Flux: "Hmm, thanks for that, I appreciate you. But sorry—if I ever need your help, I'll ask, so be free." 🤗
Mineko: "O-Oh… th-thank you."
Flux: "Okay, bye 👋."
Mineko: "B-bye…"
---
Downstairs at home…
Flux (calling): "Mineko! Are you okay?"
Mineko (flustered): "Y-YEAH!!"
Flux: "Alright then, get to class quick. It's almost starting."
Mineko: "O-Okay!"
---
In the classroom
Flux: "Yo, Mike."
Mike: "Yo, Flux."
Mike (smirking): "So… what are you two doing?"
Flux: "Well—"
Mike (cutting in with a sly grin): "Did you two… 🤤 ?"
SFX: WHACK! ✊💥
Flux (punching his head): "Shut up, JACKASS! What the hell are you thinking, huh?!"
Mike: "Oww, that hurts!"
Flux: "Better it hurts, idiot!"
Mike (rubbing his head): "Then what were you two doing, huh… ow…"
Flux: "Hmm… well, she proposed to me… and I rejected her."
Mike: "…Huh? Why, single boy?"
Flux: "Because I don't feel like loving her. But…"
Mike: "But?"
Flux: "…I felt something weird inside me when I rejected her. I don't know why…"
Mike (thinking, smirking): "…It's called love, otaku."
Mike (aloud, teasing): "You'll find out soon."
Flux: "What?"
Mike: "Nothing. Oh, teacher's coming."
Flux sat down, but the thought gnawed at him all day. Later, at home—
---
Flux's Home
Flux: "Mom, Mom!"
Mom: "Yes, Flux? What happened?"
Flux: "Today… a girl proposed to me."
Mom: "Ohh, my dear~ Did you accept it?"
Flux: "…No, I rejected her."
Mom: "Why, son?"
Flux: "Because I don't feel like loving her. But… something felt off when I rejected her. I even asked Mike…"
Mom: "And?"
Flux: "He didn't explain. Just said I'd soon find out."
Flux's mom chuckled softly, her eyes warm.
Mom (thinking): "Hoho… my poor child. You have intelligence beyond imagination, but you're still too innocent to understand love." 😍😘
Mom: "Flux, tell me. Did your heart beat like it was racing when you saw her?"
Flux: "…Yeah."
Mom: "Did your mind go blank when she was near?"
Flux: "…Yeah."
Mom: "And… did you feel like just being with her—not in a lustful way, but… simply being there?"
Flux: "Yeah… How did you know, Mom?"
Mom (smiling): "Because that's called… love."
Flux: "W-What?! No way, I don't want to be with her like that…"
Mom: "It's okay. Don't deny what your body and heart are telling you."
Flux: "Then… what should I do?"
Mom: "Simple. Propose to her yourself."
Flux: "N-Nope, I can't!"
Mom: "Why not?"
Flux: "Because… I don't know how…"
Mom: "Hehe, it's easy. Just tell her you like her. She'll accept you, no matter what. Just try."
Flux: "…Ugh… o-okay, I'll try."
Mom: "Good. Now go sleep—it's already past ten o'clock."
Flux: "Alright. Good night."
Mom: "Good night, my boy 👋."
---
Next Day – At School
Flux arrived earlier than usual, nervously waiting.
Flux (thinking): "Ugh… how long do I have to wait for her?"
The classroom door creaked open. Flux's eyes lit up.
Flux (excited): "Finally! Finally—"
But it was Mike.
Mike: "Yo, Flux. Why are you here so early today?"
Flux (annoyed): "…Bruh. Do you come this early every day?"
Mike: "✌ Yeah."
Flux: "…Nothing 🙄."
Flux (quickly): "By the way, did you see Mineko!?"
Mike: "Hmm, yeah. She's almost here. Why—" [pauses, then grins] "OHHH, so lo—"
SFX: SMACK! ✊💥
Flux: "Shut up."
Mike: "Ow ow ow! Why do you keep hitting me?!"
Flux: "Just shut up!"
---
[Author's Note]: Flux is super shy when it comes to romance, especially when others tease him about it.
---
The door finally opened again—this time it was Mineko.
Mike (whispering): "Hey, she's here. Go on now."
Flux (whispering, flustered): "Wait… I don't want to rush things…"
Mineko: "H-Hel-hello, F-Flux…"
Flux (smiling awkwardly): "H-Hi 😅."
Mineko put her bag down. Mike nudged Flux forward.
Mike (whispering): "Tell her, jackass!"
Flux (in front of Mineko, trembling slightly): "H-Hi… can we talk for a moment?"
Mineko (blushing): "Y-Yes."
Flux led her to the rooftop. Mike secretly peeked from a corner.
Flux: "…Ugh… M-Mineko."
Mineko: "Y-Yes?"
Flux: "Yesterday… do you remember?"
Mineko: "Y-You mean… my proposal?"
Flux: "…Yeah. I made up my mind."
Mineko (thinking, panicked): "I-Is he going to dump me?! Please, anything but that…"
Suddenly, Flux hugged her tightly, to calm his own shaking hands and heart.
Mineko (frozen, face red): "F-F-F-Flux?!"
Flux (softly): "Shh… Mineko… I love you."
Mineko (tearing up): "R-Really?!"
Flux (smiling nervously): "Heheh… Yes. I really love you… and my mom told me too 🤗."
Mineko looked down, cheeks burning with shyness.
Mineko: "Th-Thank you…"
Flux: "It's okay. You can give me your answer whenever you want."
Mineko (quietly, but firmly): "…I-I love you too."
Flux: "Alright… let's go down. Class starts in two or three minutes."
Mineko: "…Okay."
---
Flux (narration, to himself):
"This… is my first decision that I regret the most."
---
✨ End of Chapter 19