Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818622172789075625/episodes/16818622177377650119
Standing side by side with my childhood friend, eating cotton candy in silence, it was a meaningless moment.
Everyone else seemed to be having fun, which made us feel even more out of place.
…..
Ugh, why did I have to run into her on a day like this?
In this vast space filled with so many people, it was almost a miracle that I ran into her of all people.
It ruins the cultural festival.
Plus, because of the weird way we parted last time, it’s super awkward.
But then again, if I had just let it slide, she’d probably still be clinging to me like a ghost, so maybe it’s better that I distanced myself.
Kako is rude today, but she’s not really talking to me anyway.
I decided to finish eating quickly and move on.
Then, Kako, who had been silent, spoke up.
“Are you alone? You still can’t get along with anyone except those two. That’s lame.”
“You’re the same, aren’t you?”
“Is it because you have a bad personality that you can’t make friends?” I was about to ask, but I decided not to because it was just a mean comment.
I didn’t want to argue with her.
Besides, if I had responded, it would have been like getting on the same level as her.
I wanted to avoid that at all costs.
Besides, this childhood friend somehow has a certain number of friends.
I often heard boys say behind her back that she had a bad personality, especially in middle school, but she was still popular with boys and didn’t seem to be excluded by girls.
She’s good-looking and has a good sense of humor, and sometimes her gossip about others can be a source of laughter.
In that sense, she seems to have a surprisingly fulfilling social life.
In response to my words, Kako lifted her twin tails and said proudly.
“I like being alone. Just now, some boys asked me to hang out with them. Kyahaha, I don’t wanna be lumped in with you guys !”
“I see. Well, I’m going to throw out the trash, so goodbye.”
While listening to her idle chatter, I finished eating the cotton candy at lightning speed and gathered the trash.
Just as I finished, Kako, who had also finished eating, handed me the trash.
“Here, take this out too.”
“……”
This girl is trying to use me as her errand boy.
Even though it was last month, after such a heated argument, she still has the nerve to act like this. I can’t help but feel a sense of respect.
She must have been looking down on me from the bottom of her heart.
What an infuriating creature.
Of course, I ignored her and started walking, but after a while, she started following me.
“Okay, I get it. I’ll go with you, so wait a moment.”
“…Hey, why are you saying? Just go by yourself.”
As far as I knew, she had explicitly stated that she disliked me.
She only saw me as a tool to maintain her own grades, and she was a selfish, arrogant woman who took advantage of everyone, including my mother.
I honestly couldn’t understand why such a person would talk to me at this fun cultural festival.
Moreover, she had just said she wanted to be alone, so it was completely contradictory.
I wonder if she still hasn’t had enough of tormenting me.
Did she find a good punching bag and decide to take out her frustration on me?
When I asked her, she looked shocked for some reason.
“Huh? Are you saying I can’t talk to you unless I have a reason? …It’s fine to talk to me until the mock exam results come out, right?”
“That’s true, but…”
“Then why are you asking me in such a sarcastic way? It’s really annoying.”
“…Just do whatever you want.”
The sarcastic tone was undoubtedly due to this person’s usual behavior.
However, there was a reason I couldn’t be harsh with them.
It was because they weren’t aware that they were being sarcastic.
Despite being repeatedly warned by Reisa and Nagisa, I guess I’m just not very good at communicating.
I’m not very articulate, and that often leads to misunderstandings.
When I thought about what Kako said this time in relation to my past failures, I felt a little remorseful, so I couldn’t bring myself to push her away.
I don’t feel like apologizing to her, but I will try to choose my words more carefully.
Well, to be honest, the fact is that I have nothing but dislike for Kako.
“Isn’t it because you study too much that you’re alone?”
It’s rude of her to say that, but to be honest, she’s right.
Saying I didn’t try to make friends is just an excuse; it’s simply because I’ve always underestimated the importance of social interaction.
I know I was foolish.
But at the same time, I can’t help but wonder what I should have done differently, and that’s what’s so painful.
“Because if I don’t study this much, I can’t become a doctor.”
“You’ve been saying that, but your grades have been dropping all along. Didn’t you lose to Rio kun in the English quiz the other day? What’s the point of trying so hard if you’re just going to lose?”
“…If that’s how you feel, then fine. Besides, I’ve made friends too. With Reisa and Nagisa around, things have been fun lately.”
“!”
Thinking about the two of them, the corners of my mouth naturally turned up.
I wonder if they’re still working hard on class projects.
That’s right, maybe I should suggest having a cultural festival after-party this time.
There’s only so much I can do, but I want to show my appreciation for the two of them.
“They’re amazing. Reisa is a social butterfly, the complete opposite of me, yet she’s incredibly thoughtful and smart. Nagisa tends to overthink things, but she’s skilled at everything and has an exceptional mind. Being friends with people like that is a miracle, isn’t it?”
“…You’re bragging. Die.”
“Are you talking about yourself? What are you saying, you who bragged about your boyfriend in the summer? Besides, it’s not bragging. Those two aren’t just friends…they’re important study partners.”
It’s partly because I’ve only built shallow relationships so far, but the two of them are already transcending the framework of just being friends.
They’re more important than that, a relationship that can elevate each other.
I can’t thank them enough.
However, my words made Kako’s face tense up.
Oh, right.
Come to think of it, she seemed to dislike those two.
As we talked, we finished throwing away the trash, but for some reason, Kaho followed me.
I didn’t want to stay with her any longer, so I had to think of a way to end the conversation.
Just then,
Kaho grabbed my uniform and pointed to a girl walking down the hallway.
“That person…”
“Oh, what a coincidence.”
It was someone I knew.
It would have been weird to ignore her, so I kept walking.
She seemed to notice me, and responded with a wry smile.
“Edano kun, it’s been a while.”
“I’m surprised. Yamayoshi, you’re here too?”
“My friend invited me. Well, that girl followed a boy from another school and hasn’t come back yet.”
“That’s unfortunate.”
The person who had come in casual clothes was Yamayoshi Fumino from the same middle school.
I had just met her at the cram school I went to with Nagisa the other day, so I felt a little familiar with her.
“Which class are you in, Edano kun?”
“Class 5. I’m running a male butler café, so please come check it out if you have time. I think there will be a line, though.”
“It’s that popular, huh. …By the way, are you alone?”
“Huh?”
I was taken aback by the question.
After all, that person had been right next to me just a moment ago.
So I turned around, and there was Kako, standing quietly in the shadows.
She was staring at me and Yamagishi with an expression of disbelief.
“You two, you’re really—-“
Kako opened her mouth, her face filled with despair.
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