29 Chapter 29: Explosion

"I already decided I would marry you when we return… I love you." I never really thought about it while rehearsing, but I have to kiss her now, right? There's no way I'll be able to do that!

Hiroisora opened her eyes while lying in the bed. Her eyes were telling me, 'What are you doing?' Is that a sign that I have permission? What if I kissed her and she was only telling me to pretend? I can't prolong the scene any longer.

I decided to lower my head and placed it as near to her face as possible, so that it would look like I kissed her. She was looking at me the whole time, while her face turned to red. I could feel my face turn red, as well. I could also hear my heart beat so fast.

After the play, we were greeted with a rousing round of applause. I think everyone who watched enjoyed the show. I felt like all our hard work paid off. All of the cast and crew stood in front of the stage. I took a glance at Nariyuki. She seemed very happy our play was a success.

---

While at the backstage after our performance, everyone was celebrating our success.

"Thank you everyone for your hard work! This wouldn't have been possible without all of you!" Nariyuki was on the verge of tears.

"There, there. We wouldn't have been able to do it without you, too. So thank you, Kosui-san." Hiroisora hugged Nariyuki. I could then see the tears pouring out from Nariyuki's eyes.

As we were all celebrating and enjoying the touching scene, Jirai approached me.

"So, how was your kiss with Hiroisora-sama?" He had that oblivious look on his face. "I'm obviously jealous, but as your friend, I allow you to kiss her whenever you want." Everyone suddenly looked at our direction, as if waiting for my response. I looked at Hiroisora to see her reaction. She was hiding her face while still hugging Nariyuki.

"We didn't actually kiss, you know…" I just told them the truth. I could hear the collective sigh of disappointment. Some were even saying aloud if we're even a real couple. I then remembered what Hiroisora told me before we did the play. I was supposed to meet her at the rooftop later. I have to tell her the truth, before she tells me want she wants to tell me.

---

I decided to help in the cleaning of the props. It was already in the afternoon and the closing ceremony was near. Nariyuki also decided to stay behind.

"What are you still doing here, Takaiyama-san?" Nariyuki was curious. "Aren't you supposed to be with Kari-chan by now?"

"H-how do you know about that?"

"I don't. I just assumed you planned to meet after the play. I guess I was right." She had that smirk on her face again. "So, what are you planning to do now?"

"What do you mean?"

"As far as I remember, you are only pretending to be a couple because you want to help the club. Well, now that our play is over, will you stop pretending and finally become a real couple?"

"I… I don't know."

"Don't tell me you're hiding here? That's why you stayed behind to help clean?"

"Well, it's not—"

"Stop being so indecisive!" Nariyuki was irritated, but she calmed herself down before talking again. "Kari-chan has her reasons for doing what she is doing. I'm sure she'll tell you everything about it. She's willing to risk being hurt so she can finally be true to herself."

"I know…" That's why it's so difficult to face her now.

"If you understand, then be true to yourself as well. Nobody can guarantee what will happen, but at least you both were true to yourselves." Nariyuki's right. Even though I'm having second thoughts on telling Hiroisora, I owe her the truth.

"Thanks, Nariyuki."

"Take it as payment for all your help in the club."

"So, I guess I'm free of all my debt to you?"

"What are you talking about? There's still next year's festival. Now, get going!"

"Okay." I ran outside the gymnasium and headed to the rooftop of the school building.

---

I got to the rooftop before Hiroisora. I stood by the railings, looking down at the students who were preparing for the closing ceremony.

After what Nariyuki told me, I've prepared myself to tell Hiroisora the truth. She was right. The play was a success. There's no need to continue on our act as a couple.

"Takaiyama-san." I heard someone call from behind me.

"Hiroisora, I have something to tell you first..." I turned around and there I saw standing was... Koujou. "What are you doing here?"

"I was waiting for you to leave the gymnasium. Then I followed you up here."

"I don't mean to be rude, but I need to talk to Hiroisora privately and she'll be here—"

"I heard you talking with that lady the morning we ate at the restaurant! I didn't say anything until now because we had to focus on the play. But now..."

"What do you mean you heard us? Do you mean Elizabeth-san?"

"I know who she is. She's been with Hiroisora ever since we were in elementary."

"Okay. Whatever you heard, I will tell it to—"

"Does it mean you're not really in love with Hiroisora?"

"No, it's not what you think..."

"But that lady is blackmailing you, isn't she? She said she has the title of your house. So it means you're in a relationship with Hiroisora because of that... You want to get back the title of your house..."

"It's true, but—" No, not this way... Why is she here now? "Hiroisora...?" Her face was in shock.

"Takaiyama-kun... Is all of that... really true?" She couldn't believe what she just heard, as she was on the verge of tears.

"I... I was going to tell you everything... I didn't mean to—"

"So was that why... you were willing to pretend to be in a relationship... with me?" Her tears were falling down through her cheeks as her hand was covering her mouth. She was shaking her head in disbelief. "I knew... you had your reasons... but this is just... too cruel!" She ran towards the stairs.

I wanted to chase after her but I stopped myself. I knew I didn't have the right to.

"What did she mean by 'pretend to be in a relationship'?" I forgot that Koujou was still here.

"We're really not a couple. We did that to popularize the theatre club, thus having more members for Nariyuki. But as you have heard, that was my real reason for doing it. Although, Elizabeth-san doesn't know we were only pretending. I've lied to many people."

"I understand. You were just a victim of circumstances." She hugged me from behind.

"That may be the case, but what I did was unforgivable." I stood still. "In spite of that, there is something that I have to clarify." I removed her hands that were hugging me, and turned around. "I really do love Hiroisora. Whether it started the wrong way, this is what I feel now. Even if she hates me and probably will not believe me, I still want to tell her that." I looked at Koujou in the eyes."I'm sorry, but I can't return your feelings."

---

A few weeks have passed after the Cultural Festival. Midterms have just recently passed, as well. The rumor around school was that the 'I'm Sorry-couple' has broken up. It's not actually wrong. Hiroisora and I haven't talked since that day at the rooftop. I told Koujou I wanted to tell Hiroisora my true feelings, but whenever I tried to approach her, my guilt gets the best of me. Every time I look at her, I'm reminded how I lied to her.

Time passed by as if everything was normal. The only thing that happened was that Elizabeth-san talked to me a few days after the Cultural Festival, while I was going home from school.

"Takaiyama-kun." It was Elizabeth-san.

"I didn't know how to contact you, so I wasn't able to tell you immediately. Please give us a few more days. I still haven't told my family yet..." I bowed down to beg.

"Here." I looked up. She was holding the title of our house. "Take it."

"Why? I wasn't able to do what you asked. In fact, I even hurt her."

"I never had any intention of taking your house even if you had failed."

"I see... So it was all for nothing, then..." I took the title from her.

"I don't regret what I have done. I have been with Kari-sama since she was a child. I can tell that she really was in love. The way she talks about you, she would always smile and laugh. That alone was enough for me: that she was able to love." I could see a faint smile in her face while she was talking. "Now, to atone for what I have done, I have left their household."

"Was that necessary?"

"Yes. Well, I suppose this is goodbye. Oh, and lastly. I'm not sure if what you feel for Kari-sama is true or not, but if it is true and sincere, then it was not all for nothing. Please tell her even if she doesn't want to listen. That is my last selfish request. Take care, Takaiyama-kun."

---

That was the last time I had contact with Elizabeth-san. Even if I wanted to do her last request from me, I just can't do it. I let another day pass by without me doing anything.

As I was walking towards outside the school, I saw a suspicious person standing at the gate.

"Hey." The person greeted me. She was wearing a facemask and sunglasses.

"Hi."

"You've been down all this time; I thought you might need a friend to talk to."

"Thanks, Koujou."

"Wait, how do you know it's me?"

"No one else would wear something like that while still wearing her school uniform."

"I really thought this time you wouldn't know who it was." She removed her disguise.

"I'm surprised you're still talking to me after all that has happened."

"Well, that's just who I am, I guess." She smiled at me. I felt a little bit better.

---

We went to the family restaurant near Koujou's apartment.

"I'm surprised you don't have any work today."

"An idol deserves some rest too, you know."

"Really? Because I read that idols are always being overworked and stuff."

"Some companies are like that, which is why I'm lucky to be in my current agency."

"I see. That's good, then."

"But that's enough about me. How have you been?"

"Fine, I guess."

"Are you sure?"

"Actually, no..."

"Then talk to me about it. I know it was partly my fault that everything happened the way it did. So please let me help in any way I can. Even if it's just listening.

"Well... the morning before our play, Hiroisora told me something from her past. She told me that her mother left her and her dad when she was young. She didn't want to take any chances of being like her mother who hurt her husband, so she avoided having any relationships. It just makes my guilt feel heavier, and I don't feel like I have the right to even tell her how I feel for her..."

"So that's what happened to her when we were young... I never knew that..." Koujou was looking down and whispering to herself. "I guess you're not the only one who hurt her, huh?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, now I've realized that the reason she said she didn't care back then, was that she was going through something so heavy. As a friend, I should have talked to her first instead of being angry and hating her all this time... How petty have I been all these years?" She was about to cry.

"I don't like this habit of making you cry."

"It wasn't your fault this time..." She was already sobbing. "But... the last two times you rejected me and I cried, that was your fault..."

"I'm sorry..."

"I was just... kidding." She was now hiding her face with her hands while silently crying. I didn't argue anymore.

While I waited for her to calm down, I received a message in my phone.

"Thank you for inviting me here today. I do feel a lot better talking things with you. But I have to go."

"I see. I hope that you can settle things with Hiroisora. I will try my best, as well." She looked at me.

"Thanks. And good luck, too."

I rushed outside the restaurant. The message I received was from someone I didn't expect to ever hear from. It was from Hiroisora's father. There was no way I wouldn't meet him after what I have done. He was one of the persons I hurt as well.

After riding the train and getting to the hotel where we were supposed to meet, he greeted me.

"It's been a while, Uteki-kun. Let's talk, shall we?"