Love Me, Love Me Not || Hanamaki Takahiro

First Petal: She Loves Me

She loves me.

No matter how much he tries to hide it, she always manages to know whenever he was feeling down. She would always run up to him with a lollipop, telling him that eating something sweet always makes one's day better.

When she realizes that he was down due to his mistake, she tries to cheer him up by mentioning her own mistakes. It may be embarrassing for her to bring it up, but she doesn't stop until his mood is lifted. 

• • •

Hanamaki was feeling down as they just lost a practice game due to his mistake. It may only be a practice match, but it doesn't stop him from feeling apologetic to his teammates. What if he made the same mistakes during their official matches? He managed to hide his heavy heart in front of the members. However, as soon as he was out of their sight, he sighed deeply as he glanced to the floor in shame. 

As he was trying to calm himself down, he saw a pair of feet step in front of him. He looked up to see Nakamura smiling softly at him. Surprised to see her in front of him, his eyes widen. Before he was able to open his mouth to speak, he remembered his state that his eyes avoided hers, not wanting her to see him in this state. 

As silence filled the atmosphere, Nakamura sat beside him and handed him a lollipop. Hanamaki stared at him for few seconds before accepting it with a soft smile. "Thanks."

She smiled back at him as she unwrapped her share. As she savoured her lollipop, she didn't look at him as she began to speak. "There was one time I accidentally made a mistake because I wasn't thinking straight. All I could think about that time was to answer before the other team does. If we lost that match, it was over. So my mistake caused my team to lose."

He stared at her with confused, wide eyes. Why was she suddenly bringing it up? Was she trying to cheer him up? Even if it meant for her to bring up her mistakes? 

She did not seem to notice his stare as she continued. "I felt guilty since I should have been more cautious instead of rushing it. I thought that my teammates will blame me and they have the every right to do so. I was looking down in shame, waiting for them to get mad at me. But surprisingly, they didn't. They instead reassured me, saying it was okay. They said that it was fine since they at least got to have fun and they were able to come this far. We have another chance next time. We could do better next time."

She then looked at him with the smile he loves so much. "I'm sure your teammates think the same. Also, it was a practice match. Just like its name, it's a practice. At least you got to experience it during the practice match so that you can be prepared for the official match. Since now that you are aware, you probably won't make the same mistake during the next matches."

Hanamaki found himself smiling back at her as his mood was lifted. Her words made him feel better and motivated him to use the time to blame himself for practice instead. She was right after all. It was a practice match. He just has to be more careful during the official match.

"I think you did great out there. You were amazing! I wish I knew how to play like that," she said excitedly, trying to change the mood.

"I can always teach you if you want," he offered.

Her eyes twinkled in delight. "I'm taking up that offer!"

Hanamaki chuckled at her enthusiasm.

As they headed back inside, Nakamura quickly stopped him before they were near the others. 

"By the way, what I just told you is a secret between us, okay?" She then sheepishly grinned. "I know it may be nothing much, but it was still kind of embarrassing on my part."

"I guess this will be our secret then," he smiled playfully.

"It's our secret!"

• • •

Later he found out that Nakamura hates bringing up or being reminded of her mistakes. Even more, it turns out that she was bad at comforting people that she asks someone else to comfort the person. 

Hearing this made him feel bad yet special. It was as if he was a special exception for her. It was as if she was telling him that she trusts him. Maybe something even more. The fact that she attempted to comfort him herself instead of letting others do it. That should mean something, right? At least that's how he wishes it was and that's how he chooses to believe.

She loves me.