Disclaimer: I do not own anything.

"I... also want to leave behind a memory..."

He looks... expectant... does he already know? what do do now? Do I say it?

Images of the events that they had been through together, the study sessions, the times they had spent on the rooftop with him reading her story, the time they had been trapped in the cupboard... appeared in her head.

"I... I... lik-"

Before she could finish her sentence, the image of him confessing to Nishino appeared.

He... he likes Nishino-san... I shouldn't be doing... things like this...

"Um... Toujo... I also have something I want to..."

Upon seeing the confused emotions on her face, he stopped. Manaka figured that it would be better to allow her to finish what she had to say first.

This is what I have to do... I don't want to drag it out any longer. Even though it's hard for me to say it... it's not like it'll get easier in the future...

"Manaka-kun... I like you. I've liked you ever since you read and approved of my story... ever since you showed kindness to me... I know that you have Nishino-san as your girlfriend, and it's silly-"

She cut off as she noticed the deeply troubled look on Manaka's face. Even so, it seemed as though she could detect traces of relief in his expression.

He shook his head, before looking up at her and beginning to speak.

"Toujo-san..."

It's likely that he doesn't think of me in that way... of course, who would when he had someone as cute as Nishino Tsukasa as his girlfriend?

Nevertheless, she felt that she had to finish her plea to him. She looked down.

This might be the last time we speak in this way... this may just have ruined our friendship... but I cannot stay just as a friend of his without him knowing anything... it hurts... too much...

She looked up at him again, and cut in before he had a chance to say anything.

"I know that you have Nishino-san as your girlfriend, and it's foolish of me to try to compete with her... but I really, really like you, Manaka-kun... I... want... to be your girlfriend... please... accept me...?"

His expression changed as she spoke. While it had been troubled, it now held little but resolve.

I'm beginning to regret this... perhaps I shouldn't have said anything after all... I should have just kept silent... our friendship... it looks like it's over...

Tears began flowing down her cheeks.

Without warning, he leaned forward and wrapped his arms tightly around her. She froze as he embraced her for a few moments, before breaking the silence.

"Manaka-kun... I'm sorry... let's just remain friends-"

"Toujo-san... I... I like you too..."

She fell silent, as he continued to speak.

"Even though I'm supposed to be with Tsukasa... you're the only one that I can think about... even back when you braided your hair and wore those spectacles..."

"I like you for the warmth that you have shown me... I like you for who you are as a person..."

He looked into her eyes.

"...and now that I know what your feelings are towards me... I... I'm happy to say that I return your feelings..."

She returned his embrace.

A/N: I'm running out of (limited from the start) ideas... and my writing sucks. Is this because I haven't been in love before?

A/N2: I tried to change some things... still awful though.