A Story About How I Ran Away After Being Rejected By My First Love - Chapter 1

After school, it was my routine to pass some time in the library. It would be nice if I can talk to Kurozawa-san too during this time but my courage stats are so low that I can’t compete with the normies. I took out the manga that I was reading and continued from when I left off. 

The library at this point in time was a deserted place except for the librarian. 

Like me, she had thick glasses with braided hair. I mostly see her at this time of the day too.

Well, the library was my solace. This was somewhere that I can take a breather.

I minded my own business until someone called out to me. It was the librarian. She said that the library will be closed off in a few minutes. Upon checking the time, it was already almost six in the evening. 

I had been so engulfed in the manga that I completely isolated myself from the world.

“Ah, uhm… That’s ‘Raindrops and Promises’… It’s the… new release right…”

“Y-Yes…”

My face looked shocked with her sudden question. 

“Raindrops and Promises” was a romance manga that had a bittersweet romance. It followed the story of Kaito, a quiet and introverted young man who has never forgotten his childhood friend Hana, the girl who he had promised to stay by her side.

“I really, really love that manga. It was so heartbreaking to see Kaito being so down after finding out the truth.”

“Yeah… Seeing Hana changing so much was a shock.”

“I know right. I wonder what’ll happen next.”

My mouth non stop talking afterwards about manga. We talked about a lot of things related to manga and anime.

We spend minutes going back and forth with the conversation. Unlike with Kurozawa-san, I had no reservations talking about stuff with her.

“Oh! It was already this time. You should leave now. I have to close the library.”

She suddenly exclaimed.

“Okay.”

After her notice, I stood up and packed my things before going on my way home. This encounter made my day even more blissful. 

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“SCORE!!!”

“Kyaah… Ryuu-kun, you’re so cool!”

The PE teacher’s voice loudly resonated throughout the field as the girls’ wild screams were heard.

Today was PE day and the sport was soccer. 

Ryuu Asahi. The ace of the soccer club. He had most of the things a girl looks for. Good looks, physique, and charisma. Compared to me, he was on a whole nother level.

“Nice one, Ryuu.”

“Ahaha, how can we be like you? Look, Kurozawa-san saw that.”

“Stop it guys. Focus on the match. It’s still not over.”

“Woah! As serious as ever. I’m falling for you even further, Ryuu-kyun. Ahaha!”

The guys on the field joke around after Ryuu while getting back to their positions after scoring the goal. 

I absentmindedly looked towards Kurozawa-san who was at the Health booth. She was one of the committee in charge, I guess. 

Are Asahi-san and Kurozawa-san dating? Why do I feel my chest tightening?

“Match resumed.”

Not only my mind but my feet were frozen in place and only got back to senses after someone called my name.

“Aoyama!”

My reflexes were too slow plus I was dazed that I hadn’t noticed the ball was being passed towards me. The size of the football grew larger in my vision with each second and struck me into the face, making me tumble down.

Splat. 

“Peeeep!”

The match was halted with the sound of the whistle. 

“My bad, Aoyama-san. I didn’t control my pass.”

Yeah, right! As if that’s the truth. 

There was no hint of remorse from Asahi-san’s face. It was as if I was the one at fault for not getting it right. However, since the PE teacher was here, he probably needed to say that part to look cool. Ah, whatever!

“Asahi-kun’s so kind.”

“It’s not your fault, Asahi. Accident happens.”

“Right, it’s Aoyama-san’s fault that he was so weak he couldn’t catch that pass.”

“Serves that pig right.”

Hey, that last one was uncalled for. 

The girls’ support for Asahi-san was ridiculous. I was the one that got injured but Asahi-san got the praise. Really, what a kind world this is! 

“Aoyama, can you stand?”

“Yes.”

“Kurozawa-san, can you help Aoyama with his injury?”

“Yes, Sensei.”

I stood up groggily supported by Sensei as he asked Kurozawa-san to take care of me. Isn’t this really, really good for me? Not only did I escape the PE class but also got a chance to spend time with Kurozawa-san. 

“Put this in your nose, Aoyama-san and let’s go to the infirmary.”

Kurozawa-san handed me a pink flowered handkerchief as she said this. I hadn’t noticed blood dripping out from my nose. I took it and put it over my nose. I was a little hesitant to put it over my dirty face but I decided to use it anyway. The perfume she used was as sweet as how she handed me the handkerchief. I can keep this, right? 

“Alright, go back to your positions.”

After the PE teacher’s commands, the soccer game resumed without me. As I was leaving the field with Kurozawa-san, I felt an ominous feeling from back that I inadvertently looked back. There I saw Asahi-san looking at me with a scornful face before focusing back on the game. What the fuck is wrong with him? 

I quietly followed Kurozawa-san towards the infirmary since if I talk right now, the pain would be worse.

“Aoyama-san, please sit on one of the chairs while I prepare the disinfectants.”

Upon arriving in the infirmary, Kurozawa-san asked me this. 

The infirmary had neatly made beds or cots lined up against one wall, each separated by privacy curtains. On one wall, there could be an eye chart for vision tests, along with a sink for washing hands and cleaning wounds. 

I sat at one of the chairs while Kurozawa-san rummaged through the medicine cabinet looking for disinfectant. 

I silently watched her as she did it. 

After preparing, Kurozawa-san took a chair and sat facing me. 

“You can remove the handkerchief now, Aoyama-san.”

I followed her voice and removed the handkerchief from my nose and blood started dripping once more. 

“This might sting a bit.”

Close! Her face is too close! You’re too close, Kurozawa-san! 

And she smells so good like the cherry blossoms. The subtle scent lingers in the air, wrapping me in a warm embrace.

My body heat was rising up tremendously right now. It doesn’t feel right feeling something like this when Kurozawa-san was only doing it to treat my wounds. 

No good. You shouldn’t think like this, Aoyama. You’ll freak out Kurozawa-san. 

I panicky told myself. I’m so glad that my face has already turned red due to the accident. 

Kurozawa-san reached for the cloth, dabbled it slightly with water before softly applying it to my reddened cheeks. 

“Ouch.”

“Please hold still Aoyama-kun.”

Her delicate movements seem deliberate, as if she was avoiding making me uncomfortable. 

Kurozawa-san’s long black hair that fell slightly forward combined with her fragrant scent dulled the pain I was feeling now.

“There, all better.”

Kurozawa-san said in a small voice with a satisfied smile. 

“Thank you very much, Kurozawa-san.”

“No worries. It’s part of my duty. I’m glad it didn’t leave a big wound. Try to be more careful next time, Aoyama-san.”

“Yes.”

“Well, you should take a break here until PE class. I’ll head back now, alright.”

Kurozawa-san slowly stood up and with soft footsteps headed towards the door. 

As she reached for the handle, my voice called out to her. 

“Kurozawa-san, please wait!”

“Yes?!”

Upon hearing my scream, Kurozawa-san paused and turned to face me with a confused look.

Man up, Aoyama-san. Do it. 

My beating heart raced as I gathered my courage to ask her. My voice trembled slightly as I continued on with it.

“Are you… going out with… Asahi-kun?”

Kurozawa-san blinked, surprised with my sudden question. A wistful smile tugged at the corner of her lips before answering. 

“No, we’re not. Where did you hear that?”

“From class. I heard that you and Asahi-kun were a thing.”

“I’m not going out with anyone.”

“I see.”

There was no hesitation in her response. An unexpected weight was lifted off my chest. The pain thumping before was now gone.

So she was not going out with anyone.

Kurozawa-san showed a teasing smile before asking.

“Why did you ask?”

Damn. What should I tell her?

I scratched the back of my neck and quickly turned away before answering in a trembling voice.

“I… I’m just curious.”

Hearing my response, Kurozawa-san giggled a bit and answered in a playful tone.

“Stop thinking about other things and focus on recovering. I’m gonna head out now. Take care, Aoyama-san.”

With that said, Kurozawa-san walked out the infirmary door.

Thanks to this accident, I saw that playful side of Kurozawa-san. And I felt like I got closer to her! 

However, what’s that gaze from Asahi-kun? Well, it’s probably just my imagination.