Rumours arose what happened between Ari-chan and that senior. Even more, girls growing increasingly jealous of Harukkun"s attention. But, today there was something else different."Even Koutkun defended her."
"Did you see that exchange?"
"Eh, what was it like?"
"He gave her his jacket."
At that comment, her brother"s fans who had been busy defending him this whole time suddenly changed their tone.
"What?"
"Koutsama did that?"
"I was there, look at this picture."
"Picture?!!"
"AHHH he really did.."
"I"m going to cry."
"Maybe they"re sleeping together."
"No way, Koutsama!"
...Her brother showed a particular girl some form of kindness and everyone"s going crazy. But the guy in question didn"t seem to care. He left for a sudden job like nothing happened. But, he did tell her. "Be careful." Even if he didn"t tell her, Yumeko was planning to. Be careful that is. After all, she understood better than anyone how dangerous HarukKun"s fangirls are. This time round, she may not be able to handle it. After all, this time round she doesn"t have anyone to protect her. Back then, the only reason she avoided getting really hurt was due to that person.
That person isn"t around anymore. He defended her. Even though there were such bad rumours. He didn"t suspect anything, he didn"t say anything. He feigned ignorance the whole time. Yumeko didn"t even know he was aware until he said those words to her. At that time --and then...
"Yumeko-chan, what"s wrong? Does your head hurt?"
"Ah, no...it"s nothing. Done with your errand?"
Her friend pouts, "I have to wait a few more minutes. The teachers can"t find the doc.u.ments they were supposed to give me."
"Don"t mind it, stuff like that always happens.."
"I guess sorry Yumeko-chan, we have to wait here for a bit."
"That"s okay..."
Yumeko realised something was off after she said that. Do they have to wait here? In the middle of the hallway, filled with girls who don"t like Ari-chan right now? .."be careful." Her brother"s words echo in her head. It can"t be. Maybe she"s just overreacting. Sure there are loads of girls who don"t like Ari-chan and even her right now. But her brother"s fangirls have always been somewhat decent towards her. Somewhat decent...is an understatement. There are practically some wors.h.i.+pers since she"s the sister.
They may act hostile with Ari-chan but they won"t hurt her. And she doubts HarukKun"s fangirls will try to start a brawl with her brother"s fans around, after all, she would most likely get drawn in the fight. Leading to the wors.h.i.+pers to defend them. There"s no way right? The reference room and most department head rooms are in this corridor after all. There are teachers around. It won"t happen.
"Ari-chan, Ari-chan. The song you sang earlier, will you be using it as your song for the compet.i.tion?"
Ari laughs softly, "Ah, um it"s sorta embarra.s.sing..but yes I intended to."
Past tense?
"Harukkun told me I ought to change it."
The girl still wore a smile.
But Yumeko felt triggered, "He can"t just tell you to change your song like that. You"ve practised really hard with that song." The training she saw the girl do at the hotel was tailored towards this song. And since then, her friend disappeared from time to time. Ruka once caught her in the practice room corridors and sure enough, when she checked who rented out the rooms, Ai-chan"s names filled the sheets.
"It"s okay, Haruka, probably doesn"t want everyone to know that I feel so strongly towards him. If others realised it, people would think that I"m just using him right?"
That"s true...
If she thinks about what she heard earlier, she definitely heard a song filled with powerful feelings. So the reason why it resonated with her, was because the song was for Harukkun.
But even then...
"Would it be troubling for him to hear your feelings?"
Yumeko found herself asking.
At that comment, her friend laughed again, but with a weak expression replied, "My feelings. Even though they seem so strong in that song. I can"t put it into sentences."
"Ari-chan that"s..."
"I don"t understand it. Lately, I haven"t been able to understand myself very well. Perhaps I never really knew. But Haruka has really become important to me. I don"t want to let him go, I want to be with him more. I want to, tell him that in this world there"s someone out there who cares about him, that it"s okay for him to feel happiness. To be loved by another person. I know none of this makes much sense to you. But I want to say it. Haruka isn"t like what people say, he"s a very kind and sensitive person.." Ari trailed off, "I want to show him, the beauty of the world, the kindness and love that was shown to me.."
"...."
Yumeko doesn"t say anything, how could she say anything?
You don"t understand your feelings?
Can"t put it into words?
Ari-chan, that"s one of the most beautiful confessions she"s ever heard.