Episode 15

　"...Wh? Why would you say something like that?"

　I tried to distance myself from her for her sake, but she didn't seem happy at all. On the contrary, it felt like the danger I thought had disappeared was coming back.

　"Why, I mean, you'd rather be with your friends than with me, someone you only met yesterday, right?"

　"That's not true! Don't assume so! I'm with the person I want to be with!"

　...What? Niizuma-san had really gotten over Kuzuhara. And yet I was watching her thinking she was a weak girl who had to be protected. Of course I was going to get scolded for that .

　"...I'm sorry. I was wrong. It's natural to be with the person you want to be with, isn't it? If I've become like that in your eyes, then, yes, I'd be happy."

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　"Yes! The person I want to be with the most is Sugita! Don't say such sad things."

　"...Yeah. Sorry."

　She said that to me. I have to erase the sympathy inside of me as much as possible. …Yes, that’s what I should be thinking, but the more I think about it, the more I want to protect her.

　"Hmm, then, will you listen to my request?"

　"...Please? All I can say is that it depends on the content."

　As I was thinking about something, Niitzuma-san suddenly said that. I'd like to make it happen as much as I can, but...

　"...Yeah. Well, Rie."

　"What happened niizuma-san ?"

　"So... I want you to call me Rie."

　Niizuma-san... Rie-san said, blushing. If you want to call me that, you can do so as you like.

　"What about Rie-san? I don't really care."

　"Oh! Thank you, Mamoru... Hehe, that's kind of embarrassing."

　"...Uh, yeah. That's right."

　...What is this feeling?! A name shouldn't have any meaning beyond identifying an individual!! When Rie calls me by my first name, my heart beats faster. And for some reason, I feel embarrassed. I didn't make any mistakes, so why?!

　"...Yeah. It seems like you're not worried anymore."

　"...Huh?"

　“Ah, well. Did you say it out loud? Because, just now, you looked, how should I put it, like you were in pain. You apologized properly, and I wasn’t that hurt, but I don’t think that would be enough to convince you.”

　"...It was for my sake. I'm glad, thank you."

　That's right. Then I can't make her worry any more, right? Besides, I only had to change her a little. From a pitiful girl to a kind girl, to a girl I have to protect so I want to protect her. ...What? It's the same as my original feelings.