"...I have always liked you, ever since I took a glimpse at you back then!""
Shin's heartbeat rose as he blushed. He wasn't able to believe that Aoi had always liked him, ever since junior high school started. He took a grip on himself and replied to Aoi.
"I-I feel the same too, but let's get to know each other first!" Shin replied.
"Yes... So later, let's meet up at the gate when all class ends?" Aoi said it with a smile.
"Sure then! S-See you later, Aoi," Shin replied.
As time passed, class had ended, and everyone was about to go home. Meanwhile, Aoi was waiting for Shin at the school gate. He arrived, and Aoi approached him.
"Shin! Let's hang out tomorrow! It's Saturday, so you're free, right? Get to know each other and all!" Aoi said this to Shin joyfully.
"Yes, I am free tomorrow. I can hang out with you then!" Shin replied happily.
Time passed by, and it was already Saturday. They hung out and had a great day. As they continued to hang out, Aoi's feelings for Shin became absolute. They were happy hanging out with each other for two weeks until something happened.
That week, it was the first day of class. The first two classes have concluded, and it is now time for a break. Shin is enjoying the bento that Aoi prepared for him. They were blissfully conversing when Aoi's companion approached Shin to carry out their original plan.
"Nice work, Aoi! Making him head over heels for you in such a short time!" Aoi's friend said.
"Hahahaha! This guy thinks that Aoi really loved him, huh? Aoi, how about we execute our plan now?" Aoi's second friend said.
"Wait, what's the meaning of this? Execute your plan?" Shin was confused as he asked.
"I don't see any reason to answer your question." Aoi's friend replied.
Aoi was speechless as her friends spoke.
"Oh Shin~ Shin~ Shin~ After that confession you got from Aoi! Aoi was laughing like crazy! She said, you're way too easy to get tricked!" Aoi's friend said.
"A confession and you'll be like a dog who follows what its owner says! HAHAHAHA, how pitiful of you!" Aoi's second friend said.
"W-What... It's not true, right, Aoi...?" Shin was nervous as he asked Aoi.
"Of course it's true! Aoi can't even say anything, meaning it's the truth!" Aoi's friend spoke.
"Oh, how sad it is for you, Shin!" Aoi's second friend said.
Shin gazed at Aoi, teared up and ran away.
"Oh wow, he just fled. How pitiful!" Aoi's friend said.
"Why did you guys have to do that...?" Aoi asked them in a sad tone.
"It's for revenge, duh!" Aoi's friend replied.
As time passed, the next day came. Aoi waited at the gate, and Shin wasn't seen anywhere. She was scared that Shin would've done something questionable. She waited for 30 minutes, but there was no sign of Shin appearing or walking by.
Aoi decided to go to the classroom then. It has been 15 minutes since the teacher finally entered the classroom. The teacher seems like he's going to announce something.
"Ehem- so class, Mamotzuki Shin will be transferring to a new school. He also gave us a letter explaining why he's going to transfer. It seems like he didn't feel okay going to this school any further." The teacher said.
Beside Aoi are her friends who spoke to Shin yesterday; they were laughing at Shin transferring to a different school just because of that. Ever since that day, Aoi has never heard any news or messages from Shin again.
Aoi regrets everything, from agreeing with her friend's plan to confessing to Shin and hurting him. Aoi kept thinking about what she'd do when they see each other again.
Four years have passed, and Aoi finally managed to find Shin's school because of her friends. She then transfers to that school in order to apologize and make Shin happy once again.
"I'll definitely remove those traumas my friends and I inflicted on you, Shin."
End of Chapter 7