When I Was Rejected and Returned Home, My Childhood Friend, Who Should Have Been Distant, Was in My Room - Chapter 6.2: Attack on Your Lunch!

Chapter 6.2: Attack on Your Lunch!

When I look ahead again, Manaki is eating her lunch with no sign of concern. Sitting upright and using chopsticks with quiet grace, she gives off a distinctly Japanese aesthetic. But when she notices me staring, she turns her face toward me. It’s her, after all, who should explain herself.

“Nice to meet you, I’m Manaki Himuro, Masamune’s childhood friend.”

“Ah, nice to meet you. I’m Shogo Kimura, Masamune’s friend…”

For me, that’s not the point, but the two of us bow to each other awkwardly, since it’s our first time meeting.

“Ah, you’re Kimura-kun! Our Masamune is always in your care~”

“What do you mean by that?”

I throw in a quick retort, but no one hears my voice. It feels like I’m sitting through a parent-teacher meeting, and the awkwardness is unbearable.

“Oh no, it’s the other way around. It seems Masamune always causes trouble for you…”

“When have I ever caused trouble for this guy?”

“No, no, it’s not like I’m as close as Kimura-kun…”

“No, no, I definitely lose to my childhood friend, Himuro-san…”

“No, no…”

“No, no…”

“Ugh, enough already!”

I stop the two of them who continue with their humble remarks. Why are they both acting like they’re my guardians?

“Listen, this is my childhood friend! And this is my best friend! Got it?”

““Got it!””

Maybe they realized they were being a bit too playful, but both of them calm down, and finally, it’s my turn.

“So, what did you come here for today?”

“I just wanted to have lunch with Masamune… is that not okay?”

Manaki tilts her head slightly, wearing an expression I’ve seen before. Yesterday, I gave in, but today, I’m not falling for that trick.

“No way, I decided to eat lunch with Shogo, just the two of us.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

Unlike yesterday, Shogo is here today. Even Manaki, if she uses Shogo, who she’s meeting for nearly the first time, as a shield, she has no choice but to back down. I don’t want my peaceful lunchtime disturbed. I won’t be able to eat in peace with all these eyes on me.

“Well, I said that, but what do you think?”

“No, I’m totally fine! It’s no problem!”

“Hey, it’s cheating to ask him!”

Once Manaki understood that I wasn’t budging, she immediately turned her attention to Shogo. Staring at him intently, Shogo hesitates, but then gives permission. With her goal achieved, Manaki looks at me with a triumphant smile.

“Shogo-kun said it’s fine, you know?”

“Stop with that face…”

It’s the same smile as usual, but her eyes are more relaxed than normal. This is the smile Manaki gives when she’s sure she’s won. It hasn’t changed since back then.

“See, Masamune?”

“…Alright, fine.”

“Yes!”

Manaki makes a small fist pump. Well, if Shogo’s okay with it, I don’t have a reason to refuse…

“Oh, I called you Shogo-kun, was that okay?”

“Huh? Oh, yeah, no problem. I’m fine with it.”

“Good. Also, since we’re the same year, you don’t need to be formal with me, okay? I’ll speak casually too.”

“Ah, got it… or rather, I understand.”

“Alright, let’s go with that.”

Manaki nods in satisfaction again, and Shogo, who had accidentally used formal language, scratches his head, embarrassed. But I understand why Shogo slips into formal speech. Manaki just has that kind of presence, like she can make anyone use polite language.

“By the way, you and Masamune are still close, huh?”

Shogo changes the subject. He probably wanted to hide his embarrassment, but he’s having trouble opening the package of his yakisoba bun.

“Still?”

“No, I heard Masamune say he used to be close with Himuro-san but not anymore… So, it seems like you’re still close, huh?”

“Well, yeah, Masamune and I, we’re close.”

“Yeah, we’ve known each other for a long time.”

I don’t really plan to deny it. In fact, it’s true that we drifted apart, but if I were to talk about it, I’d end up straining my neck again, so I try to cover it up. Shogo, having finally opened the package, bites into the bun, nodding contentedly.

“Must be nice, being childhood friends.”

“Is it?”

“Well, you’ve known each other since you were little, right? That’s kind of enviable, don’t you think?”

“Maybe?”

Since both Manaki and I grew up in an environment where having each other around was normal, I don’t really understand the feeling of envy.

“You’ve got a little sister, though.”

“Huh, Shogo-kun, you’re an older brother?”

“Yeah, I do, but it’s nothing like being childhood friends.”

“Is that so?”

“She’s been going through her rebellious phase lately… she used to be cute, but now she’s nothing like before.”

“How old is your sister now?”

“She’s in her third year of middle school. She says she won’t go to the same high school as me. And I don’t want her to, either!”

Shogo seems like he wants to say “Ugh!” about it, but now it’s our turn to be surprised since neither of us has siblings.

“That’s nice, though. I wish I had a little brother.”

“I wish I had an older sister like Himuro-san.”

“Eh, too bad. I’m already Masamune’s.”

“Tch, guess childhood friends are tough competition~”

Although occasionally making me feel a bit uneasy, the light conversation continues. I feel relieved to see Shogo and Manaki getting along. The classmates, gradually growing used to seeing us together, start to lose interest, and their stares decrease.

Then, at that moment, something unexpected happens.