"But seriously, why were you so dead-set on our school anyway?"
"N-not really... it's just... the vibe, the reputation... stuff like that."
"Ohhh, that's why you're so torn up about it? You're so innocent."
"Shut up."
He shot back a retort, but I could tell he knew.
He could feel it -- how my faint smirk gave me away.
That I'd seen right through his excuse.
"...Fine, honestly..."
"Yeah?"
C'mon, like I don't get it.
The way he's been sulking, full of regret, all mixed-up inside.
That kind of wrecked emotional state doesn't come from some casual admiration.
"There's someone I want to catch up to. To stand next to. And they're there."
Oh, okay, this one's serious.
"A girl?"
"...!"
"Oh, how transparent can you be?"
"S-shut it!"
Ahhh, so it's about a girl, huh?
This plain, unassuming guy... going all lovestruck.
"Ahahaha... hahaha..."
"Don't laugh!"