Chapter 48
Love Advice (Part 2)
“Did Urihara-san mistake the person I said I’d confess to for Kaminagi-san or Sera-san?”
“And then maybe she panicked because she didn’t expect to be the one you were confessing to?”
If it were me in that situation, I might’ve reacted the same way. There wouldn’t even be a place left to put the notebook anymore.
“Tsukiyo, has Urihara-san ever been confessed to before?”
“I’m not sure. Kinori doesn’t really talk about that kind of thing. Umi-chan and I… kind of avoided those topics.”
I can understand that, considering Urihara-san’s position. Tsukiyo and Sera-san are already far too popular among the first-years.
That’s enough analysis for now. So, what should we do next?
“Tsukiyo, would you say she technically rejected him, then?”
“No. That would be rude to the person confessing, so I always make sure to give a proper answer. So assuming she turned him down is premature.”
“So… there’s still a chance?”
“With Kinori’s personality… I think it’s going to be hard. Did you know she’s always liked her brother, Yusa-kun?”
“So that really was it. I figured as much. Seiya-senpai’s been confessed to so many times that I just tried not to think about it.”
Man, everything gets complicated when that guy’s involved.
I kind of want to tell him, “Just pick one person already and end the harem.”
It’s not like Seiya’s done anything wrong… but at this point, I might as well blame him anyway.
“Ten, you should go home and rest for today. Tsukiyo and I will think things through, so talk to us again tomorrow.”
“What? No, that’s too much trouble for you two!”
Ten spoke with a guilty tone, but Tsukiyo cut in first.
“Yusa-kun, I care about Kinori, but… I couldn’t care less about you. Please understand that.”
Tsukiyo’s words were brutal — but completely accurate. She’s angry at Ten for upsetting Urihara, and she has no obligation to help him.
That’s just the kind of perspective someone like Tsukiyo — who’s used to being confessed to — would have.
Still, as a fellow guy, I feel like I should help Ten out somehow.
“That’s how it is. For Urihara-san’s sake, you should go home for now. I’ll follow up with her myself.”
“Thank you, Senpai… Kamunagi-san.”
Once we sent off a dejected Ten, Tsukiyo and I stayed behind to think about what to do next.
“Taiyo-san, are you trying to get those two together? If that’s the case, I can’t help you.”
“Haha, not quite. It’s not that simple. It’s just that…”
What’s on my mind is what Urihara said the other day at the pool.
She mentioned that Seiya once told her ‘love is just admiration.’
I think that phrase might hold a clue.
So, I told Tsukiyo about that conversation.
“This is the first I’ve heard of it. I… I love Kinori so much I’d want to marry her if I were born a guy — and yet I didn’t understand her at all.”
That’s some serious devotion.
And then… she also asked me about complexes that day at the pool.
That part’s connected to Tsukiyo, so I decided not to bring it up.
Tsukiyo doesn’t know about Urihara’s romantic history — and probably neither does Sera.
“Kinori always believed she liked her brother. Honestly, I don’t think she really understands the difference between love and admiration.”
“Yeah… I don’t really get it either. Don’t you girls ever talk about love and stuff?”
“Until recently, we almost never did. I mean, look at me. Umi-chan — well, I know there’s someone she’s interested in, but she’s all about swimming. And Kinori’s always been fixed on her brother.”
“…So you said until recently? You’ve been talking about it now?”
At that point, Tsukiyo froze — and her cheeks slowly turned red.
“Th-that’s not important right now!”
Oh no. Is this about that person Tsukiyo likes?
Yeah… I’d rather not dig into that one.
“Anyway, it’s clear that Urihara didn’t like talking about romance with you or Sera-san.”
“I wonder why… Kinoriii.”
“She’s just hopeless when it comes to love, that’s all.”
“I’m not Mizusato-chan, okay? I actually get pretty down when you say stuff like that!”
Maybe I went too far. I should smooth things over a bit.
“Well, Seiya’s just as hopeless when it comes to romance, so maybe it runs in the family.”
“Taiyo-san, you’re really getting on my nerves today.”
After that, we decided that Tsukiyo should go talk to Urihara herself — to confirm whether she really did run away, and to hear her true feelings directly.
And then…
The next day,
Ten and I went to see Seiya.
