They were both silent as they listened to faint sounds that came to them through the darkness.
“Have you ever been in love?” asked Sina, suddenly.
“Yes,” said Yourii slowly. ‘Suppose I tell her?’ he thought. Then, aloud, “I am in love now.”
“With whom?” she asked, fearing to hear the answer, while yet certain that she knew it.
“With you, of course,” replied Yourii, vainly assuming playful tone as he leant forward and gazed into her eyes, that shone strangely in the gloom. They expressed surprise and expectancy. Yourii longed to embrace her, yet again his courage failed him, and he pretended to stifle a yawn.
“He’s only in fun!” thought Sina, growing suddenly cool.
She felt hurt at such hesitation on Yourii’s part. To keep back her tears, she clenched her teeth, and in an altered tone exclaimed “Nonsense!” as she quickly got up.
“I am speaking quite seriously,” began Yourii, with unnatural earnestness. “I love you, believe me, I do, passionately!”
Sina took up her books without saying a word.
“Why, why does he talk like this?” she thought to herself. “I’ve let him see that I care, and now he despises me.”