“I see. So that’s why Asuka is not in our classroom today.”

　It was the first day of school after Asuka and I had parted ways.

　In the back of the classroom by the window, my bad friend ─ ─ Takase had a distressed expression on his face.

　It was because I had told him about my breakup with Asuka.

“But I didn’t know that.”

“About what?”

“That Asuka-chan had treated Hiroto conveniently by threatening to break up with you.”

“Speaking of which, I never told you that.”

“Hiroto always has that kind of thing.”

“That kind of thing?”

“The part where you don’t talk to anyone and you keep it to yourself.”

“Well, now that you mention it.”

“Asuka is to blame, but Hiroto could have relied on others a little more, no?”

　Takase has a perfectly valid argument.

　I had plenty of opportunities to ask for help from relatives and friends.

　But I kept it to myself, and in this case, I had reached the limit of my patience and exploded. I don’t know if I could have solved the problem by consulting with others, but I could have taken in the opinions of those around me.

“Well, whatever. Now that you’re free, I’m going to throw you a blind date.”

“B-Blind date…….I’m not good at that kind of thing.”

　In Takase’s hands, it is a piece of cake to organize a blind date party.

He might even be able to arrange a party for me and find a girl to my liking.

　But unfortunately, I am not in the mood for another relationship.

　I’m even thinking of staying free for a while.

“Is that so? Well, you can tell me when you’re ready.”

“Yeah, when I feel like it.”

Takase celebrated with a smile and swept his hand in the air with a flutter.

　He returned to his seat.

　I rested my head on my cheekbone and idly looked at the clock on the blackboard.

　There’s still more than enough time left until morning HR.

As I was thinking about that.

　I felt a gaze behind me.

　I turned around to see a girl with chestnut-colored hair peeking out from the back door of the classroom.

She──Asuka Nomi jerked her shoulders up and down as she exchanged glances with me.

　I immediately return my gaze to the blackboard.

“(Uhm……, Hmm, huh? She was looking at me, right?)”

　I asked myself.

　I must have firmly dumped Asuka yesterday.

　Our dating relationship is over.

　So, yeah, it’s probably just my imagination. She just wanted to see someone in this classroom and happened to make eye contact with me. That must be it.

　Just to be sure, I look back again.

“…………”

“…….”

　This time our eyes met perfectly.

As for Asuka, her cheeks were slightly tinted.

I wonder what’s going on.

　I could continue to ignore her, but that would cause trouble for those around me.

　After a bit of pondering, I decided to get up from my seat and head over to Asuka.

“What do you want?”

　I asked her straightforwardly.

　Asuka’s eyes were darting about as she looked at me.

“Ah, y-you know…..uhm …… Hiroto?　Do you want something from me?”

　Why are you asking me back……

　If I had anything to do with Asuka, I would have gone to you myself.

“If you don’t have anything special to do, please go back to your classroom. It’s not polite for you to hang around like that, it bothers my classmates.”

“………… You haven’t changed your mind since then?”

With fragile eyes like an abandoned kitten, Asuka turns her eyes upward.

　There is no way I would change my mind yesterday today.

　I didn’t break up with Asuka on a mere whim.

“My feelings have not changed. Or rather, they will not change in the future.”

“….Y-you know, I-I realized that I was wrong. I will never do anything bad to Hiroto again. I won’t be selfish. That’s why. ……”

“What Asuka is saying now is selfish.”

“…….”

“We’ve already broken up. Can you please recognize that?”

“Hiroto…….”

Asuka’s eyes run shaken.

Her voice, calling my name, was slightly trembling.

“I won’t tell you not to come to my classroom, but I want you to stop coming here just to see me.”

“I-I miss you, Hiroto.”

“I don’t want to see you.”

“……!”

　Asuka gasps for air.

　As I turned on my heel, Asuka grabbed my right hand and held me back.

” Please reconsider,……, Hiroto.”

　With eyes moistened with tears, she pleads with me.

However, I shook off Asuka’s hand heartlessly and returned to my seat without saying anything in particular.