When I Was Rejected and Returned Home, My Childhood Friend, Who Should Have Been Distant, Was in My Room - Chapter 23: Hey!

Chapter 23: Hey!

Until I finished crying, he held me and patted my head gently. When I stopped crying and moved away from his chest, his T-shirt was already wet and soggy.

“Sorry…!” I exclaimed.

I realized what I had done; I cried all over someone’s clothes, and that someone was a boy I just met. I knew apologizing wouldn’t be enough, but maybe because of regret or because I used all my energy crying, my voice didn’t come out well. Thinking he might hate me now, my chest felt tight and it hurt.

Hesitantly, I looked at him, and he smiled broadly.

“It’s okay, this isn’t a big deal,” he said.

“But… I messed up your clothes…” I stammered.

The T-shirt with an English logo was wet and discolored around the chest. I worried he might get in trouble. But he grabbed the front of his T-shirt and puffed out his chest proudly.

“It’s fine! If I say a girl’s tears made it wet, my mom will probably praise me!” he declared.

“Really…?” I asked.

“Yeah, my mom would definitely say that!” he confirmed.

I didn’t know what kind of person his mom was, but I could easily imagine him showing off his T-shirt proudly.

“Hehe,” I giggled.

Seeing him show off his wet T-shirt was somehow funny, and I laughed. His face lit up happily.

“Oh, good, you laughed!” he said.

“Huh?” I responded.

“You only said things like ‘sorry’ or ‘but,’ so I thought talking with you might not be fun,” he explained.

“No, that’s not it!” I protested.

“But you look way better when you laugh. You’re cuter when you smile!” he added.

“Tch! Thanks…” I mumbled.

If Masamune heard this now, he’d probably deny it, but back then, he was quite popular. It was obvious. With his athletic skills, kind personality, and the natural charm that comes from a child’s innocence… other girls wouldn’t leave him alone.

For me, who had only been teased because of my appearance, his words hit deep in my heart. Realizing I calmed down, he nodded satisfied and leaned closer to me.

“So, what’s Sweden like? Can you tell me more?” he asked.

For him, stories about an unfamiliar Nordic country must have been intriguing. He leaned closer, ignoring his wet T-shirt.

“Uh, um…” I hesitated.

But I had never actually been to Sweden. I only heard stories from my grandmother, so I didn’t know much. Still, I worried if I didn’t say anything, he might think I’m boring and leave. Desperately, I tried to recall memories.

“Um… Hey! or something…?” I blurted.

“What’s that?” he asked, tilting his head curiously.

“Um, it’s Swedish for hello…” I explained.

The moment I said it, I felt intense regret. There were other things to say, and “Hey” didn’t sound special. I wished I picked a more foreign-sounding word or learned proper Swedish. Regrets piled up.

“Wow, that’s cool! Hey!” he exclaimed.

While I worried, he raised one hand and greeted me happily. As I stood there stunned, wondering if this was okay, he pouted dissatisfied.

“Come on, Hey!” he urged.

“Huh?” I responded.

“I said, Hey!” he repeated.

“Hey?” I said hesitantly, raising my hand.

He smiled happily. I realized he just wanted me to return the greeting. I felt relieved. As I let out a breath, a woman passed by the park.

“Masamune, it’s time to go home!” she called.

“Okay!” he shouted back.

He replied loudly to the person at the park entrance and turned to me quickly.

“I gotta go now, see ya!” he said.

“Oh, yeah, bye…” I replied.

It was obvious he had a home to return to, and we couldn’t stay like this forever. I knew the time to part would come soon. But when he suddenly said goodbye, my nose stung, and I felt like crying again.

I held back my tears with effort, not wanting to trouble him more. I looked down to hide my face. From the corner of my eye, I saw him stand up from the bench.

“Hey, when can we meet next?” he asked.

“Huh?” I said, surprised.

I looked up, and he stood there looking at me confidently, as if it was natural.

“So, when can we hang out again? You’re on summer break, right? How long?” he asked.

“Uh, about ten more days…?” I answered, counting quickly on my fingers.

“Cool, let’s hang out tomorrow then!” he declared.

“Huh?” I said.

“Yeah, tell me more about Sweden!” he insisted.

“Oh, yeah, that’s… okay?” I agreed.

“Masamune, what are you doing?” a voice called.

“Oh no, I gotta go!” he said.

Hearing a voice, likely his mother’s, he glanced toward the park’s exit. Then he looked at me one last time.

“See ya! Hey!” he said.

“Oh, yeah… bye,” I replied.

Without waiting for my full response, he ran off.

“Vi ses (see you)…” I mumbled.

I couldn’t correct his words, and my farewell floated alone in the empty park.

I decided to learn more Swedish from my dad when I got home.

* * * * * *

The next morning, I felt restless at home.

“Manaki, are you playing with friends today?” my mom asked.

“Uh, yeah…” I answered.

I replied to my mom, but my answer wasn’t clear compared to usual. The reason was obvious…

“See ya! Hey!” his voice echoed.

His voice kept running through my head since I got home. He said “see ya,” and I knew he lived nearby, but I had no other information about him. I knew his face and his name, “Munechika,” but not which kindergarten he went to or how old he was.

Seeing my unclear response, my mom looked worried while preparing for work.

“What’s wrong? Did something bad happen?” she asked.

“No, it’s not that!” I said.

It was the opposite. Thanks to him, my day yesterday was bright, but knowing that joy made me greedy. I wanted to see him again. Since he said “see ya,” I felt I had to meet him.

But then, I didn’t know where to go. Should I go to the park like yesterday? He said he didn’t usually go there. So where should I go? My thoughts were a mess, and ignoring my mom’s worried look, I kept pacing around the apartment’s living room.

“Ding-dong!” the doorbell rang.

The unexpected sound startled me, and I stopped moving. From the bathroom, my mom called out.

“Sorry, Manaki, my hands are full. Can you check who’s there?” she asked.

“Yeah, got it!” I replied.

I turned on the monitor in the living room.

“No way…!” I gasped.

Standing there was none other than the boy from yesterday. My head spun with confusion at the unexpected visitor. He stood nervously at the door, fidgeting. He could speak and be heard, but maybe he didn’t know the system, as his gaze wandered.

“Whoa!” I yelped.

He noticed the camera, and his face filled the monitor. I jumped back, startled.

“Manaki? Who’s there?” my mom called.

Her voice snapped me back. I checked my clothes; I was already dressed. Joy surged, and I shouted back to my mom.

“My friend came to pick me up! I’m heading out!” I said.

Without waiting for her reply, I ran to the entrance. This path usually felt depressing, but today it seemed so far. Without undoing the Velcro, I slipped on my shoes, stepping on the heels, and opened the heavy front door.

There he was…

“Hey!” he greeted, raising his right hand and bouncing.

Though we met just yesterday, it felt like a long time. I never thought having him at my doorstep could make me so happy. Holding back overwhelming emotions, I raised my hand.

“Hey! I didn’t expect you to come,” I said.

“Hehe, surprised you, huh?” he teased.

“Yeah, totally,” I admitted.

With a playful, age-appropriate grin, he told me.

“I asked my mom and dad if a girl with pretty hair lived around here, and they told me it was here!” he explained.

My hair, mocked so much and called snow maiden, led me to meet him, and for that, I felt glad.