I Was Reincarnated As a Man who Steals The Protagonist’s Childhood Friend

The sun lowered in the sky, illuminating the school grounds in beautiful effects of orange and gold. The Sports Festival, which had once been filled with yells and laughing, was winding down. Booths remained vacant, banners flapped lazily in the evening breeze, and students were scattered around the field, packing up the day’s remnants.

Hoshino and I worked silently near the main field, folding a giant, colorful banner that had hung triumphantly throughout the day. The fabric felt scratchy under my fingertips, yet the motion of folding it was strangely relaxing after hours of walking around.

“Do you think Akira’s actually helping this time?” Hoshino asked, glancing toward the far end of the field where he and Hibiki were supposed to be stacking chairs.

“I doubt it. Knowing him, he’s probably taking pictures instead.”

As if on cue, a familiar voice called out, “Hey, look here! Smile for the camera!”

We both turned to see Akira, camera in hand, taking a photograph of Hibiki, who was standing next to a hazardous stack of chairs. Her stare was powerful enough to cut through stone.

“Akira-san! swear, if you don’t help me right now—”

“Relax, relax,” Akira interrupted, grinning as he slung his camera strap over his shoulder. “I’ll be helping you out, by taking a picture of you first!”

Hoshino shook her head, still smiling. “He really can’t help himself, can he?”

“Nope,” I said, grabbing the next set of decorations. “But that’s our Photography Club President for you.”

As the sun continued to sink below the horizon, the shadows around the field expanded. The once-noisy festival grounds now felt at ease with only the faint sounds of distant laughter and the rustle of leaves to remind us of the lively day we’d had.

“Today was an incredible day. “Taking pictures of every student you see cheering, laughing, and having fun makes me want to join them as well,” Hoshino said, sitting on the field’s edge and stretching her legs.

“Yeah,” I agreed, joining her for a moment’s rest. “At the end of the day, everything we accomplished as the Photography Club, we gave them a fantastic memory that will definitely last a lifetime.”

She grinned as she looked toward the final remnants of sunshine. “I’m happy we were able to participate. Days like these serve as a reminder of how much fun school can be.

“Yeah…”

The quiet was broken by Akira’s triumphant shout in the distance. “That’s it! Final picture of the day!”

Hibiki groaned. “Finally!”

I couldn’t help but laugh, the sound echoing softly in the evening air.

We were almost wrapping up when a recognizable surge of energy approached. The sounds of Chinatsu, Airi, and Natsu came from the other side of the field.

“Still hard at work, huh, my dear sister?” Chinatsu called out, her blonde hair catching the last golden rays of sunlight as she flipped it dramatically over her shoulder.

“Ah, Onee-chan. Somebody has to clean up, or else with might get scolded by the principal.” Hibiki replied, placing her hands on her hips.

“Good thing we’re here to supervise.” Chinatsu smirked.

“Supervise?” Airi interjected, shoving Chinatsu with her elbow. “After the race, you’ve been lazing around all day, doing whatever things you can think of.”

“Excuse me, but I was busy making our class booth a big success! So what’s the harm in that?”

Since when did these two folks get so close? I thought.

“Don’t listen to her,” Natsu replied, dragging his feet as he followed them. He appeared as if he had just run a marathon. “I have been chasing Airi all day. I deserve a medal simply for surviving.”

“You’re just mad I have more energy than you,” Airi teased, sticking her tongue out at him.

“Or maybe he’s mad you keep using him as a luggage, buying whatever food that you can find in the cafeteria.” Hibiki added with a sly grin.

“That too,” Natsu muttered, earning laughter from the group.

Their casual banter gradually turned into overlapping chats that were difficult to keep track of. Chinatsu and Airi were taunting each other about their booth’s performance, and Natsu was complaining about his sore feet to anyone who would listen.

“It’s like a tornado.” I said under my breath, glancing at Hoshino.

She laughed softly, leaning closer. “You’ll get used to it. Probably.”

Akira, as usual, found his moment to shine. “Alright, everyone, attention here for a second!” he said, raising his hands dramatically.

The chatter died down as everyone turned to him.

“In order to make this moment memorable, let’s take a picture together!” he declared, holding up his camera.

“Say what now?” Chinatsu asked, crossing her arms.

“We’re taking a group photo,” Akira said, already fiddling with the settings. “It’s a request of the Student Council, plus it’s mandatory, so no arguments.”

“Can I at least fix my hair first?” Chinatsu asked,

“Hurry up, princess,” Hibiki quipped. “We don’t have all night.”

“Chill, my dear sister. Perfection takes time,” Chinatsu shot back, smirking as she adjusted her headband.

After a few minutes of lighthearted bickering, we finally managed to gather in front of the main stage. Akira adjusted the camera on its tripod, muttering about angles and lighting.

“Alright, everyone squeeze in,” he instructed, waving us into position.

“Do I really have to be in this?” Natsu grumbled, dragging his feet.

“Yes, you do,” Airi said, grabbing his arm and pulling him into the frame.

Then, I found myself standing next to Hoshino, her shoulder brushing against mine as we shuffled into place.

“Say cheese!” Hibiki called out, throwing up a peace sign.

“Cheese!” we all shouted, grinning as Akira hit the shutter.

The camera clicked, freezing the moment in time.

As the group began to disperse, Chinatsu stretched dramatically. “Well, that was fun. Now, I’m heading home before I collapse from the tiredness.”

“Same,” Airi said, linking arms with Natsu. “Then, we’ll see you guys tomorrow!”

As the last of our friends walked away, the field grew quieter again. I let out a breath, feeling both energized and exhausted from the whirlwind of their presence.

“They’re something else.” I said, glancing at Hoshino.

We decided to go to our clubroom to finalize the photos we took. By the time we returned to the Photography Clubroom, the school hallways were almost silent, save for the faint murmur of distant voices and footfall. The soft glow of desk lamps illuminated the room, putting pleasant light on the scattered images and notes that covered the tables.

Akira plopped down dramatically into a chair, spinning it around before leaning back with a sigh. “We survived another festival. Somebody get me a trophy.”

“Don’t get too comfortable,” Hibiki said, already sorting through a pile of photos. “We still have to go through all of these and finalize the album.”

“Slave driver.” Akira muttered under his breath but grabbed a stack of photos nonetheless.

I chuckled as I took my seat next to Hoshino. She’d already opened a folder on the club’s computer and was diligently organizing the pictures we’d collected throughout the day. I couldn’t help but admire the way she worked—focused yet relaxed, her expression calm as she swiftly moves the mouse across the table.

“Got anything good?” I asked, leaning over to peek at her selection.

“A few,” she said, showing a picture of Airi mid-laugh. “I think this one captures her perfectly.”

“It does,” I agreed, smiling. “Chaos incarnate.”

“Exactly,” Hoshino said, her own laugh soft and melodic.

Across the room, Akira and Hibiki were deep in debate over another photo.

“This one’s perfect!” Akira said, holding up a shot of Chinatsu crossing the finish line.

Hibiki frowned. “The angle’s a little off. Did you not account for the lighting?”

“Excuse me, Miss Perfectionist,” Akira said, feigning offense. “The lighting is artistic.”

“Artistic doesn’t mean overexposed,” Hibiki shot back, snatching the photo from his hand.

“Remind me never to let you edit my portfolio,” Akira grumbled, though there was no real bite in his tone.

The banter filled the room with warmth, a stark contrast to the quiet outside. Hoshino and I continued organizing captions and sorting photos, falling into an easy rhythm.

By the time they’ve finished, the clock on the wall read well past nine. Akira stretched dramatically, groaning as he gathered his things on the table. “Alright, I’m calling it. This festival has officially drained me.”

“Same,” Hibiki said, packing up her bag. She turned to me and Hoshino. “You guys locking up?”

“Yes, we have these covered. “You two can go home first,” Hoshino commented, smiling.

“Cool. Then, we’ll take our leave here. Good night, you two!” Akira said, waving as he headed for the door.

“Goodnight! And don’t stay too late.” Hibiki said, following him out the door.

The door clicked shut behind them, a soft silence fell over the clubroom. The clubroom felt larger and quieter with just Hoshino and me left behind.

I glanced at Hoshino, who was gathering the last of the photos.

“You sure a hard worker,” I said, breaking the quiet.

She looked up with a bright smile. “I could say the same to you.” Then there’s the solitude. Seconds have passed, follow by a minute, a two, or three more. It was the loudest silence you can hear. The only thing you can hear is Hoshino’s mouse clicking as she sorts through the photographs she takes with her camera.

Me? I’ll simply have to be a spectator, enjoying the beautiful tranquility while Hoshino sorts things out. I suppose the pictures can wait until after her.

“Do you want to take a break?” Then out of the blue, Hoshino asked, finally breaking the silence.

I looked up from my notes, surprised. “A break?”

“Yeah,” she said with a smile. “The rooftop has a nice view at the top. I’m sure you’ll like it.”

Then, I suddenly remembered on what I said back in the park the other day. My heart thudded in my chest. This was it—my chance to say what I’d been holding onto for so long.

“Sure, let’s.” I said, standing to follow her.

At this point, there’s no going back.

The school was quiet now, and the festival grounds were deserted and peaceful. As Hoshino and I walked up the stairway, we could only hear the faint rustle of leaves and the gentle buzz of distant traffic. We pushed open the rooftop door, which creaked slightly and revealed a starry sky. The air was crisp, with a subtle aroma of grass and the refreshing breeze of evening.

Hoshino stepped out ahead of me, her short black hair catching the silvery moonlight. She stretched her arms over her head, letting out a content sigh. “This feels nice,” she said, leaning against the railing and gazing out over the city.

I followed her to the edge, leaning beside her. The rooftop had always been a favorite spot of mine—quiet, open, and perfect for clearing my head. But tonight, the usual calm was overshadowed by the weight of what I wanted to say.

“The festival went really well,” Hoshino said, breaking the silence. Her voice was soft, reflective. “All the practice, the planning… it all paid off.”

“Yeah,” I agreed, glancing at her. “You were amazing out there. That last stretch during the race was incredible.”

She laughed lightly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “Thanks. You weren’t too bad yourself, you know. I saw you pushing hard during your part of the relay.”

“Had to make sure I didn’t mess it up for you,” I said with a grin.

“Pressure much?” she teased, her smile warm.

We fell into an easy rhythm, talking about the day’s events. From Akira’s antics with his camera to Natsu’s endless complaints about Airi, every memory brought laughter and a sense of shared accomplishment.

“Do you remember when Chinatsu almost tripped during the three-legged race?” Hoshino asked, her laughter bubbling up again.

“Who could forget?” I said, chuckling. “I thought she was going to drag her partner down with her.”

Hoshino shook her head, still smiling. “Today was… fun. It’s days like this that make me love school festivals.”

“Yeah,” I said softly, watching her as she gazed out at the horizon. Her profile was illuminated by the moonlight, her expression serene.

My heart pounded in my chest, the moment stretching out before me. This was it—the perfect time.

“Hoshino,” I began, my voice quieter now.

She turned to me, her head tilted slightly. “What is it?”

The words caught in my throat for a moment, but I forced myself to push past the nerves. “There’s something I need to tell you.”

Her eyes searched mine, curious and patient. The weight of everything I wanted to say pressed down on me, but I knew I couldn’t hold it in any longer.

“I’ve been thinking a lot lately,” I began, my voice trembling slightly. “About the past. About… middle school. About everything that happened back then.”

Her expression softened, and she turned fully toward me, leaning slightly against the railing. “You mean… ‘that day’?”

I nodded, swallowing hard. “Yeah. I’ve carried it with me for a long time, you know? The regret, the guilt… all of it. I thought if I just ignored it, it would go away. But it hasn’t.”

Hoshino’s eyes were steady, her gaze unwavering. “Takeshi-kun…”

I took a deep breath, steadying myself. “What happened that day… I can’t change it. And I’ll always regret how things turned out. I’ve been thinking about it sometimes. I don’t even know if you can forgive me. But I’ve realized something recently. The past doesn’t define us. It’s the choices we make now, in the present, that really matter.”

She tilted her head slightly, her lips parting as if to say something, but she stayed silent, waiting for me to continue.

I stepped closer, my hands gripping the railing tightly. “Hoshino, I’ve been holding onto something else, too. Something I’ve been too scared to say.”

Her breath hitched, her eyes widening just slightly.

“I love you,” I said, the words spilling out before I could second-guess myself. “I loved you for a long time. And I was too afraid to tell you because I thought I’d ruin everything. But I don’t want to keep it inside anymore. You mean so much to me, Hoshino. I want to be there for you. To make new memories together. To be someone you can count on.”

The world seemed to hold its breath as I waited for her response. The silence felt like an eternity, every second stretching longer than the last.

Then, she smiled—a soft, radiant smile that made my heart ache in the best way.

“Takeshi-kun,” she said, her voice trembling slightly. “I… I love you too.”

The relief that washed over me was overwhelming. I felt like I could finally breathe again, the weight of my fears lifting as her words sank in.

“Really?” I asked, a nervous laugh escaping me.

“Really,” she said, her smile widening. “I’ve felt the same for a long time, even before ‘that day’. I was just waiting for you to say it first.”

We both laughed, the sound light and unguarded. As the city lights twinkled below us, the rooftop became our little world—a place where the past didn’t matter and the future felt full of promise.

For the first time in a long time, I felt truly at peace.

First Volume end.
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