Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16816927861984466906/episodes/16817139557593652011
Yuina and I have been together since we were little.
I think it’s a common story because our parents get along well.
That’s why I thought it was natural for Yuina to be by my side.
That didn’t change even after Ayaka was born.
Because it was just one more person by my side. I think Yuina felt the same way. My little sister loved Ayaka too.
Even after we became three, we spent our days playing at home or at the park, and before we entered kindergarten, mother said to us,
“I hope you make lots of friends besides Yuina.”
Friends besides Yuina?
At that moment, I was able to put into words the relationship I had with Yuna.
So, Yuina and I were friends.
We were always together, but I had always wondered what our relationship was. My mother’s words made me understand for the first time.
So I was looking forward to going to kindergarten. I thought I would make lots more friends like Yuina.
And after I started kindergarten, I made lots of friends, just as I had hoped.
Boys and girls didn’t matter.
Yuina and I were always surrounded by friends and were at the center of the group. But Yuina was always by my side. I was satisfied with that.
But Yuina was different.
“Ryo kun. You’re the most important person to me. So please go out with me.”
One day, Yuina confessed to me like that.
But at that time, I didn’t really understand what it meant to go out with someone, but it was my first and best friend, Yiuna, asking me.
“I also think Yuina-chan is the most important (friend) to me. I don’t really understand what it means to date, but if that’s what Yuina-chan wants, then I’m okay with it.”
I agreed. I had no choice but to agree.
I didn’t understand what it meant to date, so I thought it was just like going somewhere with my mother or spending time together.
“Yay! I’m so happy!”
“That’s good then. Let’s go home quickly.”
“Okay!”
Yuina happily took my hand, and we started walking home as usual.
As we were having a casual conversation about what happened today and what we did with ○○-chan, Yuina stopped walking, puffed out her cheeks, and said to me.
“Ryo-kun, now that we’re dating, you have to think about me first.”
Confused by Yuina’s angry expression, I didn’t understand why she was saying such things, but I replied anyway.
“Okay. I understand. I’ll act with you in mind first.”
“Really? Then, make sure no other girls come near you. Tell everyone that you don’t like any girls except Yuina.”
“Why do I have to say I don’t like them? Saying you hate them makes them sad, right?”
“Ugh, but I don’t like it!! Then don’t talk to anyone but Yuina!!”
“Okay, I understand. I’ll start doing that tomorrow.”
Even as a child, I felt something was off, but at the time, the fear of being disliked was stronger, and I didn’t feel like resisting.
From that day on, I started avoiding girls.
It was the same even after I entered elementary school.
Elementary school was full of people I had never seen before. By the time I entered elementary school, my appearance had grown quite a bit, and I attracted attention, so I was immediately surrounded by girls.
Even in such a situation, Yuina never openly showed hostility toward the other girls.
“I’m sorry, but I want to be by Yuina’s side.”
This is how I made them stay away from me.
Even so, during elementary school, girls continued to approach me and confess their feelings.
Then, before entering middle school, Yuina made a new request.
“Ryo is smart and athletic, so girls never left you, right? Okay? From now on, aim for average grades on tests and average evaluations in sports. You absolutely must not stand out. Also, grow out your bangs so your face isn’t visible.”
“Okay, I understand.”
Why does Yuina hate it when I stand out?
I’m telling the girls exactly what Yuina told me to, and even if I stand out, nothing happens.
But still, I just did as I was told.
After entering middle school, more people confessed their feelings to Yuina.
I was forced to dress plainly, so when I stood next to Yuina in that outfit, the other boys hated me.
Sometimes I was called out and threatened.
Still, I had friends who stayed with me, so I didn’t suffer excessive bullying. But even with such friends, I had to prioritize Yuina, so we didn’t get to hang out much.
And before entering high school, she made another strange request.
“Starting tomorrow, you’ll be in high school, so wear this fake mustache. I’ve bought some, but if they run out, make sure to buy more. If you look even a little dirty, the other girls won’t come near you… Also, since Ryo kun is tall, you should walk with a hunched back and look nervous.”
“Alright. I understand.”
Even after being told that, I just obeyed without questioning anything.
Before long, I found myself isolated.
Asahi and the others continued to treat me normally, but they kept their distance from me, thinking it wasn’t good to be seen with someone who stood out so much right after entering school.
In that situation, Yuina chose Sawada over me.
Everything I believed in crumbled, and from then on, I stopped holding back and started living as myself.
I felt abandoned, angry, and regretful, but I realized my own mistakes.
I took a deep breath and looked at Yuina again.
Her face was paler than before, filled with regret.
“This is what Yuina did to me, as I see it. Now that I think about it, I know that I was just as bad, if not worse, for blindly following her without question. But, but please, can you set me free? I don’t want to be bound by you anymore. I want to be free. Don’t make me hate Yuina, my most important friend, any more than I already do. Please.”
(A/N :
May 19, 2025
It’s been a long time.
I apologize for stopping updates without saying anything.
I picked up my pen because I felt like rereading it and finishing it.
It’s a clumsy piece of writing, but I will slowly weave their story together.)
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