So You’re Telling Me I’m in My Popular Phase!?

Chapter 51: Unexpectedly, the Last Week!?

“Hey, do you remember, Ryu-chan? That week before I moved away…”

“Hey Ryu-chan, Sakura is going far away in just a little bit.”

Sakura told Ryu-chan that she had to say goodbye.

Ryu-chan was her best friend in this kindergarten, so she told him first.

“Going far away?”

Ryu-chan didn’t seem to really understand.

“No, never mind. See you tomorrow.”

Sakura waved her hand and parted ways with Ryu-chan.

“Hm? Bye-bye.”

“Bye-bye!”

Ryu-chan was looking at Sakura with a very puzzled face.

Some time passed after that.

When there was only one week left for Sakura to be at this kindergarten, the teacher made an announcement to everyone.

“Everyone, listen up. This week will be Sakura-san’s last week at this kindergarten.”

Of course, everyone’s reaction was, “Why?”

Of course, Ryu-chan’s was too.

“Due to family circumstances, Sakura-san has to go far away. Because of that, Sakura-san won’t be able to come to kindergarten starting next week. Let’s make her last week a fun one.”

” ” ” “Okaaaaay.” ” ” “

That day ended with just that.

Told to return to their seats, she went back to her seat next to Ryu-chan, and saw that Ryu-chan was teary-eyed.

“Is this week the last time with Sakura?”

“Yeah…”

“……”

Ryu-chan looked at Sakura silently.

However, his eyes seemed to be saying, ‘I don’t want that~’.

“Sorry, Ryu-chan.”

“No, it’s okay.”

Ryu-chan shook his head back and forth.

“Hey, let’s play together today!”

“Yeah!”

Ryu-chan opened his eyes wide and invited her to play.

“Then, meet at the usual place as soon as we get home, okay?”

“Yeah!”

Thank goodness. He went back to being the usual Ryu-chan.

And so, today they played longer than usual.

And the next day too, and the day after that too.

They played longer than the day before.

And then, they ended up facing a sad conclusion.

It became a heavy, sad goodbye.

Chapter 52: Unexpectedly Ignoring the Traffic Light!?

“Ryu-chan, let’s play together today too!”

“Yeah!”

Sakura invited Ryu-chan to play just as usual.

“I want to go somewhere a little far today, is that okay?”

“Yeah. It’s okay.”

“Thanks. Then, let’s meet at the usual park.”

“Yeah!”

“Bye-bye.”

“Bye-bye!”

She parted ways with Ryu-chan just as usual.

Sakura went home just as usual too.

“I’m ho~me.”

“Welcome back.”

She was told ‘Welcome back’ by her mother just as usual.

“Hey, I think I’ll be a little late today too.”

“Is that so? You’ve been coming home later and later recently, so be careful.”

“Oka~ay. I’m heading o~ut.”

“See you later.”

She heads to the meeting park just as usual.

And she meets up with Ryu-chan just as usual.

“Ah! Ryu-cha~an.”

“Sakura~. Hurry~!”

“Sorry to keep you waiting.”

She talks with Ryu-chan just as usual.

“Hey, where are we going today?”

“Umm, it’s a little far, but there’s a pretty lake.”

“Heeeh, then let’s go right away!”

“Yeah!”

They head toward the play spot just as usual.

“Hey, Ryu-chan.”

“What is it?”

“Even if Sakura goes far away, we’ll be best friends forever, okay?”

“Yeah!”

Being separated from Ryu-chan is lonely, but she thought she could surely keep feeling the same way she does now.

And on the way to the lake, they talked about the usual things.

And they arrived at the destination immediately.

No, it actually took an hour, but it felt like seconds.

“It’s here.”

“Waah, it really is pretty.”

“Right?”

“Yeah.”

Thank goodness. This is a place her mother often took her when she was feeling lonely.

“Hey, Ryu-chan.”

“What is it? How should I say it… thank you.”

“What do you mean?”

“Never mind.”

Just like that, they played around the lake for hours.

She can still stay in this town a little longer, but the day she has to move is getting closer and closer.

That’s why she wants even just a few more memories with Ryu-chan.

“Uwah, it’s gotten dark. Shall we go home soon?”

“Yeah, let’s.”

So today ends here. Will another day pass just as usual?

“Mom’s gonna get mad, so let’s run!”

“Yeah!”

They ran for a while.

However, the traffic light turned red.

“We gotta hurry. Ryu-chan, let’s cross.”

“Eh, but.”

“Hurry!”

Sakura crossed at the signal without waiting for Ryu-chan.

“Sakura! Look out!”

SCREECH—! BAM!

Chapter 53: Unexpected Escapism!?

Ugh… ungh.

What? What happened?

My vision, which had gone white from the sudden event, finally returned, and I looked around.

There were the faces of surprised adults. A car with its body dented from hitting a wall.

“Ryu, Ryu-chan!”

And, there was the figure of Ryu-chan, who had been hit by the car and was bleeding heavily.

“Ryu-chan! Wake up. Ryu-chan!”

Uwaaaaaah!

It’s Sakura’s fault! It’s Sakura, who ignored the light!

So why is Ryu-chan…

“Hey! It’s dangerous there, so step away.”

An adult came over and tried desperately to pull Sakura away.

“No! Sakura is staying with Ryu-chan!”

“Kuh, come on. Okay?”

The concern was poison instead. Even though I’m waiting and waiting, Ryu-chan won’t show me his energetic smile.

Why?

“Ryu-chan, what’s wrong?”

I shake his body, but he won’t wake up.

“Hey, kid!”

“What is the matter?”

Why is this person panicking?

I have to hurry and take Ryu-chan, who is sleeping on the roadside, home.

“Come on, wake up, Ryu-chan. We’re going home.”

I slap his cheeks and shake his body, but he won’t wake up.

“Kid! Stop that!”

My hand was grabbed by the adult.

“W-What is it?”

The adult was shaking their head.

“Ryu-chan, let’s go home quickly. It’s scary.”

“……”

“Wake up already!”

The moment I shouted, my shoulders were grabbed by the adult.

“Hii!”

“Look at my eyes.”

Told by the adult to look at their eyes, I looked while glaring.

“Right now, what is happening to your friend?”

“He’s sleeping.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know.”

What are they trying to say?

“This child, see, he was hit by a car and has lost consciousness. That’s why we are waiting for an ambulance right now.”

“No! Ryu-chan is fine!”

“Look in front of you!”

Ryu-chan is bleeding and collapsed.

His face is turning pale too.

“Uwaaaaaah. Uweeeeh.”

I cried loudly. To the point where I couldn’t see ahead because of the tears.

“It’s okay. He will definitely make it.”

While being gently patted by a person I met for the first time today, I waited for the ambulance.

After a while, the ambulance came.

In order to explain the situation, I went to the hospital too; borrowing the hospital phone, I called Ryu-chan’s house and our house.

Chapter 54: Unexpectedly……!?

“Hello. This is Ichikami speaking.”

First, I called Ryu-chan’s house.

“Ah, hello, it’s Sakura.”

“Sakura-chan?”

“Yeah……”

I have to tell Ryu-chan’s mother right now that Ryu-chan was hit by a car. That is very scary.

“What’s wrong? You’re playing with Ryu right now, aren’t you? Did Ryu do something?”

“No,”

“What’s the matter? You sound sad.”

“It’s okay.”

“Really? Then that’s fine, but.”

I took a big deep breath and told Ryu-chan’s mother about Ryu-chan.

“Ryu-chan was hit by a car, and he’s at the hospital right now.”

“……”

There was no reply. She must be confused.

“Ryu-chan is getting treated at the hospital right now.”

“What do you mean?”

I told Ryu-chan’s mother everything that happened up until now.

“Understood, I’m coming right away. Do you know what hospital?”

“Yeah. Saza Hospital.”

“Got it, I think I can get there in about ten minutes.”

“Yeah……”

Just like that, the call ended.

Beep beep beep—

Only the sound of the phone could be heard loudly.

“Uweee~eh.”

I ended up crying again.

Since there was no one there this time, no one comforted me. I simply regretted my own actions.

After a few minutes, my tears finally settled and I called our own house.

Purururu, Purururu, Purur

Mom didn’t answer the phone.

For the time being, I headed to the hospital room where Ryu-chan was at.

“Ah, did you call your mother?”

“Ryu-chan’s mother, yes.”

“What about your own mother?”

“She didn’t pick up.”

“I see, understood. I’m going to go to the doctor’s place for a bit now, so if anything happens, press this button, okay?”

“Yeah.”

Just like that, the nurse left the hospital room.

I don’t really understand, but it seems Ryu-chan’s life isn’t in danger.

“I’m sorry, Ryu-chan.”

I tightly grasped Ryu-chan’s hand.

“……”

However, because Ryu-chan has lost consciousness, he won’t give me a reply.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry Ryu-chan.”

“…”

“I’m sorry, I’m sor, ry, sor, ry, so……”

…………

“Sakura, wake up. Wake up!”

U-Ungh?

“M-Mom?”

It seems I ended up falling asleep.

On top of the bed was the figure of Ryu-chan, who still hadn’t woken up.

“Sakura-chan, are you okay?”

It seems Ryu-chan’s mother is here too.

“Yeah.”

“Really, thank you for being good friends with Ryu.”

“No…”

Ryu-chan’s mother is smiling gently.

“Hey, Sakura.”

Mom called Sakura with a grim face.

“……Yes.”

I’m surely going to get scolded. It can’t be helped, since I caused Ryu-chan to get seriously hurt.

“This is sudden, but… today is your farewell with Ichikami-kun.”

“Eh?”

Chapter 55: Unexpectedly Crying for Real!?

“What do you mean?”

Right now, I am talking with Mom in the car.

“Like I said, I’m telling you your father’s business trip got moved up.”

“Why does it have to be today!”

“Don’t take it out on me! I’m panicking too, you know. Even if Ichikami-kun’s life isn’t in danger… we don’t know what will happen!”

“I’m sorry.”

I can’t argue with that.

But, why today!

Hey, God. It’s true that I did something bad. But! At least let me say a final goodbye!

“Tch…”

Before I knew it, I was crying again. However, this time I didn’t make a sound.

Right now, more than that, I want to apologize to Ryu-chan. Crying won’t solve it. But, I can’t anymore…

“Sorry, Ryu-chan.”

Ryu-chan’s mother told me not to worry about Ryu-chan. But, I wanted to worry.

About three days later, we received contact that Ryu-chan regained consciousness and had no lasting effects.

However, I couldn’t answer that phone call. Because, due to temporary amnesia, he apparently didn’t remember the accident very well.

Of course, he apparently only remembered me vaguely too.

After that, I met Toyomi and locked my memories of Ryu-chan deep inside my heart.

However, when Toyomi invited me to the grade-level student council and showed me a photo of the current members, Ryu-chan’s photo was there.

I couldn’t believe it.

Because Ryu-chan, whom I was supposed to have forgotten, was in the same high school.

That’s why I refused the student council at first, but when I heard various stories about Ryu-chan from Toyomi, I decided I had to join to face Ryu-chan—no, to face my past self.

Today, when I saw Ryu-chan, I almost jumped on him right then and there.

I suppressed that version of myself, and ended up letting out a weird version of myself. That is the true identity of that overly obvious tsundere behavior.

Then, I learned he was in the same Soft Tennis club, so I tried talking to him.

The result is as you know: Ryu-chan had forgotten about me.

However, I didn’t give up and invited Ryu-chan to our house. And that leads to now.

MC POV

“How is it? Did you remember?”

“Yeah. It’s vague though.”

Ryu: I have a feeling in my memory, but it’s still vague after all. But, I want to say at least this.

Sakura: I’m happy he remembered. But, I’m scared of what comes next. But, I have to say at least this!

” “I’m sorry.” “

We both bowed our heads deeply.

“Why are you apologizing, Ryu-chan?”

Don’t ask me that. Well, if I have to say it…