When I Was Rejected and Returned Home, My Childhood Friend, Who Should Have Been Distant, Was in My Room - Chapter 33: What Did Hoshino Ozasa Hear? (2)

Chapter 33: What Did Hoshino Ozasa Hear? (2)

“The thing that ended, that’s the problem…?”

Hoshino Ozasa wears a serious face, but I can’t understand. What does she mean? Harassment should end quickly, and that’s good, right…? Hoshino Ozasa, seeing I don’t get her words, speaks without changing her expression.

“Ozasa, do you know why bullying stops?”

“Uh… the teacher stops it, or the bullies get bored, or maybe the victim fights back… something like that, I guess.”

I can’t say it clearly, but I imagine those reasons. Considering Hoshino Ozasa’s personality, I wonder if fighting back is possible for her. Hoshino Ozasa sips her coffee and adds to my words.

“Also, the target of bullying changes, right?”

“Maybe…”

In that moment, one idea flashes in my mind. I don’t know if it works, and it feels like a forceful way with better options, but I think he might do it. Hoshino Ozasa, noticing my realization, nods without moving a single eyebrow.

“Yeah, Masamune protected me.”

“That’s how it was…”

Hoshino Ozasa explains that the main bully’s parent was some powerful person, so the teacher ignored it. She didn’t tell her parents to avoid worrying them, and the classmates ignored it too. But only Masamune helped her. Because of that, the bullies targeted him instead.

Hoshino Ozasa closes her eyes, takes a deep breath, and speaks without meeting my eyes.

“But I didn’t know that. I thought bullying ends if you endure it, that those guys had no guts, and I got carried away alone.”

“I see…”

Hoshino Ozasa continues, as if confessing.

“Masamune endured it silently. He thought if he caused trouble, the bullying might return to me. So he endured it quietly…”

Her words sound like she convinces herself. I can’t blame Hoshino Ozasa. If I were in her place, I would mistakenly think I won against the bullying, not considering someone suffered in the shadows.

Hoshino Ozasa continues her confession-like story.

“In my second year of middle school, my parents had to return to Sweden for work. But I chose to stay in Japan… for a childish reason, to be with Masamune.”

“…”

Hoshino Ozasa recalls Masamune’s shock when he heard she stayed in Japan. He said she shouldn’t stay in Japan, that she should go to Sweden. Not knowing anything, I was shocked and said harsh words to him, cutting ties.

What a cruel story. Both cared deeply for each other, and to avoid hurting each other, they made the best choices. Yet, the result was the worst. Blaming the person who cared most for you must have been painful.

I look down, searching for words, but I can’t find any for her. Hoshino Ozasa speaks to me in a deliberately cheerful voice.

“Sorry, it became a gloomy story. It’ll end soon, so please listen a bit more.”

“No, I’m the one who’s sorry…”

I feel pathetic, unable to say anything despite her opening up. I thought Masaki Munechika and I were close friends, but he never hinted at this story. I only recently learned they were childhood friends.

But from now on, I decide to face it properly. I will accept my friend’s confession head-on. Looking straight at Hoshino Ozasa’s face, she smiles softly.

“Right after I decided to stay in Japan, Masamune caused a violent incident.”

“…What?”

“He hit the main bully.”

I barely keep up with the unexpected turn. Hoshino Ozasa continues speaking.

“Everyone thought the bullied kid retaliated. That’s when I learned Masamune was bullied by them. And now, I understand why Masamune caused the violent incident.”

“That means…”

Hoshino Ozasa explains Masamune wanted to ensure they never touched her again. After cutting ties, if harassment resumed, he might not notice. But by making a big scene, revealing the bullying, he thought they couldn’t act as before.

“So he fought back…”

“Well, I don’t know for sure.”

Hoshino Ozasa’s words sound uncertain, but her tone feels confident in the truth.

I picture Masamune’s face. His cool act to protect his precious childhood friend feels tragically fitting. But I notice something.

“But I never heard Masaki Munechika did such a thing…”

If he caused such a big incident, rumors should have reached me, but I heard nothing. Hoshino Ozasa sadly lowers her eyes at my question.

“I told you, right? The bully’s parent was a powerful person.”

“No way…”

“Yeah, the fact that bullying caused it was covered up. It became just Masamune hitting someone suddenly, and only Masamune got suspended.”

“That’s not fair…!”

It’s too unfair. Masaki Munechika’s desperate act to protect Hoshino Ozasa became meaningless. That’s too cruel.

Hoshino Ozasa explains the bullies stopped bothering Masamune and her after that.

“But that’s just the result, right…?”

Protecting Hoshino Ozasa might have succeeded, but the process was awful. Hoshino Ozasa nods slowly, lowering her eyes.

“Yeah, as Ozasa says, it didn’t go as Masamune planned. That became a wedge binding him even now.”

Hearing Hoshino Ozasa’s story, I gradually grasp the whole picture. The reason he said those things to her. The reason he said Jingu-senpai suits her, despite knowing her feelings.

Hoshino Ozasa explains Masamune regrets resorting to violence. He regrets not protecting her fully. But he thinks since Jingu-senpai is popular and loyal, dating him would keep bullies away from her.

“So that’s why he said that to you…”

Hoshino Ozasa nods deeply. She takes a deep breath, picks up her coffee cup, and stares at the rippling surface, muttering in a small voice.

“Really, what a shitty story…”

Her uncharacteristic crude words sound self-punishing and cynical. I want to say he’s wrong, but I have no right to say that.

“Ngh…!”

With a spirited shout, Hoshino Ozasa gulps her coffee. A clean crescent moon appears in the cup on the table.

“Bitter…”

Hoshino Ozasa mutters the fact plainly. She slowly raises her face, her eyes filled with resolve. My back straightens instinctively.

“Now, here’s the main point. I want Ozasa to help me with something.”

“About Masaki Munechika, right?”

“I’m going to make that stubborn guy realize. He can’t just let me go like that.”

I let out a sigh mixed with exasperation and admiration at Hoshino Ozasa’s confident words.

“Childhood friends are amazing, huh.”

I realize there’s no room for anyone to come between them. I don’t even feel jealous anymore.

Hoshino Ozasa smiles lightly. It’s a smile mixed with affection and nostalgia—a smile of a girl in love.

“I swore I’d never let Masamune lose me again.”