Conversation ~I Love Iroha So Much It's Beyond Words~

Something felt really off today. I was just talking to Iroha in my usual study, like always. But the words wouldn't come out. Even when she asked me something, my responses were delayed. The more I tried to speak, the more I didn't know what to say next. ...That's strange. This shouldn't happen normally. Iroha was, as always, happily telling me about what happened today. As I watched her smile, I couldn't even process what she was saying. "Genba? What's wrong?" Iroha leaned in, worried, to look at my face. ...She's too close. No, we always talk at this distance. But today, I feel strangely uneasy. I tried to hide the heat in my face, but Iroha noticed immediately. And then, without any hesitation, she said... "I love the time I spend talking with you the most!" ………… I see. I finally understood. Before I knew it, the ordinary time I spent with Iroha had become something special to me. That's why, even though I tried to talk as usual, it didn't work. I mustered up the courage to tell her that I also enjoyed the time I spent talking with her. Then, it was Iroha who turned bright red. ...What? Even Iroha makes faces like that. Seeing Iroha smiling so happily, my heart swelled with emotion, and I was speechless again. In the end, I feel like I only spoke half as much as usual. Yet, Iroha said that today was the most fun she'd ever had. I felt the same way. In the end, we held hands and simply smiled quietly. ...It's strange. I had been searching for the right words for so long, but the moment she stopped saying anything, I felt like my feelings had been conveyed. But I'll make sure I can talk properly tomorrow. There are still so many things I want to tell Iroha. ...Of course. If she looks at me with that smile again, I might not be able to say anything. Honestly... Conversations with Iroha are getting harder day by day.