I Was Cheated on by My Girlfriend but My Devilish Junior Now Yearns for Me - Chapter 90

Chapter 90   Reunion with Reina

“Is that girl… Reina, by any chance?”

“Yeah. We’re supposed to meet at noon, in front of the main gate. She’s coming to see me, but… I don’t know, I already feel like I’m going to get a stomachache.”

Natsuki said this while rubbing her stomach.

It was almost certainly a lie, but pointing it out would’ve been tactless.

“I’d be happy if you met her in my place. It’d be rude to make her come all this way and then just send her back.”

— Thump.

Suddenly, I could hear the sound of my own heartbeat.

…Am I nervous?

When was the last time I got nervous just from the thought of meeting someone, even if it was out of the blue?

This situation is entirely different from back when I was convinced I’d been cheated on.

“If you’re willing to step in for me just for today, I wouldn’t stop you. So, what do you think?”

Those words were probably Natsuki’s way of apologizing for the cold shoulder she’d been giving me lately, out of guilt. I could sense that much, and without thinking, I glanced up at the ceiling.

“…A-after this lecture, okay?”

“…It just ended, though. Also, Reina’s coming during lunch break.”

Natsuki spoke with a hint of exasperation and then pulled out her phone.

“In that case, I’ll just text her now.”

“Wait, hold on a second!”

I hurriedly tried to stop Natsuki, who had already started tapping away on her phone.

She looked at me, puzzled, before asking, “Why? Are you nervous or something?”

“Yeah, I’m nervous.”

“I already sent the message.”

“Too fast!”

Natsuki’s level swiping speed how could she send a message that quickly? She must have already had her chat with Reina open.

If I were to back out now, it might come across as me rejecting Reina outright, which would be far from ideal.

It seemed there was no choice but to brace myself and face this head-on.

“Alright, see you later. I’m heading to the restroom.”

“Wait, are you seriously feeling sick?”

“Wow, way to be tactless. What kind of guy asks a girl that?”

Leaving that comment behind, Natsuki walked out of the lecture hall, leaving me behind.

As I sluggishly packed my things, I muttered to myself,

“…Your choice of words is so outdated.”

I thought I heard Natsuki’s retort, “How about you shut up?” echo faintly in the air.

◇◆

The start of lunchtime was undoubtedly the busiest time on campus.

Students poured out of the various buildings, all in search of something to eat. Naturally, the dining areas became a flurry of activity.

There were several options for lunch, but my favorite was the main cafeteria. Its balanced meals, complete with vegetables, were popular among students living alone. By noon, it was always packed with people.

But today, I was walking against the flow of the crowd.

My destination was the university’s main gate.

The person I was meeting—

My pace, initially brisk, began to slow down little by little.

The figure that came into view triggered a corner of my memory.

How many times had she waited at this very gate? How many times had she greeted me with a gentle smile after we met?

“—Ah.”

Our eyes met.

Reina Aisaka, her ash-gray hair fluttering, let out a small gasp when she noticed me.

After a brief, hesitant pause, she started approaching me, her steps tentative and reserved.

“Yuuta-kun.”

“Oh, hey.”

I stopped and raised my hand in greeting, aware that the movement felt awkward.

Reina looked at me and, noticing my awkwardness, gave a small smile.

“I’d sent you a message, but it’s nice to see you in person.”

“I’m glad to see you too.”

When I replied, Reina looked at me with a hint of surprise in her eyes.

“Really?”

“Yeah, really.”

“Are you just saying that to be nice?”

“Well, I don’t know…”

Frustrated by how slow my thoughts were, I pinched my temple with my fingers.

…What’s going on with me?

I’m not exactly great with people, but I’ve always been able to hold a conversation with strangers without too much trouble.

Lately, I even thought that my social skills had improved, probably due to the people around me.

But now, not even a single clever thing to say? Maybe I was wrong to think I had improved.

Or maybe I had gotten too used to it.

The ex-girlfriend I had been with for a year, and then broke up with.

I knew this wasn’t nervousness coming from romantic feelings, but at the same time, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of nostalgia, and it was a strange feeling.

“It’s been a while since we met here.”

“Yeah, about six months, I guess.”

“Has it really been that long? Time flies… at this rate, it’ll feel like we’re starting job hunting before we know it.”

“Ugh, I don’t want to think about that. I just want to escape from reality for a while.”

At my words, Reina smiled and nodded.

Despite the awkwardness, I felt relieved that I was able to continue the conversation little by little.

It had been the same when we met before—there was always a bit of awkwardness, but it never made the conversation stop.

When we were dating, the silences between us felt comfortable. Even now, as we were trying to restart our relationship, it seemed that hadn’t changed.

“Since we’re here, I’d like to have lunch.”

“Didn’t you come to see Natsuki?”

“Well, it’s thanks to Natsuki that you’re here with me. I’ll thank her later, so it’s fine.”

Apparently, Natsuki really had messaged Reina. She might have even continued texting her after she left the lecture hall.

“Well… alright, let’s go.”

I replied and stepped past the campus gates.

Just outside on the main street, there was a row of restaurants offering a variety of lunch options. While these places were a bit pricier than the on-campus options, today felt like a special occasion.

Glancing at Reina beside me, I saw her scanning the area, looking at the shops.

“What should we eat? Since we’re here, maybe something stylish—”

“Let’s do ramen.”

I pointed toward my favorite ramen shop but immediately froze, realizing my mistake.

I’d blurted it out just as Reina was about to suggest something more stylish, making it the complete opposite of her idea.

As I scratched my head, about to take back my suggestion, Reina smiled warmly.

“Sure, I’d love ramen.”

“Wait, really?”

I asked reflexively, and Reina nodded without hesitation.

“Really. It’s been a while since I’ve had ramen with you.”