By the end, Koma Chihana's voice had once again grown faint, letting out a helpless whimper.
Uwaa, what did she even say!!!
Why would she say such things in front of Imaizumi, wasn't she just exposing herself to him?!!
Compared to Koma Chihana's sudden realization of shame, Imaizumi Keita's attitude hadn't changed much.
Imaizumi Keita quietly listened to her 'loser declaration,' and that strange sense of accomplishment rose within him again.
He liked to expose the losers' false strength and help them face the truth of reality.seven
However, looking at Koma's tear-streaked yet stubborn face, that mischievous thought dissipated.彡
Koma was simply using her own way to protect that small happiness that was incredibly precious to her.
She was also... a kind fool that made one feel a little heartache.
Imaizumi Keita sighed inwardly, reached into his pocket, took out a tissue, and handed it to her.汃
"Wipe your tears first."
His voice was much gentler than before. "Your makeup is all smudged."
"Eh?"
Koma Chihana was stunned for a moment, instinctively reaching up to touch her face.
Of course, there was nothing on her face.
Only then did she realize that Imaizumi Keita was comforting her in his own way.
Her cheeks flushed instantly, and she shyly took the tissue, softly muttering a thank you.
"S-sorry... for making you laugh at me."
"It's nothing, Koma, that's what's cute about you."
"Eh, eh?! Im-Imaizumi, even if you say that, I-I won't like you."
...
Back at the inn, Imaizumi Keita quickly found the fully prepared first-aid kit in his luggage.
He opened the box and handed a tube of burn ointment and a roll of clean bandage to Koma Chihana.
"Take these."
Koma Chihana silently took the two items, clutching them tightly in her hands.
On the way back, silence still hung between the two.
As they neared the camping area, Imaizumi Keita stopped again, turned around, and asked Koma Chihana.
"Koma."
This time, Koma Chihana wasn't startled.
She lifted her still red and swollen eyes, quietly looking at him.
"Do you think they'll get together after tonight?" Imaizumi Keita asked.
Koma Chihana was silent for a moment, then slowly nodded, then shook her head.
"I don't know." Her voice was very soft, yet unusually clear. "But, no matter the outcome, I think... I've prepared myself mentally."
Imaizumi Keita looked at her, saying nothing more.
When the two returned to the camping area, the atmosphere was completely different from when they left.~three{∪〕:
Yanami Anna and Shioyaki Lemon were huddled together, whispering about something, occasionally letting out suppressed giggles.
Imaizumi Keita didn't disturb them, walking straight towards the two and sitting in the empty spot next to Yanami Anna.
Koma Chihana took a deep breath, and with heavy steps, walked towards the washbasin.
Tamaki Shintaro was sitting by the washbasin, and Tsukinoki Koto was crouching beside him, carefully wiping the wound on his palm with a clean towel.
Koma Chihana stopped a few steps away from the two, her hands clutching the burn ointment and bandage, already damp with fine sweat.
"Th-that... Pr-President..."
Her voice trembled slightly, but she successfully drew their attention.
"I... I brought the burn ointment and bandages..."
"Oh, Koma, thank you."
Tamaki Shintaro looked up, a gentle smile on his face.
Before he could reach out, Tsukinoki Koto naturally stood up and took the two items from Koma Chihana's hand.
"Thank you, Koma."
Tsukinoki Koto's tone was as gentle as ever. She skillfully twisted open the cap of the burn ointment, squeezed out an appropriate amount of cream, and gently applied it with her fingertip to Tamaki Shintaro's scalded palm.
Throughout the entire process, Tamaki Shintaro quietly watched her, not saying another unnecessary word.
His eyes, which usually held a hint of cheerfulness and nonchalance, were now filled with tenderness and focus.
Koma Chihana stood by, watching them.
Watching Senior Tsukinoki apply the ointment for President, then unroll the bandage and carefully wrap it around his hand, circle by circle.
And also watching President, who never once averted his gaze.
Everything around them seemed to disappear.
Between those two, an aura had finally formed that outsiders could not penetrate.
Familiar, tacit, and with a hint of new emotions just budding.
Koma Chihana felt as if her heart had been suddenly gripped by something, making it difficult for her to breathe.
The thing Imaizumi had reminded her of earlier bubbled up uncontrollably from the depths of her heart.
Then, she heard her own voice.
"Um... President, Senior."
Her voice was very light, carrying an imperceptible tremble.
"Are you two... dating?"
Tsukinoki Koto's hand, which was tying the final knot in the bandage, suddenly stopped.
Tamaki Shintaro turned his head to look at Koma, scratching the back of his head as he looked at her with surprise.
"Eh? Koma, how did you know?"
His voice carried a hint of annoyance at having been spoiled, "I was thinking of finding a good opportunity to properly announce it to everyone after we got back..."
Having received a definitive answer, Koma Chihana felt the last bit of strength in her body drain away.
So... it was true.
Tsukinoki Koto looked at Koma's pale face, and her heart tightened.
She was about to say something to ease the atmosphere when she saw a smile slowly emerge on Koma Chihana's face.
The smile was very faint and carried a hint of strain, yet it was exceptionally clean and pure.
"That's great."
Koma Chihana's voice was light, yet exceptionally firm.
"President, Senior, I hope you... can be happy forever."
She bowed deeply toward the two people who were stunned by her blessing.
Then, she straightened up and paused, as if using up all her remaining strength to add one more sentence.
"Actually, I... liked the President too."
"But, I came much later than Senior did."
After saying this, Koma Chihana didn't know how to face them, nor did she know what to say next.
She turned around and ran with all her might toward the path leading away from the Camping area, never looking back.
Tears finally slid uncontrollably from the corners of her eyes, scattered by the night wind into the summer night behind her.
Imaizumi Keita watched the fleeing Koma Chihana and couldn't help but sigh.
The plot for Koma the loser probably ends here. I should be able to speed up the subsequent plot, and I won't have to write about the heroines' defeats when they don't belong to the protagonist, Imaizumi.
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