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.281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGD0krHGhLl
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpensVfln9
Yuki, sensing his unease, squeezed his hand reassuringly. "Don't worry, Jun," she said, her voice soft. "We'll be together the whole time."281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrIkDMblmB
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTrtB8zcJvP
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.281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUy9MqMjieC
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9lHh62Fhu
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."281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRc5Og3hc9
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQ46jCZffS
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.281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYiiiD5Ku4c
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8OV4LtH0P
"What are you two talking about?" Jun asked, his voice a little strained.281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4DJL4vVUk
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLakC2dmgD
Hana, oblivious to his unease, grinned. "Oh, we were just discussing the festival," she said. "Yuki has some great ideas for the class booth."281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpRbQGgJ80
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQa5bt3ob6n
Jun forced a smile. "Sounds fun," he said, trying to hide his jealousy.281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ93n8fT4EZS
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPwdsu9rYfx
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.281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡysVfu37Kw8
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡstLvBjcGOv
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.281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6udiJHv77
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRiFq5ztPyL
"Jun," she said, her voice soft and seductive. "I have a surprise for you."281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPYU8eM7fKP
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3g3wS0lvh
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.281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRa0aJ4gwM
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4PTL60oSmM
"What is it?" he asked, his voice hesitant.281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFkvvJVS7RQ
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVSqtbhSDT
Aiko smiled, her eyes gleaming. "It's for the festival," she said. "I made you something special."281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4MIFequfa
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDzWpWlksyy
She reached into her bag and pulled out a small, intricately carved wooden box. It was beautiful, but something about it made Jun uneasy.281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6yamJLgo2
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBWaFlRFFf
"Thanks, Aiko," he said, taking the box. "But I don't think I can accept it."281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6pKKrNeXg
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrgSEtuDun
Aiko's smile faltered. "Why not?" she asked, her voice tinged with hurt.281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2IQSDbbZb
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrkgD6jhWS
"I... I don't want to make things awkward," Jun said, trying to find the right words. "I'm happy with Yuki."281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVYjXtHqEo
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyk9uFrGnZN
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."281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQ65Xw6hL1
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuRXWiLIfiO
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.281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2rzMdPBnDt
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYR9uXmni0
"I appreciate your feelings, Aiko," he said, trying to be kind. "But I'm happy with Yuki."281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZR9eqn9Rie
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCL21bg9QU
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.
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBsX3NIOmIV
