When I Was Rejected and Returned Home, My Childhood Friend, Who Should Have Been Distant, Was in My Room - Chapter 3: Her Purpose

Chapter 3: Her Purpose

Guided by Himuro, I entered the room. She sat on the bed, and I sat on the chair. Even though it was supposed to be my room, I felt uneasy, like I was in an unfamiliar place. However, Himuro seemed very relaxed, fiddling with the bed sheets with one hand. Then, as if she quickly got bored, she opened the manga she had been reading earlier.

“Oh, I finished reading this.”

Himuro stood up from the bed and walked toward the bookshelf. Or so I thought, but instead, she grabbed the next volume, sat back on the bed, and began reading again.

“Hey, you’re being way too relaxed!”

“…Hm?”

“No, not ‘hm?’!”

It was one thing that she was in my room, I could overlook that, but after I returned, she kept reading the manga without even acknowledging me. That was unacceptable.

“Oh, sorry…”

“Finally, you get it.”

Closing the book, Himuro wore an apologetic expression. Now, just tell me what you want. You came all this way after years, so there must be a reason, right…?

“I’m borrowing this manga.”

“I already know that!”

It’s important to ask for permission before borrowing something to avoid trouble! But that’s not the issue right now!

“That’s not the point right now…!”

“Huh?”

My quiet shout didn’t seem to get through to her. She tilted her head slightly, looking puzzled. This feeling, I hadn’t experienced it in a while. Himuro had always been like this—so laid-back, never really listening to what I said.

“What I’m trying to say is—”

“Is it because you wanted to see me?”

“…”

“Isn’t it okay that I came because I missed you, Masamune?”

“…Well, it’s not that it’s a problem.”

Even if that was the reason, it might be fine for an ordinary childhood friend. This situation—I’ve seen it countless times in light novels or anime. But…

“You, how many years has it been since you came to my place?”

“Let’s see, from halfway through our third year of middle school, so about two years?”

“Is this really how we’re having a conversation after two years…?”

Yes, it had been two years since we last spoke. Even though we were within speaking distance, we never talked. The time gap was too long for me to just accept Himuro’s words as they were. Shouldn’t there be more steps to this kind of thing?

“Especially in my room…”

“But, Maiko-san said it was okay. She said you weren’t home, so I could wait until you came back.”

“My mom…”

“Maiko-san was really happy.”

Sure, my mom liked Himuro, so she was probably happy about the visit. But, letting a girl into my room at this age, when I’m in the middle of adolescence, is something I really need to protest strongly about.

“So, why are you suddenly here?”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, why did you come all of a sudden?”

“I told you, I missed you, Masamune.”

“That’s a lie.”

“It’s not a lie.”

“Even if that’s true, that can’t be the only reason.”

Realizing I was right, Himuro pouted, making her lips stick out. Even though she was so laid-back, I didn’t believe that she would come all the way here after two years just because she missed me. I stared at her with the firm intention not to be deceived. Then, her pale skin turned slightly pink.

“If you keep staring at me like that, it’s embarrassing…”

“Don’t try to avoid it.”

If I backed down now and got embarrassed, she’d get exactly what she wanted. I kept my gaze fixed on her and asked again.

“Tell me, Himuro. Why did you do this?”

“Name.”

“…”

“I don’t want you to call me Himuro, I want you to use my first name.”

“…Fine.”

“If you call me by my first name, I’ll tell you why I did it.”

She said that with a smug look on her face. Damn it, why do I have to deal with this on the day I got rejected? Is there no god here? However, there was no way the conversation would progress unless I did this. Well, I had no choice but to brace myself…

“Why did you do this, Manaki Himuro?”

As I asked, the girl sitting in front of me, Manaki, brightened up immediately. The corners of her mouth twitched.

“It feels like we’ve gone back to the past, doesn’t it?”

“Hey, stop messing around.”

“I’m not messing around.”

“I’m serious about this. You should be too.”

“Manaki.”

“…Manaki, tell me the real reason you came here.”

It seemed like calling her by her first name was already decided. Even though I was the one whose room she barged into, I found myself on the defensive, losing my energy. I felt like I could collapse into the bed right now. Then, as if she noticed something, Manaki patted the space beside her on the bed.

“Masamune, you look tired. Do you want to sit on the bed?”

“I’m fine, just talk to me.”

“Well, I won’t say anything until you sit down.”

“You…!”

Reluctantly, I stood up and moved toward the bed. Even though I sat about two spaces away from her, a pleasant floral scent wafted through the air.

“You could sit a little closer…”

Manaki seemed unsatisfied with the distance, but I crossed my arms and made it clear I wasn’t moving from here. After a small sigh, she seemed to give up and started talking.

“Masamune, you confessed to someone from our class today, right?”

“…So that’s where we’re starting.”

Before she started talking, I had a feeling something like this would happen. The fact that she came here today made it hard to believe it was unrelated to that. Still…

“You’re quick with the information, huh?”

“You can’t underestimate a girl’s network. News like who confessed spreads instantly.”

“I thought I picked a place with fewer people.”

“The back of the school building is a solid choice. Actually, it’s pretty obvious.”

“Wow, you know that much, huh?”

At this rate, the rumor might spread by tomorrow. But, maybe it’d actually be easier if it spread quickly.

“Still, the confession didn’t go well, huh?”

“Yeah, I got rejected.”

“Rejecting Masamune? She really has no eye for things.”

Even though I got rejected, Manaki’s voice sounded oddly happy.

“Haha, it feels better to hear that, even if it’s a lie.”

“It’s not a lie. Masamune is really cool. I, your childhood friend, can vouch for that.”

Manaki grabbed my hand with both of hers and gave it a light squeeze. The warmth and softness of her hand almost made me tear up.

“Can you forget about her?”

“…Yeah, I went crazy with Shogo and got over it.”

“Lie. Masamune, you still like her, don’t you?”

“…”

Manaki’s gentle but strong voice made me lose the words to say. The pressure of her hand holding mine became stronger.

“It’s okay, Masamune. Let it all out, and feel better.”

Her words shook something deep inside my heart. I felt like my whole body was being stirred, and before I knew it, tears were falling.

“I really liked her…”

“Yeah, I know…”

“We became close because we were in the same committee, and we found out we both liked the same writer.”

“Yeah, and…?”

“Then we ended up in the same class, and I got greedy… I wanted to be more than friends, and I thought that.”

“Yeah, that was hard. Masamune…”

“But I ruined that relationship… everything…”

“Yeah, you were brave. I’m proud of you, Masamune…”

I cried with no sound. After a while, Manaki started rubbing my back, and my tears kept flowing. I could never show such an uncool side in front of Shogo. I would never do this alone either. As memories of Manaki came flooding back, all the feelings I had buried deep inside were being drawn out. Until I finished crying, Manaki silently rubbed my back.

“How do you feel? Better?”

“Yeah, I feel a lot better. Thanks, Manaki.”

“Don’t mention it, we’re childhood friends.”

Manaki spoke as if it was the most natural thing in the world. Her words deeply struck me. The two-year gap didn’t even cross my mind; I had been the one making a wall between us.

“Thanks for coming to comfort me, Manaki. But I’m okay now, really.”

After rubbing my back, she gently let go of my hand, showing she was happy to see I was feeling better. Manaki smiled brightly.

“I’m glad. I’m happy Masamune is back to being okay.”

“Really, it’s all thanks to you, Manaki.”

“No, no, that’s not true.”

“No, don’t be modest. If it weren’t for you, I’d probably still be moping around by myself.”

Even as I expressed my gratitude, Manaki closed her eyes and slowly shook her head. From this distance, I could see each movement of her long eyelashes.

“It’s not modesty. I didn’t come here to comfort you, Masamune.”

“Huh? But you…?”

Her unexpected words threw me into confusion. She didn’t come to comfort me? Then why…?

“Do you want to know the real reason I came here today?”

Manaki’s voice, now no longer gentle but seductive, carried a pressure that left no room for me to say no. She came closer, and all I could do was nod repeatedly.

“Then I’ll tell you. The real reason I came here today is…”

Her face was so close I could feel her breath. Unlike earlier when I could see each eyelash, now I could even hear her breathing. Manaki took a small breath and whispered in my ear.

“I came to make sure no other girl takes you from me.”