Next day, Takeru continued to visit Mizuha regularly, finding any opportunity to spend time with her outside of school. He invited her to various outings, such as going to the movies, exploring nearby parks, and trying out new cafes in town. Takeru's actions were fueled by his determination to make Mizuha keep her distance from Hikaru and win her heart back.
As their bond strengthened through their shared experiences, Takeru couldn't help but fall deeper in love with Mizuha. Every smile, every moment they spent together, further fueled his desire to reclaim what he believed was rightfully his. However, his relentless pursuit did not go unnoticed by their classmates, especially Akemi, who had been observing the situation closely.
One day, as Takeru and Mizuha strolled hand in hand along a picturesque riverside path, Akemi approached them, wearing a concerned and frustrated expression. "Takeru, can I talk to you for a moment?" she asked, her voice filled with genuine worry.
Taken aback by her interruption, Takeru reluctantly let go of Mizuha's hand and turned to face Akemi. "What is it?" he inquired; his tone tinged with impatience.
Akemi took a deep breath, collecting her thoughts before speaking. "I've noticed that you've been spending a lot of time with Mizuha recently," she began cautiously. "But you need to remember that Mizuha already has a boyfriend—Hikaru. It's not fair to her or him if you try to come between them."
Frustration and determination flickered in Takeru's eyes. "I don't care about that," he retorted defiantly. "I just want Mizuha back with me. Besides, Hikaru isn't the right person for her. You should know that, Akemi."
Confused, Akemi furrowed her eyebrows and questioned Takeru, "What are you talking about, Takeru?" Surprise tinged her voice as she spoke. "Yes, I had feelings for Hikaru, but he rejected my confession. I've accepted that and made the decision to support Mizuha and Hikaru's relationship. I won't betray her feelings or try to win Hikaru back."
Takeru narrowed his gaze as he processed Akemi's words. "So, you're telling me that you've given up on pursuing Hikaru?" he asked skeptically.
Akemi nodded with unwavering resolve. "Yes, that's correct. I've chosen to focus on being his friend instead. It wouldn't be fair to Mizuha or our friendship if I allowed my feelings to interfere."
"Thank you for talking with me, Akemi, but I'm not giving up on winning Mizuha's heart. I will continue trying until I succeed in making her my girlfriend and fulfilling our promise."
Akemi looked worried about the potential strain on Mizuha and Hikaru's relationship due to Takeru's actions and determination. She hoped that Mizuha would always stay with Hikaru.
As days turned into weeks, Takeru's relentless pursuit of Mizuha's heart intensified. He employed various tactics to impress her, from heartfelt gestures to grand romantic gestures, each carefully calculated to sway her affections away from Hikaru. However, Mizuha remained steadfast in her commitment to Hikaru, torn between her childhood promise and the love she had found with him.
Hikaru, too, was not one to back down easily. He recognized the depth of Takeru's feelings for Mizuha and understood the gravity of the situation. Determined to protect their relationship, he showered Mizuha with unwavering affection and worked tirelessly to strengthen their bond.
Meanwhile, the tension between Takeru and Hikaru was palpable, as both harbored a sense of rivalry fueled by their mutual love for Mizuha. Their interactions were marked by subtle jabs and occasional confrontations as they vied for her attention and affection.
Mizuha found herself caught in the middle of this love triangle, torn between her childhood memories and the present reality. Each passing day brought her closer to a difficult decision that could potentially change the course of her relationships forever.
One day, Takeru placed a letter in Mizuha's shoe rack, inviting her to hang out with him the following day. Since it was the weekend, he wanted to share something important with her.
After the school session ended that day, Mizuha discovered a letter inside her shoe rack. Intrigued, she picked it up and began reading it just as Hikaru approached her.
"Hey Mizuha, what's that you have there?" Hikaru asked, trying to catch a glimpse of the letter.
Mizuha swiftly concealed the letter behind her back. "Oh, it's nothing," she replied casually, hoping to deflect Hikaru's curiosity.
Hikaru raised an eyebrow. "Really? It looked like a letter."
Mizuha shrugged, attempting to change the subject. "Anyway, would you like to study together at the town library tomorrow?"
Mizuha bit her lip, feeling guilty. "I'm sorry, Hikaru. I can't tomorrow. I have something to do."
Hikaru smiled, not wanting to press the matter. "That's alright. We can go another day. Shall we walk home together as usual?"
Mizuha smiled in relief. "Sure, let's go."
As they walked home, Mizuha couldn't help but ponder the contents of Takeru's letter and what he intended to tell her the next day.
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