I Confessed to the crosssdresser

Chapter 16

When I stepped out of the academy, darkness had already spread in the sky.

There was almost no cloud in sight, and the building lights lit one by one. It was time for the study group. Leto and I sat on a bench in front of the library to pass the time we still had left.

The whole time we were sitting, Leto said nothing. Whenever I said something, only a short reply was returned.

I looked at him, wondering if he was angry with me, and Leto let out a deep sigh.

Leto tucked his long hair behind his ears and looked at me.

"I didn't manage to say anything because I didn't have time to mention it, but I think you're too reckless."

"The rumours must have gotten out of hand."

Leto was more concerned about my reputation than the fact I had beat someone. It was the same thing.

Looking at Leto worrying for nothing, I couldn't remain still. Unlike me, Leto was troubled as though he was taking this seriously.

"You care too much about me. Why are you even doing that?"

"...I'm scared that your reputation will be ruined because of me."

"So what?"

When I asked persistently, Leto groaned and struggled to open his mouth.

"You have a good reputation...You're also popular with friends. Don't you care?"

"You don't care about it either. Your reputation."

"But you're different from me. I wasn't liked from the start, but you..."

"Because I'm amazed."

"What?"

Leto looked at me as if he was innocent.

"I don't care whether my reputation is bad or not. You don't think bad of me."

"Never!"

"And that's enough."

When I grinned, Leto's expression relaxed.

"But..."

After a while, when I continued my words, Leto's shoulder became tense.

"I'm scared. I'm afraid that what I'm doing is burdening you. I was stabbed when the stalker confessed to you earlier. Because...because I was no different. I liked you so much at first sight. I didn't hide it and chased after you, just like him, but I followed you even though you didn't like me."

There was a lot of reflection. Leto didn't say anything to me. Leto, who had been absent-minded for a while as if he was thinking deeply, finally burst into laughter.

"I did."

I was taken aback by his laugh.

"Because if I really didn't like it, I would have rejected you very hard."

His trivial words made me tilt my head. You mean you didn't actually hate it?

"What does that mean?"

"I like you."

Leto's sudden remark left me speechless. What did I just hear? Could this be a confession? Noticing my stiff face, Leto suddenly turned red and waved his hand.

"I, I mean. As a friend!"

"......Oh."

"As a friend. Really as a friend! Don't think of anything weird."

On the contrary, I felt so happy that I kept on smiling.

"Stop smiling."

Leto covered his red face with his hands and avoided my gaze. He was the one who said it, but turned a little shy so he didn't want to make eye contact with me. I stared at Leto and smiled for a long time before nodding.

"Yeah, that's enough for me."

I got up from my seat.

"I can't believe that's enough."

There was some disappointment on Leto's face.

"But it means that you still think good of me."

"......I guess I was worried for nothing."

"I like you too, Leah."

When I said that, Leto's shoulders trembled visibly. He turned his head and murmured.

"Okay."

He pretended to be fine, but I could see how embarrassed and shy he was. I like Leto Arsene's honest expressions.

"Let's go now. It's almost time for the study group."

At my words, Leto opened his mouth as if he had something to say, but then stood up.

She was the complete opposite of me. Briseis Pierre. When I first saw her, she was always the centre of the class. From a cute and pretty appearance, to an easy-going personality.

There was no kid that hated her for her pleasant appearance.

It was only natural that she attracted my attention. To be honest, I might have even admired her.

I had never imagined that she liked me. And without knowing that her confession may completely turn my academy life upside down.

'I like you!'

That's why I couldn't resist her.