“…I’m saying I like you.”

No way, I can’t be misunderstanding this.

He was just the cute younger boy next door I’d known since childhood, my childhood friend, and the one I got along well with, right?

“...I’m saying I like you.”

Even though that’s what I thought, I was left speechless by the words that came out of his mouth.

“I’ve liked you all along, ever since back then.”

Hearing his voice, gentler than usual but sounding a little nervous, I knew I should say something too, but I couldn’t put it into words and fell silent.