[Present] After School
The school bell had rung, and students were packing their bags, chatting and making plans.
Nawfi quietly packed his books, preparing to head home.
Across the room, a group of boys were talking.
"Hey,Guys. let's go to karaoke."
"Sorry, I have to go home early today. You guys go without me."
"Ah… that's no fun. What about you, Masashi?"
"Sorry… Me too. I have to help my dad at the store."
"Damn, then what am I going to do alone?"
Just then, a boy came rushing into the classroom, panting.
"Boys! The second-year student from the basketball team, Shin, is going to confess to Asumi from Class B-1 behind the gym! Let's go watch!"
"Oh? Another confession?" Some of the students perked up.
"Yeah, let's go see!"
Hearing this, Nawfi sighed as he zipped up his bag.
"Another confession, huh?" He muttered to himself while walking out of the classroom.
[Next to the Gym]
A group of boys stood near the gym, whispering among themselves.
"I think she'll accept him."
"Maybe… He's popular, after all. I heard he played in the national match. Soon, he'll be the captain of the basketball team."
"Man, I envy him! To think he might get accepted by a beauty like Asumi…"
"Well, he has talent, so what do you expect?"
"But her father is one of the richest men in the country. Will she really accept him?"
"Don't know… Let's see what happens next."
"I don't care if she accepts or not because… the school goddess, Ayane-san, is still single! She's never dated anyone before."
"That's true… Hehehe."
As the students murmured, Nawfi approached the gym.
Shin stood in front of Asumi, his expression serious.
"Asumi-san, I like you!" He took a deep breath and bowed slightly. "Please go out with me!"
The crowd held their breath.
But Asumi simply looked at him and said—
"Sorry, I won't go out with you."
Then, without another word, she turned and walked away.
The whispers grew louder.
"Damn!! That was too harsh."
"I don't think I can ever propose to a girl in my life."
"Same here, man…"
[Nawfi was thinking.]
Nawfi's mind was racing with a thousand thoughts, each one more terrifying than the last.
I don't know what I should do… What if I get rejected? It's all over then… our long-time friendship…
What if she thinks of me as just a friend?
[Imagine no.1]
"Nawfi! You're horrible… I thought we were friends… How could you say such a thing?"
The words cut through him like a blade. His heart raced, and a cold sweat formed on his forehead. He could already see the disappointment in her eyes.
No… I can't bear that. What if that happens?
What if she thinks of me as a brother?
[Imagine no.2]
"Nawfi! You are unspeakable! I thought of you as my brother… and you told me this?… Don't talk to me anymore!"
The rejectionburned, and he felt his chest tighten. He could see her turning away, her face filled with hurt.
No… this is worse. This would ruin everything between us…
What if she likes someone else?
[Imagine no.3]
"How disgusting!! Don't you know, I love someone else, yet you ask me out?… I hate you!!!"
The words felt like a punch to the gut. He recoiled, unable to breathe, feeling the weight of that imagined rejection.
No, no, no… what if that happens?
He sat down on the ground, his hands clutching his head. His thoughts were a whirlwind of anxiety, confusion, and fear.
What if everything goes wrong? What if she rejects me and everything changes?
"Stay calm, Nawfi… Stay calm…" he whispered to himself.
"No..no..I can't tell her."Nawfi was thinking out loud.
"Nawfi." Almus called him.
"No..if I don't tell her then nothing will happen, right?…yeah…That's right."He ignored his surroundings.
" hey! Nawfi. " Almus called him again.
"But… if I don't tell her now. It will be too late. I can't do that either…" he was asking himself, "So what should I do now?"
"Nawfi!!" Almus shouted loudly.
"Oh..it's Almus..I thought.."he confused and said," Almus listen, I can't propose her."
"What are you talking about??" Almus said, "I have already prepared everything."
"But.. what if she rejects?"
"Don't think too much about it..just do as i say.."Almus replied,
"Okay" Nawfi mumbled.
"Now..keep this rose and go to class A-3…she'll be there." Almus tried to calm him down with a smile,
He glanced at Almus, who was looking at him with an encouraging smile, though there was a hint of faith in his eyes. "I trust you, Nawfi. Just remember, you can't let this chance slip away."
Nawfi nodded, though his nerves were eating him up from the inside. Just do it. Just go up to her, give her the rose, and tell her how you feel. What's the worst that could happen?
"Oh..Shougo san, said to wish you luck." Almus added, "And Kenji kun will reward you. Whatever you got accepted or not.. I don't know what he means though."
"I know" Nawfi forced himself to smile as he remembered Kenji's reward,
"I'm going now."
He walked slowly toward Class A-3, each step feeling heavier than the last. His mind was filled with doubts and fear, but he knew Almus and the others had prepared him for this.
If I don't do it now, I'll regret it forever.
When he was going three boys standing by road. They were mocking him.
Nawfi felt his chest tighten as he heard the mocking voices. The rose in his hand suddenly felt like a burden, not a symbol of courage.
"Hey, look… Nagato's got a rose?" The leader of the group sneered.
"Is he going to propose to someone?"
The boy smirked,
"I think I know. It's his childhood sweetheart."
"Huh! Does he really think she'll accept him? What a loser!" The boys laughed.
Nawfi's face flushed with anger and embarrassment. He wanted to ignore them, but their words stung.
Why do they have to make fun of me now?
The leader stepped closer,
"You're gonna get rejected, and then what? You'll look like an idiot."
Nawfi's heart pounded, but he clenched his fists and stood tall. He wouldn't let them ruin this moment.
Ignoring them, Nawfi took a step forward and walked away, holding the rose tightly.