Episode 5 – Everyday life is changing

After homeroom, the first class was physics.

After the teacher finished talking, it was time to solve the questions in the textbook.

(…This is bad. I don’t understand any of this.)

The public high school I attend, Takagahara High School, is quite famous in the local area as an academic high school.

Renka lives up to her reputation as a perfect beauty and has excellent grades. In order to attend the same school as her, I studied like crazy in middle school…but that effort was quickly exhausted once I entered high school. Now, I’m just another underachiever.

(What the hell is mechanical energy? What a pretentious name…!)

I stared at the textbook and my notes, trying to think hard, but unfortunately, I couldn’t understand a thing.

I glance over at Renka sitting next to me…and as expected, she’s solving the problems smoothly.

“Hey, um…”

Renka’s thin lips utter a soft, delicate voice.

It seems she noticed my gaze. Feeling awkward, I shift my focus back to the textbook.

“…The solution. If you don’t understand, should I explain it to you?”

Renka whispered softly.

She’s so kind, I thought. It was her kindness that made me fall in love with her.

But at the same time, I felt ashamed.

I was completely dependent on Renka, not only in my personal life but also in my studies. I didn’t even notice that she hated me.

But I decided I wouldn’t take advantage of Renka’s kindness anymore. I vowed to become independent. So—

“I’m fine. I’ll figure it out myself.”

I replied briefly and faced my notebook.

…From now on, I can’t rely on Renka anymore. Then I’ll have to manage my studies on my own.

When I get home today, I’ll start by reviewing the first-year lessons—this is where I have to work hard, Ayata Akito.

“…I-I see, okay….”

Renka also looked away from me.

After that, I felt like she was occasionally glancing at me, but…well, I’m sure it was just my imagination.

◇◇◇

All of the morning classes were over, and it was lunchtime.

The five of us childhood friends usually gather at the terrace seats in the cafeteria to eat lunch.

…That’s right. The group of five.

In addition to Renka, Hideki, and Sena, I have another childhood friend—Hasegawa Yuri. Well, Yuri ended up in a different class from us, though.

Yuri was already sitting at the round terrace table, having started her meal.

Hideki casually called out to Yuri.

“Hey, Yuri. I didn’t keep you waiting…you’ve already eaten half of it…”

“Sorry, Hideki. I was hungry.”

Yuri lifted her black-rimmed glasses and continued eating her fried chicken set meal.

Yuri is what you might call a bookworm. She’s always at the top of her class.

However…how should I put it…he has a natural side to him. You could say she’s a free spirit, or you could say she’s oblivious to her surroundings.

“Why don’t you guys just sit down? I’ll go back to studying once I’m done eating.”

“Man, you’re really laid-back, aren’t you…”

Hideki sighs.  

As we sit down, Sena interjects, “Oh yeah !”  

“Hey, listen, Yuri ! Akito and Renka are acting weird today !”

“Weird? Akito aside, Renka is always weird, isn’t she?”

Yuri casually spits out her venom, and Renka glares at her with displeasure.  

“Hey, Yuri, what do you mean by that !?”

“What do you mean? Renka is probably making lunch for Akito again today, right? To me, that looks like overbearing behavior that goes beyond a childhood friendship.”

“But that’s because stupid Akito always eats unhealthy food…”

“Yeah, you’re right, Renka.”

…There she goes again, being her usual self.

She always says whatever she wants to say, and then suddenly cuts off the conversation. We’re used to it, so it doesn’t bother us, but I wonder if she’s getting along with the rest of the class.

Then Renka hands me a lunch box wrapped in cute fabric.

“…Here, Akito. I got up early to make this for you, so make sure you eat it all.”

“Of course. Thanks, Renka.”

As I take the lunch box, I thank Renka.

Renka’s homemade lunches are much tastier than the prepared foods from the school store or the cafeteria meals. Plus, she considers health aspects, making it the perfect lunch.

Even setting that aside, this is homemade food from the girl I have a crush on. I think to myself, how lucky I am.

But on the other hand, Renka must be thinking—

“…I’m sorry, Renka. It must be tough for you.”

“Eh? Well, that’s.. yeah, of course it’s tough. Seriously, becoming friends with someone like you was the worst thing that ever happened to me.”

“……..”

“If you hadn’t been born such a useless person who can’t even think about nutritional balance, I wouldn’t have had to do this pointless thing. How are you going to take responsibility for this, you idiot Akito?”

Renka scolds me relentlessly, her words flowing smoothly.  

Yet she’s smiling so happily right now.

From the harsh words she hurls at me, I can feel her “happiness” pouring out.

(…It must feel really good to be able to say such mean things to me so boldly.)

Until yesterday, I didn’t think much of Renka’s remarks. I thought she was just being shy or something…I was naive.

—But that couldn’t be true.

After school yesterday, I heard Renka’s true feelings. Her hatred for me.

Then these harsh words must be her true feelings.

If that’s the case, there’s only one thing I can do.

“Right. So, Renka. From tomorrow, you don’t have to make my portion anymore.”

“——-Eh?”

Renka’s smile froze.  

At the same time, Hideki and Sena dropped the chopsticks they were holding.  

“What…what happened, Akito !?”  

“That’s right, seriously ! ! Are you going through a rebellious phase !? Hey, hey !?”  

“No, that’s not it. I don’t want to keep causing trouble for Renka anymore.”

I opened Renka’s homemade lunch box and started eating.  

The homemade mini hamburger was seasoned exactly to my liking. …It’s delicious. Too delicious.  

To be honest, it’s quite disappointing that I’ll never be able to eat this flavor again. But for Renka’s sake, it can’t be helped.  

Meanwhile, Yuri, who had already finished her fried chicken set meal, had started studying without me noticing. She didn’t even glance in my direction,

“That’s right, Renka. Good for you.”

But Renka didn’t respond with any words.

She just stared at me intently.

…Being freed from taking care of me must be so joyful that it leaves her speechless.

Thank you for everything, Renka. I smiled to myself.

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