I’m Betrayed by My Childhood Friend Who is Also My Lover, but My Other Childhood Friend Healed Me, So I Feel Like I Can Recover and Be Happy ~Is it True That Friendship Between a Man and Woman is Impossible? - Chapter 9

Filling The Void

After Airi returned to her home, my house immediately becomes quiet.

While Airi was here, I didn’t think about Chitose.

I feel grateful once again for her presence in my life.

However, that slightly concerned expression that she showed during dinner…

Her expression was filled with sadness.

She made that same expression once before.

At that time, Airi was pushing herself too hard.

But in the end, I’m glad that it didn’t turn out to be a big deal.

When it comes to us, Airi always puts us first before herself.

Airi is my precious childhood friend.

Just as she worries about me, I also worry about her.

She said that she can’t rely on me in the current situation.

In that case, I should seek help from others.

With that decision in mind, I immediately contact my friends.

I briefly explain the situation and ask them to subtly keep an eye on things at school.

Then, regarding that guy with Chitose at the park…

I’m still concerned about that guy, so I also asked my friends to find out more about him.

As I’m going through with all of this, I somehow forgot about Chitose.

I find myself worrying about Airi more than anything.

I can’t help but laugh at myself self-deprecatingly.

To be honest, I don’t know anything about Chitose anymore.

Since that day, I haven’t felt any anger or sadness towards Chitose.

It’s true that I have various thoughts about her, but I don’t feel anything towards her.

At least for now, even if we were to reconcile, I can’t imagine loving and cherishing Chitose as much as before—

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Morning.

It seems like I fell asleep while pondering such thoughts.

I wake up to the usual alarm sound.

My mind doesn’t feel very clear, but since Airi said that she would be coming in the morning today as well, I quickly get ready and start preparing breakfast.

Just as I finished making breakfast, the intercom rings.

After a while, Airi comes to the living room.

“Good morning, Akito.”

“Good morning, Airi.”

She smiles at me as usual.

However, since we’ve known each other for so long, I can feel a hint of sadness behind her smile.

“Is it your hobby to steal my job, Akito?”

Looking at the breakfast already set on the table and me in the kitchen, Airi puffs her cheeks.

But then she immediately changes her expression to a smile.

“Thank you, Akito.”

“I should be the one thanking you. I mean, all I did was reheat the food you cooked yesterday.”

I thank her as I serve freshly cooked rice onto Airi’s bowl.

I take my seat across Airi.

““Itadakimasu””

The two of us says so together and start eating breakfast.

Just like yesterday, we eat in silence for a while.

However, I’m still worried about yesterday.

So, I call out to Airi.

“Hey, Airi.”

“What is it?”

“I know that both me and Chitose have been causing you trouble lately.”

“I don’t really think it as trouble.”

“Yeah, that’s just how you are, Airi.”

“That’s nice to hear, but you’re flattering me too much.”

“That’s not true, I’m not flattering you! …you’re just too kind, Airi.”

My childhood friend often seems as cold and too beautiful to approach.

It’s as if she has a barrier around her.

But actually, she is an incredibly kind person when you get to know her better.

That’s right, because she’s so kind, I shouldn’t rely on her too much.

“That’s why, Airi—I-If something were to happen that hurt you because of me…If something like that happens…I-I won’t be able to forgive myself!!”

Even though I stumbled over my words, I managed to express my heartfelt feelings.

Airi widens her eyes in surprise at my words.

“…umm, sorry. I’m got good at putting it into words. What I want to say is…”

Airi continues to look into my eyes.

As I start to feel awkward and try to look away, Airi suddenly starts laughing.

“Fufufu, ahahaha…you worry too much, Akito.”

“I think that’s better than not caring about you.”

“Oh, that sounds like it could backfire.”

“Eh, how so?”

“Fufufu, you’re really making me laugh too much, even though it’s still so early in the morning.”

I tilt my head, not quite understanding what’s so funny.

However, it feels like yesterday’s unpleasant atmosphere has completely disappeared.

I find myself naturally smiling too.