The Story of Waking up With My Beautiful Childhood Friend and Realizing We Had Spent the Night Together - Chapter 6

Chapter 6: Even If This First Love Wasn’t Realized

“Hey, Iori.”

The next day. During school break.

After finishing class, I stretched and was called from the side.

When I turned around, Renji had a strangely serious expression on his face.

“…? What is it, Renji?”

It was after the third period, the most relaxing time before lunch break.

Like everyone else, I was feeling laid-back.

But…

(He looks unusually serious…)

Renji, who is usually carefree, had a stiff expression on his face.

It was rare for him to look like this.

Could it be that something serious happened…?

I turned back toward Renji, wondering.

Then Renji, with a deep furrow between his brows, said:

“—You got a girlfriend, right?”

…

Those unexpected words came out of his mouth.

“…Huh?”

“Eh!?”

When I let out a bewildered voice, a scream came from the seat two places away.

It was Kashiwagi-san, who stood up.

“…Eh, what? What did you say?”

“My gut is telling me… there’s no mistake. Your recent weird behavior. The unusual confidence. All of it screams ‘a man who’s lost his virginity’!”

“S-Such a…!?”

Kashiwagi-san, with a look of despair, responded.

Renji, who was speaking loudly (so annoying), caused the class to start murmuring.

“Eh…? Amano has a girlfriend!?”

“No way!? Did he beat us to it…?”

“Eh!? I thought Amano-kun was more of a pure-hearted type!”

“N-No, no!”

“Then can you honestly tell me that there’s no girlfriend? No lies!”

“Who’s your best friend? Gross.”

As I tried to deny it, I suddenly felt a gaze from two seats ahead.

“…”

I looked to find the stunning beauty with piercing eyes, my childhood friend and girlfriend, Yukimura Mizuki.

Though her face was expressionless, she was staring at me as if trying to convey something.

(…Uh…)

I hesitated for a moment, unsure of her intentions, but quickly realized.

(Ah, I see…)

I remembered the promise we made yesterday.

To distance myself from other girls, including Kashiwagi-san.

Then… what I needed to say was…

“…Yeah. I got a girlfriend.”

“…!”

As soon as I declared it, the classroom fell silent for a moment.

Then…

“Seriously!? What!?”

“Woah, Amano! When did this happen!? You promised we’d lose our virginities together!”

“Who’d make such a gross promise?”

The class cheered (?).

Renji patted my shoulder as I slumped down.

“…I thought something was off with you recently. Jeez, if that’s the case, just say it. You should introduce her to me sometime.”

“Absolutely not.”

“Why not?”

I was surrounded by guys, being poked and prodded.

And there, gazing at me with a sad expression, was…

“…A, Amano-kun?”

“…”

It was Kashiwagi-san.

Hearing her pleading voice, I felt deeply sorry, so I nodded.

Instantly, her face turned full of despair.

“…I see…”

Her voice was faint.

It was unavoidable, but it still hurt a bit in my chest.

Finally, after being freed from the guys’ teasing, my phone pinged.

I looked at the notification and, as expected, it was from the one person I was anticipating.

[Mizuki: Thank you]

[Iori: For what?]

[Mizuki: For saying you have a girlfriend]

[Iori: …I didn’t say it was you though.]

[Mizuki: I can say it if you want.]

[Iori: …I’m not sure if I can handle it.]

[Mizuki: Just kidding. I’m fine as long as I’m with you.]

“…”

She can say things like this so easily.

It makes me want to hug her right now.

[Mizuki: I’ll make your favorite dinner tonight. What do you want?]

[Iori: Mizuki]

[Mizuki: …I’ll make whatever, but it won’t fill you up.]

[Iori: It might fill me up.]

[Mizuki: Silly. It’s still too early.]

[Iori: Sorry. I got carried away.]

As I read this, I snapped back to reality.

…What is this conversation?

Is this really me? Getting carried away? Acting like a “happy couple”?

I knocked my head onto the desk.

Mizuki, sitting beside me, flinched at the sound. She’s cute.

And there was one more person watching me.

“…A-Amano-kun?”

It was Kashiwagi-san again, speaking in a tiny, almost invisible voice.

“…?”

“Um… I know this is troublesome, but…”

Her unstable gaze and shallow breaths showed how nervous she was.

“…Would you be able to spare some time after school…?”

“Eh…”

Hastily, I looked around, but everyone was caught up in Renji’s conversation about setting up a group date, and no one seemed to be paying attention.

But of course, she had heard the conversation…

…Ping.

[Mizuki: It’s fine. Go ahead.]

I looked at her message in disbelief, then turned to look at her. She quietly smiled.

[Mizuki: I trust you. It’s okay.]

“…”

I see.

In that case, maybe I should talk to her properly, just this once.

“…Alright, let’s talk.”

“Okay… thank you.”

Kashiwagi-san nodded and returned to her seat, her shoulders slumped.

Later, after school.

“Sorry… for taking your time.”

“No problem.”

We were on the rooftop bench.

After school, no one ever comes here.

It’s often used as a confession spot…

‘I like you! Please go out with me!’

This was also where Kashiwagi-san confessed to me.

It now felt nostalgic, my first confession.

Back then, my mind felt like it was going to explode.

How could such a cute and kind girl like me?

“So…?”

“Yeah… Iori-kun, do you have a girlfriend?”

“…Yeah, I do.”

“When did this happen? After I confessed?”

“…No, it was after.”

When I said that, she looked a little surprised.

She must’ve thought I turned her down because I already had someone.

“Then…?”

She seemed to be wondering why she was rejected.

“She’s my childhood friend.”

“Eh…?”

“I’ve been with her since we were five, and I’ve always admired her.”

I still remember the day I first met Mizuki.

She was so beautiful, like a jewel, even back then.

I fell for her at first sight.

It was the first time I was aware of “girls.”

I was so amazed that someone this beautiful existed.

But it was an impossible love.

She was out of my league.

I thought my first love would never come true.

“I’ve liked her this whole time… I never thought it would be returned, but…”

“…”

“I couldn’t give up, though, and I couldn’t respond to your feelings.”

I felt stupid.

When Kashiwagi-san confessed to me, I didn’t know Mizuki’s feelings.

She was an unreachable flower. I had given up.

So, dating Kashiwagi-san wouldn’t have been a bad option.

Still, I…

“…I see.”

Kashiwagi-san whispered, almost to herself.

“That’s amazing. You’ve liked that girl for so long.”

“…Yeah.”

“That’s something I can’t beat…”

She looked up at the sky, lonely, but somehow accepting.

“I envy her.”

“…Sorry.”

“No, thank you. For answering me.”

Kashiwagi-san smiled, like she had let go of something.

I wasn’t sure how to respond.

“Honestly, I was going to keep trying… but…”

“…”

“I guess it’s hopeless. There’s no chance anymore.”

She said with a forced laugh.

Kind-hearted Kashiwagi-san was still trying to make it easier for me, even now.

“…I guess this is it. My heartbreak. From now on, we’ll just be classmates, okay?”

She said this and left without waiting for my answer.

…I’m sure the tears at the corners of her eyes weren’t just my imagination.

I was left alone, gazing at the sky.

The weather was nice, though it now felt a bit ironic.

I stood there for a while, then opened my phone.

[Iori: It’s over.]

[Mizuki: Mm.]

[Iori: There’s nothing to worry about.]

[Mizuki: I’m not worried. It’s fine.]

[Mizuki: I’ll be waiting at home.]

“…”

Even if this first love doesn’t come true…

I’m sure I wouldn’t fall for anyone else.

I’m that sure of it.

“—I’m home.”

“Mm, welcome back.”

…It seems I’m deeply in love with this ridiculously beautiful childhood friend of mine.