Somehow........I felt that there was a strange wall between us since the first time we met, Kazu-kun.

　If we see each other at work, we make small talk, and we even have a private relationship.
　I often asked him for advice, and he helped me out when I was in trouble.

　It's because of Kazu's personality that I fell in love with him.

　Nevertheless, I had no idea what his hobbies were or what kind of school days he had spent there.
　When I asked him about the latter, all he would say was 'the same as it is now'... Anyway, Kazu never talked about himself much.

　Still, if there's one thing I can tell, it's that he has a kind nature.
　But Kazu's kindness, which should definitely be considered a strength, has a fear of accepting anything.

　It sounds like a horrible thing to say, but that kindness usually has a hidden side.
　But that's not the case with Kazu.
　If someone makes you happy, you can laugh as if it's your own fault.
　That should be a very nice thing to do, but somehow I think he despises himself.

　Maybe the reason he's so insensitive is because Kazu-kun doesn't give himself or the people around him as much admiration as he should.
　Maybe it's partly because of the personality aspect that makes me want to complain a little bit when I think about it.

　That's why.........　

''The person you feel like talking about........is that me?

　It never occurred to me that the question would come from his mouth.
　It was not a haphazard question, it was a serious one.
　I think I've revealed my pathetic face in surprise.

　How in the world did Kazu-kun know about my feelings?
　Is it Miya-kun or Kuroone-chan... or Tenri?

　If that's the case, I'm sure Kazu-kun must have consulted with him during the awkwardness.
　Otherwise, it's impossible for him, who is like a master of bluntness, to mention romantic feelings...much less favors that are directed at him.

　

　........How should I respond here?

　If I said 'yes' to that question, how would you respond to my feelings?
　Smile and say 'Let's be lovers'?
　Or do you want to bow your head and say 'I'm sorry'?

　...maybe the latter.
　Otherwise, you wouldn't have that apologetic, guilt-filled look on your face.
　It's still easily visible on your face, so it's not obvious that you're hiding it.

　It should be annoying to be liked by someone you don't think of as more than a friend or colleague, but you still feel the same kindness directed at you, and the edges of your mouth relax.
　Even though I'm in a situation where I'm being rejected, it's a strange feeling.

　But you know what, Kazu-kun?
　You don't have to make that expression.

　I was just rejected because it was too late to make a move.
　It's because I wasn't satisfied with my own cuteness, and I was content to be in a relationship with someone who was far from my girlfriend, and I just thought it would be fine if those days went on forever.
　I don't blame myself in the slightest for my broken heart.

　If there's anything I can do, it's to support Kazu so that he can think about his happiness.

　Then I have only one answer to his question.

"I love Kazu-kun?







　What are you talking about?
I'm sorry?

　When I responded with as much of a mended expression as possible, this time Kazu-kun rolled his eyes in dismay.
　I might even mock myself for my stupid reply, but it's still going to end in heartbreak anyway.

　So I decided to at least pull the curtain back on myself.

'No, because...well...I didn't know why Marao was avoiding me, and when I talked to Miya about it, she said it was because...'

　He looked puzzled but revealed the reason for his question.
　In a way, I was convinced by his typical background.　

　So it was Miya-kun's plan after all........
　The fact that he is able to accurately see through it without even making fun of it is beyond astonishing.
　But I'm also glad to know that they wanted to get back together enough to talk to you about it.
　If he was just chasing his own happiness, he might have been very happy.

　Well, I'm sorry for your concern, but I'm going to have to disregard it.

　I apologize softly in my heart to my colleague, who always has a hateful grin on his face.　

"Huh........you really wanted to make up with me, didn't you, Kazu-kun, to take such an untruthful statement seriously?
Ggh.....

　If you return it a bit agitatedly, he turns red and holds his mouth shut.

''Jeez, so what was it that you were talking to Kuroon?''

　Oh, you're surprisingly tenacious, aren't you?
　Well, when you deny the favors you thought were being directed at you, it's like you were being smug.
　When you're convinced you've gotten to the bottom of the case, it's unnerving like a detective who had a hole in his reasoning, and it's a bit amusing.

''Kurone-chan just told me some of Kazu-kun's old stories. And even without that, that girl said she wanted to be friends with me. I mean, no matter how much it's for my sister's sake, I don't think it's a good idea to wave a big handmade flag around at a sports day, do you?
'Oi!　What kind of a guy tells people about their past that they want to erase?
Because originally, it was Kazu-kun's fault for not talking about himself at all, right?
Geez...

　In reality, though, it's all about relationship counseling.
　It's true that I wanted to find out about Kazu-kun's past, and it's true that Kuroone-chan told me she wanted to be friends with me.

'The fight I had with Amari at the pool...?
'That was because I thought you misunderstood my friendship with Kazu-kun.
"Whaaaaat? ! What's that?

　

　Anyway, Kazu, believing that there was no favor from me, prostrated himself on the table and dropped his head.
　

　The person who makes him happy is not me.

　I suppressed my sentimentality, but because of the noise I made, people around me were looking at me.
　Even though Kazu-kun is naïve because he thinks he's misunderstood, this gaze is a bit harsh.

You see, Kazu-kun. It's time to end the break,
'Oh....Mao.
What?
I'm sorry for being such a jerk. But, you know, it's good to have you as a colleague.

　He smiles at me, although I haven't recovered slightly, but he gives me a smile.
　That makes me inexplicably happy because I'm still right after giving up on my love life.

　I don't know how long it will take, but I don't want to do another awkward imitation like before.
　I've decided that I won't make that much of a mistake and I.....


I'm not going to be able to say that I'm a good friend of yours. I'll continue to be good friends with you from now on.

　He returned it so firmly.