One Month to Make You Notice

I messed up big time. I had been trying to get her attention these past two years, and I guess my patience wore too thin. If only I could have controlled my emotions there. Why did I confess in that situation?

What's done is done. I can't keep running away now. It's time to face what lies ahead, and Natsuki as well. I hid inside this empty classroom as I stopped running from her, and could see her silhouette behind me as she was taking the final turn toward this room. At least I was able to get us alone. I think I can at least face her. I walked up to the window when I heard her slide open the door that I had once shut, just like my heart.

"Ah, finally caught up to you! You run a lot faster than I thought, and that monstrous stamina as well," she commented.

Okay, you didn't need to put it like that. Pouting, I turned away from her, facing the window and continued.
"I'm sorry I brought up something like that to your face, but what else could I have done? I tried everything to get you to notice." This is not how I wanted to face her. Why am I blaming her? But deep down, I guess this was what I felt as I could feel my brain and my heart wrestling inside me, causing me to almost break down right here and now. I tried to console myself a bit. I need to express everything here or it will be too late.

"I will lay it out again for you, but I have loved you since the first day we met. I know it might not be the most important memory for you, but it was for me. Since then, I have tried to make you notice me, but I think my tendency to tease is not the best in that regard, I guess. Sorry for making you uncomfortable."

"Yeah, there was no way I could have understood from the way you talked to me, but I could always feel your affection for me as you always stayed with me, be it the sad moments or the happy ones. But I'm sorry, Saya, I have never looked at you that way. All I could see you as was my dearest friend, and so I don't want to end it this way. You didn't hurt me in the slightest."

Maybe she was not as clueless as I thought, and I could have a chance. I will not go down without a fight.

"You are currently not dating anyone, right?"

"Yes?"

"So how about this? Let's start dating for one month, and we can try out how it feels, and if you feel at any time it's too much we can end it early as well and go back to being friends."

I could see Natsuki's eyes widen, like she just saw a huge crash right in front of her eyes. Nevertheless, she then proceeded to but her hand to her chin and started looking at the ground as if she was thinking up a solution to the hardest question on the Civics exam. After some time, she did a very small nod towards me.

"I guess we can try that out, as it's better than staying away from you. All right. But don't hold the expectations too high."

"Yeah, yeah. Sorry, I have to let go of this habit. Thank you Natsuki, for letting my feelings take shape. But be ready, as I will make you fall in love in this one month."

"I know you hold others dear, and have no doubt you would cherish me. Problem is that I am not confident enough in myself, so do try your best, Saya. I'm rooting for you!"

I saw a little smile on her face, as if she was remembering a bitter sweet memory. I couldn't recall what she was talking about, but at least she accepted my trial-dating proposal. I have to make sure to convert this into a real relationship at all costs, and I felt hopeful because Natsuki has always been a pushover when it came to me. Whenever I called for her, she somehow made time for me. I sometimes felt guilty about that, but she always relieved me that it made her happy.

After yesterday, I thought all my chances went up the drain. But now, this is something I can work upon. It will be an uphill task, but this is something I cannot lose out on.