Episode 29: What Lies in Nagi's Heart‚ A Trembling Voice Behind Calm Eyes
The academy's observation deck was sinking into the boundary between dusk and night.
Streetlights came on beneath the deep blue sky‚ and the wind quietly swept through.
＠1 
――I'm not exactly someone who dislikes places like this.
It's quiet‚ and it's easy to think here.
……Or at least‚ it should have been.
「Nagi‚ the view from here……it's beautiful‚ isn't it?」
＠2
Aria smiled beside me.
Her profile illuminated by the fading light somehow caught my eye.
＠3
……Wait‚ what do you mean‚ "shining"?
I almost wanted to retort at myself.
「Nagi‚ do you come to places like this often?」
＠4
「Because it's quiet.」
I meant to answer calmly‚ but my voice came out a little stiff.
Aria didn't notice‚ simply letting the wind play with her hair.
The gesture was natural and beautiful‚ and something deep inside my chest began to stir.
＠5 
「Nagi‚ are you thinking about something?」
＠6
「Nothing.」
The instant I answered‚ I realized even I had responded too quickly.
As if escaping Aria's gaze‚ I turned my eyes toward the night view.
I still didn't want to admit the "strange feeling" deep inside my chest.
＠7 
As the night deepened‚ the lights of the observation deck swayed quietly.
Aria leaned against the railing‚ gazing at the distant city.
＠8
「Today's training went well thanks to you‚ Nagi.
That analysis of yours was incredibly helpful.」
「It's my job.」
＠9
Even though that's what I said‚ a gentle warmth spread through my chest.
It wasn't as simple as being happy because I'd been praised.
It was something more……something difficult to put into words.
Aria loves Iris.
＠10
I know that‚ and I understand it.
And that's precisely why my reaction right now is so difficult to deal with.
「Nagi‚ you're always so calm‚ aren't you?」
「That's just how I look.」
Aria gave a small laugh.
＠11 
That smile pierced straight into my chest.
――Stop it.
You can't just make a face like that. That's cheating.
「Nagi……do you ever fall in love with someone?」
＠12 
「……!」
＠13
My heart leaped.
I couldn't get a word out.
「Huh? What's wrong?」
「……Nothing.」
Calm down‚ me.
Why am I getting so shaken up by a question like that?
The turmoil deep inside my chest was no longer just a "strange feeling."
It was gradually changing into something more distinct‚ an emotion that somehow felt like it was something I shouldn't give a name to.
＠14
The observation deck at night was so quiet that the city lights seemed to blur.
Aria leaned against the railing and looked up at the night sky.
「Nagi……you were kind of nice today‚ weren't you?」
＠15
「I was just being myself.」
The instant I answered‚ Aria gave a little laugh.
That smile was slowly wearing away at my composure.
「When you're beside me giving me instructions‚ it's so much easier to move.
Somehow……I feel safe.」
＠16
「……I see.」
Even though I answered briefly‚ a gentle warmth spread through my chest.
I looked away‚ escaping into the night view.
「You don't really talk about yourself much‚ do you‚ Nagi?」
「It's just that there's no need to.」
「But I'd be happy if you'd tell me more about yourself.」
＠17
……Wait a second.
Isn't that cheating?
Aria unknowingly drew closer to me.
＠18
That innocence threw my heart into turmoil.
「Nagi‚ your face is red.」
＠19 
「……It's just your imagination.」
The moment I denied it‚ I could tell for myself that my face had grown even hotter.
Aria tilted her head in confusion.
「You have a surprisingly cute side to you‚ Nagi.」
＠20 
「……What?」
Cute?
Me?
What on earth is this girl talking about?
Aria giggled softly.
That smile stirred my heart once again.
――Honestly‚ you're such a troublemaker.
Why am I being pushed around by you this much?
But I don't hate it.
If anything……I'm happy.
That fact was quietly beginning to take shape deep inside my heart.
「Nagi‚ you've been quiet for a while……are you okay?」
「I was just thinking.」
「You really like looking at the night view‚ don't you?」
「It's not that I dislike it.」
「I see. Somehow……looking at it together with you makes me feel at ease‚ Nagi.」
＠21
「……What?」
Those words pierced deep into my chest.
I knew Aria meant them innocently‚ and that was exactly what made them hurt even more.
「You're dependable‚ Nagi……and when you're beside me‚ I feel safe.」
「……Stop.」
「Huh?」
「Don't say things like that so easily.」
＠22
Aria blinked in surprise.
I looked away and escaped into the night sky.
「……Because I'll stop being calm.」
＠23
I'd said it.
Aria looked at me curiously.
「For you to stop being calm……that's unusual‚ isn't it?」
「That's why I'm having trouble with it.」
My chest tightened painfully.
Aria loves Iris.
That hasn't changed‚ and it's not something I can do anything about.
But every time I see Aria's smile‚
every time I hear her voice‚
every time she calls my name‚
something deep inside my chest trembles.
――Oh‚ come on.
Why am I being pushed around by you this much?
But I don't hate it.
If anything……I'm happy.
That fact was quietly taking shape deep inside my heart.
I looked up at the night sky and softly exhaled.
――Oh‚ I see.
So this is what they call love.
＠24
The moment I admitted it‚ the weight in my chest became a little lighter.
But at the same time‚ it also became more painful.
「Nagi‚ thank you for today.
Being with you somehow……made me feel at ease.」
「……It's nothing. I just came here because I wanted to.」
Even though that was my answer‚ Aria smiled happily.
That smile stirred my heart once again.
――Honestly‚ you're such a troublemaker.
Aria still hasn't realized how I feel.
She doesn't need to.
For now‚ this distance between us is enough.
But someday.
Perhaps a day will come when I can no longer hide these feelings.
Stars twinkled in the night sky‚ and the wind quietly swept through.
＠25
I softly exhaled and gazed at Aria's profile.
This feeling surely won't disappear so easily.
If anything‚ it will only grow stronger from here on.
――What am I going to do?
That question alone dissolved into the night air.
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