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.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYVVzk6bfo
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwnrvEyGUN
Yuki, sensing his unease, squeezed his hand reassuringly. "Don't worry, Jun," she said, her voice soft. "We'll be together the whole time."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLTkqtxEbC
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwg68wa1t7K
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.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqW5aAaH2w
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2izelQLpxr
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."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUzndcW4iFV
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ce4JEmhtw
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.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQAOd92FtF8
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49T3KzYVha
"What are you two talking about?" Jun asked, his voice a little strained.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkyImtXEyA6
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFtRciFMpof
Hana, oblivious to his unease, grinned. "Oh, we were just discussing the festival," she said. "Yuki has some great ideas for the class booth."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTT6hWG2dq
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3rPjZJcpt
Jun forced a smile. "Sounds fun," he said, trying to hide his jealousy.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixDv9St1b3
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3R5ufYOWg7
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.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBNovPsbu4G
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2OWI3BVha
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.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9q5IA9wlT
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6N3ZXkIwVH
"Jun," she said, her voice soft and seductive. "I have a surprise for you."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVdezbuK8Bu
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMnj4rbitP
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.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNBlGNmhhC
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BhBasWe1y
"What is it?" he asked, his voice hesitant.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjnJWiCTfuz
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK5hLsRwiPV
Aiko smiled, her eyes gleaming. "It's for the festival," she said. "I made you something special."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkyMaX7w1Y4
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8401y3jJ4J
She reached into her bag and pulled out a small, intricately carved wooden box. It was beautiful, but something about it made Jun uneasy.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHirU9MKshw
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5PQEG96PsE
"Thanks, Aiko," he said, taking the box. "But I don't think I can accept it."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtjESbekGty
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVk8PTfzZAW
Aiko's smile faltered. "Why not?" she asked, her voice tinged with hurt.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡznDUMekT9q
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwrwDaG9JU
"I... I don't want to make things awkward," Jun said, trying to find the right words. "I'm happy with Yuki."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkKwki5its
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCNqvbqChvN
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."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3kXmQUybZ
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSyclYOibN
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.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4pCTTnrTe
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXF3IzRjOHJ
"I appreciate your feelings, Aiko," he said, trying to be kind. "But I'm happy with Yuki."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbS0Wnji4Z
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3nUghpjQg
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.
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtD78Bxkv1A
