When I Was Rejected and Returned Home, My Childhood Friend, Who Should Have Been Distant, Was in My Room

Chapter 11: Never Miss a Word

After a while, she woke up. She squinted at the brightness of the outside world.

“Where… am I?” she asked.

“The infirmary. You fainted, so I brought you here,” Masaki replied.

“Oh, I fainted…” she said.

“Too much stress caused it, but it’s not a big deal,” he assured her.

Hoshino tried to get up from the bed, so Masaki stood from his chair and quickly stopped her.

“Sorry, I caused you trouble…” she apologized.

“Hey! Stay lying down!” he insisted.

He restrained Hoshino, who was trying to sit up. Realizing her condition, she obediently lay back down. Still lying, she turned her face toward him.

“Thanks, Masaki-kun, did you carry me here?” she asked.

“Uh, yeah, well…” he mumbled.

Thinking back twenty minutes, she had collapsed suddenly in front of him, and he half-dragged her to the infirmary. The teacher must have been shocked when he opened the door, a male student carrying an unconscious girl.

“It’s fine. It’s called a vasovagal reflex. You fainted because your tension released all at once,” the infirmary teacher explained.

She said this after checking Hoshino’s pulse.

“Some people feel dizzy after a shot, right? It’s like that,” she added.

“Oh, I see…” Masaki responded.

“So, just lie down, and there’s no need to worry,” she reassured.

“Okay…” Hoshino replied.

Knowing her life wasn’t in danger, Masaki sighed in relief.

“Well, I have some errands, so stay with her until she wakes up,” the teacher said.

“Wait, what…” Masaki started.

Before he could protest, the teacher left the infirmary quickly. Only he and the unconscious Hoshino remained.

And now, here they were.

“Sorry, you had to carry me…” she apologized again.

“You collapsed in front of me; I couldn’t just leave you,” he replied.

“Yeah, thanks,” she said.

He never thought he’d talk to Hoshino again and didn’t know what to say. The silence, once comfortable, felt awkward today. Seeing her lie weakly on the bed was unbearable. Wanting to leave, he desperately thought of excuses.

“I’ll get your bag, Hoshino. It’s in the classroom, right?” he offered.

“No, no, it’s okay. I’m fine,” she refused.

“Then, uh, Pocari! You fainted, so I’ll buy you one,” he suggested.

He made various offers, but Hoshino just shook her head once.

“Thanks. Sorry for making you worry,” she said.

“No, I’m not worried…” he muttered.

Embarrassed that she saw through his lie, he looked away.

“But I’m okay now. I’ll leave when the teacher returns,” she assured him.

Her downcast, resigned eyes suggested she wanted to pretend her words under the cherry tree never happened. So, that’s how it was…

That wasn’t acceptable.

She poured out emotions so intense she hyperventilated and nearly collapsed. He needed to hear the rest, and she had a responsibility to finish what she started. She had to take responsibility for involving him.

“Hoshino,” he said.

“What, Masaki-kun…?” she replied.

Saying what she wanted and then leaving was unacceptable. She had to take responsibility for dragging him into this.

“Tell me the rest of what you were saying,” he demanded.

He also had to respond to her feelings, as someone caught up in this…

On the day he confessed, he didn’t hear her full answer, and he felt guilty about it. He confessed, got rejected, and ran away… He didn’t want Hoshino to have the same regret.

…No matter what answer he gave.

Sensing his resolve, Hoshino smiled weakly.

“Wasn’t what I said behind the school enough?” she asked.

“No, it’s not,” he replied.

“I collapsed after saying one sentence, and you still want me to talk?” she questioned.

“You’re in the infirmary, so it’s fine. I’m here too,” he countered.

“You say pretty harsh things to a girl, Masaki-kun,” she teased.

“Didn’t you know? I’m kind of a harsh guy,” he retorted.

“Really? I didn’t know,” she said.

Saying that, Hoshino looked up at the ceiling.

“I didn’t know Masamune-kun at all,” she added.

That’s unfair, he thought. Saying that made it sound like a touching story. He could imagine them looking back, saying they liked each other back then, becoming that kind of friend. He couldn’t help but picture such a future.

“I came today to apologize and make a request, like I said,” she explained.

“An apology and a request…” he repeated.

He could guess what she meant.

“Yeah, I’ll keep it short. Long talks aren’t good, right?” she asked.

“Well, yeah…” he agreed.

He wasn’t sure if she meant Manaki, but her eyes seemed to know everything. She sat up and moved to the bedside.

“First, the apology. I couldn’t return your feelings that day, Masaki-kun. I’m sorry,” she said.

“Yeah, that’s what it’s about…” he replied.

The old wound was reopened, and he took damage again. Even though he braced himself, hearing it from her was tough.

“But you left halfway, Masaki-kun. As the one confessed to, I think you had a duty to hear me out,” she pointed out.

“I know, and I feel bad about it…” he admitted.

“Oh, sorry, I didn’t mean it like that,” she clarified.

Hoshino nodded repeatedly. She adjusted her sitting position, aligning her feet, and her body trembled slightly.

“Now, the request,” she said.

Her serious tone made it clear this was the main point. He straightened up on the pipe chair. She took a small deep breath and looked at him intently. Her eyes no longer held the weakness from before.

“Masaki-kun, can we start over as friends?” she asked.

This time, Hoshino didn’t collapse. Her willful eyes fixed on him. He didn’t look away and responded.

“Tell me why,” he said.

“…I was hoping for a yes or no,” she replied.

“Sorry, Hoshino, I can’t give that,” he said.

He thought their relationship ended with his confession. Without knowing why she was bringing it up again, both would regret it.

When he asked, Hoshino looked down, embarrassed.

“Do I really have to say?” she asked.

“Yes,” he insisted.

Even with her pleading look, he wouldn’t budge. Realizing his resolve, she began speaking resignedly.

“You know this is because you didn’t listen properly, right?” she asked.

“Listen?” he questioned.