Do I really have a thing for female voice actors?

For some reason, I didn't dare to look into her beautiful eyes for a moment.

I told the truth, but I didn't dare look her in the eye, afraid that I would see disappointment in her eyes and it would break my heart.

This must be because I "like" Ms. Hina and can't bear to see her sad and tearful.

What exactly is the difference between these two kinds of liking?

Miss Hinata is truly a courageous girl.

I felt both admiration and guilt.

I admire her for being able to face her inner self, yet I feel guilty for not being able to give her the kind of "like" that has special meaning, the kind she expects.

Is it not enough to simply like Hina-san's singing voice and piano playing, and to want to do everything in our power to send her to a grand stage?

At times like these, I long for someone to listen to my troubles.

I suddenly wanted to hear her voice.

I want to know if she's asleep, and what kind of dream she's having.

I wonder if she misses me just as much before she falls asleep.

I will.

These things weren't something I did on a whim.

It was something I thought about day and night, and now it had become a habit, so I didn't find it strange at all.

It wasn't until Ms. Rina pointed it out to me that I suddenly realized what was going on.

So this is what Ms. Hinata wanted in terms of "liking".

I share the same feelings as her.

Ms. Hinata likes me, just as I like Mika.

After sorting out my thoughts, I found it even harder to fall asleep.

It felt like someone pried open my skull and poured cans of caffeine into my head, soaking my brain.

I really want to tell the truth, the truth that won't hurt anyone.

—I already have a girl I like, so I can't accept your feelings.

Surprisingly, I found myself unable to say it.

Could it be that the problem lies with me?

Although I have never lied to Ms. Hina, I have never hidden my "liking" for her.

Looking back now, it seems I was just using "different preferences" as an excuse to hurt her, trying to convince myself with that reason.

Indeed, my arrogance and selfishness were evident.

It has never been erased from me.

I have to reflect on this.

In the quiet of the night, I endlessly pondered how I should get along with them in the future.

……

……

The next morning.

After Aoki Hina went downstairs, she subconsciously looked at Tazaki Toru's bedroom, but the door was tightly closed.

The dining table was empty, and there was no sign of the kitchen having been used.

Hina Aoki was somewhat surprised.

At this time of day, Tazaki Toru would usually be either out for a morning run or already in the kitchen preparing breakfast.

She hesitated for a while, worried that Tazaki Toru might be unwell, and then went up and knocked on his door.

After a long while, the door slowly opened, and in front of her was Tazaki Toru with messy medium-length hair. What surprised her most was the dark clouds gathered under Tazaki Toru's eyes.

"Tazaki-kun, what's wrong with you?"

Tazaki Toru squinted and shook his head to clear his head, his voice slightly hoarse.

"It seems like I'm having trouble sleeping."

"This is really rare," Hina Aoki exclaimed in surprise.

"If you're sleepy, go back to sleep for a while. I'll prepare breakfast today, so don't worry."

Tazaki Toru opened his eyes and grabbed Aoki Hina's sleeve just as she was about to turn and leave.

Aoki Hina was startled and turned around: "W-what's wrong? Tazaki-kun?"

Tazaki Toru frowned, pondering how to begin.

Suddenly, the girl seemed to remember something. Her bright eyes blinked slightly, and she tentatively asked:

"Could it be that you couldn't sleep all night because of what happened yesterday?"

Tazaki Toru remained silent, then slowly nodded.

Hina Aoki stared intently at Toru Tazaki with her round eyes wide open.

After a moment, the girl's astonishment gradually turned into a smile.

He couldn't help but lean forward, bursting into unrestrained laughter, bending over and over with each stroke.

Tazaki Toru couldn't understand it.

Is it really that funny?

"...Hahaha, pfft...Of course it's funny! Pfft hahaha..."

"That Tazaki-kun, he actually has insomnia because of something like this..."

Hina Aoki almost laughed until tears streamed down her face.

Just as Tazaki Toru was wondering what to do, the girl in front of him suddenly hugged him tightly.

Tazaki Toru's heart tightened.

The girl's soft cheek pressed against his chest once more, uttering a gentle and soothing murmur:

"Thank you for being willing to suffer for a bad girl like me."

"Miss Hina isn't a bad girl, it's my problem."

"I am far from being as sincere as Miss Hina thinks. Now it seems that my unwillingness to lie was perhaps just for my own convenience."

"Even so, Miss Hina still likes me?"

"Yes, I like it."

She answered without hesitation.

Tazaki Toru just couldn't understand it.

The girl felt the heartbeat coming from Tazaki Toru's chest, and the corners of her mouth involuntarily turned up slightly.

"If you can control your emotions at will, can it still be called liking someone?"

Tazaki Toru couldn't answer that question.

"Besides, even if Tazaki-kun is a bad man who lies all the time, I still like you."

"I like you the most."

……

……

After getting up, Tachibana Rin yawned sleepily and slowly went downstairs, holding onto the handrail, to go urinate.

A glance out of the corner of her eye landed on Toru Tazaki's bedroom door, and the girl's body trembled suddenly, even her urge to urinate receding slightly.

After standing there stunned for a couple of seconds, he looked like he'd seen a ghost.

No, Sister Yang.

Why are you eating so well so early in the morning?!

486. If three people can do it, can't four people do it too?

Rin Tachibana's slippers thumped on the floor as the two people in front of the bedroom door quickly separated.

Hina Aoki subconsciously smoothed her long hair, gently straightened her clothes, looked up at the stairs, and forced a smile.

"Rin-chan, good morning. You're up so early today."

Now that things have come to this, Tachibana Rin certainly can't bring herself to say that she went downstairs to pee.

Looking down at Hina Aoki, he remained silent.

Feeling a little guilty under her best friend's gaze, Aoki Hina said, "I'll go prepare breakfast for you."

After saying that, he left Tazaki Toru standing there and ran to the kitchen alone.

Tazaki Toru also felt that the scene was really awkward, and nodded slightly to Tachibana Rin.

The girl snorted, didn't even glance at Toru Tazaki, and went to wash up.

……

……

At breakfast time, Toru Tazaki was still in his bedroom, and only Hina Aoki and Rin Tachibana were at the dining table.

Rin Tachibana became even more puzzled and started working on her little head, which was filled with yellow fertilizer.

Could it be that what she witnessed earlier was actually a scene that had already ended?

It all started because of Aoki Hina's pettiness. Ever since that night when he accidentally ended up in Tazaki Toru's bed, this woman has held a grudge.

So, taking advantage of the previous night, he took advantage of Tazaki Toru.

The reason why Tazaki Toru didn't come out for breakfast was because he hadn't slept all night and needed to catch up on sleep.