I Won't Be a Loser

Haruto wasn't particularly surprised by Setsuna Kiyoura's visit. Of all the residents in this building, he had only interacted with three. He had just returned from Ryuuji Takasu's home that morning, and Miss Sekai Saionji had recently been through a rejection.

When someone knocked at his door, the first person Haruto thought of was Setsuna Kiyoura. Peering through the peephole confirmed it was her.

The girl standing before him looked different from their last meeting. She was dressed in a black sweater that accentuated her petite frame, giving her the appearance of an elegant porcelain doll. In her hands, she held a food container. This reminded Haruto of the promise they had made during their previous encounter.

"Burdock root?" Haruto asked.

She nodded in confirmation.

Haruto reached out and took the food container from her hands. "If you don't mind, would you like to come in and stay for a while?"

Setsuna didn't hesitate. She nodded and replied softly, "Okay."

Haruto stepped aside, making room for her to enter. This time, he was careful to avoid the mishap that occurred during their last meeting.

At the entrance, Setsuna removed her shoes. Her soft white socks met the cold floor, making her toes curl slightly. A brief moment of discomfort flashed across her usually calm face.

Noticing this, Haruto opened the shoe cabinet and retrieved a pair of slippers he had specifically prepared for guests. He placed them near her feet.

"I noticed this last time, so I prepared these. Please feel free to use them," he said politely.

Setsuna looked at him with mild surprise. She hadn't expected him to pay attention to such details, let alone prepare guest slippers. A faint blush colored her cheeks, and she nodded with a small smile before slipping them on.

The two walked into the living room together. Haruto set the food container on the desk and turned to see Setsuna looking around his room.

"It's completely different from the last time I was here," she remarked.

"I hadn't settled in back then. I've finally managed to organize everything. Would you like something to drink? Juice or milk?"

"Just water is fine."

As Haruto went to get a glass of water, Setsuna continued to glance around the room. She seemed to be searching for something specific, but as her gaze traveled, her expression softened, relieved by what she didn't find.

Haruto returned with a glass of hot water and placed it on the low table in the center of the room. He sat down and gestured for her to do the same.

"Please, have a seat."

Setsuna hesitated for a moment before kneeling gracefully on the cushion near the low table. She adjusted her skirt as she sat, her movements measured and deliberate.

An awkward silence settled between them. Haruto found himself at a loss for words, unsure how to converse with someone so petite and youthful-looking, despite knowing she was around his age.

"Um…" he began, just as Setsuna also opened her mouth to speak.

Both paused, startled by the overlap. Haruto chuckled softly and gestured for her to go first.

Setsuna hesitated, her confidence shaken. She had been ready to speak, but now, her words escaped her. After a moment, she deferred, "Why don't you go first, Miyamizu-kun?"

Haruto nodded. "Alright. I was going to ask about you, Miss Kiyoura…"

"Just call me Setsuna," she interrupted gently.

The directness of her request surprised Haruto. It felt unusual for someone he had only met twice to insist on such familiarity. But the resolute gaze she fixed on him made it difficult to refuse.

"Alright… Setsuna," he said, testing the name.

A faint nod of approval was her only response, though her satisfaction was evident in the slight lift of her expression.

"Are you a first-year high school student as well? I forgot to ask which school you attend."

"Sakakino Academy," she replied.

"Sakakino… I've heard of it. It's nearby, isn't it?"

"It's far away from Toyonosaki Academy, but it's near this neighborhood. Toyonosaki is on the south side, close to Chiyoda, and Sakakino is on the west side."

"I see."

Though Haruto nodded as if he understood, he wasn't entirely sure where Sakakino Academy was located. He sat in silence, unsure of what to ask next.

Meanwhile, Setsuna fidgeted slightly. Her hands clenched and unclenched over her knees, hesitating for a long time, and finally mustered up his courage.

"Um… about Saionji…"

"Hmm?"

Haruto's attention sharpened. He recognized the name immediately.

"Sekai Saionji… she's my friend."

"Miss Saionji from yesterday?" Haruto asked, his brows furrowing slightly.

Setsuna nodded hesitantly, her expression uneasy. "The truth is, she approached you because of me… even the confession."

"..."

A complicated feeling stirred in Haruto's chest. He sensed this conversation wasn't heading in a positive direction.

"She confessed to you to test if you were… that type of guy."

"A prank, then?"

Haruto's voice remained calm, he didn't seem angry. Setsuna bowed her head deeply.

"I'm truly sorry!"

Haruto sighed, feeling torn between mild irritation and relief. If the confession was a prank, then Sekai Saionji didn't actually harbor feelings for him. That realization lifted a weight off his shoulders.

"It's fine. If it was just a prank, it actually puts me at ease," he said, lightly tapping the table to signal her to raise her head.

Setsuna lifted her gaze, confusion evident in her soft, crimson eyes.

"If it had been a genuine confession, I'd have to figure out how to interact with Miss Saionji moving forward. But since it was a joke, I can just treat her the same as before."

"..."

Setsuna hesitated. She wanted to clarify that Sekai's confession had been genuine, but remembering Sekai's impulsive actions, she chose not to explain further.

"Letting him misunderstand might not be so bad," she thought to herself, pursing her lips slightly.

Sacrificing Sekai's honesty gave Setsuna an opportunity to step forward. As she resolved to seize this chance, her gaze locked onto Haruto with newfound determination.