In preparation of the answer

Time passed by in a flash.
The days played out as normal, with barely any change to them. At times, Ayame would become more direct, but nothing on the level from before. If I tried to even remotely touch on the subject, she would divert from it. Still, at times she would give me a lingering, longing, awaiting stare. I knew what she wanted, and I knew my answer. However, I wanted to show it to her properly. So, as much as it pained me, I had to let things play out like every day life.

Aside from this, I continued hanging out with my friends, doing odd jobs for Suzune, talking to patrons of the café, and doing my secret mission. It took me a good chunk of time, but I had found my goal. Sadly, it had taken a few months. But it made things look up, bright and shiny. Just like the hot summer sun, announcing it would soon be summer vacation.
But before that, another dreaded subject came up, that many students shook in fear from: finals...

***

“Please!” Sugimoto was bowing his head to the three of us.
Ono and Tanaka exchanged a short glance, before turning to the helpless figure. “There's no reason for you to do this every time, you know.”
“He’s right. It had become normal for me, so I had things prepared already.”
We were of course talking about a study session. As clichéd as it was, it tended to be a good way of making sure everyone had an overview over all the material. When everyone focused and didn't goof off, that is.
Still, I was confident in our group. It wasn't as if anyone had a massive learning gap. Therefore, even if the fun took overhand, it was at least a good bonding experience.
They were kind enough to invite me too. Then, what about Suzuki? Well... As had become occasional custom a few weeks ago, he had been taken away for a lunch meeting by a certain someone. We would tell him after break.
But, back to the conversation.
Despite this happening every half year, Sugimoto seemed thankful as he rose his head. “Awesome. Thank you.”
Smiles were exchanged, and the mood turned relaxed. For a brief moment at least, until I felt a chill run down my back. Turning to the source of the uncomfortable feeling, I met Ayame’s gaze, burning with frustration.
Taking notice of me catching her, she quickly turned away, averting her eyes from me.
This interaction did not go unnoticed, and someone quickly picked up on it. “Oh, what’s this? A lover's quarrel?” Sugimoto’s snickering was quickly interrupted by a chop of Ono to his head.
He wasn’t the only one who took the more considerate approach. “If you already have an invitation to a different meeting or want to take some time to consider it, that is fine with us.” Tanaka offered in a peaceful manner.
I gave them a short smile. “Thanks. I will hit you up later today.” With these parting words I left the room, and headed for the courtyard.

It had been a while since I had last been here. But, it was a nice and secluded part of school. The benches where I had first met Ayame and Suzune together, the later albeit in full cat form, had no people occupying them. At times, I wondered if they would put up barriers around these places to keep people away, securing them exclusivity rights.
Not that I would think much about it, as less than a minute later, the expected visitor showed up. “Everything alright?” I asked her casually.
Ayame responded, pouting grumpily. “Yes.”
Obviously no, but she didn't say it. Surprisingly, I didn’t need to do any prodding, as she let out her stowed up tension in a deep sigh. Her voice was even. “Seriously, it is nothing. I had already made plans to study together with the girls. And while some of them might think it funny to include a guy in a girls' sleepover, I doubt you would feel the same.” A compassionate gaze swept to me.
While the idea seemed to have a certain degree of entertainment in my mind, I doubted it would actually be that enjoyable in reality. Therefore, as she predicted, I had to agree with her. “Might be better not to.”
During talking, we had sit down on one of the benches, with Ayame moving veeery close to me. It didn't feel bad, but there was a certain uneasiness hanging I the air accompanied by that action.
After several moments of silence, the kitsune spoke up first. “Ehm-” Only to be cut short by me not even a second later. “Ayame!”
I didn't speak loudly, but had enough force in my voice to startle her. “I-” At first, I wanted to say ‘I am sorry’, for not responding yet. But my judgment made me decide against it, as she might misinterpret that sentence. So, I chose a different approach.

“I have my answer.” This short part made her perk up immediately, sitting stock stiff. It hurt me, seeing her like this and having to disappoint. “But, I need a bit more time to prepare for it. So, please.” I bowed my head to her. “Please wait a bit longer.”
I held that position, as more and more tension build up in my body. I knew it was a pathetic display, nonetheless it seemed to me the only thing I could do.
A gentle sigh escaped her lips, and I felt a hand gently caressing my head. The kind gesture drained my suspense, allowing calm to settle in. “I got it.” That was her answer.

A few more minutes of head pats passed. Once Ayame had removed her hand, I allowed myself to raise my head. Her expression was one of a graceful angel, only kindness and compassion found in her eyes. “I will wait as long as necessary. It has already been a long while, so a bit more would make near to no difference to me.” Beaming at me, it soon turned back to her usual, slightly mischievous smile. “So, do you have at least an estimate?” A teasing undertone made itself present in her voice.
“The last day of school.” I answered without allowing a pause, hoping to display the confidence I felt. In an effort to make sure there was no way to misinterpret things, I added “Last day before the summer vacation, that is.”
While there had been a bit of shock, it removed itself quickly, as Ayame began to giggle. “Is that so? Then...”
Unexpectedly, she leaned forward to close the short distance between us, and gave me a second kiss. Immediately, warmth spread throughout my body. Her being even closer also meant I also felt hers. And, despite the the sweltering summer heat, this additional warmth was not unwelcome. While it only lasted a second, it felt just as magical as the first one.
With a slight Blush on her checks, Ayame stood up and spun around, removing herself from our seats. “This is the last one you get until I hear your answer. Think of it as a good luck charm.” Her back was turned to me, but even without seeing her directly, I could tell she felt embarrassed. Especially as she added the last part. “If you want more, you have to come and get it. I know I am waiting.”
The end of her sentence was the start signal. She took if, quickly passing the corner and disappearing from sight.

Still stunned, I took a few seconds to fully take in the whole scene. And it made me feel two points stronger: ‘I want to be with her. And I want everything to go flawlessly.’

A few whispers were passed around as I returned to the classroom. I was probably still a bit red in the face. A fact mirrored by Ayame, who also couldn't look directly in my direction.
Slumping down in my seat, I gave the others the okay for the study meet up.
“You sure about that?”
“Yes. All in all, things are moving along smoothly.”

***

Our study session went off without a hitch. In fact, it had been quite similar to our homework meet-up for golden week. We made progress, and had a fun time afterwards. But, as the night drew longer, the conversations changed to include certain themes. And of course it meant I was on the receiving end of it.
“So, how far have you gone?” Sugimoto’s tone was more interested than actual teasing. Perhaps he had noticed something, or the others talked him into being considerate.
“…” There was no reason to lie about anything. So, taking a moment to order my thoughts, I decided to flat out tell them about my current situation. Of course, I left the magical aspects out. “I love her. But, I haven’t told her yet.”
“Seriously?” Ono picked up on it. His voice had more surprise than shock. “I mean, with how you two often cling together, I would assume you were a couple already.”
“Do we look that way?”
“Hmm… Not really, but it is easy to imagine.” If he worded it like that, it meant there wouldn’t be too many rumors flying around.
Someone more kindhearted than interested gave their opinion. “If you need help with anything, do not hesitate to ask us. While I can only speak for myself, I am sure everyone here would be glad to help.”
“Thanks Tanaka.” He really was someone I could count on. “But it is fine. The reason why I haven’t confessed yet is due to me wanting to prepare something. I am now mostly done with it.” I let myself flop onto the ground. “Just waiting for finals to be over. On the last day of school, I will take Ayame with me, bring her to a special place, and confess.”
I smiled to myself, imagining how it would go. Then, as my imagination started to cover the surroundings, I added as a warning. “Do not follow us.”
Sugimoto wasn’t deterred. “I mean, if you word it like that… It just makes me wanna follow you even more.” ‘So you planned to do so anyway…’

Before things could go further down that route, Ono shifted the subject. “So, with Yamazaki sorted out, what about you Akihito?”
“Huh?!” Suzuki, who had silently listened in until now, suddenly shot up. Perhaps his mind had been occupied, but it seemed like a real shock to him.
Ono continued. “You know what I am talking about. You have been meeting with that second year for a few times during lunch break now.”
Suzuki turned to me, but I shook my head. I hadn’t told them anything. He must have picked it up somewhere.
While fiddling with his hands, he heaved a sigh, and came forward with his problem. “A-Actually, I had thought about asking you for advice.” Suzuki’s gaze flickered between us. “I, I was just thinking about how to broach the subject.” A tinge of red spread across his face.
Seeing his friend try his best, Tanaka broke his silence. “While I had just told it to Yamazaki, the offer extends to you too, Suzuki.” He put on a reassuring smile to ease the nervous one’s nerves.
It must have had a slight effect, as the fidgeting with the hands stopped. “Thank you.” A smile spread on his face. “But, for now, I have to refuse. First, I want to try my best. And actually figure out what it is I feel.”
“Hm? You aren’t sure about that?” Sugimoto asked innocently.
“Yes. …You see, Youko is actually the person that helped me when I collapsed in April.”
“Wait.” Ono spoke up. “Youko? Does that mean-?”
“Yes.” Suzuki gave an affirmative nod. “The one that lives in the neighborhood.”
When hearing that, Ono lost his posture, slumping down. “Okay, maybe we should not interfere.” As his comment earned him only questioning stares, he elaborated. “He heard quite a bit about her. And if even half of it is true, intervening in anything, even on Suzuki's behalf, could end badly for us.” A sad smile appeared on his face, eyes closed, starring up the ceiling.

Which made me wonder. “Are you sure about that?”
Upon my comment, he looked at me. “Yes. Why would you think differently?”
“Well…” I couldn’t tell him that she asked me to help her out. Because then they would ask me how she chose me, leading the the involvement of magic. Even if I were to find a loophole for that, like being Ayame’s friend, there is still the problem with what she told me. If I were to mention it now next to Suzuki, I could see how Ono’s statement might prove true in a different sense.
Before I could finish these thoughts, an interruption came.
“Yamazaki!” Suzuki yelled my name, to everyone’s surprise. He had taken on a formal seating position, facing me. Sensing that he was about to talk about something serious, everyone discarded our previous conversation. Returning the gesture, I also took on a better posture.
With his gaze fixated on me, Suzuki slightly shook his head, then spoke. “No, Minoru.” Determination was visible in his eyes. “I have to ask you something. Could you please answer me truthfully.”
His wording added to the tension of the room. “Yes.” There was no different answer I could give.
Swallowing, he then gave his prompt. “Could you tell me how you feel when you think about Fujiwara?”
“…Huh?” That one surprised me.
Embarrassment getting to him, Suzuki, no, Akihito shifted his body around. “Well, you just boldly declared you love her. So, I thought you could tell me how you feel, and then I can see what my own feelings are…”
“…” He might have jumped a few steps, but in essence, it might actually help him. Therefore, I quickly thought about how to put my feelings into actual words, to explain them to someone else. However, the chance to speak them didn’t come.

“Argh!” Sugimoto jumped from his seat, and crashed belly first onto the floor between Akihito and me. Then, getting up, he started the small boy straight into the eyes. “Do you know how it feels to hear you two talk about that, when no one else here is in a relationship? It hurts! You know!”
His voice was more joking than accusing, but nonetheless raised a valid concern. “Well, we should talk about this another time.” I suggested. Not only would it give me time on how to talk about this situation without giving too much of Youko’s wishes away, but I could touch upon fields that may not be spoken about with the others around.
“A-Alright.” Akihito agreed quickly.
“Now! Let’s party!”
“That is not what he had gathered for…”
With this emotional outburst, I felt as if I had lost almost everything we had learned prior to goofing around. But, actually putting how I feel into words made it easier for me to grasp my own feelings. And so, with some new knowledge and added resolve, I looked to the near future.