Ten Thousand Leaves

Later, as the sun was beginning to set, we branched away from the main festival grounds and into a secluded park area. Chihara was walking atop a stone wall, arms out to balance herself like she was on a tight rope. I trailed on the path next to her with my hands in my pockets.

"That was fun," she said. "I love festivals so much."

"Do you go to these kinds of events often?" I asked.

"As often as I can. I don't usually hear about them unless my friends are dragging me along. For example... There was a music festival that happened in Suginami a couple of months back."

"Suginami has festivals?"

"That's what I'm saying! I never would've known if my friend hadn't told me the day before. Like, imagine how many festivals I'm missing out on."

"I mean... Realistically, would you even be able to attend them all?"

Chihara straightened her posture and pinched her chin, pondering, except that she'd completely forgotten that she was standing on a narrow wall.

"W-whoa!" she exclaimed.

"Hey!"

I quickly reached my arms up, but she managed to recover.

"Ahaha... Whoops," she mumbled.

"Yeah, whoops is right. Be careful. What am I gonna do if you fall and hit your head?"

"Well, that's why I have you here to catch me in case I do."

"...Hah. You're something else."

"Hehe~ I've heard that one before. What was it you said? Oh, that's right. I'm—"

"Hurry up if you don't wanna get left behind," I said, quickening my pace.

"Ah! Hey! Wait up!"

Eventually, we reached the end of the stone wall.

I put my hand up, offering it to Chihara. With a smile, she took it and hopped off.

"Thanks."

"Nothing you need to thank me for."

Suddenly, the wind picked up, brushing past us and carrying a thousand fallen leaves away.

"Phew... It's cold," Chihara said.

"You okay?"

"Yeah. Maybe I should've bundled up a bit more."

I was just about to make a comment until I realized... I'm wearing a scarf right now. Earlier, Haruto was clowning on me for it, saying I was trying too hard.

"You want my scarf?" I asked.

"Huh? Oh, no. There's no need for that if you're feeling cold, too."

"Nah, don't worry about me. Here."

I took off my scarf and raised it over her head before wrapping it around her neck. Except... It was covering the entire lower half of her face.

"Kinoshita..."

"Pfft, my bad. I don't really know how to put a scarf on someone else."

Chihara pulled the scarf down, then pushed the sides against her cheeks. Her eyes lowered as she let out a hazy breath.

"Thanks, Kinoshita."

Again, I froze.

"You don't... have to keep thanking me, you know."

She giggled softly before continuing down the path. After gathering myself, I followed her.

"You know, Kinoshita... The only reason I keep thanking you is that you keep doing things I think deserve thanks. Just because you tell me to stop doesn't mean I will."

"It's not like it's ever a big deal, though."

"You think?"

She dashed ahead, only to step in front of my way, standing beneath the shadow of a large maple tree. With her hands behind her back, she flashed an awkward smile that was somehow brighter than the setting sun.

"Kinoshita," she said.

"...Yes, Chihara?"

"You had something you wanted to tell me, didn't you?"

My body went cold.

I've been thinking about how to tell her all day. Maybe I'd just tell her straight up, no beating around the bush. That was Kanon's advice, and that was my plan. But now that it's being brought up, I have no idea how to go about it, especially when she's the one asking.

"Um... Well, I..."

"First, I wanna ask you something," she said.

"Huh? What is it?"

"Last week, I asked you what the first thing that came to mind was when you see me. Do you remember your answer?"

Dammit... It was gonna get brought up eventually, and she even made jokes about it. Do I have to answer honestly? Or should I pass it off?

No. I shouldn't. Not when I know where this is this gonna go.

"...Yeah. I said you were cute."

"Heh... Yeah, you did. To be honest, ever since you said it, I've been thinking about it a lot. I kept wondering why you said it so easily... and why it sounded genuine. N-not that I didn't want it to be. It's just... not something that friends say to each other on a whim, so... I don't know. I was... conflicted, I guess. About whether you really meant... it."

She scrunched up, holding her arms together.

Meanwhile, I was stuck trying to make sense of all this. Was there anything more to think about? I called her cute, and that was that. Of course I meant it. I didn't think there was room for any misunderstanding... unless...

"Chihara," I said. "By any chance... Do you think I'm a... a flirt or something?"

She flinched, which gave me my answer.

I couldn't help but sigh, throwing a hand on my head.

"Seriously?" I scoffed.

"My friends planted the idea in my head, and... I let it get to me. You're a third-year, and you hang around a first-year like me. You always smile around me, and you... y-you called me cute when... I was... vulnerable."

Hearing this now, I can see why I seemed so suspicious. After all, it's not like I can refute any of what her friends said, but that's not the issue right now.

What can I say to that?

Something to clear up the confusion.

Something like...

"...I'm a bit of a mess sometimes."

She stared at me for a second, clearly confused.

"Huh...?"

"I try to get by my day with as little to worry about as possible. I'm not really that outgoing of a person. Haruto, Kanon... even you... Every time I'm asked to go out or do something, I have to second guess. I just... I'd rather be alone at home, I guess. I hate crowds, which you already know. That's why I go out past midnight to avoid them. Conversations with me never last long because I'm not really the best at words. I don't like liars, and I make it a point to keep myself from becoming one. It's hard for me to say things I don't mean. So, Chihara..."

I locked eyes with her.

"Yeah. I meant it when I called you cute."