After Distancing Myself From the Childhood Friend Couple Who Looked Down on Me, I Started Interacting With a Small Animal-Like Beautiful Girl

<Serika’s Perspective>

“…I’m exhausted.”

Having come out of the classroom, I sighed and muttered in the restroom stall.

Even though we’re so close, if I try to talk to him, he gives me a cold look and avoids me. I can’t even be with the usual group.

I felt strange looks from those around me, and Nanako and Ami were only getting excited over there, making me feel uncomfortable, so I ended up slipping away during lunch break.

This is the least enjoyable lunch break I have ever had.

I take my smartphone out of the blazer pocket and open the LINE chat screen.

Since then, I have apologized to Daiki many times and conveyed my intention to fulfill his wishes. I have sent over ten messages, but he hasn’t read any of them. If it were the current Daiki, there was no denying the possibility that he had blocked me.

“Daiki…”

Daiki was with Higashi and other classmates. Among them were a few of his close female friends.

While talking cheerfully and engaging in light physical contact with them, Daiki’s female friend was blushing and seemed somewhat pleased. I have seen scenes like this before, and since I was reassured that Daiki’s true love is me, I didn’t mind it too much.

…But, for now.

–––Let’s take a break from each other for a while.

A cold voice devoid of any emotion plays, tightening deep within my chest. It hurts and feels suffocating as if I might be crushed right then and there.

Yesterday, I ran into Yuki, but he didn’t listen to me. After that, I called my friends Nanako and Ami to talk, but all I got were disinterested responses and overly dramatic words of concern, leaving me feeling completely unsatisfied and still not at ease.

Normally, friends should listen to me sincerely, right? Ami, who started dating after we entered high school, is one thing, but Nanako has been with us since elementary school, right?

“…If it’s Yuki, then more…”

Yes, if it’s Yuki, he listens carefully to what I have to say and even thinks of his own advice. It was much easier to talk to him than to confide in my female friends, and he also offered kind words from the heart.

Every time I consulted with him, he was considerate of me, and just before I confessed, he gave me a push.

–––Congratulations. I’m glad for you, Serika.

I remember when I went to tell Yuki first that my unrequited love had come true, and he smiled and said that.

Yuki, my childhood friend, confidant, and my greatest understanding.

I vaguely thought that this relationship was unique and unchanging.

–––…I won’t ask what happened but. Don’t involve people who haven’t done anything. I have already distanced myself from you guys, so I won’t be listening to your complaints either.

I thought it would flow like before and that I would be able to talk, but Yuki left after saying that. The shock of being pushed away by Daiki was so great that I ended up taking it out on others, and now I feel bad about it.

But there were several similar incidents until Yuki distanced himself from us. Even so, Yuki would just smile modestly and never say anything about not listening.

Our relationship since childhood can’t be so easily severed. That cowardly Yuki, the one who didn’t even have the courage to interact with others without us, could never completely cut ties.

My thoughts gradually start to sound like I’m trying to convince myself, and I shake my head as if to say no.

Maybe I have lost someone irreplaceably important to me.

To dispel such anxiety.

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<Daiki’s Perspective>

While listening to Higashi, the boys in my class, and my female friends talking, I glance at the classroom door.

I saw Serika leave earlier, so she must have found it hard to stay in the classroom. She was pushed away by me and couldn’t even spend her lunch break with our usual group.

It seems like Nanako and Ami don’t show any signs of caring about Serika either.

I take out the smartphone and open LINE.

While I have been ignoring the unread messages, there are already over ten piled up. Seriously, she likes me way too much.

Then it becomes a matter of why she didn’t accept me back then.

So, I keep her in a tough situation and then gently talk to her when she’s at her limit. If I do that, Serika will completely fall for it and will do anything I say to avoid being disliked by me.

When I imagined that moment and smirked, the message notification sound rang. Another account comes above Serika’s account.

The account name is “Yui,” from one of my female friends.

<Can’t we meet up together next time? I have something I want to talk about.>

I replied immediately.

<Sure. When should we do it?>

<If Ootomo-kun is okay with it, is it alright to do it after school today?>

<Aren’t you in a hurry? Lol It’s totally fine though.>

A stamp of a rabbit energetically hoping to express joy is sent from the other person.

I decided the details of my plans to meet with my female friend while wearing a smile.

“Ootomo-kun, what are you doing?”

One of the female friends I was talking to with Higashi called out to me.

I put on a friendly smile and turned towards her.