Heart of the Stars

Chapter 10: Confession

Stelle's POV:

Despite the success of the game night, I knew I couldn't stop there. I had to keep putting in the effort to reconnect with March 7th. However, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was still missing, and I needed to figure out what it was.

The next day, I decided to join March 7th and Dan Heng during their training session. "Hey, do you mind if I join you guys?" I asked, trying to sound upbeat.

March looked at me, a bit surprised. "Sure, Stelle. The more, the merrier."

As we trained, I noticed how effortlessly March and Dan Heng communicated. They had a natural rhythm that I felt out of sync with. It was clear that they shared a strong bond, and I couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy.

After an intense session, we took a break. I sat down next to March, hoping to catch her attention. "You're doing great out there," I said, handing her a bottle of water.

She smiled and took it. "Thanks, Stelle. You too."

I took a deep breath, deciding to seize the moment. "I was thinking, maybe we could hang out later? Just the two of us?"

March hesitated, then looked at Dan Heng. "Actually, I already made plans with Dan Heng. We're going to check out that new café in town."

I tried to hide my disappointment. "Oh, that sounds fun. Maybe another time then?"

March nodded, but her focus quickly shifted back to Dan Heng. It was a familiar feeling, being on the sidelines.

Stelle's Thoughts:

As I watched them leave together, I felt a mixture of sadness and frustration. It was clear that my efforts hadn't been enough. I realized that simply trying to reconnect wasn't enough; I needed to be honest about my feelings. I had been avoiding the truth for too long, and it was time to face it head-on.

Later that evening, I found myself in the courtyard, lost in thought. Himeko approached me, her expression kind and understanding. "Hey, Stelle. Everything okay?"

I sighed, feeling the weight of my emotions. "I don't know, Himeko. I've been trying so hard to reconnect with March, but it feels like I'm not getting anywhere."

Himeko placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "Sometimes, we have to take a step back and look at the bigger picture. Maybe it's time to be honest with her about how you feel."

Her words broke my heart into a thousand pieces. She was right. I had been holding back for too long, and it was time to take a leap of faith.

That night, I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. I knew what I had to do. Tomorrow, I would talk to March and tell her everything. It was terrifying, but I couldn't keep living in this limbo.

The next morning, I found March 7th in the common area, chatting with Kafka. I took a deep breath and approached her. "Hey, March. Can we talk for a minute?"

March looked up, a bit surprised. "Sure, Stelle. What's up?"

I glanced at Kafka, who gave me an encouraging nod before stepping away to give us some privacy. I turned back to March, my heart pounding in my chest.

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves. "March, there's something I've been meaning to tell you. I've had feelings for you for a long time. When you mentioned Caelus, I didn't know how to handle it, so I pushed you away. But that was a mistake, and I don't want to lose you."

March's eyes widened in surprise, and I could see a mix of emotions on her face. Before she could respond, I continued, "I understand if you don't feel the same way, but I needed you to know. I care about you, March. More than just a friend."

March opened her mouth to speak, but I held up a hand. "You don't have to say anything right now. Just... think about it, okay?"

She nodded slowly, and I could see the confusion and uncertainty in her eyes. "Okay, Stelle. I will."

Stelle's thoughts:

As I walked away, I felt a sense of relief mixed with fear. I had finally told March the truth, and now all I could do was wait and see what would happen. It was a turning point, and I knew that whatever came next would change everything.