My Weirdly Cute Seatmate-chan is Cold Towards Me!

[] Chapter 1:- Ayanokōji-kun, I'm Not a Flower! []

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"Sorry, but I can't reciprocate your feelings, Satō."

Those words left my lips as I stared at the girl before me, who was nervously fidgeting with her fingers.

Maya Satō.

She was more than half a foot shorter than me, which was pretty average for girls her age.

We stood on the rooftop of our high school, Kudo Ikusei-a secluded spot often used for private matters like these: confessions.

Her brown hair fluttered slightly in the breeze as she jolted her head up toward me, startled by my reply. Her blue eyes locked onto mine, holding a desperate, almost pleading look.

"...But I... I at least want to know why... Ayanokōji-kun?"

She asked, her tone trembling yet eager to hear the reason for my rejection.

Honestly, there wasn't any particular reason. Satō was, by all accounts, a beautiful girl. Over the past month we'd spent as friends, I'd come to see her as someone with plenty of good qualities.

But...

"Because I don't like you. That's why I can't go out with you. But if you still want to remain friends, I don't mind that either,"

I replied, my tone as flat as ever, one that might easily be mistaken for disinterest.

It was the truth. I had never seen her as a romantic interest.

I can't be with someone I don't love-it's better for both of us this way. Simple as that.

Still, realizing my response might sound too blunt, I added the part about staying friends. Looking back on it now...

'Maybe I shouldn't have mentioned that part.'

I mused silently, watching her eyes fill with tears. She shot me a subtle glare, one that only deepened my realization.

Alright, maybe I was being a bit of a jerk. No girl would want to stay friends with the guy who rejected her. That was a poor choice of words on my part, attempting to soften the blow.

"I'm sorry," I added, offering another apology.

'She shouldn't have fallen for me in the first place.'

The thought crossed my mind as I watched her break into sobs, eventually dropping to her knees. The sight was... pathetic.

Swoosh...

An awkward silence settled between us. The only sound was her muffled sobs. After a moment, she pushed herself back to her feet, her body trembling slightly. Her bangs and loose strands of hair fell across her face, casting shadows over her eyes.

She refused to look at me.

I reached out, intending to steady her, but-

Whap!

She slapped my hand away without a word before staggering toward the rooftop door.

At least Satō had the decency to confess after getting to know me, unlike some of the others who had outright declared their feelings over the past few days.

Honestly, what do they even see in a plain guy like me? I'll never understand.

Click.

Her hand reached the doorknob, and she opened it, only to come face-to-face with someone standing at the exit.