The air in the classroom crackled with anticipation. The annual school festival was just a week away, and everyone was buzzing with excitement. Jun, however, was feeling anything but thrilled. He was still reeling from the confrontation with Aiko, and he was worried about how she might react to the festival.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTLXyAxOXM
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLEnBN5DAh
Yuki, sensing his unease, squeezed his hand reassuringly. "Don't worry, Jun," she said, her voice soft. "We'll be together the whole time."181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0h826qgyhf
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSirIQXDgmX
Jun nodded, but he couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. He had been feeling a little insecure lately, especially after witnessing Aiko's relentless pursuit. He couldn't help but wonder if Yuki was truly happy with him, or if she was just being nice.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡULV4CTACuw
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNoiRSa3vM
As if reading his mind, Yuki leaned closer and whispered, "I can't wait to spend the festival with you, Jun. It's going to be amazing."181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFnl15MWJ8
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLmjc4oyzn
Jun felt a wave of warmth wash over him. He knew he was being ridiculous, but he couldn't help but feel a little jealous when he saw Hana, his childhood friend, chatting with Yuki during their lunch break. Hana had always been a little too friendly with Yuki for his liking, and he couldn't help but feel a twinge of insecurity.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OD7Yjpy5b
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnyEA5BwmRP
"What are you two talking about?" Jun asked, his voice a little strained.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnGkXnDQKJ
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNhf4emKWE
Hana, oblivious to his unease, grinned. "Oh, we were just discussing the festival," she said. "Yuki has some great ideas for the class booth."181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyeqG0egKGw
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcra0fkLec
Jun forced a smile. "Sounds fun," he said, trying to hide his jealousy.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLbuiJTmCJ
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9QCk0IrLdQ
He couldn't help but feel a little left out. He wanted to be the one talking to Yuki, the one sharing ideas with her. But he was too shy, too afraid to speak up.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8LRAtlaXe
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ35FgQ5LLgA
Later that day, as Jun was walking home from school, he bumped into Aiko. She was standing by the school gate, her eyes fixed on him with an intensity that made him uncomfortable.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHd2pDaNvEs
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTNLuF4Y6M
"Jun," she said, her voice soft and seductive. "I have a surprise for you."181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS9rAO5jmrC
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51Q18pz14C
Jun felt a shiver run down his spine. He knew he shouldn't take anything from her, but he didn't want to be rude.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRynzuxXUs
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62PEm3jY39
"What is it?" he asked, his voice hesitant.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNpUJ5EAKPD
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrmpCD9faD
Aiko smiled, her eyes gleaming. "It's for the festival," she said. "I made you something special."181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5Ra8rPBRI
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZmwp5rbsn
She reached into her bag and pulled out a small, intricately carved wooden box. It was beautiful, but something about it made Jun uneasy.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFCx5CFFCu
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOEA1K3nx2
"Thanks, Aiko," he said, taking the box. "But I don't think I can accept it."181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgLJXW6sdg
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnbKedcpnAP
Aiko's smile faltered. "Why not?" she asked, her voice tinged with hurt.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqfLVIYnKG
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZBoS6wjdN
"I... I don't want to make things awkward," Jun said, trying to find the right words. "I'm happy with Yuki."181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8dcgYEabye
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6BKNgs2GK8
Aiko's eyes narrowed. "You're happy with her?" she asked, her voice laced with bitterness. "But she doesn't love you the way I do."181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYMB5p8amAu
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV02Tm8tzC6
Jun felt a pang of guilt. He knew Aiko was obsessed with him, but he couldn't help but feel a little flattered by her attention.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXp2MXk1x21
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLTN7GKL5m
"I appreciate your feelings, Aiko," he said, trying to be kind. "But I'm happy with Yuki."181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZ95ybcFVD
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBRujMxWoR8
Aiko turned and walked away, her shoulders slumped with defeat. Jun watched her go, his heart heavy with guilt. He didn't want to hurt her feelings, but he knew he had to be honest with himself. He was in love with Yuki, and he couldn't imagine being with anyone else.
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPY7Cdm1ijS
