After school came.

I couldn't concentrate in class after Shirana said she wanted to be alone with me. How could I? I couldn't even remember if my teacher had hair or not.
Ninety percent of high school boys must think of the word 'confession' when they are asked if they want to talk alone with me. As for the remaining 10%, go ahead and take your energy pills. Online shopping.

While cleaning the classroom, I was terrified of the impending doom that awaited me. It's okay that Makoto doesn't know what I'm going through, but please don't play Harry Potter with a broom between your legs. We are high school students now, and you have no shame.
Suddenly, a question arose in my mind.

Why am I afraid of a confession from Hakuna?

Of course, it's not a given that she will confess to me, and it's completely my prediction. But I am planning to go to the Rose Garden on the assumption that she will confess to me. That's what I'm afraid of.
Shirana is pretty. She must be popular because she has a very protective personality. I was once asked for advice when she confessed her love for me. In the end, she turned me down, but since she confessed her feelings to me, she must be known as a likable girl. My perception is not wrong.
It's not that I don't like Shirana, but why do I have this strong desire to avoid her? She should be happy. But my mind is clouded by fear.

So I hope I am wrong.
I hope it's an irresponsible assumption.

The phone rings.
I go out into the hallway to check my phone screen because I'm cleaning the classroom. It is Alina.

Yes, Algerian Embassy.
'Is Milwam around?'
'Yes?'
He also has an alias, Comet Sakakiki, but his real name is Milwam. I wonder if you know anything about that.
'Millworms and the like.
'Get on with it and get eaten by swallows.
You can't call me like that after I called you. Did you sign up for a phone to curse at me?'
"You're being so picky. You're going to the rose garden. I cleaned it up. Use it.
'Really? You're surprisingly witty.

While I was on the phone, I casually looked at the students passing by in the hallway and saw a student I knew well holding a phone to his ear.

'You, if you're around, come over here and talk to me. ......'
I have to go.

Alina slinks up to me and faces me.

'I'm not going today, so have fun,' she says.
'Don't do that, it sounds weird.
'Get the hell out of here, Millworm. I'll do the cleaning for you.
'What, are you serious? That Alina would sacrifice herself for others?
'Come on, get out of here. How long will you continue to pollute this class? The zombie virus infected people must be exterminated.
'I'm a poison-spitting creature. You're better at spitting poison than I am.
'Yes, yes, yes, come on, I'll kill you.'
'I'm coming, I'm coming, don't make clenched fists.

Taking my broom from me, Alina walked into my class. As I expected, my classmates were shocked. Alina seemed to enjoy the reaction and started to sweep seriously, saying, 'Where should I sweep? I wish I had that energy all the time. It's much brighter than concentrating only on books.
Not wanting to ignore her behavior, I reluctantly went to the rose garden.

The floor with the rose garden is quiet.
The reason for the quietness is rooted in the declining birthrate. The number of students is decreasing year by year, so unnecessary space is increasing at the same time. Still, with over 700 students in the school, it is a school that will continue to exist. Even so, unnecessary floors are created like ruins. The word "disfigured" is the right word.
It is normal to stay away from them. Sometimes they come up to this floor because the restrooms are crowded. There are no other students. So it's safe to say that Alina and I are the only ones on this floor.
I arrive at the rose garden and gasp.
I wonder if Shirana's there. But I can't pull myself away.
I put my hand on the sliding door and open it.
What jumps into my sight is not her, but the rose garden with more flowers.

I thought you took her out!

Preserved flowers are everywhere. There have always been many of them, but today they are in full bloom.
I was so distracted by the flowers that I failed to notice the paper on my desk.
On the A4 sheet of paper was handwritten the following.


An anniversary should be festive.

It is written in flat letters.
It's Alina. She's having a lot of fun. She's probably cleaning up right now with a smile on her face.
I shove the letter in my pocket and sit down in my chair. I'll just leave it at that. There is nowhere to hide the flowers, and the air would be chaotic if I came in here now while they are taking down the place. I take it all in.

A few minutes of waiting.

A small knock on the door quickens my calm heartbeat again.

'Come in.

I peeked fearfully through the sliding door. It's Shirana.

'Wow. Wow. Flowers everywhere.


'I don't know either. It was like this.'
'It's beautiful. Is this for decoration?
'What, these aren't live flowers?

I'm sorry, Ms. Shirana. I know everything. I know that this flower is dead and why it's here.
I'm not good at lying. It's painful.

Are you okay with club activities?
'Yeah. Just for a little while.'

Just a little bit. Just a little bit and then it's over.

I see. So, what's the story?

I'm too nervous to talk. My hands are starting to get wet.
I feel as if reality is beginning to fade away, and I realize with embarrassment how much I'm rising.
Shirana is silent, as if reluctant to say anything. It must have been only a few seconds of silence. But it felt long to me.
She looked me in the eye. I almost look away. But I can't.
I saw Shirana more delicately than usual. The tips of her hair, the iris, it's not the Shirana I know. Even though I know it's all in my head, I'm aware of it.
Slowly her mouth opens and I see her white teeth.

The junior member of the tennis club wants to confess her feelings to you.

I fell off my chair in a heap.

I don't know anything about that.