| IF | The Transfer Student Likes Me, But How Do I confess!?

 At the back of the school building, where there usually aren't people around, a girl stands nervously as she tries to look into my eyes.

 Can't say I know her name, but… she's probably here to confess or something along those lines. And don't get me wrong, it's not like I'm arrogant for thinking so—because it usually leads to this….

 To be honest… I don't know why girls are interested in me in the first place… I'm not particularly nice to them, nor do I think I'm all that attractive.

 Still…

 "W-will you please go out with me!" The girl asked. "I-I've always liked you!"

 "No," I answered, shooting her down.

 And as usual, once they heard my reply, they would run away in tears.

 "I… I see," the girl replied with tears as she walked away with her head hanging.

 …Soon enough, her friends will coldly stare at me when I walk by them or something. Well, they all knew this would be the result. Why do they keep confessing…?

 "Aww, you shot another one down," said a girl as she approached. "I feel bad… but it was to be expected," she then continued.

 "...Well, why are you here, Miu?" I asked. "I don't think you're the type to eavesdrop… or are my assumptions wrong?"

 She looked surprised for a moment before giggling, "Hehe~, of course, I wouldn't eavesdrop." she said with a bright smile. "Well… Noel did ask me to comfort the girl you just rejected… but she sure is strong…."

 …Seriously… every time? Why don't they just confess to Noel instead? Well… I suppose he's like a prince to everyone, but he's also dating Miu. Well… they've been a fake couple since middle school.

 You could say it's for a reason. After all, Miu is a beautiful girl with pure white hair, ruby-like eyes, a great figure, and is athletic as well as intelligent.

 "I'd say I'm not that harsh, alright?" I replied. "Well, can't say I turn them down gently either." I continued.

 "You're aware~," Miu playfully said.

 "Well, I am. That's why I'm as neutral about it as possible." I retorted at her words. "But also… I wouldn't want them to have lingering feelings if I gently turned them down, nor do I wish for resentment toward me." I thoroughly explained.

 "Uh-hmm. You really are thoughtful!" Miu said with a smile. "Well, let's head back, shall we?"

 "...Yeah."

 …

  …..

 …

 Miu and I headed back to the classroom, where Noel was happily chatting with our other classmates. And as he notices me, he grins.

 He made a shocked gesture and covered his mouth, "Ooh~" he said. "Our lady killer is back~!"

 ….Seriously… this guy.

 He then, for whatever reason, glances over at Miu with a smug grin.

 "What?" Miu replied to his somewhat annoying gesture.

 But Noel just nonchalantly responded with a shrug. "Well, noothing~!"

 "Urk… why you!" Miu said as she pinched Noel's face, making everyone around them laugh as the two of them were the mood makers of the class.

 Well… the two of them sure get along, don't they? I thought, sitting next to Luna, a pretty girl with black hair and silver eyes.

 She's reading a book and seems to be undisturbed by the commotion—well, she just did the usual.

 "They are quite lively, aren't they?" She said while gently closing her book and softly glancing at me.

 "Mm, it's very like them, I suppose," I said and glanced at the book she was reading. "Was it interesting?" I then asked.

 "Hmm, a little—"

 "Hey! Al and Luna are flirting again!" Noel cried. Which in turn shifted Miu's attention to us.

 And before Luna could finish her sentence, Noel teased us again. It's been like this ever since the first year, but… Luna and I are childhood friends—just like Noel and Miu.

 But unlike them, we aren't a couple(fake); we're just close friends.

 Luna sent him a sharp glare, making me feel like I did something wrong, too….

 "Noel, both you and Miu will be having a 'lecture' later." she flatly said in a calm yet eerie voice.

 "W-what!? Luna, you can't drag me into this as well!" Miu flung her arms in protest. "I didn't even say a thing!" She said.

 "Hmpf," Luna responded. "You two are my friends, and the last test results were all below 90. That's why we're having a lecture later."

 Both Miu and Noel were making grim faces. After all, 90 and above are very high standards. Still, ever since the time they got 90 or above, Luna wouldn't accept anything lower.

 "Ugh… h-how about Al!? He's joining us as well, right!?" Noel asked.

 "No," Luna replied. "He's joining me. After all, his grades are higher or equal to mine."

 ""But you two always score 100, right!?" The two retorted. ""Wait?! You can score higher than 100!???""

 …The two of them really are in sync, huh? 

 Noel then turned to me with a pealing look on his face. It was saying, 'Please do something about your wife!' Or something along those lines.

 But… since he said something untrue(or something I assumed he said), I wouldn't lend a helping hand.

 And as there was a lot of commotion in the class, our physics and math teacher arrived.

 "Quiet down!" she said, waiting for it to get silent. And as it got silent, she announced something rather unexpected.

 "We will have a transfer student in the class tomorrow. Alum, you take care of her, got it?"

 …What's this? Why me…?

 Well… I suppose Emy trusts me with not hitting on her, but like… why not one of the girls? I wanted to ask.

 But… I'll save it for later when I get home.

 And at the same time, I hear excited classmates talk about whether the new transfer student is cute.

 Well… has nothing to do with me.

 "I wonder if Alum will make her fall for him only to reject her LOOOL~!" some classmate said. "Dude… that's like… SUPER RUDE!" another commented.

 ...I must reiterate—it has nothing to do with me….

 …

  …..

 …

 "Lunaaa~! Pretty please, can we just top by the crepe shop?" Mui asked.

 We are on our way back home, specifically to my place, since it's relatively spacious and my parents aren't often at home.

 Emely also lives in the same apartment, but she usually comes over and cooks for me while my parents are gone.

 Well… I heard that there will be a family of 4 moving in relatively soon. Who knows? Maybe it's the transfer student?

 "Well… Al, is it okay if we take a small detour?" Luna asked. "Yeeeah~, sugar is good for the brain when we're going to study!" Miu said excitedly as a follow-up.

 "...I don't see why not," I replied. "Oh? Aren't you the one that enjoys them the most, though?" Luna then said while giggling.

 "....." I had no comment on this one.

 And as I was watching the two girls excitedly talk, Noel leaned in, whispering, 'Hey, don't you think they're cute?' He asked.

 …Why is he asking me this again?

 Well… Luna and I are close, and Miu is pretty and loved by everyone. I suppose I do find them attractive, but… in a platonic way?

 "They are. Why are you asking?" I asked.

 "Uh-hmm, uh-hmm~."

 "...What?" I asked, narrowing my eyes, as I did, in fact, know what he was referring to.

 "Noothiing~," Noel answered.

 And as we kept walking and turned the corner, I felt a sudden impact on my chest.

 It was a girl with silver-grey hair.

 She innocently looked up, and our eyes met. Her eyes were purple in colour….

 I'm not sure how much time has passed, but… I can't take my eyes off her. Somehow… I feel slightly nervous—huh… really? What is going on?

 "I-I'm sorry," the girl said, flustered as she lowered her head. "I should've paid more attention…." she then said apologetically.

 In response, I just shook my head, "No, it's fine, I was careless too…." I replied and turned my gaze to the side.

 Of course, everyone notices this, as Noel has a big grin on his face, "Weeeiw~," he whistles. Luna and Miu, on the other hand, seemed surprised.

 "What?" I asked my friends, giving them a slightly cold look. "...Sorry if that made you feel uncomfortable."

 The girl, on the other hand, shook her head. "No… it's—huh…?"

 She had stopped speaking for some reason as she looked at my face again and seemed to have realised something as she sank into my eyes….

 Somehow… I recognise her face….

 'Alum…?' she softly asks, as her clear crystal-like eyes light up. "It's you, right, Alum?!" she excitedly said as she embraced me.

 …WHAT?! 

 My mind was overloaded, but… for some reason, I hugged her back. 'Amethely,' I said in a low voice.

 It was unconscious, and I seemed to know who she was. Even if I couldn't exactly recall where we'd met, I at least knew that Amethely was her name.

 "Yees~?" She responded with a soft and gentle smile.

 And it was then it all came and hit me at once. As if a bolt of lightning had struck.

 My first love…. Why did I forget…? Well… I was young and probably didn't know what that was, but then… how did I know it was love? After all… I've never felt like this when around any other person. What else could it be?

 "A-ahem! You know each other?" Miu asked—although in a somewhat stern tone.

 "...Lady Amethely, could you please let go of Al?" Luna asks with a grumpy face. "You too, Al.… Why are you embracing her…?" As she then followed it up with an icy remark.

 Realising I'm holding her, I quickly let go in a panic as she, too, seems to panic. And as we separated, Amethely's whole face became red as she hid behind her fingers.

—Cute…. 

 Wait… is that it?!? This feeling! Urk….! 

 "Hmmmm," Luna stared at me as she puffed her cheeks. 'You like her, don't you?' she whispered into my ear.

 ….

 'I see~ a silent yes.'

 Luna… please give me a break, and Noel… why are you just standing there!? HEY! That grin! Get it off your face! 

 I coldly stared at Noel since he wouldn't help me out in this situation. But he did have a face that said: "Well… an eye for an eye?"

 "Tsk," I clicked my tongue as he wasn't of any help.

 …Wait… Luna knows her?

 "...Hey, Luna, do you know Amethely?" I asked. To which Luna rolled her eyes. "...Right… you never attend those parties… but in short, all our parents are business partners… not only that, Amethely and her sister Chely are the two genius daughters of The Ilis family," she replied.

 ….I didn't know.

 Well… to be fair, my parents are overprotective, and I wasn't allowed even to attend school or leave the house before….

 "...Wait… if you know her, how come you didn't know about her background…?" Luna then asks.

 I just glanced to the side a little awkwardly. And it was then Amethely spoke up.

 "Alum saved me when we were younger, a-and I lo—m-missed him ever since!" Amethely said as she tumbled over her words with teary eyes, looking at me while later turning her head away in a sheepish manner.

 Luna looked at her, astonished as if she was in disbelief for whatever reason.

 But never mind that…

 She… really makes my heart race, but seeing this… kind of aches, too… am I dying…? But… ugh… it isn't a bad sense of pain, though… wait, I'm not a masochist…!

 And as I had some strange thoughts, Luna blankly stared at me. Miu, however, had no light in her eyes. None at all….

…She can be a little scarier than Luna at times….

 Really…? How to get out of this awkward situation?

 "Amethely, right? How about you join us for some crepes?" Noel asked. Amethely looked at everyone a bit hesitantly, "Is that okay with you all…?" She asked.

 I just nodded, as so did Miu and Luna.

 "I-I see," Amethely said, seemingly hesitating as she shyly lowered her gaze.

 "Of cooourse~, it's Al's treat. Right, girls?"

 Miu has her arms crossed and her cheeks puff up—on the other hand, Luna has a frosty smile as she stares at me….

 But… thanks for the save… Noel…. Even though your communication skills would've solved this before, it could escalate to this….

 …

  …..

 …

 Now, on our way to the crepe shop, Noel and I walked in front of the girls as they seemed to have kidnapped Amethely, not letting her near me.

 Which is, for better or worse, good for my heart… but also bad since I feel some sense of longing. Is this what the girls who confessed to me felt?

 …Well… I can't help it….

 'Sigh'

 I sighed, and Noel took notice of with as he lightly struck me with his elbow. 'What's this, what's this?' He asked in a low voice. 'I never thought I'd ever see you fall in love, especially at first sight,' he said as he kept striking me.

 I wasn't going to comment on this since he had already figured it out anyway.

 'Still… I thought for sure you liked Luna, y'know? Since you're always together and never seem interested in other girls.'

 'Oh, shut it… it's not like that. You don't feel that way toward Miu, do you?' I asked. Of course, I already knew the answer to all of it, even what he was about to ask me.

 "Well… I don't, but that's what everyone says, right? And I guess Miu and I never really confirmed or denied it. Besides, Miu has someone she likes, and he also knows the situation, so really, I don't mind," he said.

 ….

 "...I suppose," I answered.

 But then, the girls seemed to be in a frenzy from behind us. "Al! I can't believe you did that!" Luna angrily said.

 "That's right! How could you!?" Miu was also angry at me. For a reason I don't quite understand.

 "...What did I do?" I hesitantly asked. "Something horrendous… I suppose?"

 Miu and Luna were rolling their eyes as I said.

 "I can't believe you. How could you steal her first kiss like that!?" Luna asked. Her aura was chilly as the mountain tops themselves.

 "WHAT!?" Noel cried. "He kissed her!?"

 "I did what…?" I asked.

 As Luna and Miu tried to say more, Amethely covered their mouth in what seemed to be a panic. "P-please! I-it's not like that… it was an accident… a-and… I didn't mi—" But before she could finish, Miu freed herself. "Wait, hold up… don't finish that," Miu said, looking somewhat coldly at her.

 …Kiss? Such as a way to show affection? Wait… how come I don't—Wait, I do remember it now….

 "...Hey, how did that even happen?" Noel asked. ""Yeah, that's right!"" Miu and Luna were also on offence.

 "...Where do I even begin…?" I pondered. "W-wait, Al… Alum, mind if I tell them?" Amethely asked.

 Her innocent looked at me with a plea as she tugged my sleeve.

 …..

 "...."

 Which only made Luna and Miu glare daggers at me. "Hey, what's with that dumb smile?" Luna asked. To which I replied, "I didn't smile though….?"

 "Not on your face, but in your mind!" Miu blurts out. Both of them then sighed.

 "Well, can you tell us? Miss homewre—I mean… Amethely." Miu said in a puff.

 …

  …..

 …

 …This girl… I can feel the envy reeking out of her… but I'm not giving up!

 "Ah, well… then, should we take a seat over there," I said while pointing at the park.

 They all agreed, and we went.

 And so, I began to tell the story.

 |~ 8 years ago ~|

 I was in an unfamiliar place, and I didn't know where I was, but… the floor was cold, and I was blindfolded—I'm scared….

 Later, when my blindfold was removed, I saw children my age who were all tired up or blindfolded like me.

 They all had scared looks on their faces as they cried as soon as they saw the kidnappers. Of course… I was scared, and my legs had given up. Unlike many other children, I didn't find any logic in screaming as I knew how helpless our situation looked.

 I need to find a way out of this— "Hey, scum, let me speak to your boss," one of the kids suddenly said. I was astonished by this as I looked in the direction from which the voice came, and I saw a boy with jet-black hair and golden eyes.

 He's expressionless and calm, as the maturity of his demeanour does not match his age.

 "What'd ya say, punk?!" one of the kidnappers yelled while smashing one of the crowbars into the cold concrete floor, which made a sharp echo throughout the room.

 "As I said, let me speak to your boss," the boy said. "Tch, you have guts. Too bad I don't care about hurting children!" He cried as he approached the boy.

 The boy was still tied, and as the man approached with his crowbars, the boy had somehow dodged the attack by rolling to the side and grabbing a rock, throwing it at the man.

 I was in a daze after witnessing that—how? I repeatedly thought.

 "Ouch! That hurts like hell, you M********er!" The man yelled as he was furious. But that wasn't all.

 The boy had even gotten out of the rope that tied him down.

 …Just who is he? I thought as my heart started to race uncontrollably.

 Maybe…. Wait, this isn't the time, Ame! This isn't the time! Just think! Ah…!

 As I figured out how to get out of the ropes, the man was still chasing the boy around, and the boy seemed even to be toying with him as the other adult kidnappers laughed at their colleague who chased a kid unsuccessfully.

 I rushed toward the aggressive kidnapper with what all my tiny feats could muster and tackled him from behind.

 And for a brief moment, my eyes locked with the boy as his wide-open golden eyes stared into my soul. But… I was so weak that the man just stumbled a little and grabbed me, throwing me at the boy.

 However… to my surprise, the boy caught me in his arms as we were well on the ground rolling, and he then fell on top of me….

 H-he's close… wait, t-t-this is a kiss!

 I could feel my heart beating fast, not only because I moved a bunch but also because of his soft lips. As our lips parted, he covered his face with his arms, and I could see that his ears were glowing red.

 …Then a man came down as he ordered the others to capture the one attacking the boy. He glanced at the two of us, who awkwardly sat beside each other and smiled.

 …He later locked us up in the same cell, just the two of us…. He… don't tell me… this is so awkward! What do I dooo!?

 "...What's your name?" The boy asked. He seemed to have calmed down a considerable amount, to say the least.

 "I-it's Ame… no, wait… it's Amethely." I replied. "And you?"

 "...Alum," he answers.

 WHY SUCH A SHORT ANSWER!?

 The silence was awkward…. And I didn't know what to do!

 |~ Present time ~|

 "And with that, I-I couldn't help but hug him when I saw him again…." I said, giving Alum a glance.

 """So you two basically strangers,""" All his friends said, looking at us.

 ""...""

 I know!

 And I'm not good at hiding my feelings; he surely noticed already, but I've been in love with him all these years…!

 B-but these two girls are so pretty! D-Don't tell me one of them is his girlfriend…!? S…surely not both… right…?

 "Hmm," Miss Luna was the first to respond to our silence. "I don't think you're lying… that's a very 'Al' thing to do…" she later said.

 "...." Alum turned his head to the side, as it seemed like he wanted to avoid Miss Luna's cold glace.

 And I could tell that she wasn't pleased with his actions. As she then sighed and looked at me, "You too, Miss Amethely, that was too reckless."

 …So… she scolds me as well…? "...I know…." I responded in a tiny tone.

 And the girl Miu has been quiet all this time, same with Noel… but he, for some reason, grinned as he stared at both Miu and me.

 …

  …..

 …

 That's exactly why I forgot about it… what a blunder. Of course, I didn't want to remember it! If it hadn't been for that dumb, small rock, I'd catch her perfectly! 

 Hey Noel! Stop laughing! 

 Urk…

 …Well… maybe this is insane to think, but… never mind….

 What do I do? She probably likes me, but so do Luna and Miu… but I like Amethely, what do I do!?

 …

  …..

 …

 The very next day, "Alright, everyone! This is Amethely Ilis, the new transfer student. Alum, you take care of her, okay?" Emy said as she gave me a wink….

 Miu and Luna gave me a stern look as Noel laughed his butt off.

 I want to become her lover… but I've rejected too many girls and don't know how to confess. And she probably won't confess due to Miu and Luna… Seriously? What do I do?

 How do I confess!?