I Was Cheated on by My Girlfriend but My Devilish Junior Now Yearns for Me - Chapter 93

TL/N: I will not be posting chapters 94 and 95, as they are the same as chapters 68 and 69. The author also acknowledged this by saying, ‘Sorry, the content of chapters 94-95 overlaps with chapters 68-69!’ That’s why I skipped to chapter 96. If any changes are made in the future regarding these chapters, I will update them accordingly.

Chapter 93   Sudden Invitation

The morning after I met Reina.

When I woke up, my body felt strangely sluggish.

Thinking it might be because of the weather, I lazily opened the curtains. Sure enough, rain was beating against the window.

A single glance revealed a dark, ominous sky, roaring with a noise so loud it seemed to shake the house.

“…It’s not typhoon season yet, is it?”

I couldn’t help but mutter to myself.

The world outside was so chaotic that it compelled the thought. I had checked the weather forecast on my phone app last night, and there hadn’t been any mention of a typhoon. At most, the forecast showed a 60% chance of rain throughout the morning, clearing up by the afternoon.

To think this stormy sky would clear in just a few hours was hard to believe.

I was supposed to leave home in an hour to attend my lecture, but it was hard to muster the will to go in weather like this.

The university website hadn’t posted any class cancellations yet, but I told myself it was only a matter of time. Let’s believe that.

If I were a working adult, I’d have no choice but to head to the office regardless. But as a university student, I had the luxury of taking a break when warnings were issued.

It’s odd how the oldest group of students often gets the easiest time taking days off, but I convinced myself it was simply because individual discretion is granted to each student.

Which is to say, I’m going back to bed. Believing wholeheartedly that classes will be canceled soon.

I sighed at how good I was at convincing myself with sweet, self-serving excuses, and crawled back under the covers.

Just then, my phone buzzed.

Through the blanket, I heard a faint vibration. The steady, continuous rhythm indicated it wasn’t a message but a call.

Who could it be?

Half-asleep, my sluggish brain slowly churned through the possibilities.

But in the end, I realized that ignoring the call might lead to trouble. Begrudgingly, I fumbled for my phone.

“Don’t go back to sleep!”

…The voice on the other end sounded like Ayaka.

If she had figured out my behavior based solely on the weather, I’d honestly find it terrifying. But surely, that wasn’t the case.

I hesitated over whether to reply, then decided to pretend I was still asleep.

“All today’s lectures have been canceled.”
“Really?!”
“Nope, just kidding. You’re awake, aren’t you?”

I shot upright, momentarily dumbfounded, and glared at my phone.

“You… you toyed with my pure heart…”

“If you’re pure, then you should be happy to attend your lectures.”

“It’s because I’m pure that I’m honest about my desires!”

“Yes, yes, good for you.”

“You little—!”

Saying that, I buried my face back into the pillow. At this point, no one could stop me from sinking into the depths of my hopeless desire for sleep.

But, against my will, my stomach let out a loud growl.

“…Why don’t you eat breakfast first?”

“…Yeah, guess you’re right.”

Grumbling, I reluctantly gave in and slowly sat up.

Holding my phone, I climbed out of bed, feeling the faint chill of the floor against my bare feet. It seemed today was going to be cold.

“It’s cold today, isn’t it?”

“Really cold. I’m even considering turning on the heater.”

“Thought so. I’ll turn mine on too.”

After switching on the unseasonal heater in my room, I opened the refrigerator door.

When more than five days passed without Shinohara visiting, my fridge reverted to its usual unhealthy state.

Every time, she’d scold me with, “Why is it all éclairs in here after just a few days?!” So now, there were about eight store-bought rice balls rolling around in there instead.

This setup should save me from her complaints.

“Hey, they issued a storm warning, so it looks like today’s lectures really are canceled.”

I brushed off Ayaka’s words lightly.

“Whatever. I’m eating my chocolate chip melon bread now.”

With that, I reached into the kitchen cupboard and pulled out a chocolate chip melon bread.

The rice balls would be saved for dinner.

“That sounds delicious, but are you sure? You’re passing up a golden chance for a second nap.”

Hearing the same thing twice in a row, even I could figure it out.

I responded to Ayaka’s teasing with the sound of chewing.

The faintly sweet flavor spread through my mouth, giving me a sense of a proper start to the day.

Of all the types of savory bread out there, chocolate chip melon bread was my favorite—I ate it two or three times a week.

“If only I had some café au lait to go with this, it’d be perfect.”

“Just go grab one from the convenience store nearby. It’s like, a two-minute walk, isn’t it?”

“Sure, but if I go outside, I’ll fully wake up and won’t be able to go back to sleep.”

“Don’t act like that’s a serious excuse. So, what are you doing today?”

“What do you mean?”

“Lectures are canceled, so you’ve got the whole day free. Are you planning to do anything at home?”

After a moment of thought, it finally dawned on me.

“…Wait, the cancellation’s for real?”

“I’ve been saying that this whole time!”

At her words, I hurriedly checked the university’s website on my phone. Sure enough, the announcement about canceled classes was lighting up the bulletin board.

“The boy who cried wolf…”

I muttered to myself, only to hear a sharp retort: “I’m a girl!”

That wasn’t what I meant, but letting her think it was wouldn’t hurt anything.

“Now that I know today’s basically a holiday, going back to sleep feels like a waste. Maybe I’ll play some games.”

Thanks to my phone call with Ayaka and my breakfast, my day had already started in earnest. With no work shift scheduled today, I had the perfect opportunity to enjoy some alone time.

I powered on the game console connected to my TV. Even though it had been a while since I bought it, the startup sound still managed to excite me every time.

“You’re such a contrarian, seriously.”

Ayaka’s exasperated tone made me smirk.

“Flatter me all you want, it won’t get you anything.”

“I’m not flattering you at all.”

Her quick retort made me laugh out loud.

It’s said that laughter reduces stress and promotes health, and maybe Ayaka is that kind of presence for me.

Talking to her without any pretense or burden simply puts me at ease.

Of course, I’d never admit something that embarrassing to her face, but I like to think she feels the same way.

Even if, from an outsider’s perspective, our relationship might seem unusual.

Still, up until now, I’ve thought of our bond as unique—never strange. I also hadn’t realized that this connection might have been causing someone else pain.

What you see and feel is everything.

The reason I grew close to Ayaka in the first place was that, back when we first met, I held that mindset and didn’t care about appearances. I just let our relationship develop naturally.

Even after starting university, I made an effort to keep a low profile—avoiding posting pictures of us hanging out on social media and maintaining what I believed to be a reasonable boundary.

But deep down, I knew. This relationship would likely never be understood by anyone else.

Unless they could relive the same fleeting days of youth we shared, they would never truly grasp it.

And if that’s the case, then maybe this relationship—

“Hey.”

“Hm?”

Ayaka’s voice interrupted my thoughts.

“The sun’s coming out.”

“You’re kidding.”

I shifted my gaze from the console to the window, where sunlight was starting to stream in.

But it was still raining.

“It’s just a light drizzle. The wind seems to have died down, though.”

“A sunshower, huh?”

“Yeah. Guess that means someone’s getting married today.”

“You’re so nonchalant.”

Even so, Ayaka’s tone was gentle.

The fact that we could have these casual, unguarded conversations over the phone meant she accepted my offhanded replies.

And if our roles were reversed, I’d do the same for her.

That’s how our connection has lasted this long.

“Hey. Want to hang out today?”

“Huh?”

My hand froze mid-movement, the game controller still in my grasp.

Ayaka, seemingly dissatisfied with my reaction, followed up with a sharp, “What?”

“Actually, never mind. You probably want to play your game anyway.”

Her quick withdrawal caught me off guard, and I stopped her immediately.

“No, I’ll come. I was just a little surprised, that’s all.”

“Surprised? By what?”

“I mean, it’s the first time you’ve ever asked me to hang out just because you wanted to. Usually, it’s because you already have plans and want me to tag along.”

A group hangout. Lunch at a newly opened café. A buffet at a hotel. A trip, or maybe just meeting up after lectures.

Being asked out on a whim, without any particular reason, was rare.

Ayaka seemed to realize this too, her response betraying a hint of nervousness.

“T-That’s… yeah, I guess it is kind of rare.”

“You just panicked a little, didn’t you?”

“I didn’t. And I do have a reason, actually.”

“Sure you do.”

“Okay, goodbye. I’m hanging up now.”

“Wait! Hold on, I’m sorry!”

I hurried to stop her, startled.

It’s not like I wanted to talk on the phone all day, but the sudden silence that would fill the room if she hung up felt lonely in its own way.

The thought of mindlessly grinding levels in an RPG while keeping the call connected had only made the idea of her leaving more disheartening.

“How about a drive? I could go for that.”

“Sounds good. So, we’re doing this?”

“Wait a second.”

“What now?”

While I had suggested it, there were a couple of practical concerns I had to address before agreeing.

“I don’t have a car. And it’s still raining.”

“We’ll borrow a car. And the rain will stop.”

“You just responded because it sounded good, didn’t you? Admit it.”

From the other end of the line, I can hear Ayaka’s laughter. It seems like she really means it.

“We can wait until the rain stops, no rush. But since it’s a rare chance, I wouldn’t mind going even in light rain. It’d be more affordable if it’s the two of us sharing the cost of the rental car.”

“Oh, so you actually like driving, huh?”

“Yeah, maybe I do. But not enough to rent a car by myself. It’s a bit pricey for just one person.”

“Totally agree. Those rental fees can be pretty steep.”

Even a one-day rental is enough to put a noticeable dent in a student’s wallet. Since the cost is per vehicle, the more people you have, the more economical it becomes. It’s the standard choice for group outings or traveling to distant places.

“Plus, I’ve never been in a car with you before.”

“Ah, that’s true. Since getting my license, the only people I’ve driven are my parents.”

While cars offer the advantage of flexible travel, they also come with drawbacks, like no drinking if you go out, and parking fees. For students, trains are often more convenient.

That’s probably why Ayaka and I have never gone driving together before. Without an opportunity like this, we’d likely never go on a drive. Thinking it over, I decided to agree—but with one condition.

“Alright, let’s meet up when the rain stops.”

As much as I found the idea of a drive appealing, for me, that’s only under clear skies. Driving in the rain, with windshield wipers flicking back and forth, just doesn’t sit well with me.

“Open the window,” she says.

“What?”

“Just do it.”

Following her instruction, I get up, move to the window, and reach out to open it.

When I do, the rain has stopped completely.

“…Did you cast some kind of spell?”

“It’s about to clear up!”

“It’s already clear though.”

Her words sound like something a shrine maiden would say, and I respond with a wry smile.