Classroom of the elite vol 11.5 (C1 part 7)

Part 7

I decided to return with Hirata. After passing through the convenience store Hirata turned towards me.

Then ... Without saying anything he looked at the front once more. Something like that, Hirata kept repeating it for the past few minutes.

It seems like he's trying to find the right time to start a conversation. After a while Hirata finally decided to start talking.

"Actually ... I have something I want Ayanokouji to hear."

Hirata said with a bit of a rather sullen expression.

I thought Hirata wanted to talk about the special exam before, but it didn't seem like that.

"Do you want to consult about something?"

"Yeah ... Well... Um... I intend to consult."

He acknowledged it after thinking for a while.

"I don't know if I can provide a solution but don't hesitate, you can say anything."

It's not bad to be more reliable by Hirata.

But I could not imagine what he would consult.

At that time he was depressed because of the event of expulsion of Yamauchi, but the incident should have been completed.

Maybe there was still dissatisfaction in his heart, but that was not something worth consulting with me.

He had understood that to a certain extent and he should have been able to solve it.

"This might be a little unexpected..." said Hirata, who kept looking forward. "I, That, right now I am not very active about romance ... And really, doesn't understand well."

That's really unexpected. I didn't expect that the day when Hirata would want to consult about romance would come.

"Don't understand well ?" For now ... Let's hear the whole story. I pushed to make him talk.

"I ... Maybe, it's my fault for never having liked a girl before." Hirata looked shy when he revealed that.

"In other words you have never dated so ...?"

"If Karuizawa-san is excluded, that's right."

You could say this is not so unexpected, but indeed it is still rather surprising. Hirata treats men and women equally, And I thought he should have had one or two love experiences.

But his relationship with Kei is definitely not counted. To avoid Kei becoming a target of bullying, he became his fake lover.

If he had never liked anyone, then that means...

"Even now there aren't any women who you are interested in?"

"Yes, that's right."

Although it is one of his gifts to treat all girls with the same eyes, but somehow it feels a bit strange.

"Then ... What about Mii-chan ?"

Mii-chan really wants her relationship with Hirata to develop. And she also showed a clear feeling of love to Hirata.


  (As illustration)


"I didn't say anything. I can't have a relationship with her above this.... That's what I can't explain."

Mii-chan said that she wants to be friends first.

After that, of course the relationship develops, and hopes to become his girlfriend. But as long as Hirata doesn't expect it, then it will be difficult to make progress.

And also there is no clear reason to avoid her, And delaying is not good for Mii-chan. Yes ... I think maybe it's like that.

Hirata looks confused, is this what he wants to consult?

"I know ... I have to say it directly, but it's very difficult ..."

Difficulty to respond without hurting her.

"Surely, that is contradictory."

"Yeah..."

Hirata, who is always kind-hearted..., That's why he was in trouble.

"But isn't this story only about 'now'? In the future we won't know what will happen, right?"

Feeling about romance is not something that can be controlled by yourself. For a moment something suddenly came to mind.

Possibility....

"It's true that that is an unknown possibility ... However ..."

Does that mean Hirata can't imagine his relationship with Mii-chan will develop? There doesn't seem to be any dissatisfaction about his appearance and personality ... Of course, there are many things about love relationships that cannot be measured with just that part.

"Maybe..., I don't think my answer is closer to the statement."

Even though I said I didn't understand. But it seems Hirata is insisted on my answer. In that case, there is only one thing I can say.

"You have to be able to say clearly, That's because Mii-chan still hopes that the relationship with you can make progress."

I say that when looking into Hirata's eyes. Delaying to answer will mean that Mii-chan will continue to wait for him. If it's like that, then it's better to make it clear from the start.

On top of all this, Mii-chan's feelings for Hirata will continue. That is her freedom.

However, Hirata's eyes seemed to run away once in a while.

"... Even if it hurts her?"

"Already know the answer, but the delay will only cause more damage to the other party, right?"

Once again, I looked into Hirata's eyes. Hirata looked at it, but, he immediately turned his eyes towards a different direction.

"Uh, uh, yeah, that's right ..."

Hirata repeated it two to three times to convince himself.

And finally he came to his conclusion.

"I'm very happy to be able to consult with you Ayanokouji-kun. With this, now I have the courage. If you don't have the readiness to hurt her, then just run away, right .."

It seems he has managed to get one more answer.

"Can you tell her clearly?"

"I don't know which way is right, but I understand that both actions will end up hurting her."

Hirata weighed two approaches.

About just being quiet and about saying it honestly ...

And finally he understood it all for the sake of Mii-chan ... his doubts disappeared.

If it was him before, he would be constantly troubled, and it took a lot of time to come up with the answer.

He must be constantly searching for ways to [not hurt the other party], his thoughts and feelings keep spinning around like in a maze.

A few moments after the problem was solved, Hirata still left an atmosphere that seemed to want to say something.

"What is wrong?"

"That ... Ummm ... From now on ..., may I call you Kiyotaka-kun ...?"

"Eh ...?"

I guess what he wanted to say ... was really a very unusual word.

"If you don't mind, I also want you to call me by my first name ..."

Is that what it means to take a step forward in our friendship?

Like Keisei, Akito, Haruka, and Airi who stepped forward.

"Of course, if Hirata doesn't mind"

I said in agreement ... Hirata looked happy and smiled from his heart.

"Really ...? Is that okay ...?"

"Isn't it just calling by first name ...? That shouldn't be unusual for you Hirata ... no, Yousuke?"

Usually men and women are called by their surnames. But certainly it is not something that is rare.

"Indeed ... that was normal for me until the 'incident'."

The incident Hirata was referred to was  during middle school where his best friend was bullied and then attempted to commit suicide.

"Therefore, after that..., I became afraid of being close to someone. And I treated everyone equally, so I tried not to make someone valuable."

Two years have passed and it seems like he just called someone by his surname. When viewed properly, Hirata always treats all students equally.

Including Yamauchi, who unanimously had to be driven out of class.

Apparently, once again, this time he managed to break the shell.

Among the many students who have grown during this year, Hirata's leap is also quite significant.

"That's why I'm really very grateful. Kiyotaka-kun."

The gaze that was shifted back. Those eyes tried to convey something.

"When you are grateful to me like that, I don't know why I felt embarrassed."

I say it honestly, even though it feels like I am being attacked by an unpleasant feeling.