Chapter 8: Confession
"Hey, hey, hey... Can you two stop showing off your affection in public? Think about us single people!"
After spending half the day together, Kiyo Ishimaki and Azusa Satomi were able to interact with Eriri naturally.
Watching the ambiguous interactions between Eriri and Megumi Kato during this time, Kiyo Ishimaki gradually gave up the unrealistic fantasy she had about Eriri and decided to get along with Eriri and the others as just ordinary friends.
"No... Ishimaki, you misunderstood..."
Hearing Kiyo Ishimaki's voice, Megumi Kato snapped back to reality, immediately blushing as she struggled, trying to break free from Eriri's embrace.
Since she usually exercises regularly, Megumi Kato is confident that her strength is not inferior to that of other girls her age, especially compared to a seemingly "delicate and fragile" young lady like Eriri. Unfortunately, reality dealt her a harsh blow.
Megumi Kato never expected Eriri's small body to contain such immense strength; despite her best efforts, she couldn't break free from Eriri's embrace.
Realizing the disparity in strength between them, Megumi Kato stopped her futile struggle and spoke softly to Eriri, "Um... Eriri, you see... could you let go of me for a bit? They're all watching."
"Is that it?"
Kiyo Ishimaki looked at Megumi's slight struggle and felt like she was being overwhelmed with affection, as it seemed like Megumi was just being coy with Eriri.
"Alright, alright, you two can continue being lovey-dovey here. I've had my fill of cake and don't want to consume any more of your affection. My mouth is a bit dry after all the cake, so Azusa and I will get something to drink. What do you two want?"
"Two milk teas."
In response to Kiyo Ishimaki's question, Eriri immediately answered without hesitation, not even consulting Megumi Kato, who didn't express any objection. After all, from Eriri's memories of her previous life, she knew Megumi Kato quite liked milk tea.
"Okay, we'll go ahead and get the drinks. You two wait here for a bit... and continue."
With a slightly awkward expression, Kiyo Ishimaki quickly dragged Azusa Satomi towards the nearest milk tea shop.
After Kiyo Ishimaki and Azusa Satomi left, Eriri couldn't help but feel excited when she saw Megumi Kato's rare, tender expression and teasingly said, "Hehe... They've left, so no one's watching us now, right? Or... does Megumi-chan dislike being held by me?"
"No, it's nothing like that. I really like the feeling of being hugged by you, Eriri. It's just..."
At this point, Megumi Kato fell silent.
"Hey, Eriri, why do you like me? I'm just an ordinary person—average-looking, with an average figure, and very little presence."
"Would you believe me if I said I liked you in my previous life?" Sensing the concerns, worries, and a hint of insecurity in Megumi's heart, Eriri put away her smile and spoke with a serious expression.
"Besides, who says you're just average? Look at your cute little face and curvy figure—you're simply stunning."
"As for the lack of presence, haven't I told you many times? Even if others don't notice you, I will always watch over you, forever. Don't forget that this time."
With that, Eriri couldn't help but tighten her embrace, pressing her chest against Megumi's back, leaving no space between them.
"So, Megumi-chan, when did you start liking me? After all, we've only known each other for a day, right? Was it when you first saw me at the school gate?" Eriri whispered softly, resting her head on Megumi's left shoulder and pressing her cheek against Megumi's.
"Eriri, you're amazing. It's like you can read my mind. You always seem to know what I'm thinking, even though I keep a straight face."
Feeling the softness against her back, Megumi Kato instinctively nuzzled Eriri's cheek and said softly, "Eriri, when I first saw you at the school gate this morning, it was like seeing a light—a brilliant, dazzling light—that illuminated my stagnant world, making my long-dormant heart race."
"At that time, I didn't know what kind of feeling it was. But I felt an urge to understand you growing inside me. I was aware of the gap between us, like the difference between clouds and mud, so I decided to rely on the fact that no one noticed me and secretly took a photo of you with my phone."
"Did you know? When you invited me, even though I maintained my usual expression, I was incredibly excited inside. Only then did I realize that the feeling I had was called 'liking.'"
"Eriri, I like you. I fell in love with you at first sight."
After Megumi Kato's confession, Eriri fell silent. Honestly, even though she liked Megumi, part of it was driven by attraction. However, her affection for Megumi was genuine. But sadly, this affection wasn't exclusive for Eriri.
But since she had flirted with Megumi and Megumi had confessed, Eriri felt it was only right to give her an answer.
So, with utmost sincerity, Eriri said to Megumi, "I'm so glad you like me this much. I promise I'll make you happy, and we'll always be together. So, Megumi-chan, will you be with me?"
"Yes, I will! Thank you, Eriri."
Seeing Megumi's eyes filled with tears and her radiant smile, Eriri gently caressed her cheek and leaned forward to kiss Megumi's soft, moist lips deeply.
...
"Hey, Megumi-chan, do you know about superpowers?"
After their first kiss, Eriri made a quiet decision in her heart and, with a mysterious smile, whispered in Megumi's ear.
"Huh... do you mean those special supernatural powers?"
Megumi's eyes showed a hint of confusion, unsure why Eriri suddenly brought up superpowers. The topic shift was quite drastic.
"That's right, just like you think. Didn't I tell you before that I'm not an ordinary person? Actually, I'm something of a superpowered individual—though I might be a little stronger than you'd expect."
As she spoke, Eriri raised her right hand and used her thumb and forefinger to indicate a small gap.
"Uh... Eriri... are you having a 'chuunibyou' phase?"
After a moment of silence, Megumi slowly uttered words that made Eriri's eye twitch.