Mob Character Reincarnation Loner: As a Result of Supporting the Heroine Who Had Been Rejected, I Ended up Being the Recipient of Her Heavy Emotions…
“Alright, Bun kun. Let’s head out soon.”
“That’s the fifth time you’ve said that.”
“…Ugh.”
The day after the four of us ate tart and got advice.
Bun kun and I were stuck behind the school building.
After yesterday’s meeting, we decided to at least meet Tenma and Hana-chan and talk…
Up ahead, on the courtyard bench, Tenma and Hana-chan were eating lunch together as usual.
My steps felt incredibly heavy.
I’d been in a similar situation before. But everything was different this time.
Now, Tenma and Hana-chan were dating. And the relationship between the three of us…
“…Nanase-san?”
“Wait a sec. I’m gathering my courage right now.”
“Oh… right…”
That’s why I need even more courage than last time.
“……………….”
“……………….”
“……………….”
“……………….”
“………………………………Did you gather your courage?”
“I did… but, you know, once you gather courage, you have to knead it…”
“Alright, let’s go.”
“Bun-kun!?”
Perhaps growing impatient with my dithering, Bun-kun grabbed my hand and started walking.
That’s right.
There was one thing that hadn’t changed from before.
That was you holding my hand. That fact made me incredibly happy…
I squeezed back the hand Bun-kun was holding. As he pulled me forward, two figures came into view.
Tenma and Hana-chan. They were smiling happily.
“…!”
Seeing them like that, I stopped dead in my tracks.
I wanted to run away from here. I even found myself thinking that.
The courage I’d worked so hard to muster deflated. Heat gathered in my eyes from all over my body. I was sick of myself for deciding to try hard, only to stop immediately.
“…Nanase-san.”
I flinched, reacting excessively to the words spoken to me.
…Was he disappointed? Had he given up on me?
Staring up at him in a daze, his face still bore that gentle expression.
“I told you it’s okay to be more selfish.”
Bun-kun said nothing more, just smiled.
That’s just like him.
I both love and hate that kindness of him
Because I end up leaning on him, letting my guard down.
I squeezed Bun-kun’s hand tightly and started walking again.
The heavy feeling from earlier had vanished without me noticing.
…Huh? Just a moment ago, even seeing the two of them was painful, but now I feel nothing.
Finding it strange, I couldn’t help but glance at Bun-kun beside me.
“Hey, Bun kun… Are you… maybe… really amazing?”
“Huh? What’s suddenly gotten into you?”
Bun kun tilts his head in puzzlement, looking somehow funny, and I can’t help but smile. My steps feel lighter as I head towards the two of them.
“…Long time no see, you two. What a coincidence to run into you here.”
“Hiyori…”
“…Hiyori-chan?”
Tenma, noticing me, looked startled, while Hana-chan stood up with a stunned expression.
I let go of Bun-kun’s hand and stepped closer to Hiyori-chan alone.
“If it’s okay with Hana-chan and Tenma… could I… join you guys for lunch again?”
“!! Y-yes… yes!! Irie-kun too!”
Yes, just as I thought she’d shown me that innocent smile, tears began streaming down Hana-chan’s cheeks.
“H-Hana-chan!?”
“Ichika!?”
We rushed over to Hana-chan in a panic. Tenma also looked flustered as he put his arms around her.
“It’s okay… it’s okay… it’s okay, you know?”
“Hana-chan…”
I gently hugged Hana-chan, who was crying and hiccuping. I softly rubbed her back, hoping she’d stop crying.
Maybe she was worried I might not come anymore. Maybe she was anxious.
Being avoided by someone close is incredibly painful. And losing friends is too.
After a while, when she had calmed down, Hana-chan wiped her eyes and lifted her face.
“So, this time, my classmates are throwing me a birthday party, and I was thinking… I’d really like Hana-chan and Tenma to come too…”
“We’ll go! We’ll definitely go! Right, Tenma-kun?”
“Yeah… I guess so.”
Things can’t stay the same as before. That’s why I have to properly face both of them and build a new relationship.
It might be incredibly painful and difficult.
I’m not alone.
“Come to think of it, there’s something I haven’t told you two yet.”
It’s been in my heart all this time, but I couldn’t say it. Words I didn’t want to say.
But if Bun-kun is here beside me… I feel like I can say it from the bottom of my heart.
“Congrats, both of you!”