The next day, I found myself standing in front of the sink in the empty school bathroom.
The day was unbearably hot, so I decided to splash cold water on my face. As the drops dripped down, my long, pink hair, slung over my shoulder, became slightly damp.
I had already said goodbye to Rika and Hana, who had left for their clubs, but I wasn't planning on going home just yet.
Ah, my knight, my knight! Finally, the love confession I had been waiting for!
A love letter? How romantic! I really hadn't expected it!
My lips curved into a smile as I considered my next steps. What should I do? How do I take off the mask? Well, I already have a little plan, nothing serious, but let's see what comes of it...
I left the bathroom and headed for the third floor.
The hallway was deserted; most of the students had already left, and only the club members remained.
My footsteps echoed through the hallway, synchronizing with the rapid beat of my heart, which for some reason had quickened its rhythm.
Ah, so that's how the knight felt before writing the letter. Was the knight's heart beating as fast as mine? Did the knight's hands sweat as much as mine do now?
I felt excitement, impatience, love, embarrassment, fear. Despite my uncertainty, my feet seemed to move on their own, leading me to the right door.
I stopped and took a deep breath as I stood in front of the door marked "Drama Club".
But instead of opening the door, I leaned against the wall next to it, feeling the cool surface with my back.
Muffled voices came from behind the door, but I couldn't make out the words.
After a few minutes, I heard the door open.
Hana closed it gently behind her, and the voices of the students, which had been audible a moment ago, gradually faded away.
"Oh... Are you done already?" I asked casually.
"Oh! You scared me," Hana said loudly, turning to me.
"Sorry," I smiled apologetically.
"W-Wait... What are you doing here?" Her usually calm voice immediately became visibly nervous. "Why are you still at school?"
"I guess I came to get my knight!" I exclaimed excitedly, stepping away from the wall.
"Ah... Hahaha, the knight, huh?" Hana laughed nervously, avoiding looking me in the eye. "Didn't you say we were going tomorrow?"
"Well, I just couldn't wait!" I said.
She hesitated before meeting my gaze.
Her pursed lips, tense expression, and heavy gaze showed how hard she was trying to calm herself and hide the panic visible on her face.
"So did you find out who it was?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean… Isn't that why you were there? Couldn't wait until tomorrow cause you were too curious?" I asked.
"Uh... Hah... Yeah… you read me so well, Emi, hahaha, yeah, that's exactly right..."
A nervous laugh escaped her lips.
I could see how hard she was trying to sound calm.
Pretending not to notice her panic, I repeated my question, "So did you find out who it was?"
She was silent. Her uncertainty was obvious.
"You found out something, didn't you? Tell me," I pressed.
"Well... You see... The person you saw yesterday was someone else... I mean, they replaced the original actor because he got injured..." she finally said.
Ah, so that's what happened.
"And who replaced them?"
"Well... No one knows. It's funny, isn't it?" she replied.
She met my gaze and tried to look confident as if trying to convince herself that this little lie would be enough to fool me, even though she probably knew it wasn't.
"What do you mean? How can no one know?" I asked.
"The original actor didn't tell them who was replacing him because it was only for one day anyway," she said. "I told you it was pointless, let's forget about it and just go. Who cares about that stupid love letter?"
She took a nervous step forward, expecting me to follow, but I remained standing still.
As she passed me, her steps slowed when she realized I wasn't moving.
Her words sounded ridiculous. It was as if she realized it herself.
I could have opened the door to the drama club myself, right in front of her, to destroy her little charade. But I refrained.
It seemed that for some reason, no matter how stupid it all seemed, she didn't want to give up.
I sighed. "Strange... The role wasn't very big. Why hide it?"
"I don't know."
"Then... why don't we go to the original actor and ask them?"
"Emi, why are you so hung up on this?" She finally turned to me abruptly, her face expressing a mixture of frustration and despair.
"Well, you said it was a replacement for one day, right? So that means the original actor is here today, right? We could ask them right now."
"No. He's already gone home."
"Really?"
"Yes."
I didn't understand why I kept pushing her. Maybe I should just give up.
But the words seemed to come out of me involuntarily. "Then we can ask tomorrow, I guess? Like we originally planned."
"Emi," she said my name firmly, her lips curving into a crooked smile.
I could feel the tension in the air.
"What?" Despite her pleading, I continued to insist, pretending I didn't understand.
"Please... just forget it."
She looked nervous.
I sighed, feeling guilty for pushing her so hard.
I'm so sorry, Hana...
I just wanted to...
I'm such an asshole.
Maybe I should just give up.
I looked at her.
No! I can't...
I walked over to her and took her hand.
I couldn't play these games anymore...
"Okay, let's go," I said, leading her down the hallway.
"Uh... where to?"
Despite her nervous voice, she didn't offer much resistance to my actions, perhaps sensing my determination.
"Don't worry..."
As I walked ahead of her, leading her by the hand, I turned briefly to give her a reassuring look. She had always been stronger than me, but I wanted her to know that I was strong, too.
As I led her to the first floor, she followed me silently.
I only let go of her hand when we reached the door to the bathroom, the same one I had visited earlier.
Quietly, I opened the door and stepped inside, relieved to find it empty, just as I had expected.
"Follow me," I said as I stepped inside.
Behind me, I could only hear the hesitant tapping of her shoes on the tiled floor, which soon stopped.
"Um... Emi? Why did we come here?" she asked, as if she couldn't stand the silence.
Standing with my back to her, I asked, "Is it so hard to just take off the mask?"
She was silent, either not understanding my question or unwilling to acknowledge her realization...
Turning to face her, I continued, "What do you think, Hana? It's cowardly, isn't it?"
"W-What do you mean?"
All she could do was flounder like a fish on dry land.
Meeting her gaze, I clarified, "I mean the confession."
"Eh?..."
"Right?"
"..."
I looked at her, studying her face. Even under this pressure, she tried not to avert her gaze, perhaps afraid to lower her eyes... Afraid to reveal...
Taking a step forward, I slowly approached her, causing her to freeze. My gaze swept over her features...
I really am such a bad girl.
I lifted my hand and gently touched her cheek with the pads of my fingers. She flinched slightly, but stayed where she was, refusing to move. Gently running my fingers along her cheek, I maintained eye contact, not letting her escape.
"Close your eyes," I whispered softly, my voice full of tenderness and determination.
Without question, she obediently closed her eyes.
Slowly, I moved my face closer to hers, knowing she could feel my breath on her skin. I covered my eyelids and brought my lips close to her ear, causing her to catch her breath.
"That's right, you're a coward..." I murmured.
Pulling away slightly, I smiled faintly, catching her shocked look.
Her eyes widened as she realized that I held all of her emotions in the palm of my hand.
"You..."
"Yes..."
She took a weak step forward, shortening the distance between us and finally lowering her eyes.
"Since when?"
"Almost as soon as I saw you in that stupid costume."
She raised her eyes full of shock, guilt, and embarrassment to meet mine.
Looking at her, I thought to myself...
Oh Hana, Hana. Did you really think I wouldn't notice? You may be a good actor, but I know everything about you better than anyone. I know so many little things about you... Did you think you could trick me?
She didn't say a word. She just stared at me in utter shock, frozen...
"I would recognize you anywhere, no matter how much you hide. Did you really think hiding behind a helmet was enough to fool me?"
And even if I hadn't caught you in that costume, even without your name in the letter, I knew it was you when I read those lines. That alone was enough for me to know that the letter was from you...
She didn't say anything.
I smiled weakly, hoping I didn't look too sinister. I really didn't want to put her under so much stress, but she just wouldn't back down.
"Seriously, all these antics just to hide your feelings," I said frustrated.
Do you really think I don't notice the way you always look at me? That look was unlike any I'd ever gotten from Rika or any other friend.
Do you really think I don't notice the way you blush every time I kiss you on the cheek or the way you hold my hand?
Stupid Hana. Such a coward. Such a hypocrite.
Yes, I'm such a hypocrite.
I moved closer to her again, taking her hand gently.
"Close your eyes..." I said softly, but commandingly.
She obeyed, her eyelids tightening slightly and her cheeks flushing visibly.
"Say no if you don't like it..."
My lips touched her cheek gently. She flinched, but stayed still.
I didn't have the courage to kiss her on the lips.
I'm sorry...
My lips were a little dry.
I could feel my heart pounding in my chest, ready to burst.
I had been so afraid that she would run away... afraid to take this step.
Pulling away from her, I saw her flushed cheeks and a lost look staring back at me.
She was silent, unable to utter a word.
Her hand touched the cheek I'd just kissed, and she lowered her eyes a little, embarrassed.
"You're a coward, Hana. You've always been the bravest of the two of us. Why are you such a coward when it comes to romance?" I asked.
She didn't answer.
Her hand was still in mine. But her grip was weak and her palm was wet with sweat.
God, Hana, are you that nervous?
"Well... Say something..." I said with a smile.
Hana, you're my best friend. You've always worn a mask - a best friend mask.
When I read your letter, I thought you'd finally confess to me directly if I pushed you a little.
I'm sorry. I just wanted you to tell me how you felt without the mask.
It wasn't supposed to be a mystery. No, it wasn't a mystery.
I knew how you felt, but for some reason I wasn't completely sure... Even though I know you. I was afraid that maybe I was fooling myself into thinking that you felt the same way about me.