Please, Ikeuchi.

It looks like she's in the courtyard.

No way.

You're just going to go home right?

You just have to call out to her.

All you have to do is summon her.

Ok?

...Fine.

I think it was at the end of our first year,

Right before finals.

It was the time when everyone was preparing for the class changes.

What?

He's in the classroom, calling you.

Who?

Kuroda. He said he has some business with you.

I have my committee work, so I can't go.

Tell him that, Ikeuchi-kun.

I'm not a messenger...

But I don't want to go myself.

Do you hate Kuroda?

Kuroda-kun's so persistent.

He's already confessed to me twice.

The Crocus' Bloom, In the Courtyard First Part

You're pretty popular, Oki.

Stop it. I don't like Kuroda-kun.

Hmmm... So you don't like him.

And you too, don't just go along with whatever you're told. Be more firm.

Oki doesn't like Kuroda.

She doesn't like him.

Are you listening?

Yeah, I am.

Well, that's fine if you're not going to go.

Hey, Ikeuchi-kun, if you have some time, help me out.

Eeeh~

Either way, you're part of the go-home club, right?

Grab a hose.

Oki didn't come yesterday.

A-Ah... She looked busy.

Ikeuchi, did you tell her?

I told her.

There was someone saying that they saw you and Oki watering the plants and being really friendly.

Huh? What's with that?

They probably mis-saw.

A, Anyway, I called out to Oki yesterday...

And didn't talk to her after that.

Really? Hmph, then I guess they were wrong.

That was close.

That was close.

Ikeuchi-kun, wait.

Calling out to someone in front of the boys' bathroom is a little... What is it...

Now I understand how you feel.

About how being a messenger is a pain.

What?

Sanada-san is calling you.

Sanada? Why?

Did I do something?

It's probably the same as Kuroda-kun. You know, summoning you to confess.

Ah...

Ah? ...Is that so?

Oki is really glaring at me.

Probably.

Sanada-san was saying earlier how you were cool.

I'm really not that cool...

So, are you going to go?

Go... Ah... Mmm...

If you're not, then I'll tell Sanada-san that you're not.

Mmmm....

If you don't like her...

I think it's better that you didn't go...

I also doubt that it's a good idea to make her expect something in a odd manner.

...Why are you so bothered by this?

She looked like she was taking this very seriously.

At that time, I was a little scared.

Mmm... Then I won't go.

Sorry, but can you please make up some suitable excuse and decline for me?

Sure.

Ah

Then... That's it.

Ok.

She looked happy.

Ikeuchi-kun doesn't like

Sanada-san.

He doesn't like her.

Sorry.

Ikeuchi, you really are close with Oki, huh.

Huh? That's not true, right?

No, you're close.

So? Are you going out?

No, no way.

But it kinda seems like Oki likes you.

Huh?

Kuroda, you're pretty persistent. I'm not...

That sort of misunderstanding is rude to Oki.

I guess.

Yeah. Also,

I don't think that Oki thinks anything of me.

Oki, you're pretty close with Ikeuchi, huh.

Huh...? That's not true.

No, you're close. Are you going out?

With Ikeuchi-kun? Nope.

But... It's bothering me...

Umm, if you are going out with him, tell me, ok...

I'm not.

I'm not, I'm not...

When Ikeuchi-kun is talking with me, he doesn't look like he's enjoying it very much...

What are you talking about?

N-Nothing!

I heard Ikeuchi-kun's name!

I said it's nothing. Right, Oki!

Y-Yeah.

A slender beautiful girl...

Sanada-san, who's popular and kind to everyone...

Likes Ikeuchi-kun...

...Then, if Ikeuchi-kun also falls in love with Sanada-san...

Would the 2 of them go out?

No......

It's true that I'm unsociable, and don't have big round eyes.

I'm not suitable...

Oki

Ah, so it is you.

You have a different hairstyle, so I wasn't sure.

Ikeuchi-kun!

What? Is it about Kuroda-kun again?

No, it's not...

I just thought you might be watering again.

Yes, can you help out?

Eh...

You should roll up your sleeves. Otherwise they'll get dirty.

We're not just watering?

We have to move all these pots.

Really?

Umm, can I say something strange?

What? You don't have to move the small pots.

Sorry.

I mean, I...

When I talk to you, I feel really calm.

I don't know why.

This is the first time anyone's ever said that to me.

No way.

You seem so grown up.

Even though my arms are thick?

Your arms have nothing to do with this.

...Ikeuchi-kun, if Sanada-san confessed to you,

Would you have... any interest... in going out with her? ...Even just a little...

No, I told you, I don't like Sanada-san.

Really, really...

Ah, Oki.

There's a bug on you.

No way!

It's on your neck.

Can you get it off yourself?

I can't, no way!

If you move, it'll go inside your clothes.

Eh! Hurry! Get it off!

I got it.

Uwahh, I hate that. I didn't even notice it. Thanks.

Even though you hate bugs, you can still do things like watering well.

...Somehow, when I'm with you, I guess I feel relaxed.

You're exaggerating.

Any guy could have removed such a small bug.

Yeah, but, somehow...

Umm, if it's all right with you, can you please listen to my story this time?

What? Is it a pretty serious story?

...No, it's not...

It's a love story?

A love story...

Speaking of love, do you really....

Kuroda...

I told you, I have no interest in going out with him.

Why are you so stubborn in asking me?

Ikeuchi-kun?

Should I tell you?

I won't know if you should or not until I hear it...

But go ahead.

Ever since I entered this school,

I've been in love.

I kind of realized it. You're always looking.

Looking at Kuroda-kun.

I don't mind if you're disgusted at it.

Why?

I don't mind if you're disgusted at it, but don't tell Kuroda.

Why would I be disgusted by you?

This is a normal love discussion.

I'm happy that you're able to talk to me about this.

Ah, really?

...Really? Even though I'm almost about to cry.

Hey, don't cry.

I would be disgusted by that.

Are you serious?

I, too... Have someone I love.

So I understand your feelings quite well.

I couldn't discuss it with anyone.

...But when I found out earlier that you don't have any interest in going out with Sanada-san, I was really relieved.

Sanada-san might really love you, but...

I love her...

When everyone is talking

About who loves who and who's going out with who,

I can't join in.

But I thought it would be nice

If I could talk to someone about this.

But I thought it would be impossible for me.

I don't want to say something weird,

And have Sanada-san hate me.

But if they realize it, they'll pull away from you.

And it won't be just that. It'll definitely get spread around the class and the school, and you'll be shunned by all of the students.

And...it'd be a bother even to her - Sanada-san.

...Also, the one who Sanada-san loves

Is you.

How unfair of you.

In that case,

Aren't you the one who Kuroda loves?

We're all idiots.

No one will be happy like this.

But I don't have any intention at all of telling Kuroda.

What about you?

Do you want to say something to Sanada?

I do... But I can't.

From the start, it's something I mustn't say...

You said that you've never talked about this before.

That you've never been able to until now.

I'm the same.

So,

I'm glad.

You don't look happy one bit.

Even though I don't look it...

I'm glad I could become friends with you.

Friends?

We're friends, right?

Ikeuchi-kun, you're not a friend.

Ah... ok.

In the spring of that year,

I got myself a best friend.

One who has the same secret as me.

A girl.