underwear I bought recently does feel a little tight..."

"Why is it that only there grows? If you're going to grow, your whole body should! It's unfair!"

"I mean, what do you want me to do about it...?"

This growth isn't something I can control.

Honestly, if it keeps growing, it'll limit my clothing options, which is a major problem for me.

Especially now that I'm dating Haruto. Limiting my fashion choices in front of him? Absolutely unacceptable.

I always want to look cute in front of him.

Not to mention, I don’t like the way other men’s stares feel.

I’d love it if Haruto couldn’t take his eyes off me, but attention from anyone else? That’s just scary.

I wonder... What does Haruto think?

Does he prefer them bigger? Or does he like something more modest?

Maybe I should ask him next time...

But how would I even ask something like that? Bring it up casually?

As I was lost in thought about him, Saki grinned mischievously at me.

"Ayaka, you're thinking about him right now, aren't you?"

"Huh? Uh... Yeah..."

"You’re wondering about his preferences, aren’t you?"

"Ugh...!"

She hit the nail on the head, and I couldn’t help but feel embarrassed.

"Could it be that all this growth is powered by your love for him? You lucky, love-struck girl!"

"Hey, Saki! Cut it out! No, stop! That tickles!"

Saki suddenly attacked me, making me squirm as I tried to dodge her relentless tickling.

In the middle of our chaos, a hesitant voice called out from behind me.

"Um... Tōjō-san? Can I talk to you for a minute?"

"Huh? Oh, sure. What is it?"

I swatted away Saki's hands and turned around to see one of our classmates standing there, looking awkward.

It was Terazawa-san.

We were in different social circles, so we usually only exchanged quick greetings.

With her reserved demeanor, Terazawa-san fidgeted with a strand of her medium-length hair before speaking cautiously.

"Uh... There's something I wanted to ask you about..."

She trailed off and glanced apologetically at Saki.

Saki caught the hint and said, "Alright, I’ll give you two some space," before stepping away.

"I’ll head to the field first," she said, waving as she left the changing room.

Terazawa-san gave a small bow of thanks before turning back to me.

"So, what did you want to ask me?"

"Well, um..."

As I adjusted my T-shirt, she pulled out her phone from her pocket.

"Last Saturday, I... I saw something..."

She showed me her phone, and the moment I saw the screen, my mind went blank.

It was a photo taken inside a train, through the window separating two cars.

At the center of the framed shot was a couple, clearly very close.

The girl had her head resting on the boy’s shoulder with a blissful smile, clutching his arm tightly.

Terazawa-san hesitated before speaking.

"I'm sorry for taking this without permission—it’s like I was sneaking around. But... when I saw this, I couldn’t stop thinking about it..."

She glanced at the photo again before looking at me with certainty in her eyes.

"This... It’s Otsuki-kun and you, isn’t it?"

The photo was unmistakably Haruto and me, taken on our way back from the aquarium date.

"Th-this... um..."

Caught off guard, I couldn’t find the right words. My thoughts spun, dragging up old memories.

—"Don’t steal the person I like!"

A friend had yelled that at me back in middle school.

That moment had driven me to avoid boys and distance myself from romance.

Could it be happening again?

The mere thought made my chest tighten as my heartbeat raced uncomfortably.

"Tell me, Tōjō-san. Are you dating Otsuki-kun? Is he the person you said you liked?"

"That’s... That’s..."

I couldn’t answer.

I couldn’t think straight.

What should I do?

I could only stare at Terazawa-san, who patiently waited for my explanation. Her gaze brought my memories into sharper focus, suffocating me.

Desperate to escape, I glanced at the clock on the wall.

"I-I have to go! We’ll be late for class!"

"Wait, Tōjō-san!"

Her voice followed me, but I didn’t turn back as I rushed out of the changing room.

My breathing was shallow, and I barely managed to calm myself as I hurried toward the field.

Just before exiting the school building, I ran into Saki.

"Wow, you’re fast—hey, Ayaka, are you okay? You look pale."

"...I’m fine."

Saki, switching her shoes, looked worried as she joined me.

"Did something happen with Terazawa-san?"

Her concerned eyes searched my face.

I wanted to confide in her, but with other students nearby, I couldn’t risk them overhearing.

Forcing a smile, I shook my head.

"No, nothing. By the way, today’s PE is middle-distance running, right? I’m terrible at running laps—it’s so boring."

"...Yeah. I don’t mind it, though—I like running."

Though she gave me a brief suspicious look, Saki played along with my change of topic.

I silently thanked her as we made small talk, distracting myself to maintain composure.

When class started, we warmed up before jogging around the track.

At the signal, everyone began running at their own pace.

Saki, being a fast runner, quickly pulled ahead while I lagged behind, struggling to control my breathing.

Trailing behind the group, I noticed Terazawa-san slowing down ahead and heading toward me.

Panicking, I tried to speed up, but my legs wouldn’t cooperate. She easily matched my pace.

"Hey, Tōjō-san. About earlier..."

"Hah... hah... No, we... can’t... talk during class..."

I gasped, trying to dismiss her, but she ignored my weak protests.

"Please, Tōjō-san. I need to know about you two!"

There was a desperate edge to her voice, and it gave me a bad feeling.

"...Why...?"

I asked hesitantly, still gasping for air.

She looked down for a moment, then met my gaze with determination.

"Because I like him. I like Otsuki-kun!"

"Ah—!"

Her words hit me like a thunderbolt, and the memories of my middle school friend’s tearful face flooded back.

It was happening again.

The fear paralyzed me, making my body stiffen. I tripped and fell hard to the ground.

"Ah!"

"Tōjō-san! Are you okay?!"

Panicking, Terazawa-san stopped and knelt by me.

"I-I’m fine, just fell—ah!"

When I tried to stand, sharp pain shot through my right ankle, and I collapsed again.

Terazawa-san rushed over, alarmed.

"Don’t push yourself! Stay still!"

"But..."

Before I could argue further, murmurs spread as the other students noticed my fall.

I needed to get up before—

"Ayaka!"

The familiar voice made me look up, and there he was—Haruto, sprinting toward me.

He crouched beside me and gently examined my swollen ankle.

"It’s sprained," he said, his voice steady.

Before I could process it, he slipped one arm under my knees and the other around my back, lifting me effortlessly into a princess carry.

The field erupted in gasps.

"H-Haruto?!"

"Don’t move. It’ll get worse."

"Ah, o-okay..."

His serious tone made me nod obediently, though my heart was pounding.

"Sensei, I’m taking her to the infirmary," he said firmly.

"O-Oh, go ahead, Otsuki," the teacher stammered, nodding.

As Haruto carried me away, my cheeks burned under the stares of our classmates.

────────────────────

Ayaka’s Dilemma: It’s Already Been Found Out… Right?