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.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizRjaKopVf
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTKw3rozmO
Yuki, sensing his unease, squeezed his hand reassuringly. "Don't worry, Jun," she said, her voice soft. "We'll be together the whole time."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgN6A4ftnDE
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEEdC15QvIm
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.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHUNnxnja2f
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVuE1KuD33
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."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ393yL7dBPP
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTBN1mxiCV
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.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUQl0Oyujj
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWKTsw5tKw
"What are you two talking about?" Jun asked, his voice a little strained.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadK3lqWH29
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEfsTT59ae
Hana, oblivious to his unease, grinned. "Oh, we were just discussing the festival," she said. "Yuki has some great ideas for the class booth."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJg9g13Caug
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKfrpDI1mHz
Jun forced a smile. "Sounds fun," he said, trying to hide his jealousy.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJU2q3Y7k3M
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHXLkLXvXj
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.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslmLbo1B8g
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgyeHILLcbU
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.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70t8IXX1Jf
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1vlww75FHS
"Jun," she said, her voice soft and seductive. "I have a surprise for you."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUy7qfKZQR
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Awh8yEEsr
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.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfU8od6COne
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6isIS0g6g
"What is it?" he asked, his voice hesitant.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDMNGlkO5J
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKO9adKnz7p
Aiko smiled, her eyes gleaming. "It's for the festival," she said. "I made you something special."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9XQP2fIwq2
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFapjoTpSD
She reached into her bag and pulled out a small, intricately carved wooden box. It was beautiful, but something about it made Jun uneasy.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvBF7nz3tm
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLd5n4NCAPq
"Thanks, Aiko," he said, taking the box. "But I don't think I can accept it."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8VxfujCG36
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWlLu7iZm9
Aiko's smile faltered. "Why not?" she asked, her voice tinged with hurt.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmoal2FEffz
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWyp2atY8S1
"I... I don't want to make things awkward," Jun said, trying to find the right words. "I'm happy with Yuki."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGTxfEpYAb1
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrun6jDcRHh
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."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNe1WeAvV7
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Tp5YGG3Ru
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.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1GbGXRGjx
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr7qJZZwOLl
"I appreciate your feelings, Aiko," he said, trying to be kind. "But I'm happy with Yuki."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPk3JHTOYq
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWkkGZmPxr
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.
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfEnPrfjRN
