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

Chapter 89 Bond with Natsuki

Thirty minutes before the first lecture began, the classroom was still quiet.

Despite the emptiness, there was no sense of loneliness; in about fifteen minutes, students would start streaming in like a wave. As I marveled at the sea of empty seats, I took a spot right in the center of the room. Normally, I wouldn’t sit somewhere so conspicuous—it’s a hard seat to slack off in—but today, I’d woken up unusually early, so I figured it wouldn’t hurt for a change.

Just as I placed my bag down, feeling pretty good about the morning, a voice called out from the side.

“I’ve never seen you here this early, Yuuta.”

“Hmm…whoa!”

Turning in response to the voice, I instinctively leaned back a little. Standing there in her distinctive style—a hoodie layered with a jacket—was Natsuki.

Seeing my reaction, she gave a little laugh. “Hey, come on, that’s kind of hurtful.”

“Oh, well, um…”

Knowing that she’d been close to Reina since high school made me feel unusually self-conscious. Even though I’d come to terms with things in front of Shinohara, the guilt I felt about what happened with Reina wasn’t easy to shake. Natsuki had been pointing out my flaws long before I realized how they’d affected Reina. Now, in front of someone who had seen through me all along, what was I supposed to say?

Back in our second year of high school…

At the time, I saw Sakakishita as someone who caused Ayaka pain, and I couldn’t forgive him. For Natsuki, I was likely in that same position now. With that in mind, I couldn’t muster any confidence to speak normally.

“Mind if I sit here?”

“Next to me?”

“Who else would I be asking?”

Without waiting for my answer, Natsuki took the seat beside me. The oversized crescent moon earrings she wore caught a glint of light in the corner of my eye.

“There’s something I want to say to you, Yuuta.”

As Natsuki quietly muttered, taking out a notebook and pens from her tote bag, I could tell she had something on her mind.

Something she wanted to say.

I, too, had something to say.

“…Sorry. I made Reina suffer.”

“Huh?”

Natsuki looked at me, slightly surprised.

“My lack of consideration… I was narrow-minded, and I ignored Reina’s explanation. I’ve wronged her, and of course… I’ve wronged you too, Natsuki.”

“Stop.”

Natsuki spoke firmly, cutting me off.

“You’ve already talked things out with Reina, right? In that case, I’m fine. I’m not bothered.”

She let out a light sigh and shook her head.

“That wasn’t meant to make you uncomfortable.”

“…I see.”

There was no reason to interrupt my apology, and since she said that, I had no choice but to remain silent.

“Today, the one who needs to apologize is me.”

“Wait, you?”

I asked, surprised by her words, and Natsuki nodded slowly.

“…I said some pretty pompous things to you. I’m sorry for everything.”

I remembered that before Reina and I went to the park, Natsuki had criticized me a few times. That’s probably what she was referring to.

But those criticisms weren’t unreasonable; in fact, they were quite valid. I felt more gratitude than resentment for her words.

“As Natsuki said, I’m fortunate to have people around me. That’s why I’m also aware that my flaws have started to show. Natsuki, you’ve just pointed that out to me.”

After saying that, I continued.

“When I have someone like you around, it really helps me notice things and learn. So I’d be happy if you could keep helping me like you have been.”

I do have people around me who are strict with me.

I can tell that they’re saying these things for my sake.

But Natsuki pointing out my flaws wasn’t just about me. It was because she was thinking about Reina.

Sometimes, being reprimanded for someone else’s sake helps you realize things you wouldn’t otherwise see.

Natsuki stayed silent for a moment as she looked at me, then turned her gaze toward the blackboard.

“…You’re a strange person.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. Normally, you wouldn’t want people around who are inconvenient for you. If it were me, I’d feel the same way. University is a place where you can choose who you want to be close to, after all.”

“…Yeah, I guess you can. It’s like that with clubs, too.”

As Natsuki said, university is an environment where it’s easier to pick and choose who you want to get along with.

Since the concept of a class or homeroom isn’t as strong, if you don’t actively build relationships, you might end up isolated.

Back in high school, everyone in my grade was in the same place for a whole year. Naturally, you end up being closer to all sorts of people, and your ability to adapt to others improves.

That was something I could learn at school, and I knew it was a necessary skill for when I entered society.

But what about me recently?

Especially this past year, I’ve spent time only with people I get along with. I’ve been seeking out the easy, comfortable places and ignoring everything else.

That’s why my ability to consider others, something that should come naturally, had dulled.

As Natsuki said, I had become numb.

Of course, I don’t think this is an excuse.

Even if someone was in the same situation as me, I’m sure there are many who could still connect with others without losing that mindset.

Still, I have to admit that the things that happened with Reina were partly because of the environment I was in.

“Sometimes, it might be necessary to throw yourself into a different environment, but I think people who can stay satisfied with their current one and still do that are amazing. I couldn’t do it.”

“Is that so?”

While I don’t fully understand Natsuki’s personality, I know that she attended the group date organized by Ayaka. Given that she’s also part of the outdoor club, I had assumed she was a more sociable person.

“Yeah. I’ve been running away from a lot of things. I’ve come this far while thinking I’d like to change my nature someday.”

“I see.”

I muttered that word and closed my mouth.

I’m not trying to escape from my current environment.

Changing environments for personal growth may be necessary at times, but I actually like where I am right now.

If it’s for the sake of protecting my current environment, I would want to act.

But I shouldn’t take this current situation for granted.

I need to maintain at least that level of awareness, or else I’ll struggle later. Once I start working, there will be times when I’ll have to interact with unpleasant people with a smile on my face.

This environment won’t last forever.

It’ll last until I graduate from this university—no, maybe the end will come sooner than that.

Given that, it’s something I cherish to have conversations with Natsuki, who throws me harsh words.

When I told her this, Natsuki raised the corners of her mouth.

“Then there’s just one more thing I want to say. Is that okay?”

“What is it?”

“If you keep relying on Ayaka, you’re going to make the same mistakes again. I think your relationship with her is being maintained by her overwhelming capabilities.”

“…Thanks for the advice.”

It’s difficult to seek understanding from others when it comes to my relationship with Ayaka. Still, I agree that her advice to be more independent is valid.

In response to my answer, Natsuki chuckled, saying, “So you actually said thank you for that.”

“Normally, people would be annoyed by that. Maybe Reina was bothered by your odd traits too.”

“Odd, huh?”

“Exactly what I mean—just a little bit odd.”

“Is it really just as you said…”

I’m aware that I have fewer emotional fluctuations than those in outdoor clubs and such.

But when I’m told I’m “odd,” I can’t just nod along with it.

I don’t have the kind of personality that enjoys being called quirky.

“You’re odd, but you’re not a bad person. If you were a bad person, I’d tell Reina to stay away from you, too.”

From her tone, I can tell that Reina must have shared the events from a week ago with Natsuki.

If that’s the case, they must be really close. It seems my assumption about the relationship between Natsuki and Reina, and Ayaka and me, being similar wasn’t wrong.

With the murmurs around me, I shifted my gaze away from Natsuki.

Before I knew it, the classroom had filled up more than it had earlier, and the professor was slowly preparing at the podium.

“I didn’t notice, I was nervous.”

“Huh, nervous?”

Natsuki asked with a surprised tone.

“I was nervous. Anyone would be nervous talking to someone who doesn’t like them.”

“…Well, I don’t dislike you. It’s just rare to find someone to talk about manga with.”

“Is that so?”

Now it was my turn to sound surprised.

“I thought there were a lot of people like that.”

When I replied, Natsuki exhaled softly.

“There’s no one I really want to talk to. When I feel like other people might understand what I’m saying, I don’t want to talk anymore. I’m kind of resistant to being called an ‘otaku’.”

As she said this, Natsuki made a gesture by leaving a small gap between her thumb and index finger.

Reading manga and watching anime have become widely recognized among us students, but depending on the community, it could be perceived in completely different ways.

For example, in ‘Green,’ the group that Natsuki and Ayaka belong to, it’s probably rare to find anyone who shares the same interests.

I’ve never tried to hide that I like manga, but I could understand how Natsuki feels.

“…In the end, I’m the kind of person who cares about appearances and what people think. If you’re trying to change, then I should change too.”

“I see. Well, let’s both do our best.”

I extended my hand.

Natsuki looked a little hesitant at first, but eventually, she smiled as if she had figured it out.

“Yeah, let’s do our best.”

Her palm met mine with a sharp clap.

With that high five, it felt like the awkward atmosphere that had been lingering between us recently had been put to rest.

A bell rang throughout the classroom.

At the perfectly timed moment, I glanced at Natsuki and couldn’t help but chuckle.

––Maybe someday, I’ll really be able to become close with Natsuki, in the true sense.