The air in the classroom crackled with anticipation. The annual school festival was just a week away, and everyone was buzzing with excitement. Jun, however, was feeling anything but thrilled. He was still reeling from the confrontation with Aiko, and he was worried about how she might react to the festival.312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwhbgXonO2q
312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvuDYOUQVa
Yuki, sensing his unease, squeezed his hand reassuringly. "Don't worry, Jun," she said, her voice soft. "We'll be together the whole time."312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXzvkRAtPZB
312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4guLrcZRoz
Jun nodded, but he couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. He had been feeling a little insecure lately, especially after witnessing Aiko's relentless pursuit. He couldn't help but wonder if Yuki was truly happy with him, or if she was just being nice.312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6N9jHfh658
312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTk5l6vuVbh
As if reading his mind, Yuki leaned closer and whispered, "I can't wait to spend the festival with you, Jun. It's going to be amazing."312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOVQKzkR5H
312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTWSAnd8bQ
Jun felt a wave of warmth wash over him. He knew he was being ridiculous, but he couldn't help but feel a little jealous when he saw Hana, his childhood friend, chatting with Yuki during their lunch break. Hana had always been a little too friendly with Yuki for his liking, and he couldn't help but feel a twinge of insecurity.312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2S22UhLOKY
312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImvjTOLSGx
"What are you two talking about?" Jun asked, his voice a little strained.312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoC0SlckNNj
312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWL5q9JTbOD
Hana, oblivious to his unease, grinned. "Oh, we were just discussing the festival," she said. "Yuki has some great ideas for the class booth."312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnnJLY3JhuG
312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4lFxwqEYW
Jun forced a smile. "Sounds fun," he said, trying to hide his jealousy.312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9n9bkzWLnb
312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPx2ZYLc3P
He couldn't help but feel a little left out. He wanted to be the one talking to Yuki, the one sharing ideas with her. But he was too shy, too afraid to speak up.312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMx0Sl9EGT
312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGlUbSLoZe
Later that day, as Jun was walking home from school, he bumped into Aiko. She was standing by the school gate, her eyes fixed on him with an intensity that made him uncomfortable.312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGXGdyZeSz
312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvYmUrHfB1
"Jun," she said, her voice soft and seductive. "I have a surprise for you."312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzm6AfB2E60
312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwpopZpFc49
Jun felt a shiver run down his spine. He knew he shouldn't take anything from her, but he didn't want to be rude.312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgP7ucfWnG
312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWJIX8ZQyd
"What is it?" he asked, his voice hesitant.312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡftnMt1jHiq
312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRH2SHs1Uvb
Aiko smiled, her eyes gleaming. "It's for the festival," she said. "I made you something special."312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEx1Np9XQJf
312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpl9rJ8Ppj
She reached into her bag and pulled out a small, intricately carved wooden box. It was beautiful, but something about it made Jun uneasy.312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKP84QJ6E5a
312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZiUXgIaBs0
"Thanks, Aiko," he said, taking the box. "But I don't think I can accept it."312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg59K2QZQkV
312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwy4Ugr12f
Aiko's smile faltered. "Why not?" she asked, her voice tinged with hurt.312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbtnVqbcVuv
312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBRrP5ZdIII
"I... I don't want to make things awkward," Jun said, trying to find the right words. "I'm happy with Yuki."312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSCv9sqGcN
312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjHELzqYuO
Aiko's eyes narrowed. "You're happy with her?" she asked, her voice laced with bitterness. "But she doesn't love you the way I do."312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXiD7Xp4rL
312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFvCQwyEYpS
Jun felt a pang of guilt. He knew Aiko was obsessed with him, but he couldn't help but feel a little flattered by her attention.312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8pN6sIq1f
312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9PZ6De1FO
"I appreciate your feelings, Aiko," he said, trying to be kind. "But I'm happy with Yuki."312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPuz6Dv6QQD
312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIcv32RVfOj
Aiko turned and walked away, her shoulders slumped with defeat. Jun watched her go, his heart heavy with guilt. He didn't want to hurt her feelings, but he knew he had to be honest with himself. He was in love with Yuki, and he couldn't imagine being with anyone else.
312Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPntPipDbR
