This chapter is best read while listening to the song: "Suki Dakara."
(This chapter expresses Murakami Kouki's affection for Sugaya Nowa from a female perspective.)
--
Because I like you.
『It's not because you're handsome that I fell for you』
It's not because you're popular that I like you; it's because I like you that I think you're so popular.
Shy Murakami only awkwardly gives his kindness. He's gentle, but he can never say anything comforting.
"Hi there! I'm Sugaya Nowa! Want a lollipop?"
"Ah, thank you."
"I, I'm Murakami Kouki. This is to repay you for yesterday's lollipop."
『It's because I like you that you're handsome』
『Even if I'm treated like an idiot, I don't care』
『Because you are my 'hero'』
Sugaya-san is my 'hero.' I feel like I'm seeing the person I dream of becoming.
She's liked by so many people and always maintains enthusiasm for everything.
I feel like I still need to learn from my hero.
『Even though she always says 'I'm sleepy'』
『She's always awake in class』
『Even though she's cool in front of everyone』
『She's incredibly enthusiastic in front of dogs』
『Ah~ I truly love you so much』
『So come be my 'hero' alone』
I truly wish I could stay with Sugaya-san forever.
Even if it's just talking.
『I want to keep chatting with you on LINE』
『I also want to walk home with you』
『To you, who goes to club activities after school』
『I say 'goodbye' to myself』
『I want to see you on weekends too』
『I also want to talk on the phone with you until I fall asleep』
『But I don't have the courage to do any of that』
『It's truly awful』
In high school, Sugaya-san asked for my contact information, but I timidly refused.
But I always silently regret it.
I've imagined countless times the conversations we could have if we had each other's contact information.
Even if it's just a simple greeting every day.
Truly, even if it's just one sentence.
『I hope you'll turn around』
『I hope you'll notice me』
『I put on perfume』
『But only I smell it』
『I want to have you』
『I want to be your other half』
I really want to be Sugaya-san's other half, but I didn't even have the courage to say it before.
『'Tomorrow, for sure,' I say』
『Fantasizing in bed』
『Thinking of you』
『Anticipating seeing you tomorrow』
Before, I was content just being able to see her!
But once I confided my feelings to Akira , I couldn't suppress them anymore.
Never, I had never realized such passionate feelings within me.
This must be the 'love' my sister talks about.
This must be the 'love and peace' often spoken of in movies and TV shows that I couldn't grasp.
I feel like I can truly do anything.
『I want to tutor you』
『I want to go to the movies with you』
『But I can only say 'bye-bye' to myself』
『To you, laughing with friends after school』
『I want to appear on your story』
『'This is my girlfriend.' I want to show you off like that too』
The things I want to do in my heart are the reason I've become like this now.
The old me wasn't as likable as I am now.
『I don't think I can confess』
『It's truly awful』
『I hope you'll turn around』
『I hope you'll notice me』
But I still feel like I haven't entered your line of sight.
I've already dressed myself up to be very handsome.
But it seems I've only attracted other girls.
Sugaya-san truly isn't someone who only looks at handsome girls.
『I put on hair wax』
『But it got all sticky』
『I want to have you』
『I want to be your other half』
What kind of boys does Sugaya-san even like?!
『'Tomorrow, for sure,' I say』
『Fantasizing under the covers』
『Thinking of you』
『Anticipating seeing you tomorrow』
Sugaya-san always gives me the courage to become better.
But it seems I'm getting further and further away from Sugaya-san.
『I come to you to talk about your matters』
『You come to me to talk about other boys' matters』
『'Stop.' Don't say any more』
『Don't go near other boys』
『Keep looking at me, always, always, always』
『I hope you'll turn around』
『I hope you'll notice me』
『Can you stay by my side forever?』
Even if you just talk to me.
I always feel like I only hear news about Sugaya-san from other classmates!
『Because I like you』
『You are so endearing in my heart』
『'Tomorrow, for sure,' I say』
『Today, I'm also fantasizing about being with you』
『Fantasizing about your love』
『There's a sweet, soft musk scent』
Let this song summarize my affection for Sugaya-san.
Even if only I understand, it's not that important anymore.
The emotions in my heart are completely unrestrainable.
Sugaya-san's weight in my heart has already become so heavy.
I want to gently show her my feelings.
I hope no one gets hurt.
If someone does, let me be the only one to be hurt.
After Murakami Kouki finished singing a song, his eyes, which had been closed midway, slowly opened.
He saw everyone's surprised expressions. Morita, across from him, raised his cheering tool and shouted his applause.
"Murakami sings so well!"
"I didn't expect Murakami to sing this song."
Daia looked astonished, as if she hadn't fully recovered.
Rion next to her smiled broadly: "Murakami-san, you sing so beautifully! I thought this kind of song was only suitable for girls to sing."
Yes, I didn't expect Murakami-san to sing so well.
Shiki clapped his hands a few times, then reached up to adjust his glasses.
"That was truly beautiful, Murakami!"
So, these are your feelings, Murakami!
Shiki thought to himself, beginning to understand why Akira didn't come with them.
It's indeed a bit difficult to be here with a brain that knows the truth.
He couldn't help but empathize with Murakami's emotional outpouring.
Shiki shook his head, a smile on his face.
"Murakami, do you want to sing again!"
Shiki asked.
"One more!"
Morita cheered.
Murakami Kouki turned to look at the girls on his left, among them Sugaya Nowa, who was staring at him with wide eyes.
"Tetsuya! One more!"
Sugaya Nowa also cheered, and the other girls joined in the urging.
Murakami Kouki smiled at Sugaya Nowa, then picked up the microphone again.
This time, he didn't choose a song with emotional expression, but simply picked a popular song.
Standing on the stage, holding the microphone, he slowly sang the lyrics along with the rhythm.
But, he just felt it wasn't as good as the one he sang just now.
Even if he tried his best, it was impossible to reach that level again.
Murakami Kouki thought blankly.