The Boy Who Gave Up on Romantic Feelings ~I’m Done Because I Was Betrayed by The Girlfriends I Used to Date~ - Chapter 5-6

Chapter 5

I had a feeling it would turn out like this.

From the entire class, there were disdainful glances directed at me.

No wonder, I’m seen as the bad guy in the rumour.

Someone who knows the truth intentionally spreading lies. It was just a common occurrence.

In short, it was bullying.

Written words like ‘Scum, ‘Trash’, ‘Go die’, and so on…

It was kind of impressive they could fill my table with hateful scribbles in just that short amount of time.

“I’m sorry, Shintani. By the time I came back, it was already…”

“It’s okay. I kind of expected this.”

But even though I expected it, it still hurts.

Those words tear my heart.

I’m the one who is being hurt here, she’s the one who cheated on me, so why am I the one getting all the hate?

What did I do to deserve this?

“More importantly, are you okay, Kotaro?”

“Me? Of course, I’m fine. How are you still worried about me at this situation?”

“…yeah”

Kotaro, being a former delinquent, has been kept at a distance by others due to that reputation.

I was seated close to him, and through our frequent conversation, I learned that despite his reputation, he is a kind person.

Then we quickly became friends and started hanging out often.

“I’m fine don’t worry about me, I’m more worried about you. Are you okay?”

“No problem. I think the teachers will resolve it soon.”

“I see.”

I decided to ignore the scribbles on my table and attended the class as usual.

Now that I think about it, my heart might already have been on the verge of breaking since then.

After various investigations by Momogaya sensei, it was revealed that the rumours spread by Otsuki were completely false.

Because of that, Otsuki received guidance from the school due to promoting bullying among students.

Momogaya sensei raised the issue in a meeting, but the school did not recognize that whole incident as bullying, instead they pretended as if those incidents never happened.

It was to be expected. The school didn’t want to expose this matter publicly.

Fortunately, or unfortunately, those turn of events ended up in Otsuki’s defence.

After that incident, Otsuki transferred to another school.

However, the hostility towards me remained strong.

Because of that, I got a nickname of ‘Shintani Maeshima the despicable scumbag’.

As a result, Kotaro is the only person who is willing to hang out with me.

No one else dare to approach me. I was treated as if I didn’t exist.

Everyone is afraid. Afraid of being ostracized for being friends with us.

Therefore, they keep their distance.

And then, amidst the whole turmoil, Hanamoto started coming to school three days after the day I was called by Momogaya-sensei.

I didn’t know how she was doing then. To be precise, I didn’t want to know.

However, for some reason, she always wandered near my class for the first few days after returning to school.

After that year passed, and as the hostility towards me lessened—

“W-Would you go out with me?”

For some reason, I received another confession.

That was the beginning of my relationship with my second girlfriend, Rio Shinozaki.

Chapter 6

I was perplexed by the sudden confession.

Even though my relationship with others has somewhat improved compared to before, there are still quite some people who harbour negative feelings towards me, especially among the girls.

Yet, the person in front of me…just confessed to me.

“Why? I hate to say it, but I stand out in a bad way, you know? There are quite some people who hate me. You can’t predict what will happen to you if you get involved with me.”

“Even so, I want to.”

“What? Why is that?”

“That’s because…”

Shinozaki who was in front of me was said to be the most beautiful girl in school.

Seeing her up close, it was evident that what they said is true.

That’s why I couldn’t understand why she confessed to me.

“…because.”

“Eh?”

“I thought you looked really cool when you helped me before! That’s a good enough reason, right!?”

According to her, back in our first year, I somehow helped her on something.

She claimed to have fallen for me at that time, but since rumours were circulating, she didn’t get too close to me.

Then after the rumours calmed down, she decided to confess her feelings to me.

Did I help her? I really don’t remember at all.

“…I see, that’s how it is.”

“…it’s really embarrassing, please don’t say anything about it.”

Even though I was the one who asked her reason for confessing to me, seeing her getting all shy and embarrassed was really cute.

She was quite different from her usual atmosphere.

“…so, what’s your answer?”

…at first, I was considering rejecting her, but seeing her shy yet sincere expression made it difficult to reject her.

“…alright, sure.”

“Tsu~~~!!!”

The moment I accepted her confession, she expressed her joy with her whole body—jumping around with a big smile on her face.

Then, suddenly, she turned towards me and brought her face closer to mine.

“S-So, umm…I guess this means you’re my boyfriend from now on, right?”

“W-Well, yeah.”

I felt nervous.

Her face was so close to mine…

Seemingly satisfied with those words, she takes a step back and hugs me tightly.

—eh?

“W-Wait!?”

“We’re dating, so it’s fine to do this, right?”

“B-But isn’t it too soon!?”

“We will eventually hug each other anyways. I just did it a little sooner.”

“W-Well, that’s true, but…”

“I’ll support you no matter what.”

At those unexpected words, I was left speechless.

“I will try to alleviate that sadness, that pain, even just a little bit. Because I believe that’s what you need most right now. I don’t know how much you were hurt by that incident, but I believe I can help heal those wounds, even if just a bit. So please, rely on me a little, okay?”

What she said was so selfish that she might be even considered self-centred by some, but for me, those words struck a chord in my heart.

Perhaps, I unconsciously sought for someone who could heal that pain for me.

Perhaps, I have been unconsciously longing for the love I lost in the past.

Maybe that’s with I have been quite considerate with Hanamoto, I didn’t want to lose her.

“…thank you.”

Words of gratitude unconsciously came out of my mouth.

I wonder if she heard me said so.

At that moment, all I wanted is just to hug her tightly, without ever having to let go.