I Want a Girlfriend who Won’t Betray Me - Chapter 9

…the Wind Blows

I’ve expected to be alone when I returned from the US. I thought making friends in my new school would be hard.

But then, Wakana appeared right in front of me. For just a moment, I let myself hold onto that foolish hope, and she also feels the same way.

I get up as if to lift my heavy heart and head towards the station.

As I walk slowly and weakly, my luck takes a turn for the worse.

Wakana and Goto are walking towards me from the right, their fingers intertwined in a lover’s hold. She is leaning her head against Goto’s shoulder as they walk together.

Our eyes meet. I find myself staring at them. Then, without a word, I hurriedly go towards the ticket gate.

I probably won’t have any more conversations with Wakana. The dream of the school festival has ended, and I’ve been pulled back into reality.

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Wakana’s POV

Since I haven’t seen Takayuki for a while, after the school festival, I responded to his feelings and went out on a date with him for the first time in a while.

That day, he took me back to a dream I’d forgotten.

I spent a wonderful time with Kazuki until midday on the second day of the festival.

I wish time would just continue passing by like that, but when Takayuki appeared in front of me, I was pulled back into reality.

And today, I came here for the first time in a long time. As I walk to the station clinging onto Takayuki, feeling the warmth in my body, I run into Kazuki.

My fingers are intertwining with Takayuki’s in a lover’s hold, and my body is leaning against him. The direction we’re coming from is a place that everyone around here knows.

I see Kazuki walking quickly towards the ticket gate. I actually want to chase after him, but Takayuki doesn’t let go of my hand.

The day after tomorrow, when I go to school, what kind of face should I make when I see Kazuki?

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Kazuki’s POV

After returning from the bookstore, I come back to an empty house and lay on my bed, placing both hands under my head as I stare at the ceiling.

I believed in Wakana’s words. No, I tried to believe in them. But after seeing something like that, there is no way to deny it.

The day after tomorrow, when I go to school, she’ll be sitting in front of me. Every day from now on, I’ll have to take classes while looking at her back.

That’s going to be tough.

In the evening, my mother comes home

She takes one look at my face and asks,

“Kazuki, what’s wrong?”

“Well…Wakana is in my class now.”

“Eh? That’s great, isn’t it?”

“Not really…”

I told my mom about the conversation I had with Wakana in her room and what I saw earlier.

“I see…well, after not seeing each other for three years, I suppose that kind of thing can happen. But it’s a shame, I didn’t think she was the type to do something like that. Still, your father told me that your classmates rely on you. It’s only been three weeks, so that’s impressive. Maybe it will be easier if you just think of her as someone who is never there in the first place.”

“But she sits right in front of me…”

“Ara ara, that does make things difficult. You’ll just have to find something else to distract yourself with.”

“Easier said than done…”

The next day, I quietly spend my time studying in my room. Even though the midterm exams are still a while away, the curriculum at the middle school I attended in Boston and Japanese high schools aren’t exactly the same, and the teaching methods are different too.

Even though I passed the transfer exam, there are still some subjects that I find hard to keep up with. Of course, there are also subjects where I find it easier. But still, I’m just a first-year student, so I can use times like today to improve my weaker areas.

On Monday, I get off at the station near school, and from the moment I leave the ticket gate, I notice that there are a lot of students looking at me.

But there are no malicious gazes, rather, they feel friendly. But that only makes me feel more embarrassed.

As I’m walking towards the school thinking about that,

“Good morning, Shinonome-kun.”

I turn around and see Yatsugashira-san.

“Good morning, Yatsugashira-san.”

“What happened? You’ve suddenly become a celebrity at school.”

“Well, I hope you forget about that as soon as possible.”

“Ahaha, that’s impossible. You stand out so much in those two days. I heard the karaoke was a disaster for you. I heard you only stayed in each room for five minutes?”

“That’s a completely false rumor.”

“Is that so? Well, whatever. Hey, we still haven’t had the chance to talk with each other after school. How about today?”

“Sure. Let’s meet at the school entrance after school.”

“Okay.”

“Alright, I’ll be going first then.”

I walk quickly ahead, greeting the girls in front of me. Occasionally, the girls would glance at me and giggle.

What’s going on?

After changing my shoes at the entrance, I walk into the classroom with a heavy heart.

“Kazuki, good morning.”

“Good morning, Kisaragi-san.”

I can hear the three girls whispering unnecessary things among themselves again.

“Eh!?”

“Did you hear that?”

“Yeah, what’s going on?”

“There’s a tense atmosphere between them.”

“Yeah.”

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Wakana’s POV

Kazuki didn’t call me by my name. I’m sure it’s because of what happened the other day. I can’t make any excuses. What a mistake…I never expected to meet Kazuki there.

With a heavy heart, the morning classes ended. Just as I’m about to call out to Kazuki, he quickly stands up and walk over to Kanbayashi.

“Kanbayashi, want to have lunch together?”

“Eh? Really? Are you sure you want to have lunch with me?”

“Yeah, I want to eat with you.”

“Then, is it okay if Karen joins us too?”

“Karen?”

“That’s me, Karen Koiwai. Remember my name, Shinonome-kun.”

“Ah, yeah.”

“Alright, let’s head to the cafeteria.”

“Yeah.”

I guess it can’t be helped. I guess I’ll go to the cafeteria too.