50
“It took you a while. Were you lost because you don’t know the way?”
It was a familiar voice.
I didn’t even have to think about who it belonged to.
It was a voice I had heard up close ever since I was little.
“Well, it is the first day. Things like that happen. Or were you making a detour?”
It was a voice I didn’t want to hear.
The tone of her voice was slightly different from the one I knew.
That sense of unease, I absolutely couldn’t accept it, my skin crawling and standing on end.
I wanted to blurt out, “Stop it,” but I could only just manage to restrain myself.
“I came straight home, so I don’t know what kind of stores there are near the high school yet. Hey, how about we go together after school tomorrow―”
“Why are you here?”
Somehow I managed to squeeze that out, but even I could tell how weak it sounded.
Looking down, I couldn’t even make eye contact, so of course.
I’m sure I was trembling, too.
No matter how I tried to stay calm, hearing her voice made my heart beat uncontrollably.
“Why, you ask? That’s obvious, isn’t it? There was something I didn’t say. I was waiting to tell you that.”
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“Something like that, to me…”
“I do. It’s fine, since we’re ‘childhood friends.’ Even if there was a period when we didn’t talk, it’s not strange to talk to each other, is it?”
She emphasizes the word ‘childhood friend.’
I don’t want to think about what kind of meaning is contained in that.
“And besides, I turned down everyone else’s invitations for you and waited. So if you treat me coldly, it’ll make me sad. I might accidentally let something slip to your aunt, like how you’ve been mean to me. that happens, your aunt will be even sadder and angry than I am now.”
Still unable to raise my face, all I can hear is her chuckling voice reaching my ears.
It’s somewhat scornful, and I can feel the malice in it.
At the same time, there’s a strong will not to let me escape.
“…I was invited out on the very first day. As expected, huh?”
“Ahahahaha. Well, yeah. During self-introductions and stuff, it was amazing. Everyone was asking me questions. Like what I like, and do I have a boyfriend.”
I try to go along with the conversation out of necessity, but it only makes the sense of unease grow stronger.
“I’m already the center of attention! I wonder how much the boys are interested in me. I’m good at reading people’s expressions, so I can tell when they’re checking me out.”
Because she’s never laughed like this before.
She’s never looked down on people or made fun of them like this before.
“Yeah, that’s right. Amazing.”
“Is that the standard, I wonder? But I’m relieved that my life doesn’t seem to have changed much since middle school. All I have to do is be careful not to make enemies. Well, you’re better at that than I am, Kishima-san, so I’m sure you can handle it. Did you know? That guy’s actually pretty simple, so he’s surprisingly easy to manipulate.”
I don’t want to hear it. I don’t care.
Right now, I want to push this Someone in front of me who’s chattering away and rushing into my house.
And then I want to run to my room and cover my ears.
That weak-willed heart of mine takes over my entire body in an instant.
But――――
“If that girl had realized it too, she could have handled things a lot better. If she had, she might still be with you now――”
“Stop it!!!!!!”
I interrupted her words without thinking, raising my voice to a surprising volume.
I couldn’t forgive that. Just that.
I absolutely couldn’t forgive her for talking like she knew everything.
“If that’s all you wanted to say, then get out of my way. I have nothing to talk to you about.”
I start walking forward on impulse.
It’s my way of showing that I don’t want to talk anymore.
Summoning the last of my courage, I finally raise my face and look ahead.
“…Hn. I guess you still care about her after all. That girl… no, about ‘me.’”
And sure enough, there she was—a girl I knew, yet didn’t know.
“So, is it okay now? I’m sorry, Beniyoku-kun. I didn’t mean to. Something not so funny happened, so I wanted to tease you a bit. I have something else I want to say.”
She apologized apologetically, then smiled broadly.
Her expression changed instantly, with a charming smile that made it clear why she was so popular with boys. Her features were so beautiful that I couldn’t help but agree.
“Ahem… Congratulations on entering high school, Beniyoku-kun! You did it. I’m so glad. Congratulations again!”
Her glossy black hair fell beautifully down her back in long strands.
Her bangs were neatly trimmed in a hime cut.
“And thank you, Beniyoku-kun. You kept your promise to me.”
I should know her, but somehow… that voice, that face.
I couldn’t help but think of them as belonging to a completely different person.
“I’m so happy. I know you still care about me. That makes me so happy.”
Her heart was completely hidden. I couldn’t tell what she was thinking.
“So, please take care of me in high school too. I’ll always be watching you.”
She was supposed to be the closest person to me. My childhood friend.
“From now on, too. Forever, okay?”
Now, it was as if I didn’t understand Mio at all.
“I’ll never let you go.”
I didn’t understand what she meant when she said that with such joy.