After Distancing Myself From the Childhood Friend Couple Who Looked Down on Me, I Started Interacting With a Small Animal-Like Beautiful Girl - Chapter 27

“I was the one who said I wanted to talk, but are you really okay with this?”

“Huh?”

I tilt my head at Shirou’s question as we sit facing each other by the window in the small classroom.

Shirou looked a bit exasperated as he pointed the tip of his chopsticks at me and said, “That’s why.”

“You turned down Saitou’s invitation! You’re close, right?”

It seems that Saitou-san is worried because I turned down her invitation to eat together during lunch break.

I wonder why Shirou cares, but I answer anyway.

“I promised to listen to Shirou’s story first, didn’t I? I can always eat with Saitou-san another time.”

I felt sorry for having to decline Saitou-san’s invitation, and it was also disappointing not to be able to spend lunch break together. But this doesn’t mean it’s the last time.

It’s only natural that I’m starting to think about what’s next. Spending time with Saitou-san has become so routine for me.

Well, whether there will be a next time depends on her mood.

“I’m glad you’re keeping your promise, but… Aren’t you worried about the aftermath? Getting scolded for prioritizing that over me?”

“That’s not going to happen. Kubo… Even when he has prior plans with other friends, he just nods normally. Saitou-san is not the type to get angry over things like that.”

“Is that so…?”

Shirou eventually muttered as he seemed somewhat unconvinced.

“…So, I’m the only one who will get scolded, huh? There’s also what happened in the morning.”

“What do you mean…? Or rather, didn’t you say you had a ton of things you wanted to talk about?”

When I asked, Shirou’s expression turned serious and he said, “That’s right.”

Considering what is about to be discussed, I shouldn’t be thinking this way, but… Shirou’s expressions are so rich and never get boring.

“I found out about what Yuki heard from Ootomo and immediately called her… Yuika. I was so incredibly flustered that I forgot to reply… I’m really sorry.”

I encouraged Shirou as he was bowing his head, to continue the conversation by saying it’s okay.

He must have been quite confused, so it’s not surprising that he forgot the message for me.

Shirou continued speaking with his head down.

“When I asked if she cheated, she admitted it surprisingly easily. Even though we were lovers, she hated that we couldn’t move forward, so she ended up consulting Ootomo about her worries, and before she knew it…”

Shirou said after taking a deep breath.

“I was told while crying that I made her anxious because I didn’t do boyfriend-like things for her… I wanted to do boyfriend-like things, so I invited her to walk home together and go on dates, but…”

His voice muttering self-deprecatingly was slightly trembling.

His wounds have not yet fully healed.

“Didn’t she apologize? The fact that she cheated on you…”

“Not at all. I was a terrible boyfriend, so it’s only natural for her to go for someone like Ootomo. So, she said she wants to break up.”

“Such a…”

“Over there, she’s been crying the whole time, and since it’s already been decided that I’m in the wrong, there’s no point in talking any further. So, I said ‘understood’ and that was the end of it. Anyway, I was so shocked that I didn’t even want to see Yuika and Ootomo’s faces, and before I knew it, the weekend had passed. Thanks to that, I completely forgot to contact Yuki.”

Shirou laughed awkwardly. However, that awkward smile was still a forced one.

To avoid making the atmosphere too heavy, he was trying to speak as he usually does.

It must have been tough just to come to school, and it must be painful just to remember, yet he opened up to me like this.

He speaks with words that convey his happiness at the fact that he trusts me so much.

“Thank you for talking to me.”

Shirou tightly pressed his trembling lips together, his eyes glistening, and gave a small nod, saying “Yeah.”

After that, we ate our lunch boxes and chatted about trivial things until five minutes before the end of the lunch break.

A conversation between friends that is so ordinary and somehow calming, as if to overwrite the earlier darkness.

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[Serika’s Side]

Amid the cheerful chatter of the students in the classroom, I was eating my lunch at my desk.

Nanako and Ami said they had plans with kids from another class and left the classroom, so they are not here now. Last time, they also turned me down for the same reason.

When I looked at the clock in the classroom, there were still ten minutes left until lunch break ended. I sigh, wondering if it’s still that time.

I have never had a lunch break this dull before.

…Yuki used to eat alone too, didn’t he?

I glanced over there for no particular reason, and it was an empty seat. Come to think of it, he left the classroom with Yokokawa-kun, but when did they become friends?

I shift my gaze to another place.

What I see is my beloved person surrounded by cheerful classmates and female friends, laughing.

Spreading a smile that makes people feel good and saying jokes or something to liven up the place

Something that should be at the center of the class. I was like that too, standing next to him.

But how about now?

From my friends, I received a cold attitude, and my partner pushed me away.

Where did the always central figure in class, Sasai Serika, who was in the upper caste group, go?

“…”

I clean up the half-eaten lunch box and stand up.

There are less than ten minutes left until lunch break ends, I just need to hold on a little longer, I know that. Even so, I couldn’t endure it.

As I was about to pass by the couple next door, I heard their voices, who weren’t together today, and my feet came to a halt.

“Serika, you see, trying so hard to get liked by Ootomo is just creepy, no? It’s just painful to watch.”

“Yeah, yeah. I have been friends with Seri since elementary school, but watching that makes it embarrassing to even be friends with her.”

“Nanako has it tough too, doesn’t she?”

“Seriously. If I have to see her act all cutesy like that every time, I don’t even feel like giving her relationship advice.”

“Well, if he’s ignoring her that much, it’s pretty much over, isn’t it? She should really start facing reality.”

Hahahahaha!!

I escape from the two people’s laughter by walking quickly.

Immediately after entering the women’s restroom stall and locking the door, I crouched down on the spot.

“〜〜〜S-sniff… Ah.”

Drops are falling from my eyes.

I had a faint feeling. Nanako and Ami no longer liked me.

A childhood friend from elementary school and a friend I clicked with when I entered high school.

It turns out I was the only one who thought that.

I didn’t want to realize it.

I can’t believe I have already been alone for so long.

It feels like a cold wind is rushing through the large void that suddenly opened in my chest. I hugged myself as I was unable to bear it.

At times like this, the person I want to be closest to is far away.

…Because I rejected him.

–––You won’t accept me.

His voice filled with deep disappointment and the cold gaze flashed back in my mind.

I said I would do anything for Daiki, but I messed up.

This time, I have to properly say that I will accept it and fulfill any wish as long as it’s within my power. I have to face him and show my sincerity.

There isn’t even anyone left to ask what I should do.

My greatest understanding person has been lost. No, I let go of him myself.

So I have to regain Daiki’s heart on my own.

“Yuki…”

Out of anxiety, I end up saying the name without thinking.

To realize the significance of his presence and the gratitude for having him nearby only at such a time.

I press my eyes against my knees, along with the tears that are about to overflow again.

The faint whisper of “help me” that slipped from my lips was drowned out by the chatter of the girls who entered the restroom.