[Participatory Note] A Classroom at Twilight, the Moment a Love Bomb Explodes (Nyankichi-san ver.)

[Participatory Note] A Classroom at Twilight, the Moment a Love Bomb Explodes (Nyankichi-san ver.)


A classroom at twilight.

Even after the final bell rang out,
the two of them didn't try to go home.

The orange light streaming through the window
gently illuminated her profile.

“...Hey.”

I turned around when my name was called.
He was standing a little closer than usual.

“You’re acting kind of strange today, aren't you?”

“...Do you think so?”

His ears, redder than the sunset, betrayed his attempt to hide his shyness as he laughed.
Seeing him like that, she couldn't help but let out a smile.

“W-why are you laughing?”

“Because... you really are acting strange.”

With those words,
time stood still for him.

They were the only two in the classroom.

Every time the curtains swayed in the breeze,
the sweet scent of shampoo drifted toward them.

He took a step.
Slowly, he closed the distance.

Now,
they were close enough to touch if they reached out.

Her heartbeat,
and his heartbeat,
it was impossible to tell which was faster.

“...What’s gotten into you all of a sudden?”

She smiled, looking a little shy.

The classroom was dyed in the colors of the sunset.
The two of them stared at each other.

He took a deep breath just once.
Then, he smiled as if he had made up his mind.

“There’s something I’ve never been able to say.”

She widened her eyes in surprise,
and nodded quietly.

There was no trace of the boy left in his eyes.

The classroom fell silent.

All that could be heard was the sound of their two heartbeats.

He looked straight at her,

and slowly opened his mouth—.

“I’ve always... wanted to say it. Every time I see you, I don’t know what to do...”

His usual teasing smile was nowhere to be found.
His slightly trembling voice echoed through the quiet classroom.

“It’s unbearably painful to watch you looking at other guys.”

“...Huh?”

Taken aback by his words, she stopped breathing.

He quietly,
gazed intently into her eyes.

“I want you by my side. I want to protect your smile. Because I want to be the one who makes you smile. ...Is it not okay for it to be me?”

The orange light of twilight
beautifully outlined his serious expression.

At his words, so incredibly direct,
tears she had been holding back
spilled from her eyes.

He smiled gently,
and reached out to softly wipe away her tears.

“I cherish you from the bottom of my heart. Your smile, and even the sulky face you show me sometimes. I love you so much it hurts.”

His large hand
gently cupped her cheek.

“Your smile is my everything... I love you. So please, don’t cry anymore. Thank you for everything.”

The curtains swayed heavily in the evening breeze,
and their shadows overlapped.

Along with the words “Thank you,”
he pulled her into a gentle embrace.

There was no longer any need
to check whose heartbeat was faster.

(The End)

This story was created together with Nyankichi-san😊✨

Please take a look here to see how this work came to be ☺️

Nyankichi-san, thank you so much for the wonderful lines!

It turned into the best happy ending,
dyed in the colors of heart-fluttering love ✨💓