Chapter 1 - Reunion (Part 8)

I was taken to the top floor of a special building, a place that was not popular at the moment and became the perfect place to have a private conversation. I was usually happy to be alone with Yono, but this time I couldn't stop sweating. This is the first time I've seen Yono this angry.

I didn't understand why she was angry at all.

Rather, I was the one who should be angry, but Yono's wild atmosphere left me speechless.

"Riku-chan, what was that? You were with Ayana-chan last night? You even confessed to her while crying?! ......I don't understand!"

"That's ....."

"Since when?"

"...... What?"

"Since when are you dating Ayana-chan?"

"......We're not dating....."

"You said in front of everyone that you guys were just dating! You lied, Riku-chan!"

"────!"

Yono yelled at me solemnly and my body shrank. A hot feeling slowly pooled in my eyes.

"Did you confess to me after dating Ayana-chan?"

"No, that's..........."

"Riku-chan!"

"......Y-Yes, after I confessed to her..........."

I wanted to deny it, but the momentum pushed me to accidentally admit that I was dating Hoshimiya. Even though we weren't really dating.

"I don't care who it's with as long as you can date a girl. But I don't know that, Riku-chan, if you really are a dishonest kid!"

The irony was obvious to anyone who heard it. So, I quickly denied it.

"No, no! I just like Yono!"

"Your words don't match your actions! Of all people, you're with Ayana-chan.....!"

Of all people, Ayana-chan......? What does that mean?

What bothered me more was Yono, becoming increasingly frustrated.

"......Our relationship is irrelevant."

"Huh? Hey, what's irrelevant, Riku-chan?"

"Well, originally ..... me and Yono were just childhood friends ..... then Yono dumped me ...... so it doesn't matter who I date, right....."

I was so scared that I said it in a small voice, but I was finally able to say it. But Yono quickly replied.

"To me it's important! We are childhood friends!"

"Then, since we're just childhood friends, it doesn't matter who I date ............ right?"

"Not just childhood friends! Riku-chan and I have been together since we were little ...... and we know everything about each other............! Mnnn. ......! Yes, that's right!"

"...... What's right?"

"You lied! I can't forgive you for lying to me! Lying to a childhood friend is terrible!"

As if to say that she now realized why he was so frustrated, Yono accused me of lying.

"Riku-chan, you never lied to me before! You've always looked at me, never talked to other girls besides me, and ............ always supported me!"

"Yeah, right...."

Yono's screams of anguish echoed in vain in the hallway.

I could do nothing but remain silent.

""............""

We didn't say anything to each other. In the silence, I only felt Yono's eyes looking at me.

"Riku-chan. You can't do this, Ayana-chan...."

"......Why?"

"I can't tell you what the reason is. But you can't, Ayana-chan..."

"......I don't know what you mean."

"Riku-chan, please."

Yono's voice was calm, changed from before.

After a few moments of silence, she seemed to calm down a bit. It was the same for me.

That's why this is my chance to fight back.

"Yono has nothing to do with....."

"I don't care! I don't know Riku-chan anymore!"

"Yo-Yono..."

"Stop talking to me! Don't talk to me!"

Total rejection. I opened my mouth as quickly as possible in return.

"Ah, there's nothing between me and Hoshimiya! This is true!"

"............"

Yono turned her back on me and left with a wild gait that seemed to vent her anger.

"Oh, shit ...... I want to cry............"

This has nothing to do with Yono, I'm the one who said that. However, I was the one who got hurt.

And finally, for fear of rejection, I told the truth.

I didn't know why. Just imagining myself breaking up with Yono has filled my heart with unspeakable fear and anxiety.

***

I don't remember how I spent my time until I got home from school.

I found myself secluded in my seat.

The setting sun shining through the window turned the color of my desk orange.

"Oh."

I suddenly saw my reflection in the window. It was the face of a child who was about to cry.

"Is it back yet?"

My body wasn't strong enough. My mind was blank. I felt sluggish.

I realized that there was now a clear gap between Yono and me, and I had no motivation to do anything. I headed for the elevator entrance with limp legs, as if on autopilot. Then...

"It's already afternoon, Kuromine-kun. What have you been doing all this time?"

"......Hoshimiya."

It looks like Hoshimiya is leaning against the wall waiting for me.

I put my phone in my bag and Hoshimiya approached me.

"Did something happen?"

"............Maybe."

"Hmm."

Hoshimiya reacted disinterestedly. Well, it doesn't really matter, does it?

The next moment I thought so, for some reason, Hoshimiya lightly pinched both my cheeks and squeezed them gently. It wasn't painful. In fact, it felt delicious.

"......Hoshimiya?"

"I repaid the one from this morning with this."

"You're still mad at me. But thanks to me, you're not being treated like a bitch, right?"

"That's not the point. I've had a really hard day! I've been asked so many things by so many people...."

Perhaps remembering what had happened, Hoshimiya laughed dryly with a disappointed look on his face.

"Is it good for you, Kuromine-kun? I was misunderstood by everyone."

"Not really. Well, Hoshimiya is the most popular girl in school, so I don't feel bad."

"You talk weird ....... I'm not popular."

Regardless of whether she was the most popular girl or not, but certainly Hoshimiya was very popular. It's crazy that she doesn't feel popular.

"So, why are you waiting for me?"

"Huh? There's no particular reason."

What's that?

"Hmmm. I just want to go home with Kuromine-kun, I guess."

Oh no, this makes me nervous. I thought I had a girl in my heart, Yono, but she dumped me. And today, we had a real rift.

"It's true that Hoshimiya and I are pretending to date, but you don't have to worry about that. I don't think we need to go home together.

"You misunderstood, right? Regardless of whether we're dating or not ..... I want to go home with Kuromine-kun.

"............"

"Is that a problem?"

Hoshimiya asked anxiously.

My heart was so tight that I couldn't speak, so I shook my head and said, "No, it doesn't matter." then Hoshimiya smiled innocently and said,

"Yes, it does. You know, I have a part-time job today. Would you like to go with me for a while?"

***

I was taken to a crepes stall in a small square near the station.

There were tables and chairs there. It seems to be a popular place among junior high and high school kids on their way home from school, and is crowded with young people wearing school uniforms. Especially, there are many girls here.

There is another combination of men and women - are they dating? They look like an ordinary couple.

I wonder if it's ............ I feel like punching a telephone pole without a second thought.

"Kuromine-kun? Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. I just wish humanity would perish right now."

"You're not okay at all! You need counseling now!"

We walked over to the food truck, told them what we wanted, and shortly after, they handed us our crepes.

Hoshimiya had chocolate banana cream and I had caramel cream.

This is Hoshimiya's treat. Thank you for him.

We took empty seats and started eating in silence. There was no conversation.

No, Hoshimiya didn't say anything because he was too engrossed in his crepes.

She ate them with a smile on his face, looking so delicious.

There's something nice about a girl who eats as if it's really good.

After finishing eating the crepes, I headed to the station. I wanted to drop off Hoshimiya, who was traveling by train.

"Bye, Hoshimiya. Thank you for buying me crepes."

"Um, yes."

Hoshimiya, who came to the front of the ticket gate, had a rather unrefreshing expression on his face.

As if she has failed to achieve a goal ..... she is dissatisfied.

I was a little worried, but I decided to go home. I turned my back on Hoshimiya and started walking towards home.

I'm going ............ home, huh?

Starting today, I'm alone in my life. I'll be alone in that big house.

I don't have Yono anymore. From now on, I will always be alone.

I have lived my life relying on Yono's presence.

Then, from now on, who should I rely on to live?

"────Kuromine-kun!"

Hoshimiya's loud voice penetrated the crowded station and reached my ears.

I involuntarily stopped and turned around.

Then Hoshimiya rushed towards me, took a deep breath, and said something surprising.

She said, "Well, um, do you ...... want to live in my house ...... from today?"

............Yes?

It was surprising, but I still rolled my eyes at the sudden suggestion.

"What's so sudden? Don't tell me you want to prolong the pretense of our date?"

"No, no........"

"You're just trying to impress me, aren't you? Because I almost killed myself."

"That's not true either. I'm worried about you. ......."

"Then?"

I asked Hoshimiya, who was not too sharp, but a little stern.

"S-Stalker....."

"Huh?"

"Lately, it seems like someone is stalking me, that ....... my underwear drying on the balcony likes to go missing, and I feel like someone is following me on my way home from my part-time job............."

"Stalker, huh?"

"Ah, do you think a woman like me can't have a stalker?! I thought so too, but I'm a little scared...."

"No, I don't suspect that, but...."

It seems rather normal, believable and inevitable. But Hoshimiya is indeed very beautiful.

"It's probably just my imagination. You see, only one pair of underwear is missing, so it could have been the wind that blew it away....I also wonder if I misunderstood.... "

"Even if you're wrong, but if you have a bad feeling about it, you'd better be on your guard."

It's too late for anything to happen. After all, one's intuition is something that cannot be lied to.

"I've spoken to the police, but they say they can't move without evidence."

"I'm sure it's true......"

The police don't have time either. They may do patrols, etc. but they won't be able to move without evidence.

"It would be a relief to have a boy, like Kuromine-kun with me...."

The desperate Hoshimiya made a lower and lower voice.

Even if I refused, Hoshimiya would definitely have to retreat gracefully, saying, "That's right...."

What should I do about this?

"Okay."

"............Kuromine-kun?"

"I will be staying at Hoshimiya's house from today. I can't refuse the request of the person who saved my life."

"Oh, thank you ....... but you know, I don't mean to belittle you, but if I really have a stalker, it's ...... dangerous, right?"

"Yeah, but doesn't that mean you're the one in a more dangerous situation?"

"Yes, but ......."

"I'll be fine. I'm strong even if I look like this."

"Ah, really?"

"Yes. I wish I had hidden it from you until now, but when I was in middle school, I participated in a karate tournament and won it with overwhelming strength."

"You're just bragging! B-But are you sure you'll be okay?"

"Just leave it to me. I will protect Hoshimiya even if it costs me my life."

"I don't want to go that far. ......But, you know, thank you."