Ren's Confession

As twilight descended, an unusual stillness hung in the classroom. Amid the bustle of cultural festival preparations, Ren stood by the window with his arms crossed, oddly out of place. Usually quick to declare "Leave it to me!" with pride, he was uncharacteristically silent.

His gaze was fixed on Sora, who was cheerfully working with their classmates. There was a hint of melancholy in the way he watched her innocent smile.

"Wow, making this banner with everyone was so much fun!" Sora exclaimed, holding up a handmade banner with both hands. However, as she lost her balance, the banner began to tilt.

"Watch out!"

Ren instinctively rushed forward to support her. For a moment, a sweet fragrance tickled his nose.

"Thank you♪ Ren is so kind!" Sora hugged him naturally, causing his face to turn bright red. Her gesture was so innocent that it made his heart ache even more.

"My, my~ Look how red Ren-sama's face is?" Ume's teasing voice rang out as Ren desperately tried to maintain his composure.

"S-Shut up! As if I would...!"

Behind them, Takashi quietly positioned his camera. "A precious moment between Sora-sama and Ren... I must document this," he mumbled, his glasses reflecting the sunset.

"All of you, that's enough!" Ren's sudden outburst brought the classroom to silence. Sora tilted her head, looking at him curiously.

"Did I do something wrong?"

Her innocent question left Ren speechless. Feeling the weight of everyone's stares, he rushed out of the classroom.

Standing by the hallway window, Ren heaved a deep sigh. Looking down at the schoolyard bathed in sunset, he confronted his feelings.

(What I want isn't this indiscriminate kindness. I want a special gaze that sees only me. But such a wish will never reach Sora. Because she... she's kind to everyone without distinction.)

"Still going in circles, I see."

Turning around, he found Yuta leaning against the wall, his expression knowing.

"I don't want to hear that from you."

"Oh? That's quite bold, considering how red your face was earlier."

"Wha-!"

Before he could retort, light footsteps echoed in the hallway. Yuta's expression became complicated for a moment.

(Ah, here we go again. The same pattern as always...)

"Ren, are you still angry?"

Sora approached with concern. The sunset illuminated her profile, making her appear almost angelic.

"Well, I'm heading back," Yuta said, his retreating figure carrying a shadow of resignation.

The hallway stretched before them, now occupied by just the two of them. The sunset painted the floor orange, elongating their shadows.

"I was worried about you..."

Sora's words made Ren's heart race. The emotions he had been suppressing began to overflow.

(I can't hold back anymore)

"Sora."

His usual arrogant demeanor vanished as he gazed at her earnestly.

"I... I like you."

At this sudden confession, Sora tilted her head.

"Yes, I like you too! I like Takashi, and Ume, and Yuta, and everyone!"

Her innocent response filled Ren with a bittersweet feeling, but there was no turning back now.

"No, that's not it. I mean... I like you romantically."

"Romantically?"

Sora's eyes filled with pure, uncomprehending innocence. At the word "romance," she gazed distantly at the sky.

"I wonder what kind of feeling it is... this 'special feeling' everyone talks about."

Sora placed a hand on her chest, as if searching for something.

"I don't really understand it yet. But it must be something important, right?"

Her words carried her usual innocence, but with a hint of ethereal melancholy.

"Yes, romance. These feelings of wanting you to be special to me..."

As Ren's voice trembled, a quiet voice interrupted.

"I need to talk to you."

They turned to find Ume standing there. Her voice was surprisingly calm as she gently pulled at Ren's sleeve. Her gesture carried more gentleness than anger, as if trying to teach him something.

Sora watched their retreating figures with a contemplative expression.

"A special feeling... I wonder what kind of feeling that is. Will I ever understand it someday?"

Her whispered words carried a depth of thought different from her usual innocence.

In the hallway near the staff room, Ume faced Ren directly.

"Do you even understand Sora at all?"

"What are you trying to say?"

"Sora doesn't understand the concept of 'romance' itself. You knew that, didn't you?"

Ume's voice carried deep emotion.

"Sora is special. She must have her own kind of happiness. Something we can't understand, but something that surely exists..."

Ren was left speechless. Indeed, Sora's reaction was predictable. Still, he couldn't help but express his feelings.

"I know that... but..."

As Ren's voice trailed off, Ten quietly approached. Despite Ren's well-known aversion to cats, Ten seemed to deliberately move closer.

"Oh Ten, you're doing this on purpose, aren't you?" Ume smiled wryly. Ten seemed to appear near Ren more often, knowing or not knowing about his fear of cats.

"S-Stay away...!" Ren's voice rose involuntarily, making Ume chuckle.

"You haven't grown at all since the sports festival."

"Shut up! Even I have things I'm not good at..."

Ren's words trailed off. Things he wasn't good at. Perhaps it wasn't just cats. Being honest with his feelings might be another one of those things.

Seeing Ren's state, Ume's expression softened.

"Hey," Ume's voice suddenly turned serious. "Did you really understand Sora? Or... were you more concerned about my reaction?"

Ren struggled to respond. Indeed, while confessing his feelings to Sora, part of him had been watching for Ume's reaction.

"That's none of your business..."

An awkward silence followed his incomplete words.

"Well, a failed confession suits you too."

As Ume turned to leave, Ren grabbed her wrist.

"Wait."

"W-What?"

"You... you've been watching me that much?"

Ume's face turned as red as the sunset-tinted windows.

"S-Shut up! It's not like you to care about such things!"

She hastily pulled her hand away and hurried off. As Ren watched her retreating figure, he felt confused by the new emotions sprouting in his heart.

Ten watched them both, slowly swishing his tail, as if he had predicted this development all along.

The twilight-filled hallway carried an air of bittersweet melancholy and quiet anticipation.