A Story About How I Ran Away After Being Rejected By My First Love - Chapter 6

“Hey, Aoyama-san! Please help me out, please, please!”

“Stop bothering me, Sakamoto-san. I’m too busy with work.”

“I’ll do anything! Here, look!”

“Hey! Have some dignity. Stop showing me that.”

It has already been two years since that incident. I’m currently a second year student at Tsubasa High. 

After that tragic incident, I immediately asked my parents to transfer me to another school on which they agreed easily. 

I transferred to another prefecture on which I worked on improving myself.Of course, it’s in a location where no one knows me. 

 It was a painful journey. 

During summer vacation, I locked myself away, and dedicated my whole being to transforming for the better. I had a very strict workout routine. I woke up early every morning to run throughout the neighborhood. My lungs burned as I pushed myself to the limits, slowly and steady. 

I did weights, sit-ups, and even practiced martial arts. Sweat poured heavily as the hours passed by on my grueling training. Slowly but surely, my weight began to fall. My once round and pudding-like shape started to tone along with my muscle becoming stronger. 

I hadn’t thought that it was possible. My face that was swollen with fat changed into a more defined one with my jawline sharpened and cheekbone becoming more prominent. 

The me from before was unrecognizable. It was a far cry from the “pig” I was labeled with. 

During the start of second year, the once and easily ignored person was now being stared in shock. Whispered echoed asking – who was that guy? 

My new appearance drew attention everywhere I went. The slow-poke and hunched shuffle of someone who wants to disappear was no longer present anymore. 

Before, I was desperate to talk with someone. Now, girls who ignored me now look at me with curiosity and newfound interest. There were no more people that could bully me. 

However, I already learned my lesson. I no longer sought trivial things such as acceptance or friendship. It was all meaningless to me now. 

“Can’t you just teach that doofus, Aoyama? You’ll eventually do it, won’t you?”

The voice came from the seat on my left side. It was a meddlesome person, or at least for me. 

Yuto Fujimoto. He was one of the people who talked a lot to me. Ever since the start of second year, he constantly bothered me for some reason. As much as I hate to admit, I can now call him my acquaintance. 

He was in the baseball club and one of the regular players there. His frame was athletic and sturdy, built from training. He had toned arms and broad shoulders.

Well, it was expected from someone coming from the baseball club. Ah, I forgot to mention, he was also popular with the girls. Girls like someone who can give them security, after all. 

“Yay! Let’s do it at the new pastry shop after school! Thank you, Kenta-kun! I love you!” 

“Hey! Don’t decide it on your own. Haa~ fine.”

The one who spoke in a blindingly cheery tone was Miyu Sakamoto. She was a transfer student at the end of the first year in our class.

She had long flowing hair that slightly tousled here and there due to her nonstop movements. It swayed carefree with every movement, the same with her personality.

Sakamoto-san was, umm, in short was an airhead. I was forced by the math teacher during the first year to teach her or else she’ll hold back a grade. From then on, she became attached to me and unfortunately, we got placed in the same class. 

Because of her easy to approach personality, Sakamoto-san was popular for both boys and girls of the school. From what I’ve heard, she rejected a lot of guys saying that she already had a special someone. 

“Well, that’s none of my business.”

“Huh? What are you talking about, Kenta-kun? Oh, we’re here! Hurry! Hurry!”

“Slow down or else you’ll trip.”

The two of us arrived at the shop called Sugary Delights.

It was supposed to be a three person study group but Fujimoto-kun have club activities and that’s why it’s only me and Sakamoto-san.

It was a pastry shop a few minutes walk from the school and a recently opened one. 

The shop had a warm, welcoming space. The scent of freshly baked pastries – rich vanilla and butter emanated from the air comforted us as we entered the shop.

Since it was near the school, they also offered cozy spaces for students to enjoy their food on the spot. Thus, it was a popular place to hangout, especially studying. 

Fortunately they still have a vacant seat. 

“Waah! Everything looks so yummy.”

Sakamoto-san looked like she was drooling as she looked over the various treats. She was like a child in a candy store, her enthusiasm was at full blast. 

“What should we get, Kenta-kun?”

“Why not try out everything? And then regret it later.”

“You’re too cruel Kenta-kun!”

“Also, remember what we came here for. If we’re not studying, I’m leaving.”

“Noo~. You promised to teach me.”

“Alright, alright.”

This back and forth bantering became common for the two of us. It’s only possible because of Sakamoto-san’s personality. I am thankful to her in that regard.

Sakamoto-san’s finger tapped her chin thoughtfully as she focused on the menu that was in front of her. After a few minutes, she had decided to order.

“I’ll have the strawberry tart, please!”

“For me, I’ll take the croissant and black coffee to go with. Thanks.”

“One strawberry tart, a croissant and black coffee. Anything else?”

“I want a chocolate frappe too.”

“You’ll get fat.”

“What did you say?”

After taking our orders, the server repeated it one more time for confirmation before finally leaving. 

“Kenta-kun, why are you teasing me so much? Hmph! ”

“Sorry. Well, pull up your notebook. Math, right?”

“Boo-boo.”

Sakamoto-san pouted playfully as she took her notebook from the bag. 

After a few minutes, we started studying for real. I also took out the math notebook from my bag. 

Upon closely looking at Sakamoto-san’s notebook, it had a lot of doodles. Rather than a math notebook, it’s better to call it an art notebook. 

I deeply breathe in sigh while thinking, “It is what it is.” and didn’t say anything.

We started with algebraic equations and after a while, Sakamoto-san ruffled her hair.

“Ugh… I still don’t get it. Why should we find X? Can’t we just bury it forever?!”

Sakamoto-san’s long black hair fell over her shoulder as she leaned forward, staring and groaning at the math problem that was in front of her. 

“It’s part of the equation. If we don’t know X, then the equation will be incomplete.”

I gave a small smile as I responded to her silly question.

Sakamoto-san was pouting her face as she scooped up a part of the strawberry tart expressing her distress.

“Muu… Why does math need to be studied? Can’t it just be like baking? Simple as following the recipe.”

“But baking and math are almost identical?”

“Stop treating me like an idiot, Kenta-kun! It’s completely different!!!”

I flashed a smile before answering in response. 

“Sakamoto-san, think of it like a baking recipe.The equation tells you what to do step by step. You just need to find the secret ingredient, which in this case, X.”

Sakamoto-san’s eyes lit up as if she had enlightenment. 

“So, treat X as the secret ingredient that makes everything work?”

“Exactly.”

Sakamoto-san looked at the question again once more. She mumbled something like, “This one first… then this one…” and after a while looked up to me with sparkling eyes as if she found the answer.

“You’re a genius, Kenta-kun. I got it now. Thank you!”

“It’s easy if we put it like that, right?”

“Yes!”

Sakamoto-san continued with the rest of the problem. I leaned over and looked as she worked one problem after another. 

At times she bit her lips, furrowed her brows in concentration and showed a smile as she solved each problem one after another.

Looking at her, she was definitely cute. No wonder many boys would fall for her. If she only remained quiet and closed her mouth, she’s a cool beauty.

However, seeing her determination made me feel satisfied. That beautiful smile of hers after solving a problem was a reward in itself.

“All done!”

“Well done. You did great, Sakamoto-san.”

Sakamoto-san smiled brightly, with her chest puffed out with pride. 

“Hehehe… It’s all thanks to you, Teacher Kenta!”

“Stop with the jokes. Well, it was due to your efforts, Sakamoto-san.”

“Hey, Kenta-kun. Can I ask you a question?”

As we were packing up our stuff, Sakamoto-san leaned forward, her voice dropped slightly before asking me a question out of nowhere. 

“What’s your ideal type? You know, the type of girl you want to date?”

“Wha? Wh-Why’d you wanna know?”

I was taken aback. I turned away from her feeling flustered. I don’t know how to answer her. 

“There were a lot of girls asking me in class. Also, there might be someone that fits the category, you know? Don’t tell me you’re into ‘that’? ”

“Of course not! It’s just that I haven’t thought about it. Haa…”

I feel that Sakamoto-san wouldn’t stop here, there’s no choice but to give her a passable answer. I crossed my arms and thought for a moment then answered.

“I guess… someone with a good personality, has a nice smile and…”

I paused for a moment before continuing. 

“… someone who won’t betray me.”

“What’s up with that? It’s totally random and unexpected… I guess I still have a lot to work on.”

“What was that? I didn’t hear the last part.”

Sakamoto-san’s last words were so muffled that I didn’t hear it properly.

“Well, in any case, you got your answer. Let’s go now.”

“Yes, Kenta-sensei!”

We left the pastry shop and went our separate ways.