When I Got My Heart Broken by a Childhood Friend, I Ended Up in a Romantic Comedy With Her Mother - Chapter 1 - Childhood Friend's Mom

Chapter 1 – Childhood Friend’s Mom

Childhood friends are so tight-knit in their own way that the others can’t break into the relationship.

I thought we had such a special relationship…

“Hey, Miho… Do you have a boyfriend?”

“Eh? Yeah, I do.”

“Huh?”

“Well~ Actually, he confessed to me a while ago~”

“Who, who is it?”

“It’s Nonaka-kun.”

“Nonaka… From the football club?”

“That’s right, he’s so handsome~ I never thought he’d like me~♪”

“…………”

“Speaking of which, Ippei. Didn’t you say you had something to tell me?”

“No, um… It’s nothing, forget it.”

“Is that so? Well~ But I’m glad I got to have a boyfriend before the summer holiday. We’re taking the university exams next year, so this is my last chance to play.”

“…Yeah.”

“Ehh? Why are you so gloomy? Ah~ Are you feeling lonely~? Don’t worry, I’ll hang out with Ippei too. We’re childhood friends after all♪”

“…Thank you.”

“Oi, Miho~!”

“Ah, my friend is calling. See you later~”

“So, how are you and your boyfriend~?”

“We’ve only just started dating~”

“You’ve at least given him a peck, didn’t you?”

“No, I’m not a gal bitch like you guys.”

“”Stop that!””

The girls left, sounding happy.

Meanwhile, I was left alone, standing dumbfounded in the corridor under the setting sun.

◇

The sunset still stains the wound in my heart.

Oh, it stings my eyes.

I mean, am I tearing up right now?

Aah, I feel so miserable…

“…Ikkun?”

Suddenly, I heard a soft voice behind me and I turned around in surprise.

A silhouette of a beautiful woman emerged from the setting sun.

In fact, her face is beautiful.

“Ah… Auntie.”

The only reason I say that to this beautiful woman is because this person and I know each other.

We’ve known each other for a long time…

“Miho isn’t with you?”

“Well, um…”

“Ikkun… What’s wrong? You seem down…”

I wiped my eyes hurriedly when she said that.

“N-no, it’s nothing.”

I was in a hurry to mislead her, but she didn’t pry any further and just smiled at me.

“Hey, Ikkun. We’re having hot pot tonight.”

“He-heh… I see.”

“If you don’t mind, would you like to eat with us?”

“Are you sure? Ah, but…”

“Hmm?”

“Miho is…”

“…I got a call from that girl a while ago. It looks like she’s going to be home late today. Well, she’s already a high school student, so I have to cut her some slack.”

This woman said with a wink…

So cute…

“More to the point, Ayano-san also asked me too. She has a date with her husband tonight, so she asked me to take care of Ikkun’s dinner.”

“That mother… I’m sorry for causing trouble.”

“No, that’s not true. Ikkun is like a son to me.”

“Haha, I’m happy to hear that. Ah, I’ll hold that.”

I quickly held the supermarket bag that the woman was holding.

“Ah, thank you. Boys are reliable after all.”

“This is a small price to pay.”

“Then, let’s go.”

Her smile was even more beautiful in the setting sun.

◇

I, Shibata Ippei and Shirai Miho are childhood friends who live next door to each other.

Our families have been close since we were children.

However, there is no father in the Shirai family.

Miho’s parents divorced before they moved to this town.

I don’t know who initiated the divorce, but…

I think the ex-husband really wasted her. Because Miho’s mother, Haruna-san, is really beautiful.

What’s more, her style is amazing.

If I were her husband, I wouldn’t let her go… Haha…

“Ikkun, is there something you don’t like?”

“No, basically, I don’t have any!”

“Oh, that’s great. Miho is so selfish, she doesn’t eat many vegetables.”

“Ah, she’s quite the carnivore, isn’t she? (laughs)”

“Fufu, you say the funniest things, Ikkun.”

In the midst of such friendly conversation…

“Sorry to keep you waiting.”

“Wow, that looks delicious.”

A pot of boiling water was placed on the dining room table.

“Salmon was cheap at the supermarket today, so we’re having Ishikari hot pot!”

“Wow, it smells amazing.”

While I was clapping a little, Auntie quickly served it to me.

“Go ahead and enjoy.”

“Itadakimasu.”

Shuu, shuu… Nom, nom…

“…It’s delicious.”

“Really?”

“Yes. I haven’t eaten Auntie’s cooking in a long time, but it’s still delicious.”

“Oh my, I’m so happy. Miho is always looking at her phone while eating, so she doesn’t say much on how it tastes.”

“She’s a modern girl. Well, she’s not a bad kid…”

I said that, but gradually the tone of my voice dropped.

“…Did something happen with Miho?”

“Heh?”

“When that girl’s name comes up, you seem…down. I’m sorry, I’m asking unnecessary questions.”

“No, it’s fine…”

I put my chopsticks down.

“…Actually, Miho’s got a boyfriend.”

“Eh? Oh my, really?”

“While I was taking my time… It seems like someone recently confessed to her.”

“Ikkun, you mean…”

“It’s the last chance to have fun during our second year summer holiday, so I thought about confessing to Miho, but… I got beaten to it by the handsome guy from the football club.”

“…I see.”

“Well, this is for the best. Me and her are just childhood friends, after all. Even if I had confessed, who knows if we would have started dating, and to be honest, I probably would’ve been rejected. She’s the type who attracts attention because she’s good-looking. She’s Auntie’s daughter after all.”

“Ikkun…”

“I’m sorry. Let’s continue eating.”

Just as I was about to continue, Auntie gently touched the back of my hand.

“…Auntie?”

“…Ah, I’m sorry, I just…”

“Perhaps… Auntie is trying to comfort me…?”

“We-well, yes…”

“Haha, thank you very much. But I’m full of energy now that I’ve had this delicious hot pot.”

“Really?”

“Yes. I mean, Miho is probably going to be away from home all summer playing with her boyfriend, so maybe I’ll come to this house every day and have Auntie’s delicious home-cooked meal… Haha…”

Worried that I might have gotten too carried away, I looked at Auntie’s expression and…

“…Auntie?”

For some reason, her face was downcast.

Did I say something wrong?

“Ah, no, I’m just joking. Please don’t take it so seriously…”

“…A, a mother is responsible for her daughter’s misbehavior.”

“What?”

“That child, even though she’s my daughter, she has a bit of a…blunt side to her. I think that’s what led her to hurt Ikkun.”

“Well… That’s hard to deny…”

“So, um, for this matter… I will take responsibility.”

“Take…responsibility…?”

When I asked Auntie again, she paused for a bit before saying,

“…If Ikkun is okay with me… I’ll be Ikkun’s girlfriend.”

“………………Eh?”