Nozaki lay on his side, pretending to sleep. What did he really think about Sakura? He'd say that they were pretty good friends, but the way that Hori, Mikoshiba, and Wakamatsu phrased the question, it sounded like they were asking if he saw her in a romantic way.
Before the sleepover, he would have responded immediately with, "We are just friends," and that would be the end of it. Time had passed quickly after the sleepover, and it had already been two months since then. Sakura was currently sitting next to him, and helping him ink the latest chapter of Let's Fall in Love.
"Nozaki? You seem very silent today." Sakura's voice always made him at ease. There was just something about her that made him happy.
"I suppose I have been. I've been thinking." She cocked her head slightly to the left, her trademark ribbons adorably flopping to the left as well.
"About Let's Fall in Love? I-I'm not too good with ideas, but, um, I could–" Nozaki shook his head.
"No, not about the manga." Sakura was shocked, her eyes wide. She didn't think that it was possible for Nozaki to think about anything but his manga. She wondered what could possibly be so important to Nozaki that even Let's Love was put aside. "It's you."
Sakura blushed crimson from ear to ear. Did he mean what she thought he meant? It was almost too much to hope for! "U-u-u-um, what d-d-do you m-m-mean?" Even though her overly excited heart had been provoked too many times before and disappointed, she wished that this time would be different.
Nozaki, oblivious as usual to what was going on in Sakura's mind, maintained his usual stoic appearance. If Umetaro Nozaki expressed emotion, it was very surprising to say the least. "Well, Hori, Mikoshiba, and Wakamatsu and I had a sleepover a couple of months ago, and they asked me how I felt about you." Sakura struggled to keep her composure, and managed to ask, "Well, how do you, uh, feel about me?"
"In all truth, I'm not sure." Sakura, eager to confess her feelings once more, burst out with, "I'm your number one fan!" Nozaki raised an eyebrow, curious as to why she would need an autograph all of a sudden, and pulled out a piece of paper and signed it, proud of himself for anticipating what she wanted so readily.
Sakura silently accepted his autograph for what seemed to be the millionth time. They spent the rest of the time working quietly, and after an hour, Nozaki stood up, and walked her to the door.
"I really like you! Not a-as a fan, but as a person. I've always liked you, and I know that the most important thing to you right now is your manga… and I… I know that you don't even like me back, b-b-but that's, that's not important… I just, I just want you to know that I like you. I like you so much that it hurts to be around you." Nozaki was stunned into silence by this outburst, and noticed that Sakura was sobbing silently, seemingly not aware of her own tears. Nozaki pulled her close out of instinct, and pondered, not for the first time, how he felt towards Sakura.
She sniffled, and tried to get herself together. I'm so pathetic, she thought. You didn't need to pour your heart out. That was unnecessary. I thought I was going to never tell him, and just be glad being his friend. "You know, it's all right. I know you don't really have feelings for me, and your dream is more important than me anyway. I… Is it okay if I keep my distance for a while? I don't know what brought this on. I-I'm really sorry Nozaki." He was still shocked, and replied with, "It's okay. I don't mind."
"All right then. I'll be leaving now. Goodbye, Nozaki." He stared after her, and inwardly felt… guilt? What did he do wrong? How did he go wrong? He was a horrible friend, and after all this time, he had made Sakura feel so terrible. His heart stirred. Wait! Come back! He was not able to even open his mouth. Why did he want her to come back? Weren't they friends? Was this what Mamiko felt for Suzuki? Was it love?
The next day, Sakura ducked her eyes, and avoided Nozaki. He longed for her to be close to him, and could not even think of Let's Fall in Love.