I took my history book out from my desk, and was prepared to open it up to page 134, as the teacher had instructed. But something caught my eye. It was falling—fluttering towards the floor.

And envelope—beautifully decorated at that.

I picked it up to see whose it was.

_To: Kiyoshi_

_From: Ayumi_

Ayumi? _“This is definitely a prank from her,”_ is what I was thinking—until I saw it.

A heart, on the top right corner.

I gulped. This is another one of her pranks. I know it is. But, on the off chance it isn’t, I could end up hurting her feelings.

So I opened the letter, and read its contents:

_Hey you,_

__

_You make my heart skip every time you smile. Thanks for cheering me on—even when I’m as graceful as a juggling potato. Can’t wait for our next ramen hunt (and my sweet revenge in juggling lessons)._

__

_All my giggles,_

_—Me…_

It _was_ a love letter. Without a doubt.

Her confession hid behind that jokingly playful persona I knew so well. I turned to look at her, only to find her staring right at me already.

I turned beat red. She then let out a small chuckle.

Suddenly, the teacher called on me:

_“Kiyoshi?” _

__

_Y-yes?_

__

_“Can you read the last paragraph?”_

__

_“O‑oh, umm, I‑I—sorry, what page are we on?”_

__

_“sigh~ Kiyoshi, pay attention next time, please?”_

__

_“Y-yes, I’m sorry.”_

Half the class erupted in light laughter, and made me even more embarrassed than I already was. After that, she called on someone else. Then, I turned to look at Ayumi again.

You looked as if you were about to explode with laughter at any moment. And it made me blush harder.

Then, it subsided a bit—and you let out a big smile that shot an arrow directly through my heart. Right then and there,

I knew what my answer was going to be.