After class was dismissed by the teacher Noa waits outside for Hiro to arrive. Ayako says goodbye to Noa before heading home.
Hiro arrives but seems suspicious. He asks Noa "Is she still here?" In a soft voice.
Noa: "Is Who here?"
Hiro: "The girl I was with yesterday, did Ayako leave?"
Noa connects the dots and with a sense of deja vu confusingly asks "wait you were making out with Ayako?"
Hiro: "You have the wrong idea. I was just consoling her. We weren't making out. I was here earlier and I saw her in the classroom."
Noa is relieved when he hearing this. "She left."
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Last week.
Hiro waits behind the school and Ayako arrives.
Ayaoko: "I really like you. Please go out with me?"
Hiro: "I'm sorry."
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Hiro: "I've turned someone down before but this was different I felt at fault. I couldn't answer her. Before confessing we had been hanging out. I may have lead her on. It felt nice to have someone returning my feelings."
Noa: "What's that have to do with yesterday."
Hiro: "When I saw her missing from class Monday. I wanted to give her a proper answer so I contacted her so we could set up the time we would meet. When you arrived as I said before I just didn't want her to be sad because I do care for her."
Noa: "If you care for her and it seems you had feelings for her why reject her?"
Hiro: "Because there's someone I have even stronger feelings for."
Noa: "Well if you liked someone why would you lead Ayako on? Are you sure about this what if your crush doesn't return your feelings?"
Hiro: "It's not a crush. If there was a small chance I'd do anything to make it work. It was wrong of me to do that to Ayako I took advantage of her kindness."
- I still can't believe that Hiro was the reason for everything that Ayako went through.
Noa: "Alright I get it now, so are you two are on good terms? Why were you asking if she was here?"
Hiro: "I just figured she would want some space. I did officially reject her so it'd be weird if I just came here out the blue. I hope that we could be friendly after this, I doubt it though."
Hiro words trail off seemingly in regret.
Noa: "I was actually hoping that we could all become friends. Now I see that it will be hard."
Hiro: "She's your friend?"
Noa: "Yes, ironically I think it's because of you. Anyways was that all you had left to say."
Hiro: "Yes, I understand if you hate me now."
- Am I that simple to read?
Noa: "I don't hate you, this is just a lot to process. It might take a while."
Hiro: "I understand take your time I'm sorry that you were dragged into this."
Hiro places his right hand on Noa's right shoulder and then leaves.
- I wanted to be mad. I hated seeing Ayako like that. Now what do I do? I kept thinking how could I make things right but I didn't realize the situation.
The following day it rained. During lunch they ate in class. Noa told Kazumi that would be doing makeup work in the library before summer break and asked her to stop packing meals for him.
Kazumi: "We could eat lunch together in the library."
Hiro: "We'll just be a distraction Kazu. We should let Noa focus, this way he'll have more free time during summer break."
Kazumi: "If that's what you wish I then guess there's no helping it."
- Sorry Kazu although it's true I do have plenty of make up assignments. Its just a bit awkward.
Noa: "Thanks for understanding."