When I Was Rejected and Returned Home, My Childhood Friend, Who Should Have Been Distant, Was in My Room - Chapter 2: The Lonely Way Home (2)

Chapter 2: The Lonely Way Home (2)

“Whew, I’m stuffed—”

I stretched my arms wide as I stepped out of the family restaurant. Shogo also came out, holding his wallet.

“Thanks for the treat. Sorry about that.”

“It’s fine, it’s fine. If anything ever happens to me, you’ll just owe me twice as much.”

“Yikes, scary.”

After that, we went a little overboard ordering fries and pizza, and the total got pretty high. I couldn’t help but feel a bit guilty. Shogo put his wallet back into his bag and got on his bike.

“Well, I’m heading this way.”

“Yeah, see ya.”

Shogo’s place is in the opposite direction from the family restaurant, and it’s pretty far from here. I thought he’d leave right away, but he didn’t take off immediately.

“Um… are you okay getting home by yourself?”

“What are you worrying about? I’m not a kid. I can get home.”

“No, I know, but…”

I could feel exactly what Shogo was worried about. I gave him a strong thumbs-up, and he let out a short sigh.

“Don’t get careless and get into an accident, okay?”

Maybe he was satisfied, or maybe not. He just gave me that warning and pedaled off, a little slower than usual since he had a long way to go.

“Well, guess I’ll head home too.”

I said to no one in particular and started pedaling. At first, I went slowly, but then picked up speed.

The orange-tinted scenery rushed past faster than usual. Watching it disappear, I felt like I was the only one in the world. Right now, I felt like I could scream anything.

“I was really in love with you—!”

I shouted from the gut, letting it all out. There’s only me in this world, so I’ll just spill everything into it.

“Young people these days!”

An old man walking on the opposite side of the street yelled at me, but to me, it sounded like cheering. A heat rose from deep in my belly.

“Uwooooh!”

I think the old man said something else as I passed by, but I didn’t catch it. I put all the leftover emotions in my stomach into one last shout.

“I’m never falling in love again—!”

FAAAAAN!!!!!!

My declaration, Masaki Munechika, age 16, was completely drowned out—by the sound of a passing train.

＊＊＊＊＊＊

“Haah, haah…”

Thanks to the shouting and full-speed biking, I was totally out of breath by the time I got home.

“I’m kind of hungry again…”

It wasn’t a long ride, but by the time I got home, all the carbs I’d eaten at the family restaurant had turned into energy, and now my stomach was loudly announcing its emptiness.

“Whew…”

I felt nervous about going into the house. I straightened the hem of my uniform and rubbed the corners of my eyes, even though they weren’t wet. I wiped the sweat from my hands on my pants and opened the door with a burst.

“I’m home!”

I shouted loud enough to echo through the house, but there was no reply. I figured I’d get scolded a bit for being late…

Listening carefully, I heard the sound of something being stir-fried through a door. Normally, dinner would already be ready by now, but I guess not today. Well, that actually worked out better for me. At least I wasn’t going to get yelled at.

“Huh?”

As I relaxed and went to take off my shoes, I noticed a pair of unfamiliar ones at the entrance. Black loafers, a bit smaller than mine. I don’t have any siblings, and they’re definitely not mine. Which means…

“Welcome back, Munechika.”

“Mom, even if you become a high school girl, I’ll still support you…”

“What the heck are you saying all of a sudden?”

With a sigh, my mom—Maiko Masaki—appeared. She welcomed me in a full set of gear: apron and ladle.

“Don’t say stupid stuff. Go wash your hands and head to your room. We have a guest.”

“A guest?”

I asked back without thinking. Mom didn’t seem interested in explaining any further and turned her back to me, ladle swinging.

“Just go. You’re keeping them waiting. I’ll call you when dinner’s ready.”

“Wha—wait, hang on!”

Without answering my question, she just said that and left.

“A guest, huh…”

As I washed my hands and rinsed my mouth, I thought of possible visitors. Shogo? Another friend? Maybe my homeroom teacher…? But no matter who I imagined, none of them matched the situation.

“Why does it have to be today of all days…”

We almost never have visitors. Things just never go right on days like this. I held back a sigh as best I could.

I dragged myself up the stairs. Letting someone into my room without even asking me first is already messed up. She could’ve at least sent me a text. Who the hell barges in around dinnertime, anyway? I didn’t want to think about it, but my thoughts kept turning negative.

Well, whatever. I don’t know who it is, but I’ll just ask what they want and send them home. I really want to be alone today. With that firm decision, I opened the door.

“Oh, finally back. Welcome home.”

There, lying comfortably on my bed with her feet resting on a neatly folded futon and reading manga, was a beautiful girl. She turned her face toward me and greeted me like it was nothing unusual. A strand of silver hair fell onto the bed.

“Himuro… Manaki…?”

Seeing me frozen, the girl—Manaki Himuro—got smoothly off the bed. Her long legs stretched out from her skirt and touched the floor with a light tap. At the same time, I lost all strength in my hand, and my bag dropped to the floor with a thud.

“Hey, Masamune, you okay?”

She walked over, looking worried. Her jewel-like brown eyes and snow-white skin looked like they’d melt if touched. Since we were about the same height, I could see every detail of her face without moving my eyes. I had a ton of questions, but my mouth just moved wordlessly, unable to form any.

My childhood friend, who I hadn’t spoken to in years, was now within arm’s reach. In my room.

“Hellooo, are you listening?”

She reached out toward me from just a few inches away. Her slender, delicate fingers neared my cheek. That moment felt like it was happening in slow motion.

Just before her fingers touched my cheek—

SLAM!!!

My brain couldn’t process it all. Instinctively, I dodged her hand, backed away, and shut the door hard. Now, in front of me, was just an old wooden door. With less information flooding in, I could finally start thinking clearly.

“That was Himuro, right…?”

I asked myself, but I knew I couldn’t be wrong. We hadn’t talked at school at all, but I’d seen her the whole time. She’d grown taller and looked way more mature and beautiful than back when we were close. I’d thought we’d never speak again… My brain was finally working, but it just went in circles. It felt like I was lost in a maze with no exit.

As I stood there frozen, the door slowly opened. From the small crack, Himuro peeked through. Her eyes were slightly downcast this time, and her straight silver hair swayed gently.

“Wanna come in?”

“Y-yeah…”

I didn’t even have the presence of mind to say, “It’s my room.”