Chapter- 44 ★

Rie's point of view

　When my mom told me I'd be late, I immediately started getting ready. I really, really worked hard. If I was late, Mamoru-kun would have to go first. Of course, that would mean I'd be alone. That would be lonely. But I couldn't have Mamoru-kun wait for me and we'd both be late! So I made sure we both got there on time!

　Thanks to that, I managed to leave the house just in time. ...Yes, just somehow . It was a time when even the slightest thing could have happened and I wouldn't know. ...Why was it that something always got in the way at a time like that? Kuzuhara-kun appeared in front of me. My emotions at that moment. There was nothing. Maybe I still had some regrets. Even though I thought that, no emotion welled up inside me. ...Is that a sign of giving up? Is it because I'd come to terms with the breakup and no longer wanted to be in a relationship with him?

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　But right now, there's something more important. And that is not to be late for school. Otherwise, Mamoru-kun, who was caught up in the trouble because I was late, might go to school early from tomorrow. …Maybe he's already had enough of me, but since he's waited this long, I'm going to think that I still have a chance! …If I don't, I'll end up falling over.

　But Kuzuhara-kun won't let us go. We need to hurry, but he won't let us through. I'm getting more and more impatient. I don't have the time right now!

　Maybe my feelings got through to him, because I stopped talking to him . But now he turned his anger towards Mamoru. …Why? Mamoru has nothing to do with this, right? Why are you telling him to break up with me ?

　I felt unpleasant feelings emerge inside me. Anger towards Kuzuhara-kun, dismay that I had loved such a person in the past, guilt for having dragged Mamoru-kun into this, and a sense of helplessness that I could only listen. Why did it end up like this? Was it because I had no good eyes?

　When I was starting to feel depressed, it was Mamoru who saved me. He pulled me by the hand. I'm sure he doesn't realize how many times those warm hands have helped me. I can't do anything without him by my side now.

　My goal right now is for Mamoru and I to have mutual feelings! I know I'm still causing you a lot of trouble and I'm not worthy of you. But someday I want to tell him, "I've loved you since the moment you helped me."