A Special Shape

p2
>Eh?
>Erm, excuse me, Senpai. What did you just say?
>Aha. I kinda spaced out there.

>...Is...that so?
>Thank you.
>But... I'm sorry...

>I can't go out with you, Senpai.

p3
>W-Wah!
>I-I just saw it... A confession scene...

>...

p4
>Eh?

>What was... that expression just now?
>...

>..Um...

>E-...
>Eiko-chan.
>Oh?

>Ah... Hana!
>U-Um! I'm sorry!
>I was thinking of returning the book you gave me and... I came across that... by accident!
>I'm really sorry!

>Erm
>I really am sorry, Eiko-chan.
>Um...
>Well...
>I wasn't trying to eavesdrop...
>Aha, don't worry about it.
>It's fine!

p5
>...I...see...
>So that's... what it was...

>...Being unable to respond to someone's good will
>must be... painful, huh...
>You're right... It must've been painful... Eiko-chan... uuh...

>I guess it's tough being loved by everyone...
>Aha
>I said you didn't have to worry about it.
>You're such a good girl.
>S-Sorry...

>...

>...For some reason
>being with you really calms me down, Hana.
>Eh...
>Eh?

>I mean...

p6
>...Um...
>...Are you alright...?
>Hm?

>Just now... Eiko-chan...
>you made an expression... that I've never seen before...

>You saw me?
>Sorry for worrying you.
>Ah... It's fine.
>I'm the one who said something unneccessary...

>Not at all... Thanks.
>...

>Hey.
>Sometimes I get tired
>of these rejections.

p7
>I'm just guessing, but...

>You don't like me "in that way", do you, Hana?

>How should I put it.
>You're always giving it you're all just focusing on yourself.
>Uh... Sorry.
>No, I'm the one who should be sorry... I was just thinking that it must be tough...

>But... I...
>find it relieving.

p8
>To me, Hana is...
>how should I put it... special, I guess...? Just kidding.

>"Special".

>Eiko-chan, who is popular with everyone...
>That Eiko-chan thinks I'm... special...

>Now then!
>We better head back.
>Ah.
>S-Sure...

>I feel really sorry for the others...
>But...

>it made me really happy.

p9
>And yet...

>...na...
>Hana?
>...!

>We're moving to the next class.
>Let's go.
>Ah...yeah!

>...What's wrong? You're spacing out a little today.
>...Ah...erm...
>...

>...Don't worry! It's nothing!
>My heart's been acting strangely lately.

p10
>When I'm with Eiko-chan, my heart pounds.

>When we talk, I feel happy.

>When she gets along with someone, I feel uneasy.

>Could this be...
>love...?

>Ever since that day I became "special" to Eiko-chan... I've become aware of love...
>But... It seems that would just trouble Eiko-chan.

p11
>Keeping these feelings a secret from everyone feels kinda...

>...Not to mention...

>The only reason I'm someone special to Eiko-chan
>is because I wouldn't fall in love with her.

p12
>So if I told her my honest feelings
>I might end up becoming one of the crowd.

>...
>That would be... so painful...

>That's why I have to keep it a secret.
>I must keep it a secret.
>My secrets... have increased...

>So that I can protect my standing compared to other people.
>...Besides...

>Ah.

p13
>Enami-sensei!
>Hey.

>If you'd like, let's eat ice-cream together later.
>Why do I have to go with you...?

>The one Eiko-chan loves is Enami-sensei
>so even if my feelings are love, it doesn't matter to begin with.

p14
>That's right... I can't beat Sensei when it comes to that.
>...But I...

>Alright... Head to class or you'll be late.
>Kay~

>...Hey, Eiko-chan.
>Hm?

>Sensei's wearing that accessory again, huh.
>Aha...Yeah.

>It makes me happy no matter how many times I see it.
>...Very much so.

>...Yeah.
>Good for you, Eiko-chan...

p15
>I know a secret about Eiko-chan that Sensei doesn't.
>Something only I know.

>That she made the accessory.
>That Sensei found it.

>Sensei doesn't know. Nobody knows.

>And also, that Eiko-chan called me "special".

>I think it's different from the kind of "special" that she directs towards Sensei.
>Even so, I'm really happy.

>...That's why...

p16
>I'll keep these feelings a secret
>so that Eiko-chan won't make an expression like that again.

>And also... so I can remain as someone "special" to Eiko-chan.

>That's enough for me.