Chapter 27

After finishing lunch, we moved to Rinka's room. As always, it was very tidy. I was relieved that my stomach felt fine.

We spent our time together chatting about trivial things—online games, idol activities, and school life...

How much time had passed? I suddenly noticed that the sky visible through the window had turned orange. The conversation naturally came to a halt, and a quiet moment began to flow between Rinka and me.

"......"

"......"

Rinka was sitting so close that our shoulders almost touched. The sudden closeness made my heart race. It wasn't logical, but I felt it now. Maybe it was the unique atmosphere of the evening, or the special feeling of being alone together...

I took deep breaths to calm myself down, then opened my mouth.

"Rinka, I have something to talk about."

"What's wrong? You sound so serious."

"Rinka has always shown me sincere affection... and I've wanted to respond to that."

"Uh...?"

"But as I said before, I wasn't sure if it was really affection... But recently, I've finally become clear. I feel that—"

"Wait."

"Huh?"

Just as I was about to say it, she stopped me.

"I can feel your serious thoughts, Wato. But... there's something else."

"Something else...?"

"I was going to keep it hidden... but that's not right."

"What are you talking about?"

"I'm sorry. Actually, I have a secret."

"What kind of secret...?"

"...It might be a secret that could make Wato dislike me."

As Rinka spoke, looking down, I felt like my consciousness was drifting away.

The idea of me disliking Rinka... It must be an incredibly serious secret.

"Wato has tried so hard to convey his feelings to me... To respond to that, I will reveal my secret."

"Rinka..."

"It's better if you see it for yourself."

With that, Rinka stood up and walked to the closet. She glanced at me briefly, then slowly opened it. I stood up and went to the closet, standing next to Rinka and looking inside.

"......?"

There was nothing unusual. Just a row of stylish casual clothes—nothing strange at all—wait, what? At the bottom, four felt dolls were sitting solidly. They were about the size of a hug. The felt dolls had a familiar appearance. The face I always see in the mirror...

Yes, it was me.

Four cute felt dolls modeled after me were sitting there proudly.

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