Fated to Meet(COTE X Tomodachi Game)

Chapter 40: Hiyori and Kiyotaka/ Leadership

"I love you, please go out with me."

(Hiyori POV)

The second I heard Ayanokoji say those words, my heart sank, and I suddenly became unaware of my surroundings.

Where was I again? What time is it? Have I eaten dinner yet?

None of those questions seemed to matter anymore, as it felt like me and him were alone in a white space as we sat on my bed.

My bed!

That's where we were!

I was already nervous about inviting him over, but now we were sitting on my bed alone.

"You like...me?"

When Ayanokoji said he wanted to talk to me about something, I expected him to tell me to leave him alone because maybe I was being a hindrance to him and Yuuichi. A confession was the last thing I expected.

What would a novel character do here?

I should know, I've read plenty of romance stories before.

Just as I begin to blank out, Ayankoji brings me back to reality.

"Hiyori, I want to hear your response here. Not a characters or what you think I want to hear, do you like me?"

"I..."

I can feel my heart beating in my head as if I just ran a marathon. I can't just keep him waiting.

Don't pretend to be a character.

Don't think you're being a hindrance.

Just say what you actually feel.

I take a deep breath in and remove the pillow from my face.

"Yes, I do I like you, Ayanokoji."

-

(Yuuichi POV)

There's a certain presence around the mall.

The air feels stiff like it would before a devastating event took place.

"Yuuichi, what's wrong?"

Kotonoha, now just holding my hand, doesn't seem to sense it.

Considering who it might be though, it could be for the better.

"Kotonoha, it's getting late now, we should both go back to the dorms."

I try to sound as normal as possible, but she squints at me like she knows something's up.

"Hmm... let's eat dinner first, it's about that time after all."

She attempts to pull me by my arm to a nearby cafe, a seemingly empty one except for two certain people.

"Kotonoha!"

I forcibly pull her back by her hand to my chest, In an attempt to avert her eyes from the people in the cafe.

"How about we go back to my place..."

"Eh?"

"...for some tea, of course. I'll cook you something."

I pull out the best possible excuse I can to keep her mind off the cafe.

"Oh."

I look down at her to see if she's caught on to me, but I'm instead met with a face full of disappointment. Maybe I could work with this as well.

"What is it?"

"Nothing really. I just thought I might have lost something in your room."

"Have you been in my room? What could you have lost there?"