Story of a Rhythm Game Couple

Chapter 21. The backstory

"Let's hear it!"

Hearing Asahi say this helped Sana feel a bit more at ease.

"You are going to hate me all after this, but..." She took a deep breath of determination. "Here we go."

Following was a moment of silence. The mood was so intense that Asahi wouldn't even dare to move.

"Before today's tantrum, how did you perceive me?"

"You mean my impression of you?"

Sana broke the hushed silence. She asked him such a sudden, direct question that he honestly couldn't answer right away. Looking straight into his eyes, Sana awaited an unfiltered response.

After a while, Asahi answered Sana.

"I don't know much about you at school because we are from different faculties, but when I spend time with you at FunZone, Megami, or at my house, you are a fun and caring person. When we first met at MaiDan in FunZone, you gave me quite an enjoyable experience. You're quick to help me with burdens around my house, which I am very thankful for. You also introduced a lot of nice stuff I'm missing out on, and I can't imagine my life without it."

Asahi paused for a while. Sana had her eyes locked on the floor.

Sana usually went to Asahi's place for meals, but that didn't mean she would just sit there and do nothing while he did all the work. She would help out with the chores around the house and even drop by the kitchen to see if he needed anything. Only when there was absolutely nothing she could do would she sit by herself and play AiNov on her iPad in the living room.

Even though Asahi could do everything himself, he was grateful for her assistance, as it freed him up to enjoy and pursue other interests.

"Sure, you have things you can't do, like cooking, but thanks to that, you and I are able to spend time together like this, more or less. You are a wonderful girl, and I like you the way you are as a friend. These are all my genuine thoughts about you."

Asahi patted Sana's head. Her head, which had been staring down the entire time, now rose up to look at him. Seeing her teary gaze, he slightly bit his lips.

"So no matter what you are going to tell me, my impression of you won't change. If you have something on your mind, I'm here for you."

With a grave look on his face, Asahi made such a firm declaration. He could tell that Sana gave a subtle smile next to him. Seeing her smile, even if it was a little, was a pleasant surprise.

"Thank you..."

Asahi had been very compassionate to anyone he called a friend. If only a few things Sana said made him hate her, then their friendship wouldn't exist, and he probably wouldn't make a decision to stay by her side in her own room at this late hour.

Letting out a somewhat heavy sigh, Sana started speaking.

"No matter how nice you made me sound, I am not the kind of girl you said I was. In fact, if I had to, I'd consider myself nothing more than an annoying, selfish little bitch that needs attention for her own egotistical sake, haha... Are you surprised to hear these words coming from my mouth, Asahi-kun?"

"..."

Asahi couldn't utter a single word. The self-disparaging remarks and bitter laughs that Sana used to describe herself left him speechless. Despite the shock, he decided to keep listening to her story, trying not to show it on his face.

"If I had to guess, I'd say it's all due to my upbringing. You see, my family was not as close-knit as one might think."

"Was?"