※Warning

This story takes place about seven months after the main story. Please keep that in mind.

◇◇◇

——Mid March.

It was a few days after the graduation ceremony of the seniors.

"...... Kotone-chan, this is a terrible situation."

I hold Kotone-chan's hand and stare at her face with a serious gaze.

For some reason, Kotone-chan sighed and shrugged her shoulders in exasperation.

"Um ......, I didn't expect that reaction, but..."

"Because it's Rin, I vote for a grand misunderstanding and self-destruction."

"What do you mean, 'because it's me' !?"

"...Don't get angry, don't get angry. So what's the "terrible situation" ?"

"It's..."

I tell Kotone-chan about Towa-kun's recent behavior.

"He asked me to stop coming to his part-time job a few times."

"Recently, Kato-san and he have been doing something sneaky."

"That I feel more and more the shadow of a women."

For some reason, Kotone-chan's expression as she listened to my story gradually changed from serious to gentle.

And then one word.

"...... We all have our malaise periods. So don't worry about it."

She said to me in a somewhat joking manner.

Huh......

It was very important to me, but .......

It seems that she didn't get the message.

And I don't think it's funny to joke about malaise.......

"...... Good Rin? A woman who can do it all will stand tall and wait. This is what a lady should do."

"I don't feel convincing when Kotone says it. ...... I'm always pleased or disappointed with Kato-san."

" ...... Well, that's just one of those extortion tactics."

" Was it a diversion?"

" ...... Of course. Men are helpless in the face of a gap moe."

"I think that's true......."

I am well aware of the importance of gap moe.

But from the way Kotone-chan is acting, I have a feeling that she is hiding something.

I also feel that there is a discrepancy between what she is saying and what she really is thinking.

Hmm, I'm getting even more concerned now.

I sighed and looked out the window to notice Kotone-chan poking me on the cheek and giggling.

" ..... Anyway, Rin has nothing to worry about. If you're really worried about it, why don't you ask him about it tonight?"

"I'd love to, but wouldn't he think I'm 'pushy' or a 'jerk'?"

Kotone mumbles in disgust, "...... Rin is so silly at a crucial moment." and pinches my cheek.

Ugh ...... it hurts.

But Kotone-chan's eyes were kind of gentle as she pinched me.

"...... Tokiwagi-kun is someone who doesn't think like that, right? He should be trusted."

" That's right......."

"... The only thing Rin needs to think about right now is to remember to keep her head up and give him a wanting look."

She then slapped me on the back to get me fired up.

◇◇◇

--That night.

I sat on the floor beside Towa-kun and put my hand on his hand and stared straight into his eyes.

All of a sudden, he looked surprised and tilted his head.

However, there is something like a smile on his face.

...... What does this mean?

I have no idea.

Unable to shake the questions that popped into my head, I decided to ask him what I wanted to ask him.

"Towa-kun ......, are you hiding something from me?"

"Hmm? Well, yes, there is something."

He didn't seem particularly upset and said it in an imposing manner .......

Mmmm ......, I can't read him.

Towa-kun muttered, "Just in time." as if he had thought of something, and gave me a good-natured grin as he sat down next to me.

"I was thinking maybe a little later....... So Rin, do you know what day it is today?"

I put my finger to my mouth and try to read his intentions.

It's ...Towa-kun…

"I was thinking something about the graduation of the seniors."

"Anxious for the next school year."

No........　 This thought will definitely not exist.

Then again...

"What about the 'shortened schedule' that started today?"

This should be the correct answer.

He can get more part-time jobs and have more free time.

I'm very happy about that.

I also have an appointment for a date next time. ...... Hehe.

I put my hands on my cheeks and let my imagination run wild.

There is no end to the places I want to go and things I want to do.

When spring comes, I want to see the cherry blossoms. ...... And then, and then....

"Hey, Rin. What you're thinking is probably not right, so please come back."

"No, I'm not."

"No, that's not true. Rin is really insensitive when it comes to herself, isn't she?"

I puffed up my cheeks and complained to him.

And then he said, "Pet!" He put his hand on my head and gently stroked it once, though I didn't ask him to.

I leaned over and grabbed his hand, which had stopped stroking, and guided it to my head again.

Then I looked into his eyes and moved my head slightly.

"You have to take responsibility for your own actions."

"Responsibility? Didn't Rin ask me to pet her?"

"I didn't say a word. I was just looking at you, Towa-kun."

"The eyes are as good as the mouth. ...... Well, I guess there's no point in telling you this. If you don't like it, I'll stop."

"You don't have to ask if it's just in case."

"Yes, I guess so."

"By the way, Towa-kun started this, so please don't stop until I say 'no more', okay?"

"Yes, yes. I understand."

Towa-kun gave me the kindest smile I've ever seen.

His gentle smile pierced my heart, and I buried my face in his chest, happy, but helplessly embarrassed.

"Anyway, the answer to your question is 'this'."

Towa-kun said with a sly smile and placed a pretty wrapped package on my lap.

For a moment, I was puzzled, not knowing what he was talking about, and then I looked at it as if observing it.

It smells faintly sweet. ...... Oh.

"It was White Day today. ...... I forgot."

"Well, that's the thing."

I carefully unwrapped the package.

Inside were sweets in the shape of stars and hearts.

Towa-kun coughed lightly and then opened his mouth.

"When you're tired, you need something sweet, so I prepared some white chocolate cookies, if you want."

He said it with a dismissive gesture, but he seemed to be somewhat happy about it, his cheeks blushing as he waited for the feedback.

"It's very delicious........"

"Well, that's good."

"Is there anything else you want?"

"Yes ....... Well, since we're here, can I ask you for one thing?"

"Whoa! You're being awfully bossy today. Well, it's White Day, so of course it's okay."

"Fufu. Thank you."

"I'll do my best to accommodate some of your requests."

"So, ...... today, ...... later today. Can I have some time with you?"

I just want to be pampered.

That's how I feel right now anyway....

It's just that I couldn't say it straightforwardly and it sounded a little awkward.......

Towa-kun looked at me like that and shook his head.

Then he smiled gently at me.

"I'm going to go ask my mother and father for permission to stay overnight!"

"Ah, ....... No, don't worry about that."

While scratching his cheek, Towa-kun smiled bitterly and for some reason turned his face away from me, refusing to make eye contact.

Feeling uncomfortable with his appearance, I looked behind him and saw a ...... familiar bag on the floor.

Is that the kicked out set ......?

--I see, so that's what it was.

I let out a small gasp and put my hands around his back from the front and squeezed him tightly.

"I think I've been taken for a joyride."

"It's like once in a thousand times."

Well, all I can offer you is a few small sweets and this......"

"Sufficient. It's more than enough for me."

The homemade sweets and the anticipation of my thoughts.

It's more than enough to make me feel like we're connected.

"White Day is nice, isn't it? It's white and sweet, and represents unadulterated purity."

"Kind of like it was created to promote sales, though, right?"

"Hmmm. Still, I like the name."

" ...... You're right, I don't mind it either."

"White love" is associated with White Day.

The pure and white state.

It is as white and sweet as sugar.

In other words, "sweet love".

--a sweet and gentle form of love.

I hugged him again, as though to confirm it.