A Childhood Friend Told Me “I Can’t Get a Boyfriend Because of You,” So I Distanced Myself From Her and She Stopped Coming to School the Next Day
“Shiraishi–”
At the end of first period, the class president, Kanzaki Haruto, calls out to me with a clouded expression on his face.
He is an active member of the soccer club as a freshman, and has not only the title but also the looks, but now his usual freshness is overshadowed.
“Kanzaki, what’s wrong?”
“Is Shinohara sick? I heard she wasn’t feeling well.”
Apparently, he was concerned about Natsuki, who was absent.
“I don’t know.”
“You don’t know?”
I shook my head, and Kanzaki raised his eyebrows in surprise.
I didn’t like that, and I returned it somewhat bluntly.
“I’m just a childhood friend. I don’t know everything about her.”
“…… I see.”
Kanzaki lowered his eyes as if deep in thought.
I stood up, refusing to continue the conversation any further.
Natsuki is the manager of the soccer club.
To Kanzaki, she is a clubmate, but I’m sure that’s not the only reason he cares about her
“…… but it’s none of my business.”
The moment I said it out loud, I felt like an idiot, and a wry smile broke out on my face.
“Well then, those of you who have club activities and those who don’t, be careful going home!”
With that one word, as usual from the homeroom teacher, the homeroom ended.
(Soccer club…..well, it;s nothing more to worry about right?)
Whether or not Natsuki was at school, there was no reason for me to wait for her anymore.
“I should be happy about that, but I’m not.”
This in itself should make me happy, but I couldn’t smile properly.
◇ ◇ ◇
Natsuki missed school the next day.
I tried to send her a message, but there was no reply. Not only that, it was not even read.
I want to believe that she has not blocked me.
“I hope she didn’t get a fever out of relief or something.”
At that time, I was still thinking such a carefree thought.
However, three days passed and Natsuki still had not shown up.
I became worried and tried to go to Natsuki’s house as soon as I got home.
Just as I was leaving the front door, I heard the sound of the gate opening. I saw someone passing through the Shinohara family gate.
–It was Kanzaki Haruto
He was carrying a shopping bag under his arm and looked somewhat nervous.
“……After all, I see.”
I murmured to no one, and crept back to my house.
◇ ◇ ◇
–The next day, Friday.
As soon as I entered the noisy classroom, Kanzaki’s figure was the first thing that came into view.
I’m sure it’s because he has an eye-catching appearance, but even though I wasn’t trying to be conscious of it, I’m sure it still bothered me.
Perhaps he noticed my gaze, but he looked at me too.
He approached me with a serious expression on his face.
(I don’t want to be told that they’re dating.)
I frowned involuntarily.
But what came out of Kanzaki’s mouth were completely different words.
“Shiraishi. Isn’t Shinohara feeling better yet?”
“Ha…..?”
I stared at Kanzaki’s face.
Kanzaki frowned, his well-shaped eyebrows furrowing.
“…what”
“I thought Kanzaki knew about it?”
‘’Eh? Why would I?”
Kanzaki blinked slowly.
This guy is trying to deceive me
“I saw you go into Natsuki’s house yesterday.”
“——”
Kanzaki’s eyes widened.
He had a goofy look on his face that was unlike him. He probably didn’t expect to be seen by someone.
“…I was just delivering the printed materials as the president.”
With a bitter look on his face, Kanzaki turned on his heel.
I thought he would just leave, but he immediately stopped.
“…… Kanzaki?”
When I called out to him, he turned his back and mumbled something to me.
“You should go to her house.”
“Eh?”
Now it was my turn to blink.
Kanzaki slowly turned around. There was a glint of determination in his eyes.
“Go visit Shinohara at least once. She’ll be happy if her childhood friend worries about her… It’ll be better than just being an acquaintance, I’m sure.”
After saying this, Kanzaki’s eyes were downcast, and without waiting for me to reply, this time he moved away.
I couldn’t concentrate at all in class that day.
(From Kanzaki’s reaction, it’s obvious that Natsuki is not just sick. ……)
If so, why is Natsuki absent?
-One thing comes to mind.
This possibility had been floating around since the moment I was informed of Natsuki’s absence. I tried to laugh it off as a misunderstanding, but somewhere in the back of my mind, it just wouldn’t go away.
It contradicts what she said about not being able to get a boyfriend because of me, but I can no longer think of anything else.
I wonder if Kanzaki reached the same possibility from his conversation with Natsuki and pushed me back.
(If so, I can’t ignore it.)
And more than anything, I’m worried.
If I’m wrong, that’s fine. I’d like to see her face at least once and feel relieved.
“Okay…….”
I went to Natsuki’s house again, just in case.
On the way home, I bought some of Natsuki’s favorite things at the supermarket and went straight to the Shinohara house.
I wondered if Kanzaki had this same feeling yesterday.
Thinking about this, I passed through the gate.
After taking a few deep breaths, I rang the intercom.
“…… Rei?”
Through the intercom, I could feel a breathtaking presence.
I dared to speak to her in my usual light tone.
“Is everything all right now? If it’s too tough, it’s totally fine.”
“……, wait here for a minute.”
The door opened a short time later and Natsuki peeked out.
She wasn’t in her pajamas and her hair was neat and tidy.
Perhaps… Such a hope inevitably welled up in me.
“…What are you here for?”
“No, I thought I’d pay you a visit.”
I lifted my arm and held up a shopping bag.
“I’ll leave if it bothers you, but in the meantime, I buy you something you like, just take this.”
When I held out the bag, Natsuki looked at me hesitantly.
After a short pause, she turned away and opened the door wide.
“You can come in …….”
I sat down next to Natsuki on the sofa in the living room.
Natsuki gently held her hands in her lap, her expression tense as she lowered her eyes.
(A-awkward ……)
In the meantime, let’s hear it from where we can.
“Is your physical condition okay?”
“…… yes.”
Natsuki only gave a small nod.
“Really? If you’re tired, you can just go to bed–“
“I told you it’s okay.”
Natsuki cut me off with a stern look, then pursed her lips and bowed her head.
The fists on her lap were clenched so tightly that it made me want to pretend I didn’t notice.
…… No, don’t run away any more.
I might be wrong, and she might hate me.
-Still, I have to ask.
I lick my lips. They are dry and chapped.
I took a breath and asked a question as if I was trying to squeeze it out.
“Hey ……, is it my fault that you’re out of school?”
Maiban