Daichi was kicking back at the time with some music playing on his earphones. He was obviously in a good mood because he would occasionally nod along to the music.
Daichi was reminded of Yua Miyagi, a stunning first-year student he had a crush on a few months prior, during the admissions ceremony by the pleasant weather and relaxing music.
He had intense emotions and an unquenchable love for Yua Miyagi. Thus, in front of numerous other students yesterday, Daichi confessed to the girl.
"I love you, Miyagi-san." Daichi said, "go out with me." His charming smile belied his high level of confidence.
Yua Miyagi had a surprised expression. "Nishiyama-senpai, it's ...."
"What is the matter, Miyagi-san? Don't you like me back?" Daichi asked, blinking. On his handsome face, a confused and hopeful expression appeared.
"Uh, no, that's not it. I just... I was surprised and didn't expect Nishiyama-senpai to confess ..."
Daichi realized Yua was embarrassed when he heard her shrinking voice.
Of course she is embarrassed to get a love confession from a popular handsome senior like me! Daichi thought with a high degree of narcissism.
"No need to answer right away. I will give you time to consider. I'll wait." Daichi gave a gentle smile. He extended his hand and touched the top of Yua's head.
Both of the girls flushed, especially when she realized they were in the school corridor, where many other students were also watching them.
Apart from being embarrassed, Yua also felt very fortunate. Because she overheard some girls expressing jealousy among the low cheers.
"Thank you very much, senpai. I'll definitely give you answer tomorrow." Yua promised with a sweet smile on her flushed face.
"Ok. I'll wait."
The chunibyo Daichi was certain that the lovely Yua Miyagi would accept. Daichi's confidence grew a hundredfold as a result of the cheers of support.
He was still delusional when Akira Takaoka, Daichi's friend, approached him.
"Dai-chan! Dai-chan!"
Akira's evil hands unceremoniously yanked the earphones from Daichi's ears. "It is bad!" he exclaimed, his breath caught in his throat. "It's really bad!"
Daichi who was annoyed frowned. He snatched back the earphone that had been yanked from Akira's grasp.
"Why so serious? Will there be a meteor crash soon?" Daichi spoke in a sarcastic manner. Who would have thought that a charming young man who caught everyone's attention could become a prickly porcupine when irritated?
Having spent years hanging out with Daichi as a friend, Akira was accustomed to his manner of being. Without acknowledging the irony, he continued, "Obviously, this is more serious than things like meteor crashes! Are you able to guess what it is?"
"I don't feel like playing guessing games with you right now. Clearly state everything in a single sentence!" Daichi cast a disapproving glance.
"On the school basketball court, Shuhei Yoshimoto confessed to Yua Miyagi!!!"
There were three exclamation points next to Akira's frantic, high-pitched voice.
The taboo word in Akira's words was immediately audible to Daichi. "Shuhei Yoshimoto?"
"That Shuhei Yoshimoto, indeed!" Akira reiterated. Even more willingly, he added, "from first grade!"
Daichi's body straightened instantly. "You saw correctly, didn't you?"
"Of course! I eat carrots every day, which keeps my eyes in such good condition." Akira proudly pointed to his eyes.
"Does it really matter if you eat carrots or not?"
"So why do you seem to think less of me?"
"I didn't say I didn't believe in you."
Daichi got up from his seat and quickly left without saying anything, making his way towards the basketball court as Akira had mentioned.
"Oi, you want to go alone? Hold on to me!" Akira yelled at Daichi. However, the young man did not hear because he had already darted off.
"Well, alright. Go ahead and run. I will come at my own pace." Akira trailed behind at a leisurely pace.
However, when Akira remembered his best friend's explosive nature, especially when it came to Shuhei Yoshimoto, he became concerned once more.
"Aaah, I am not sure I can leave him alone to deal with this!" Akira took off running again.
•~•
Daichi was almost there. On the way, he thought and believed that someone named Shuhei Yoshimoto would most likely do such a thing. The reason was that, in recent times, the first-year boy appeared to be actively attempting to undermine his popularity. In fact, he felt Shuhei was attempting to obliterate the path he had blazed for the past two years.
That is right. Many students from various classes and batches had already gathered there. Due to the large number of spectators, the basketball court was nearly full.
Daichi could hear the students talking to each other about the events they witnessed from this distance. Daichi's ears twitched, especially when his name was mentioned.
"Didn't Nishiyama-senpai confess to Yua Miyagi yesterday? Unanswered, and now Shuhei Yoshimoto confessed to Yua Miyagi. Who do you think she will choose?"
"I'm not sure. Nishiyama-senpai is handsome, but if you look closely, he's quite pretty. If I were Yua, I would accept Shuhei Yoshimoto without hesitation."
"Eh, is that so? I had the same thought!"
"Actually, that's also true. Nishiyama-senpai's appearance is pretty and sweet. Like a bishounen, right?"
"Not just 'like', but he really is a bishounen! A pretty boy!"
"Then, our favorite has now shifted to Shuhei Yoshimoto. Right?"
"Of course!" says one. "If a poll were taken to determine who the most popular student at Sakuraoka High School this year is, I would vote for Shuhei Yoshimoto!"
"Wow, you have a lot of confidence."
"Hey, but I think it is a waste for a good-looking guy to have a girlfriend! I really hope Yua Miyagi accepts Nishiyama-senpai instead, so Shuhei Yoshimoto can stay single!"
"For whatever reason, I agree with you on this one!"
Daichi's heart was broken by the discussion of some junior students.
"They don't seem to appreciate my good looks. It disgusts me that I am even being compared to that guy!" Daichi grumbled quietly to himself. He pushed his way in, irritably.
With a few large steps and, of course, a few pushes, the young man soon arrived at the center of the circle.
Daichi's vision was filled with two people standing facing each other.
Shuhei Yoshimoto was there, with his cold expression, facing Yua Miyagi, who had a flushed face and teary eyes. The girl appeared to be moved.
Yua ran over to Daichi and hugged him without hesitation when she saw him.
"Nishiyama-senpai!"
"Uh ...."
Daichi was surprised when Yua rushed into his arms. Daichi froze for a moment.
When Daichi wanted to hug her back, the girl moved back and took refuge behind Daichi's body, much like a scared child does behind a parent's body.
"Why are you crying and hiding?" Daichi asked, helplessly.
"I feel bad for you, senpai. I was about to find you for the answer to your question from yesterday when Yoshimoto-san stopped me. He said he loved me and would not let me see you." Even though her face was pressed against Daichi's back, Yua Miyagi complained calmly.
Yua Miyagi's voice was clearly audible to everyone. Everyone, except the girl herself, was taken aback, including Daichi.
The young man turned to face Shuhei Yoshimoto, who was still standing straight and unmoved.
Daichi was stunned for a moment. For the first time, he noticed Shuhei's normally coloveved expression had changed, and he appeared nervous and upset. Daichi, on the other hand, was taken aback.