Despite having almost never been, he had to admit it:
He was nervous. But he was determined.
—Hey, uh… Akari?
When it came to her usual happiness, he couldn't be more right. She was cheering.
—Hey Kazuki!
—Yeah… uh… —There was no point in hiding the truth. Sooner or later he had to reveal the truth—. I've got to ask you something.
He couldn't keep that as a secret anymore. Its discovery had been something shocking to him. He had tried everything so as to forget about it and, even if possible, enroll himself in any kind of thing with any other girl. But to no avail. Everything had been completely unuseful. He had noticed those feelings he had were close to unbeatable, like the ninja he had for so long been trained to be.
—What is it that you want to ask me? —She asked, curious to know.
—Well… I…
He had to do it. He had to be able to do it. It was part of his "average" student life anyway, wasn't it?
—Akari... W-would you be my… uh… Girlfriend?
—What?
He suddenly felt horrible chimes down his spine. Fear consumed him. He didn't know how to react nor what to answer, and they stood there looking at each other for some seconds. He noticed he had never been that scared, or at least any close to those fear levels, not even when deceiving death in deadly ninja duels.
—If I already am! —She loudly said, with a big grin filling her expression.
The guy's tremendous fear turned into utter confusion and a slight hint of hope. What did she mean with that? He couldn't take back anymore and blurted a simple question:
—What?
—Of course I am! I am your best girl-friend, right?
Shock was now what he was feeling. As well as a growing embarrassment, when noticing the girl's innocence had taken them both the wrong way.
Damn it! —He thought, cursing things for having turned that hard to him.
—I… I think you didn't get it… —He sounded completely embarrassed when he said so.
However, when thinking about it, he discovered it hadn't been that bad. It was even better that she hadn't understood him. Maybe it wasn't the right time to ask her out, and even if he did and she understood, he didn't know what to do next. He felt relieved. She was an airhead, after all. It didn't make her any less attractive, though, yet it gave him some more time.
Maybe another time, whenever I think I'm really ready.
But his problems weren't over. First, having escaped from this one wasn't enough, as he still couldn't deny his feelings towards the girl shorter than him, which were turning very strong as he could notice. And second…
—Huh? What do you mean "I didn't get it"?