The Reason Why I was Cheated on By My Girlfriend - Chapter 25

The Creeping Shadow

Haru’s POV

Morning.

While drinking tea in the living room, Yua comes downstairs from my bedroom on the second floor.

“…good morning.”

Yua greets me awkwardly. I place my teacup on the table and say,

“Good morning. Did you sleep well?”

“…yeah, thank you, Haru-kun.”

Her reaction is sluggish, perhaps it’s because she’s still half-asleep.

Yua then looks at me blankly and asks,

“Did you sleep on the sofa?”

“Yeah, it was surprisingly comfortable.”

“…I’m sorry.”

Another apology.

Hearing that makes me strangely irritated.

“What about breakfast? If you want to eat, I can make something.”

“…no, I want to go home and change clothes.”

“I see. Well, I’ll come pick you up later then.”

“…okay.”

It feels awkward, even though we were able to talk normally last night.

But it’s definitely a lot better than it was then. I’ll just be patient.

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“…sorry to keep you waiting.”

About two minutes after I rang the doorbell, Yua comes out.

I thought she was just drowsy from waking up this morning, but she still seems a bit awkward now.

“Is something wrong?”

“Hmm? Why are you saying so?”

“Your face looks different.”

“Mind your words.”

Yua narrows her eyes with an annoyed expression on her face.

She seems to be acting the same as yesterday, but she also seems different in some way.

(…I guess there is no point in overthinking it.)

I let out a light sigh and try to shift my focus.

“Never mind, I was just talking to myself.”

“…you shouldn’t do that to Sakashita-san.”

As I start walking, Yua, with a disgruntled tone, chases after me.

“Don’t worry, I won’t say that to Kaguya-nyan.”

“Again, what’s with this Kaguya-nyan thing?”

Oh no, I said it again.

While thinking of a way to cover it up, I glance at Yua…

“Aren’t you walking a bit far from me?”

“…am I?”

I knew it, she’s acting strange.

She used to always walk right beside me, but now she is walking slightly behind and to the side of me.

“More importantly, Haru-kun, did something happen at the cat café?”

“…no, nothing happened.”

“You’re definitely lying.”

“Why do you think that?”

“Your face looks different.”

When I look at Yua, she has a slight smug expression on her face.

After being perfectly countered, I turn around and walk away as if trying to escape.

And then, I feel something strange again.

There are no footsteps following me.

Usually, she would chase after me.

(…she’s really walking far away from me, isn’t she?)

I mutter to myself after turning around.

Yua’s behaviour has been strange since that day…but today she’s acting especially odd.

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Yua’s POV

This is fine. This distance is right.

I keep telling myself so as I walk behind Haru-kun.

I’m not thinking about anything complicated. I’m just trying to end my first love.

“I’m thinking of calling her ‘Kaguya-nyan’ too.”

“Please don’t.”

“Why not? It’s cute.”

“I’ll get in trouble.”

“I can talk to her about it. I’m good with words.”

“For example?”

“Like ‘Haru-kun was talking about Kaguya-nyan the whole time’, or something like that.”

“Isn’t that adding fuel to the fire?”

“Eh, I think she’d be happy.”

I want to support their relationship.

A lot of couples our age breaks up quickly.

I don’t want that to happen to Haru-kun.

“Have you decided on your next date?”

“…we haven’t talked about it.”

“That’s no good. You need to decide during the date.”

“We can talk about it anytime. We’re going to the same school.”

“There it is. The start of drifting apart.”

“You’re saying something similar to something like slipping and falling in front of the class.”

“Fufufu, what’s with that comparison?”

I really don’t want to. I don’t want to give Haru-kun up.

But…it’s for Haru-kun’s sake.

(…this is fun)

I can talk with Haru-kun more easily than yesterday.

However, the pain in my heart grows stronger than yesterday.

(…it feels really lonely.)

We’re talking a lot more than yesterday.

But I feel even more distant to Haru-kun than yesterday.

(…I can’t let this feeling get the better of me.)

I put on a smile and continue the conversation.

Time flies by quickly, and we arrive at school.

(…ah, it’s Sakashita-san.)

I see her standing in front of the school gate.

Seeing her, I tell Haru-kun,

“Sorry, I just remembered I have something to do, so I’ll go ahead!”

“Something to do? Hey, Yua?”

Ignoring Haru-kun’s words, I run off.

As I pass Sakashita-san, I glance at her.

(…she’s really beautiful.)

Just as people said, she’s truly beautiful. I’m almost jealous of her.

From what I’ve heard about Haru-kun, I’m sure she has a great personality too.

(…not fair.)

No, no, this is perfect.

A beautiful woman like Sakashita-san is the one who should be by Haru-kun’s side, not someone like me.

Yeah, that’s right.

That’s why…I have to give up quickly.

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Haru’s POV

Yua’s behaviour seems off today.

Even though we are able to talk more than yesterday, I still feel like there is a barrier between us.

It doesn’t seem like she’s feeling unwell or something like that.

In fact, she sounds just fine.

(…am I overthinking things?)

I feel uneasy.

I can’t shake off this feeling, it’s like a small bone stuck in the back of my throat.

—and then, the strangeness suddenly starts.

During a class just before lunch break.

While feeling quite hungry and sleepy, I’m listening to the English lesson.

“Sensei, it seems like Niimi-san isn’t feeling well.”

A girl sitting behind Yua said so.

Looking at her, it’s clear that she doesn’t look well.

The teacher, seeming to agree, with a concerned tone, says,

“Niimi-san, would you like to go to the nurse’s office?”

“…umm, I’m fine.”

“It’s better not to push yourself.”

When the girl who had raised her hand said so, others around also voice their concern.

Yua gives a wry smile and, as if resigned, stands up from her seat.

“Does anyone want to accompany her…”

The teacher immediately looked at me.

“Ogura-kun, can you take care of her?”

For a moment, the entire classroom become tense.

“Yes, I’ll take care of her.”

I ignore the comments from our classmates and stand up.

Immediately after, someone makes a teasing ‘woo’ sound.

Damn it, stop that.

Ignoring it all, I take Yua out of the classroom.

“Are you alright?”

“…sorry.”

“Umm…did you take your medicine?”

“…I took it. But it seems like it’s not working today.”

As I search for the right words, Yua faintly lifts the corners of her mouth.

“It’s okay. I think I’ll feel better if I lie down.”

Her breathing is heavy. She clearly doesn’t seem okay.

“Do you want me to lend you a shoulder?”

“…I’m fine. I can walk on my own.”

“Don’t push yourself. You can’t even walk properly.”

“I’m okay!”

As I try to insist on supporting her, Yua quickly pulls away.

“…ahaha, you’re worrying too much.”

Seeing her expression, I can’t say anything.

Instead, I stay attentive.

I ready myself to catch her if she loses her balance.

In the end, nothing happened, but the walk to the nurse’s office felt much longer than usual.

“The nurse is never around when you need them.”

“…yeah, but there’s a bed available.”

Yua reaches the bed and lay down, almost collapsing onto it.

I place my hand on her forehead.

“Is your temperature…okay?”

“…I told you, I should be fine after lying down for a bit.”

“Okay. But I’ll look for the nurse just in case. I’ll be right back.”

“…sorry.”

I run out of the nurse’s office.

—six months ago, I failed to notice Yua’s tragedy.

This regret will never fade.

I won’t let it happen again.

But if, by any chance, it does—

I will never repeat the same mistake again.

I swear on my life.

However…

At this very moment,

I see a shadow creeping up on her.