I Was Cheated on by My Girlfriend but My Devilish Junior Now Yearns for Me - Chapter 79

Chapter 79   The Meaning of Tears 2

Even as a third-year university student, my daily life hasn’t changed much.

Take club activities, for example. Unless you’re in a role like president or vice president, only the faces around you change a little.

As for regular lectures, as long as you’re attending with friends from your department, there’s no change at all.

But that’s okay.

I like this unchanging daily life.

“So, what’s this about needing to talk about the Valentine’s party all of a sudden?”

A presence essential to my daily life.

Ayaka Mino let out a small sigh, brushing her bangs aside.

On the first floor of Building 13, there’s a secluded area under the spiral staircase.

It’s a hidden spot where students don’t usually come by.

“There was something I hadn’t told you about that day.”

“Is it about Reina?”

The words that were about to leave my mouth got caught, and I ended up coughing.

Ayaka reached out and patted my back.

“Th-thanks.”

“No problem. So, what about it?”

“Yeah… Reina told me that she didn’t cheat on me.”

“I heard that part too. It’s what happened after that, right?”

Ayaka replied in an even tone, touching the ends of her hair as it fell over her blouse.

What I’m about to share is what happened when I talked with Reina in the basement.

“──She cried, Reina did.”

I bit my lip.

Since then, I’ve always felt a weight in my chest.

I can no longer think that leaving midway was the right choice.

I thought she cheated, and it hurt me. And, fearing more pain, I just ran away.

Thinking it was foolish to be hurt again over a relationship that had ended, I dismissed Reina’s attempts to explain.

If my current understanding is correct, then Natsuki’s attitude finally makes sense.

“Then?”

Ayaka narrowed her eyes slightly. Just that small gesture made it feel even quieter beneath the spiral staircase.

When I hesitated to respond, she continued.

“I didn’t really want to say this, but… the reason I argued with Reina at the Valentine’s party was because I’m on your side.”

“…What do you mean?”

“I argued with Reina because I’m on your side. Even if she was right, it wouldn’t have changed my stance.”

Ayaka leaned back against the wall, crossing her arms.

“──I don’t know anything about Reina. All I know is you, so I can’t make an objective judgment, can I?”

…She had a point.

She’d been so genuinely supportive that somewhere along the line, it became natural to rely on her to help me find answers. If this is the “dependency” that Natsuki mentioned, then she was right on target.

“So I can only believe in you. If you say you were cheated on, then that’s what I’ll believe. And if you start thinking maybe it wasn’t cheating after all, then I’d have to accept that too.”

Ayaka pushed herself off the wall and spoke plainly.

“Because, at the end of the day, I’m just an outsider here.”

Looking upward, Ayaka appeared almost lonely for a fleeting moment. But it was only a moment, as the next instant, she turned her back to me.

“Though maybe I’m not entirely an outsider.”

“…That’s true. Back when I was dating Reina, I talked to you about all sorts of things even without being asked.”

After a slight pause, Ayaka responded to my words.

“…Yes.”

She adjusted her handbag on her shoulder and took a step forward.

“Hey, Ayaka.”

“Hm?”

“Sorry… for dragging you into all this.”

From the times there were conflicts in the club to everything with Reina—I’d always ended up involving her.

Ayaka seemed to give a small smile at my apology.

“Don’t apologize over something like this.”

“But—”

“It’s fine.”

With a sharp tone, Ayaka cut me off and began walking again. Just as she was about to reach the hallway leading to the lobby, she turned around.

“By the way, are you headed somewhere now?”

“Yeah. Just for a bit.”

“I see. Then, let me know how it turns out?”

“Got it.”

When I nodded, Ayaka smiled slightly.

Our eyes met, just as they always did in these conversations. Normally, it was a familiar routine. But today, there was a hint of something different, a subtle, inexplicable feeling that lingered.

For some reason, it felt like I shouldn’t look away from her gaze today.

For several seconds, we held each other’s gaze. Ayaka’s eyes remained as clear as ever, yet I couldn’t quite read the emotions behind them.

Then the chime signaling the start of class sounded.

Ayaka looked away first, breaking the silence as she spoke.

“We’re late,” she said.

“…Sorry about that, barely made it in time.”

“You mean late. That’s a no-go, you’re out.”

Ayaka gave a small, wry smile before continuing.

“Want to go to the smoking area? I’ll keep you company for just one.”

“Nah, I quit.”

Since Ayaka had called it lame, I hadn’t touched a cigarette. It was strange how that single comment had been enough to make me quit, but I had to admit it seemed to be doing wonders for my stamina.

“I did tell you to quit, didn’t I?”

“Exactly. If I got hooked again, I’d probably never get out of it. Besides, wasn’t it lame?”

I grinned, half-joking, and Ayaka gave a small shrug.

“Yeah, it was. But honestly, I kinda liked those moments.”

Running her fingers through her long, black hair, Ayaka turned her back to me.

“Well, see you.”

“…Yeah.”

When I raised a hand in response, Ayaka left the building. Only a slight sense of confinement remained in the empty space she left behind, and I soon made my way outside as well.

She was already gone.

“Let me know how it goes,” Ayaka had said.

She probably already knew who I was planning to meet next. I pulled my phone from my pocket, scrolling through the call history.

There it was—the name I was looking for.