"Ah!"

Reina-senpai stood up slowly after a moment of silence, approached me, and hugged me.

"W, what!?"

I was shocked by the sudden action. Why is she hugging me right now?

"R, Reina-senpai!?"

"......I'm sorry. Could you just let me do this for a little while?"

"E, um..."

".........*sniff*... *sniff*..."

Is she... crying? I can hear sniffling sounds.

I was bewildered, but I continued to be hugged for a few minutes. When Reina-senpai finished crying, she spoke in a shaky voice.

"...I'm sorry. I suddenly burst into tears, but I'm a little calmer now."

"If it helped you, Senpai, then it's totally fine."

She must have been really distraught to cry like that...

"Thank you. ...That, Chihiro-kun, could I maybe rely on you a little bit? I want you to praise me and stroke my hair... is that okay?"

"B, but is it okay for me? I think Miyacho-senpai would be better."

I'm not very good at saying thoughtful things or comforting people... I think Miyacho-senpai, who is close to Reina-senpai, would be better suited for this.

"No, I want Chihiro-kun."

Reina-senpai's arms tighten around me. If I don't do it, she'll stay in this position forever.

...Okay. I take a deep breath, rack my brain, and try to gather compliments.

"Y, you're always working really hard, Reina-senpai. You're amazing. You might even be working too hard."

".........*sniff*."

Reina-senpai's alluring voice is right next to my ear every time I stroke her hair, and my spine shivers.

No, I can't think impure thoughts. Senpai is desperate, so I have to do my best.

"You should rely on others more, Senpai. It's okay if you're not perfect. Don't push yourself."

".........*sniff*... Chihiro...kun."

I endure the awkwardness and everything else, pampering Reina-senpai for about ten minutes.

"Senpai is my role model. You're always so cool and kind to everyone."

"…………*sniff*."

"…………A, are you okay now?"

"...*sniff*."

I think it's probably enough, so I pull away from Reina-senpai, and she lets out a lingering sound.

When I look at her face, she seems a little more lively than before.

"O, oh... I'm okay. Thank you. I'm sorry for suddenly hugging you and asking you to do that... "

"N, no problem. If it helped you, Senpai..."

"……………"

Reina-senpai stares intently at my face without saying anything.

I, I'm uncomfortable. I should leave soon.

"W, well then... I'll leave now."

"Wait a minute!"

Reina-senpai calls out to me as I'm about to leave the room.

"Y, yes?"

"...That, could I maybe... rely on you again tomorrow, Chihiro-kun?"

"Eh? B, but I think Miyacho-senpai would be better suited for this."

"No way! I, I can only ask for this from Chihiro-kun!"

"……………"

I agreed to do it today, but I still feel like Miyacho-senpai, someone who seems capable, would be better. (TL: I think he have a huge crush on Miyacho-senpai).

Besides, it was so embarrassing to hug her, praise her, and stroke her hair. I think I'll be too embarrassed if she asks for it again tomorrow...

"C, Chihiro-kun say I could rely on you! "

Reina-senpai looks like she's about to cry as she approaches me, seeing my hesitation.

"……………"

"W, well, can I rely on you if I win the next competition, right? It's the last competition of my high school years!"

"Eh? ...Senpai, is your injury really okay?"

"I will, I will definitely heal. So... please?"

"…………Okay. If you win the next competition, Senpai, then you can rely on me again."

"Really? Y, you'll, you'll definitely do it? I'll be angry if you break your promise!"

"Y, yes, I promise."

W, wow, she's really putting the pressure on me. Is it really that good?

Reina-senpai is injured right now and can't even practice until the competition. I'm sorry, but she's probably not going to win either, so I won't have to keep my promise.

Reina-senpai saw me off, and I left her room.