Chapter 19 - Chapter 19 - My cold senior is only nice to me.

🚀 Want Early Access & Bonus Content?

"Loving this story so far? You can read ALL chapters RIGHT NOW by joining my Patreon!

✨ Unlock instant access to the full completed novel

✨ No waiting for daily updates

✨ Support your favorite degenerate author (that's me!)

Only $5.99 for the full experience!

🔗 Check my profile for the Link!!

Free readers - don't worry, I'll still be posting daily updates here. But Patreon members get the VIP treatment!

Your support helps me create more wild stories like this. See you on the dark side! 😈"

================

"Well then, see you later, Hikigaya-kun."

"Bye-bye, Hikki!"

"...Yeah."

Stepping out of the cafe, I waved back at Yukinoshita and Yuigahama, who were waving goodbye. It was only yesterday that Yuigahama had contacted me after a long time. The story the two of them told me at the cafe where we met was nothing short of shocking.

Honestly, my mind still hasn't fully processed it... The two of them are lovers, and far from drifting apart, they're now living together. This basically means there's nothing holding me back anymore. Regret still lingers in my heart. But after seeing how happy they looked, I couldn't bring myself to believe that holding onto that feeling was right.

Anyway, in short, I need to properly face Iroha Isshiki again. Now that the wall Isshiki was trying to overcome is gone, there's nothing separating us.

"Are you home now?"

I thought there might have been a more thoughtful message, but I sent that short sentence on a paper airplane icon. Just as I was about to put my phone back in my pocket, it vibrated.

"I am."

After checking her reply, I headed for the station. I boarded the train, aiming for the station nearest to Isshiki's apartment. Jostled by the evening rush, I thought about what and how I should tell her.

Getting off at my destination, I searched for a supermarket on my map app. After buying ingredients at the closest one, I slowly made my way to Isshiki's apartment, trying to calm my nerves.

"...Welcome?"

"Sorry for showing up so suddenly."

Isshiki, who appeared right after I rang the doorbell, had more suspicion than surprise on her face. Perhaps she thought I might come after that message. Her questioning tone reflected her state of mind.

"Sorry to show up unannounced, but I'm going to borrow your kitchen."

"Huh? Oh, yes..."

When I held up my shopping bag and said that, Isshiki hesitantly led me inside. After she showed me all the cooking utensils, I told her to wait in the living room. Well, now it's time to cook. Cooking rice takes time, so I warmed up the pre-cooked rice I bought. I heated the frying pan, melted butter, stir-fried the ingredients, and then added the microwaved rice.

Struggling with the unfamiliar cooking, I finally placed the finished dish on a tray. I swallowed hard and stepped into the living space where Isshiki was waiting.

—---------------------

"It's ready."

"Haa... Omurice?"

I muttered, gazing intently at the omurice my senior had made. He suddenly came to my house, then started cooking without any explanation. What's wrong with him? Well, I do similar things, so I can't really complain.

"Well then, before it gets cold."

My senior said that and snap, put on his date glasses. They were the glasses we bought on our date, the ones he promised to wear only when we were alone. Lately, I'd been forgetting about that rule and their existence, so it had been a while since I'd seen him in his glasses.

"What's wrong?"

"N-nothing..."

Almost getting lost in his gaze, I averted my eyes to the food, trying to cover it up. The omurice my senior made, perhaps because he wasn't used to it, had a slightly broken egg with the ketchup rice showing through. I don't know why, but this was probably the first home-cooked meal he'd ever made for me.

"But why suddenly cook...?"

"Itadakimasu."

The question I finally managed to ask was swept aside as my senior said that and started eating. Seriously, what is wrong with this person...? Despite thinking that, I reluctantly picked up my spoon. I took a bite and pondered. The appearance was that, but it wasn't bad... I guess.

"Isshiki."

While I was thinking quite condescendingly, he suddenly called my name, and I looked at him. In front of me, a spoon holding a bite of omurice was swaying.

"Here."

The spoon was placed into my agape mouth. My senior looked at me, my face flushed, as I started to chew in stunned silence.

"...Do you know why I'm doing this?"

"No, not at all..."

"Ah, sorry. I forgot the ketchup."

After a completely disjointed conversation, my senior said that and picked up the ketchup. A painterly red squeezed out, forming a vivid scarlet heart on the bright yellow.

"Still don't get it?"

"Uhm, Senior...?"

My voice was trembling. This was a rehash of that time, meaning this was that.

"I'll keep going until you understand."

My senior, his face bright red, offered another spoonful. But I...

"No."

And with that, I returned a word of denial. Because a rehash isn't good enough. Because we can't repeat it.

So I...

"I understand. But I want you to say it in words."

—I want one more step from you, Senior.

"...That's..."

I knew he was hesitant. I knew better than anyone that he was bad at that sort of thing.

"Please make me truly understand. Please reassure me."

Even so, I wanted those words.

"Well, you know..."

My senior seemed to have a very hard time saying it. Still, I continued to put strength into my gaze.

"Ah, what is it... I just... I l-love you..."

"Just?"

"No, it's beyond the realm of 'just'."

"Please say it so I can clearly understand."

"...Please forgive me for this much."

"No, absolutely not. Tell me how much you love me."

"I think I'd die for you."

"That's suddenly heavy. But please, absolutely do not die. At least don't die before me."

"That's an unreasonable request..."

"It's not unreasonable at all. Besides, Senior, is that all? I worked really hard, you know."

"Eh, ah. I don't care if the whole world turns against me for your sake?"

"That's not it."

"I only have eyes for you?"

"That's just plain creepy. But I love that about you too."

"Aren't we getting off topic?"

"We are. So please say it properly."

"No, I mean, I am saying I love you."

"And I'm saying that's not enough."

"Ah, yes..."

"If you're going to say things like you understand, then please say it properly."

"Ah, yeah..."

"Okay, three, two, one."

"I-I love you so much I want to marry you right now!"

"Then let's get married."

"No, we're not!"

"We're not?!"

—------------

Our conversation was so rapid-fire that we were both out of breath without realizing it. No, seriously, what was that...?

"No, I just meant not right now... It's more about, like, dating with the future possibility of marriage in mind..."

"Oh, okay..."

The keyword "dating," the words I craved, inflated like a balloon inside me. The definitive words he had adamantly avoided. They swelled within me to an unbelievable degree.

"Besides, why am I the only one saying things? Isn't that unfair?"

Suddenly, as if regaining his composure, my senior started saying that. Well, maybe it was unfair. After all, my desire for him to confess was, to others, just selfishness.

So.

So, the next step should be mine.

—--

So I conveyed the warmth inside me to my senior with my lips.

—---

"I-Isshiki..."

—-------

But perhaps that wasn't it. That alone wouldn't convey it.

There were too many things between us that wouldn't be conveyed without words.

So I looked into his eyes and spoke.

His eyes, which were a complex, his mouth, which only said random things, his cheeks, which were as red as a boiled octopus.

While feeling a deep affection, almost shedding tears, and finally feeling able to say it.

I clearly spoke these feelings.

"I love you, Senior."