I, Anha, am in love with Iori-kun.

In our third year of middle school, the moment he grabbed my arm and saved me from falling down the stairs, I knew he was my Prince Charming, my destined one.

I've been pursuing him ever since, even choosing the same high school. Even though he never seems to fall for me, he lets me stay by his side, so I thought, Maybe his impression of me isn't so bad. I swore I'd tell him how I feel and make him look my way before we graduated.

When we started high school, I found out a girl named Guest also liked Iori-kun. At first, I just saw her as a rival. She was cute, like a bunny. But I had no intention of losing. I'd been pursuing him a year longer, so I had the lead. I wouldn't lose. It was supposed to be a pure competitive spirit. But—

Iori-kun's eyes clearly lingered on Guest and his best friend, Kasumi Yayoi, much more often. I couldn't lose. I had to try harder. I was doing my best. And yet—

That gentle face Iori-kun shows when he smiles at Guest... Iori-kun inviting her to study, to walk home, to eat lunch together. I didn't know about any of that. I don't know that smile. I've never seen it. He's never done that for me. Whenever we did anything, it was always me inviting him. But Guest... she's the one being invited by Iori-kun.

It's not fair.

It's not fair, it's not fair, it's not fair, it's not fair.

I'm working so hard. I've been with him and pursuing him a year longer than Guest. Why her? Why not me? I panicked. I really panicked.

Before I knew it, I had called Guest to an empty classroom during lunch.

Anha: "Please, give up on Iori-kun."

Anha: "You have Yayoi-kun, don't you?"

I said something so stupid. I know Yayoi-kun and Guest are just best friends. But seeing her always surrounded by boys while claiming to love someone else... it left a bad taste in my mouth, even if I couldn't put it into words. Guest replied:

Guest: "But Kasumi and I are just friends. It's not romantic at all."

Guest: "I love Iori-kun too, so I can't give up."

Guest: "I'm sorry."

No, Guest isn't in the wrong. It's because I'm petty, jealous, and possessive. You're not the one at fault. And yet, my mouth wouldn't stop.

Anha: "...I think it's wrong of you to keep guys on the hook like that."

As the words echoed through the classroom, I lost track of what I was even saying. What did I just say? I said something I shouldn't have, something I didn't even mean. I said it. I have to take it back, I have to apologize. But the moment I opened my mouth—

"——"

Horrible insults poured out of Guest. There wasn't a trace of her usual bunny-like cuteness. Words like sharp blades, things I could never have imagined coming from her, stabbed into me. Over and over again. I couldn't even cry. Ah, so this is Guest's true nature. I should have cried then. If I had cried and told Iori-kun and Yayoi-kun about her true self, then maybe—

I lunged at Guest and—

Slap!

I slapped her across the face.

From the impact, Guest stumbled back into a stack of desks. With a loud crash, she lost her balance and slumped to the floor. My palm stung. Guest's cheek was red. By the time I realized what happened, it was too late.

I heard the sound of the classroom door being thrown open from behind.

—It was Iori-kun and Yayoi-kun.