I Liked Her First, but My Brain Was Broken, Then for Some Reason, I Became Friends With Beautiful Girls, So I’m Done My With Childhood Friends
Hiro kun and my brother met in a park at night.
“SO that’s Hiro kun. He’s cuter than I thought.”
On the way home.
My older brother was talking about his impression of Hiro kun, whom he met for the first time. [He was small but courageous, small but able to act on the spur of the moment, and small but cute in the way he protected Ayano.] He kept saying small and small.
“And then, he declared that Ayano was his friend.”
“W-well,…you see, Hiro kun is that kind of person…….”
I was really happy that Hiro kun called me his friend.
I felt a warmth in my heart and realized that our relationship was not just based on superficial things.
He is different from the people I have known.
I didn’t sense any ulterior motive, and he wasn’t attracted to my appearance.
He was trying to help me without any ulterior motive earlier as well.
“……”
“What’s wrong Ayano?”
“N-nothing.”
I lied. I was remembering what happened at the school festival.
When Hiro kun helped Tsumugi san, who was being slandered at a beauty contest.
For me, that was a tremendous shock.
When air becomes the enemy, there is nothing people can do.
No matter how much you love the person you are dealing with, if the people around you are blaming them, you will switch without a second thought.
I thought I had given up on this for a long time, thinking that it was a natural and inevitable thing for a human being to do.
So when Tsumugi san created an atmosphere in which it was natural for her to be blamed…..I gave up on the idea that there was nothing I could do about it.
But Hiro kun was different.
Even though he’s not good at standing out.
He doesn’t have many friends, so he shouldn’t have anyone who will be on his side.
He should have been so scared and anxious that he could have been crushed by anxiety……
Even so, Hiro kun went out in front of everyone for Tsumugi san.
He didn’t fool around or get tainted by the air, he protected Tsumugi san with his own will even though he was trembling.
And the fact that he tried to protect me earlier also clearly proved Hiro kun’s sincerity.
“To Ayano, is Hiro kun someone she can trust?”
My brother asked me that, and I nodded before I could think.
“Yeah. He is someone I can trust more than anyone else.”
When I saw Hiro-kun putting his life on the line to save Tsumugi san, I felt a sense of admiration.
If only I could be like that. If only I had someone like that…..
Hiro-kun shows that side of him in front of me..it makes my heart ache, but also warms my heart.
“I get it.”
I wonder what he meant. I don’t understand my brother, you see.
We returned home, wondering why my brother seemed to be in a good mood.
“Crap, Ayano. Mom is home.”
“Eh !? Wasn’t she supposed to be working late tonight?”
“I wonder if she came to pick up something she left behind. I’ll hold her off in the living room, so Ayano, go back to your room and get changed quickly.”
I’m dressed in all black like a boy. It’s all second hand from my brother.
I don’t know what would happen if my mother saw me dressed like this.
If she sees me dressed like this, she will probably take me to counseling. My mother would do such a thing.
“I’ll leave it to you, Onii chan.”
I left my brother in charge of my mother and ran up the stairs at once.
I couldn’t let my mother know that I was sneaking out to eat sweets.
I feel that especially now.
Because I just had a chance to enjoy something other than sweets.
◇ ◇ ◇
One day, I noticed that something was wrong with Hiro kun.
When I saw him leave the classroom right after school that day, I was convinced that something was wrong.
Something must have happened.
I hurriedly walked quickly after him.
“Sorry, did you wait for me?”
“No, not at all.”
It seemed that he was meeting Tsumugi san at the entrance.
Did something else happen involving Tsumugi san?
I approached them with half worry and half curiosity.
“You two there. Where are you going in such a hurry?”
When I called out to them, Hiro kun turned around with a startled look on his face.
You don’t have to be so surprised……. On the other hand, I feel a sense of mischief.
“That’s terrible, Hiro kun. Leaving me behind and running out of the classroom.”
“Eh, n-no….”
“If you two are going home together, can I come with you?”
Tsumugi san’s expression didn’t change, but Hiro kun’s was easy to understand.
Then, what kind of business is it?
As I was having such a question, Hiro kun opened his mouth.
“Today… I’d like to be alone with Kido san.”
“Eh?”
I was shocked as if I had been hit on the head.
“I’m sorry, Matsuyuki san, but I think I’ll pass.”
“Eh, ah……”
As Hiro kun continued to speak, I couldn’t say anything in response.
My mind went blank, and even when Hiro kun turned his back to me, I couldn’t move a finger.
I wish I could have asked in a lighter tone, but I couldn’t speak, as if my throat was constricted…… I could only watch as the two figures moved away from me.
“……”
I stood there until I could no longer see the backs of Hiro kun and Tsumugi san.
[Why?] That’s all that kept going through my mind.
I noticed that the people passing by were looking at me suspiciously, but I remained standing there for a while.
“…..Why?”
My heart, it hurts…….
If Hiro kun wants to be alone with Tsumugi san, does that mean he wants to have a special relationship with her?
Have I become a nuisance? To Hiro kun, am I…..not necessary?
“Oh? What are you just standing there like that, Matsuyuki?”
“Are you meeting someone?”
I turned towards the voice and saw Masataka kun and Chinatsu san walking towards me, side by side.
Masataka kun and Chinatsu san are a well-known couple at school. They get so lovey-dovey that it makes you feel embarrassed if you’re not careful.
For some reason, I could see these two overlapping with Hiro kun and Tsumugi san…..and it stirred my heart.
“Huh? Wait, seriously, what happened !?”
“Ayano chan, are you okay !?”
The two of them are worried about me.
I was aware that I looked terrible, but I had no idea what kind of expression it was.
Anyway, my chest aches and hurts…… I couldn’t help but be struck by a feeling that I couldn’t control.
Maigetsu