Her Name Was Ayanokoji Mirai — Ending

At the time, Ayanokoji Mari analyzed the matter like this: “Because your current boss is practically a god. Have you ever seen a human being write a love letter to God?”

The statement was undeniably exaggerated, but the meaning behind it came through with admirable precision: anyone who confessed to Iwasaki Kazuto was guaranteed to be rejected.

And so Ayanokoji Mirai, in her role as his private secretary, stood there holding that pink love letter, which seemed to carry the warmth of spring itself. She felt utterly bewildered—and, faintly but distinctly, rather displeased.

She looked hesitantly at Ayanokoji Mari, who was sitting backward on a chair in front of her. “To be honest, I don’t want to give this thing to Senior Iwasaki at all.”

“Why not?”

Ayanokoji Mirai gazed down at the envelope in her hand with remarkable calm. “Possessiveness, probably. Maybe I’ve fallen for that Iwasaki fellow.”

Under the blazing sun, two butterflies chased each other over the bright green grass. The white dusting on their wings scattered seven colors in the light.

Not every love story has to be grand and stormy.

At the crowded gate of the University of Tokyo, Ayanokoji Mirai stood with that pink love letter clenched in her right hand, her expression solemn enough for a battlefield. Iwasaki Kazuto had just finished his entrance exam. His eyes showed a trace of fatigue, but there was also an unusual brightness in them.

Mirai twisted the hem of her clothes between the fingers of her right hand, as though preparing to die heroically. “There are two things I need to report. First, um, a girl gave you a love letter. Here. This is it. And second… uh, well, that is… I like you.”

The smile began at the corners of his eyes.

Mirai felt her heart start beating in a way that was not at all normal.

The day was very cold.

Iwasaki Kazuto merely lowered his head and, with rare gentleness, straightened the deep-blue scarf around her neck. “If you don’t get into the University of Tokyo in two years,” he said, “I’ll kill you.”

And so the poor little rabbit, step by careful step and without ever looking back, finally walked into the hunter’s trap.