132 - Openly

RAW

In the nurse's office, the school nurse gently lifted Ayaka’s right ankle as she spoke.

“Well, it’s a mild sprain. If you keep it taped up properly and rest, it’ll heal quickly.”

Although her tone was somewhat brusque, the nurse carefully treated Ayaka’s injury. While securely taping Ayaka's ankle, she glanced at Haruto, who had been standing silently nearby.

“For today, don’t put too much weight on your ankle. Got it? Since moving around school might be inconvenient, it’s your job to take good care of her, boyfriend.”

“Yes, understood.”

Haruto’s immediate response earned a nod from the nurse, who then finished taping Ayaka’s ankle.

“How does it feel? Do you feel it’s properly secured?”

“Yes, thank you very much.”

“Next time you trip, make sure you do it more gracefully.”

At the nurse’s slightly offbeat advice, Ayaka couldn’t help but smile wryly.

“I’ll, um, try not to trip next time.”

“No matter how careful you are, there will be times when you stumble. That’s life.”

The nurse gave this philosophical remark with a meaningful expression that carried the weight of experience. Ayaka replied with an awkward, hesitant smile.

“Well, realizing that truth is still far off for the two of you,” the nurse said, glancing at the clock on the wall.

“With that foot, gym class is out of the question. Why don’t you nap on the bed here until lunchtime?”

Pointing her thumb toward a bed in the office, she stood up nonchalantly.

“I’ve got business in the staff room, so I’ll be stepping out. If anything happens, scream your lungs out. I’ll come back, reluctantly.”

With what sounded like a joke—at least, they hoped it was—she left the nurse’s office.

“This is my first time coming to the nurse’s office… She’s an interesting teacher,” Haruto commented.

“Yeah, her name’s Suzaki-sensei. She’s surprisingly popular with the girls. Apparently, she even gives advice on love.”

“Does she give good advice?”

Thinking back to Suzaki-sensei’s earlier comments, Haruto asked curiously.

“Probably? One of my friends said she realized a new perspective on love after talking to her.”

“...Interesting.”

Haruto wondered what kind of “new perspective” on love she might offer. He glanced at Ayaka, who was sitting on the chair.

Given her already unique perspective on relationships, Haruto secretly hoped Ayaka would steer clear of such consultations. The last thing he wanted was for her to embrace even more unconventional ideas.

Just as Haruto thought this, the nurse’s office door suddenly slid open with a bang.

“Hey, boyfriend. I don’t mind you skipping class to be with your girlfriend, but this is still school. Keep things appropriate. That bed is public property. Enjoy yourselves—responsibly.”

Without waiting for a response, Suzaki-sensei shut the door and disappeared.

As they listened to her retreating footsteps, Haruto chuckled.

“She’s got a unique sense of humor.”

“Definitely,” Ayaka agreed, her cheeks tinged with a faint blush, seemingly influenced by the teacher’s words.

“Should I help you lie down on the bed?”

“Yeah, I think I will.”

“Alright, let me help.”

Haruto bent down and offered her his shoulder. Ayaka leaned on him as they moved to the bed, where she carefully sat down.

“...Are you going back to class?”

“Yeah, probably.”

As he answered, Ayaka looked up at him from her seat on the bed. The hint of loneliness in her expression made Haruto pause.

“Actually… I’ll stay for a little longer.”

The moment he said that, Ayaka’s face brightened dramatically. Seeing her reaction, Haruto smiled and sat down beside her.

“Being alone together in the nurse’s office feels like something out of a romance manga. It’s kind of exciting,” Ayaka admitted, leaning into him with a slight blush.

“Is that so? By the way, what kind of things usually happen in those manga?”

Not being a big fan of romance stories himself, Haruto asked purely out of curiosity.

Ayaka’s blush deepened as she avoided answering.

“That’s… a secret.”

“Now I’m even more curious.”

“...Maybe we can read one together sometime?”

“Sure.”

Haruto smiled and accepted her suggestion.

“Alright, I should probably head back to class now. If I stay too long, people might start to wonder.”

As he checked the time and stood up, Ayaka’s cheerful expression clouded over.

“...Everyone’s noticed our relationship by now, haven’t they?”

“...Probably.”

Nodding, Haruto watched as Ayaka looked down, clearly anxious.

After a brief silence, Haruto took a deep breath and spoke.

“Ayaka, I’m sorry for carrying you like that in front of everyone.”

Startled, Ayaka quickly raised her head and waved her hands in protest.

“D-Don’t apologize! You didn’t do anything wrong, Haruto. I was so happy you came for me!”

Her earnest reaction brought a smile to Haruto’s face. Looking directly into her eyes, he spoke with conviction.

“Ayaka.”

“Yes?”

“I want to be with you at school too. I want to spend my school life with you openly.”

Ayaka silently listened as Haruto shared his feelings.

“I know you’ve had bad experiences in the past. I also understand that relationships between girls can be complicated. But… I don’t want to keep our relationship a secret anymore.”

Haruto straightened his posture, fully facing her.

“At school, I want to be by your side. I want to make memories with you—precious memories in the year and a half we have left. If something happens, I want to be the first to run to you. So…”

He gently took her hand in his.

“Let’s be open about it. If anything happens, I’ll protect you. I promise, I’ll never let you feel sad.”

“Haruto…”

Ayaka whispered his name, her voice trembling as she absorbed his words.

After a moment of silence, she placed her other hand over his, gripping it tightly.

“Yeah. I want to stay with you too, Haruto—at home and at school.”

Smiling, Ayaka responded with a determined voice.

“I want to date you openly!”

Overwhelmed with affection, Haruto gently pulled her into a hug. Ayaka let out a soft breath, wrapping her arms around his back.

“I love you, Haruto.”

“I love you too.”

After pulling apart, their lips met briefly before Haruto stood to leave.

“Alright, I’m heading back to class.”

“Okay.”

Ayaka nodded, her cheeks flushed with happiness and embarrassment. Haruto waved lightly before leaving the room.

Walking down the hallway back to the field, Haruto replayed his own words in his head and groaned.

“‘I’ll protect you’… Oh, man…”

He never imagined he’d have the chance—or the courage—to say something so dramatic in his life.

But despite his embarrassment, there was no lie in what he said.

No matter what, he wanted to stay by Ayaka’s side, protect her, and make her happy.

“Looks like my high school life just got a lot more exciting,” Haruto muttered to himself.

As the boyfriend of Ayaka Tōjō—the school idol everyone knew—he couldn’t help but shiver at the thought of the attention that declaration might draw.

“Well, as long as I get to see her happy smile, it’s worth it.”

For Haruto, Ayaka’s smile was more valuable than anything else.

With that thought in mind, he headed back to the field where his classmates were waiting.