บท 15: Chapter 15: Entangled Thoughts

Morning arrived, accompanied by the familiar chime of the school bell. Shou found himself exchanging awkward glances with Ayaka, his classmate, their silence palpable. Sensing his unease, Shou's friends noticed the tension and approached him during the lunch break, offering their support.

"Hey, Shou, something up? You seem off," one of Shou's friends remarked, concerned.

Shou, hesitant at first, finally confided in his friends about Ayaka's confession and his dilemma with her. "I didn't want to hurt her, but I couldn't accept her feelings either," he admitted, his eyes reflecting his turmoil.

His friends, lending an ear and reassurance, encouraged him. "We're here for you, man. You don't have to deal with this alone."

Meanwhile, at Minori's workplace, she shared her recent encounter with Ryo visiting her apartment with Ayumi, her colleague. "So, Minori, Ryu visited last night? Spill the tea!" Ayumi teased, a playful grin on her face.

Minori chuckled, shaking her head. "It wasn't what you're thinking. Shou showed up unexpectedly too."

Ayumi raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh? Sounds like a night of unexpected guests! What's going on with you two?"

Minori, feeling conflicted, explained the situation to Ayumi. "I don't know what to do. It's all so confusing."

Ayumi leaned in, offering her support. "Listen, Minori, follow your heart. Don't let these unexpected encounters cloud your judgment. Do what's best for you."

The two friends shared a moment, their conversation brimming with understanding and support.

At that moment, the scene shifted back to Shou's school, where he was in the midst of a conversation with his friend. Shou's expression was troubled as he recounted the recent events to his concerned companion.

Shou recounted, "a man visited her apartment." His friend's reaction was immediate, a mix of surprise and curiosity evident on his face.

"Wait, a man visited Minori-san's apartment?" his friend questioned, eyebrows shooting up in surprise.

Shou nodded in confirmation. "Yeah, it was unexpected. I tried asking Minori about it, but she didn't give me a clear answer," he explained, a note of frustration in his voice.

Shou's friend leaned in, offering some advice. "Hey, don't let this slide. You've known Minori-san for a long time, right? You have the upper hand here. Try to talk to her again, maybe she'll open up."

Shou, feeling somewhat relieved that he wasn't alone in this turmoil, pondered his friend's words. "I guess I should," he murmured, a hint of determination in his eyes.

As night fell, Minori made her way back to her apartment and spotted Shou standing outside. Concerned, she approached him and asked what was troubling him. Shou seemed hesitant, but Minori, sensing his distress, invited him inside for a cup of tea.

Once in the apartment, Shou wore a troubled expression as he finally voiced his concerns. "Is there really nothing going on with that man, Ryu, from yesterday?" he questioned, his voice laced with unease.

The atmosphere grew heavy and serious. With a mature demeanor, Minori met his gaze and assured him in a calm yet firm tone. "If anything were happening between Ryu and me, I promise you would be the first to know. Right now, we're just friends," she explained, trying to allay his worries.

Shou seemed to regain some composure, determined to prove his love for Minori. He made a solemn promise to strive harder. Meanwhile, Minori couldn't shake off the unease, regretting that things had taken this turn. She never intended for Shou to be troubled.

As the night drew to a close, Shou bid Minori farewell at the door before leaving. Before stepping out, he turned back and expressed his feelings once more. "I really like you a lot, Minori. I aim to be your boyfriend when I become an adult," he confessed earnestly. Minori waved back with conflicting thoughts, pondering whether she should maintain this situation with Shou or confront him with the harsh truth—that she still saw him as a kid.