Lunch break arrived.

I spend most of lunch break alone.

It’s because I want to feed the stray cats that gather behind the school building.

Watching them and spending lunchtime slowly is my small enjoyment.

It hurts to turn down invitations from kind classmates, but I can’t just ignore the cats behind the building either.

So that day as well, I headed behind the school building carrying my homemade bento and a bag filled with cat food.

“U-um, Reo-sama, I’m sorry for calling you out all the way here…”

While walking along a window in a deserted hallway, I heard an unfamiliar girl’s voice coming from the courtyard beyond the glass.

When I looked toward the sound, the tense atmosphere made it immediately clear what was about to happen.

This is… a confession.

I lowered my head so I wouldn’t be noticed from outside the window.

Why didn’t I hurry away? Peeking into someone else’s privacy is something I absolutely shouldn’t do.

Maybe it’s because the one being confessed to was a famous person even I from another class knew.

“There’s no need to worry. I understand how much courage this must have taken for you.”

A low, steady and dignified clear voice echoed.

‘As expected… the girl being confessed to really is our school’s Prince…’

Any school has one or two popular students, but when it comes to the most popular student at ours, there’s no one besides her.

However, Takatsuka Reo-san was popular in a somewhat special way.

She was overwhelmingly popular with the same sex.

Apparently, she’s confessed to nearly every day and every one of them is from female students.

In truth, Takatsuka-san was androgynous, with the kind of handsome-girl looks that make even the same sex fall for her.

Silver earrings shone at her ears today as well.

She wore a full-zip hoodie, yet her slender tall frame was obvious. Like a model. If someone said she worked as a fashion model, I’d believe it instantly she was that beautiful.

Of course, my true love interest is Iwabuchi-san.

‘…For someone that popular, she doesn’t seem to be dating anyone… but then again I’ve never seen her around guys either.’

The truth is unclear, but despite being surrounded by girls, Takatsuka-san carries a somewhat solitary air.

From the girls’ perspective, maybe that’s part of what attracts them.

“I like you, Reo-sama! So… would you go out with me?”

The girl confessing seemed much braver than I. I couldn’t help rooting for her.

Takatsuka-san, meanwhile, wore a gentle smile upon her picture-perfect face like a sacred painting.

“Thank you. Your words make me very happy.”

Could it be… they’ll become a couple?

“But I’m sorry. There’s someone I like.”

“…”

The girl was struck speechless.

“So I can’t become your lover.”

“I… see…”

Seeing her downcast expression made even me feel depressed.

She looked ready to cry.

But the ‘Prince’ handled the follow-up perfectly.

Takatsuka-san stepped close, gently wiped her tears with her fingertips and said, “I’m sorry. Don’t cry.”

Then embraced her.

“I can’t be lovers with you, but I can remain an important friend. I was happy you told me you liked me. Thank you.”

“N-no! I’m the one who should apologize for saying something strange so suddenly!”

“No. You did something very brave. I’d be happy if you stayed just as you are. Someday you’ll definitely have a wonderful encounter.”

“O-okay… I’ll try my besht…”

The girl seemed completely recovered. Her cheeks flushed and her face looked feverish.

Before long, the two left the courtyard.

‘Wait, what was I watching so intently!? Peeping like that… I’m such an awful guy!’

Sudden guilt washed over me, making me want to spin in embarrassment on the spot.

‘But… I see. Takatsuka-san has someone she likes too.’

Even the solitary ‘Prince’, adored overwhelmingly, had someone she loved.

‘They say popular people are lonely, but if you have someone you like, maybe that’s not true.’

I respect Takatsuka-san as a person.

Something like this happened once.

A rough-looking man came to the front gate and was arguing with a female student.

I don’t know what happened between them, but the girl looked completely troubled and clearly needed help.

It was after school and plenty of boys were around, but everyone pretended not to see.

I don’t blame them. I was one of those frozen in place too.

Among them, Takatsuka-san was different.

Seeing the girl in trouble, she immediately stepped between them, listened to the man, nodded and then suddenly threw him with a shoulder throw and knocked him unconscious.

“Don’t ever do anything that makes her cry again.”

Leaving only those words behind, she departed briskly. After that her reputation as the school’s greatest ‘Prince’ only grew.

It made me think heroes are people who can act when the moment calls for it.

‘…If only I could become like that.’

Takatsuka-san is a distant goal beyond reach.

Even if I can’t defeat villains, I want to at least be able to help a girl crying in front of me, like she did.