... Hah?"
From the first words spoken, with neither preface nor wish-washing, it became a development where everything was decided and made Hajime's eyes turn into dots. Inadvertently, he leaked such a stupefied voice. In place of Hajime, who could not immediately regain his composure due to being dumbfounded, Yue moved out.
"... You are not qualified for that."
"What qualification? Is it to always think of Hajime? Then, I won't lose to anyone, you know?"
Kaori calmly replied Yue's words. Yue, "Mmhmp," made her mouth into ^.
Kaori matched her gaze to Yue's, then she abruptly moved her unshakable gaze towards Hajime. Following that, she united her hand before her chest with blushing cheeks, took a deep breath, then with desperate and trembling voice, she spoke to him... thus she conveyed it.
"I love you."
"... Shirasaki."
Kaori's expression was mix of embarrassment, worrying while she was expecting Hajime's answer, and happiness coming from being able to convey her feelings to him. Thus, with those mixed feeling, she didn't back away, displaying her determination.
That gaze, filled with determination and sincerity made Hajime answered her with serious eyes.
"I have a woman I am in love with. So I can't answer Shirasaki's feelings. Therefore, I can't take you with me."
Hajime's clear answer made Kaori immediately bite her lip as if she wanted to cry, but in the next moment, power was born inside the eyes that were about to spill tears and she raised her face. Thus she nodded to tell him she understood. Behind Kaori, Kouki and the others were in blank surprise, agape, and in a pandemonium-like situation, but not minding them, Kaori spun her desired words.
"... Un, I know. It's Yue-san, right?"
"Yeah, that's why..."
"But, I don't think that can be a reason for me not to be at Hajime-kun's side."
"What?"
"Because, Shia-san and the slightly strange Tio-san are also in love with Hajime-kun, right? Especially Shia-san, I feel she is pretty serious about it."
"... That's..."
"Even though Hajime-kun, with you already having your own special person, she still doesn't give up and wants to be at Hajime-kun's side, and also, Hajime-kun lets her be so. That's why, it wouldn't be a problem if I am there too, right? After all, my feelings for Hajime-kun... won't lose to anyone."
Saying so, Kaori turned her blazing, strong gaze towards Yue. What was expressed was, My feelings won't lose to you! I won't let you laugh at them!, and Yue could see Kaori's strong will. That was definitely a declaration of war. It was a declaration that she'd steal the one and only "special seat" from Yue.
Receiving Kaori's piercing gaze from the front, Yue, unusually, turned her lips in a smile that could be understood by anyone as fearless.
"... I see, then come with us. And there I will teach you. Our differences, that is."
"Not you, it's Kaori."
"... Then, just call me Yue. I accept Kaori's challange."
"Fufu, Yue. Don't cry if you lose, kay?"
"... Fu, fufufufufu."
"Aha, ahahahahaha.