I Got Cheated On, so I Thought I’d Cheat Back and Went to a Group Date, I Ran Into a Classmate Who Used to Boss Me Around and Now We’re Living Together - Chapter 8

“―Ahh, nothing feels better than a victory!”

It was a little past five in the afternoon. Machida-san’s favorite team had just won, the game was over, and after listening to the hero’s interview, we stepped out of the stadium.

“When they win on Sunday, it’s great. Monday is usually a travel day, so there’s no chance of a loss. That means I get to stay happy all the way until Tuesday.”

“So, if Machida-san’s in a bad mood on Monday, it means your team lost?”

“Pretty much, haha.”

Machida-san laughed at herself while taking off her replica jersey and putting it into her bag.

“So, how about Shiraki?”

“You mean, did I feel refreshed?”

“That too, but did you have fun? I’d feel bad if I were the only one enjoying myself.”

“No, I really had fun.”

I said that honestly.

“Even though no home runs came our way, I still got to see one. And the ballpark food was delicious, too.”

If I had to say, it was refreshing. I was still lost about what I wanted to do with my future, but the pain from the whole cheating mess was gone.

Even that stomachache I used to get when I saw Machida-san disappeared a few days ago. Now, even when I thought about my past self, I could just accept it as part of me. If that painful time led me to where I was now, maybe it wasn’t such a bad thing after all.

“Anyway, I really did have fun.”

“That’s good to hear~”

After that, we stopped by downtown to grab some food, then headed home.

On the train ride back, I felt satisfied. I’d never had such a good time when I was dating Rinne. Even though being with her had that extra glow of she’s my first girlfriend, I could barely remember anything truly fun.

Well, it had only been about two months. Most of our dates were just at my place, or at best, a trip to the shopping mall. And every time we went out, I paid for everything. I was always more worried about whether I had enough money than about enjoying myself.

Machida-san was completely different. She paid for all her own stuff and even said, “Today’s ticket is my treat.” She had originally booked two outfield seats for herself and simply gave one to me. I tried to pay her back, but she wouldn’t take it.

“This is actually the first time I’ve ever gone to a game with anyone other than my dad. I had a blast, so that’s good enough payment for me.”

She said,

I couldn’t have asked for more.

The more I got to know Machida-san, the more I thought she was a good person. Our hobbies matched, and being with her was fun. She wasn’t my girlfriend, but she felt more like one than Rinne ever did.

I was starting to think, I wish I had a girlfriend like Machida-san.

So maybe I should just confess to her? But something held me back.

Machida-san was probably happy being on her own right now. She had her dreams, her hobbies. I didn’t want to get in her way. For now, just being close to her was enough. That’s what I told myself.

Besides, even if I did confess, who knows if she’d actually say yes.

◇

~side: Nene~

“Phew…”

After coming home, Nene was the first to take a bath with Sousuke’s permission. She had already washed her hair and body, and now she was soaking in the tub. She wasn’t picky about shampoo or body wash, so from her very first day staying over, she just used the same ones Sousuke did.

(Today… was fun.)

Looking up at the ceiling, Nene thought about it. All they really did was watch baseball together, eat dinner, and come home. Nothing special, no big plans. But Nene didn’t have any dating experience in the first place, so she couldn’t come up with some “perfect schedule to cheer him up” even if she wanted to.

Still, Sousuke said the day had refreshed him. That made her happy. And for Nene, too, it had been a good break. For her very first outing alone with a guy, she was glad it was Sousuke. Their vibes and hobbies matched, so she never had to force herself. She could just be natural. The more she got to know him, the more Sousuke started to feel special to her.

(But… because of the past, I can’t let myself like Shiraki…)

She remembered how she once treated Sousuke like an errand boy.

It wasn’t one-sided. Back then, Sousuke had this timid air, like he wanted to belong to some group so he wouldn’t get picked on. Nene picked up on that and invited him into the group of girls she hung out with. In return, she and the others would send him to the vending machine to buy drinks and things.

It was a trade, in a way that he got a place to belong, and in exchange, they made him run errands. They didn’t hang out outside of school, and it was nothing beyond little favors in class. But still, it wasn’t something to be proud of.

Now, even though Nene had started to feel something for Sousuke, that past weighed on her. She held herself back. Sousuke seemed not to care anymore, but that didn’t change how she felt.

Even if he wasn’t bothered, she was.

So she told herself she had to keep those feelings locked away.

Whether the day would ever come when she could let them out, no one knew.