{Satou-san’s Confession}

After crying for a long while, Satou-san began to speak, her voice coming in slow, scattered bursts.

“I actually knew.”

Her voice was hoarse and wet.

Still in my embrace, she continued with her head bowed.

“I thought they wouldn’t come this time either. I thought they wouldn’t meet me. I wanted to believe, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t help but think otherwise.”

I listened while supporting her shoulders.

“It was the same last time. I waited here like this, continuously waiting, but they never came. Or maybe they did come. Maybe they saw me and were disappointed. Maybe they went back after seeing me, thinking it wasn’t worth it.”

I felt eyes on us from somewhere in the lobby, but I didn’t check or look around.

“When they apologized much later for the last promise, I thought it was a bit odd, but I also thought it was strange they didn’t contact me even though they had my phone number and email. They acted like nothing had happened, so I tried not to care. But… I was still anxious about many things.”

Satou-san looked up.

Her face was in terrible shape from crying. Her eyes were red and swollen, her cheeks streaked with tears. Her nose was bright red. Satou-san wasn’t particularly beautiful.

But I couldn’t take my eyes off her.

I watched her face, now smeared with tears, up close.

“You’re right, Yamaguchi-kun. I was very anxious and, even though I wanted to believe, I couldn’t. But I felt like I couldn’t let go. It seemed like there was no one else for me.”

Satou-san rubbed her eyes and forced a clumsy smile.

“Do you remember… when I asked you to help me with my book report?”

“Yes.”

I nodded.

“At that time, you said, ‘I’m not sympathizing, I’m empathizing.’ I thought, maybe that person might start to feel the same way about me. Maybe they might have feelings other than sympathy.”

“What do you mean?”

I asked, and she responded slowly.

“At first, I received an email from them by chance, and we became friends. But I had just gotten a cell phone then, and my typing was much slower than it is now. But even though I was slow, they kept talking to me.”

She began reminiscing.

“They were very kind to me, despite all my mistakes. Too kind, almost sweet. I thought it was all out of sympathy, but when I heard your words, I wondered if it might be different. Maybe they had feelings other than sympathy.”

I remained silent, closing my mouth.

Maybe I had said too much at that time.

“I knew that if I fell for someone, I’d be a burden. I thought if I liked someone from my class or school, they would be put off.”

Satou-san, clueless as she was, spoke such things in front of me.

She was plain, slow, and not very perceptive. Not a beauty. But she was bright and warm, and to me, she was incredibly cute. There was no way anyone would dislike her. Rather, they’d probably welcome her. — I was holding back the urge to tell her that.

Satou-san continued, oblivious.

“So, I thought it would be better to like someone far away, someone whose face I couldn’t see. That person was perfect. Kind, distant, and I didn’t have to see their face. But once I liked them, I was still anxious. I didn’t know much about them at all. But once I thought there was no one else for me, I couldn’t let go. I ended up liking them while carrying that anxiety, and in the end…”

Her wet eyelashes fluttered.

“In the end, I must have just pushed my feelings onto them. They might have just tried to accommodate me because they were kind. That’s all.”

Satou-san said this with a small smile.

It was a little more natural than before.

“Crying made me feel a bit relieved. I’m sorry for showing you such an ugly side of me.”

“It’s nothing like that.”

I shook my head.

For Satou-san, I was okay with anything. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have come all the way here.

“Thank you.”

Satou-san said with a genuinely relieved look.

“No, I’m the one who should apologize. Sorry for barging in like this.”

In truth, I was on the verge of being a stalker. It was a good thing I was needed; otherwise, I would have been nothing but a nuisance. But that was a pointless worry now.

“No, I’m really glad you came. It’s thanks to you that I managed to calm down.”

Satou-san said, then tilted her head slightly.

“Hey, can I go check myself in the mirror? I must look terrible.”

“Well…”

It was indeed a ‘face’ after crying. I couldn’t say it didn’t look terrible.

“Go ahead. I’ll be waiting.”

I said, sending Satou-san off with a shy smile.

Satou-san walked to the restroom with her back straight.

She was swallowed by the crowd in the busy lobby, but I thought there was no need to worry. She would come back. I was sure she would.

Left alone, I checked the time.

It was already past 7 PM. It was completely dark outside, and I might be late getting home after transferring trains. I was relieved that I didn’t have to keep Satou-san waiting any longer. I felt a sense of relief.

I finally calmed down and looked around.

The airport lobby was noisy, rushed with time, and it seemed like no one paid any attention to us in the corner.

And that was fine with me. Even if someone laughed at or ridiculed me, I loved Satou-san and wanted to protect her. Even if no one cared about her, I was watching over Satou-san. I wanted to continue doing so, if possible, forever.

The only thing left was whether I could convey these feelings to Satou-san herself — and that was the most difficult part. Especially after everything that happened.

But with no rush in my heart, maybe it was okay to wait for the right moment.

Eventually, Satou-san returned.

“Sorry to keep you waiting.”

Her face was slightly less red. It was still evident she had been crying, but she looked somewhat calmer as she stood in front of me and smiled shyly.

“It wasn’t a long wait.”

“Really? Thank you, Yamaguchi-kun.”

Then Satou-san spoke in a voice that had regained its brightness.

“Yamaguchi-kun, I have a favor to ask.”

“What is it?”

I asked immediately.

I was willing to do anything for Satou-san.

“If you’re free, would you mind walking partway home with me?”

She had decided to go home herself.

“Sure.”

I nodded.

There were no objections. If Satou-san had found closure, there was no reason to stay here. I had no reason to remain.

“Let’s go home.”

Satou-san smiled brightly.

Seeing her ponytail swaying, I couldn’t help but return her smile.

I thought it was a happy thing to end a day full of emotional turmoil with a smile.