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…
I wake up in the morning, still half asleep.
I get up, thinking I have to go to school…
“Hiyori~, breakfast is ready.”
“Okay~.”
I respond to my mother’s words and head to the sink.
I eat breakfast, change into my uniform, tidy myself up, grab my bag, and head to school.
It’s been a month since I was rejected
Since being rejected, I think I’ve been slowly recovering.
They say that time heals the wounds of heartbreak, but in my case, I think Bun kun’s presence has been a big factor.
“Bun kun, good morning.”
“Nanase-san, good morning.”
As soon as I enter the classroom, I talk to Bun kun, who is sitting alone.
“Thanks for yesterday’s lunch break. Hana-chan was really happy too.”
“Well… yeah…”
Lately, Bun kun-kun has been dressing up as a girl, and the four of us—me, Hana-chan, and Tenma—have been spending our lunch breaks together.
“Speaking of which, Hana-chan seems to be really attached to Bun kun, doesn’t she?”
“Hmm, I guess so…”
“Yeah, she always happily calls out to him, ‘Fumika-chan, Fumika-chan.’ Maybe we should increase the number of lunches we have together?”
“Please spare me that.”
Hana-chan tends to become very attached to someone once she opens up to them.
I think Bun kun-kun has become as important to Hana-chan as I am.
Well, that’s just my conceited opinion…
The bell rang, and I sat down at my desk to prepare for homeroom.
It was the same day as always.
Lunchtime.
After finishing my lunch in the classroom, I wanted something to drink, so I left the classroom.
Tenma’s back was reflected in the vending machine.
…I probably wouldn’t have been able to take that step before, but now I’m okay.
“Tenma~”
“Oh… Hiyori.”
I tap Tenma on the back and call out to him.
Yeah. It’s okay… Seeing Tenma’s face doesn’t hurt anymore.
“I’ll have a milk tea.”
“I’m not buying it for you.”
“But I’m 10 yen short, so I want you to buy it for me~”
“Why the vending machine…?”
“I was planning to buy water until I got here. I just suddenly felt like having milk tea.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
Tenma laughs heartily.
Good, good, we’re talking like we used to. We’re slowly getting back to being good friends.
My usual self is… back.
“Then let’s do this. In exchange for the milk tea, I, your best friend, will give you advice on your movie date with Hana-chan…”
“Hiyori”
“Hm? What?”
“Actually… I’m going to start dating Ichika.”
“…Eh?”
That one sentence shattered the normal me that I had worked so hard to build up in an instant.
“Ah, eh, so… I see. Ah, ahaha. So, that’s how it is…”
My head went blank. It was painful. I couldn’t breathe properly.
“Um… I need to use the restroom! Don’t follow me!”
Without waiting for Tenma’s response, without looking at his face, I ran off.
I just wanted to get away from there as quickly as possible.
“Haa… haa…”
After running, I ended up behind the gymnasium. I probably came here because I remembered the romantic movie I saw the other day.
The moment I arrived, the bell signaling the end of lunch break rang.
“…Forget it. I’ll skip class.”
To be honest, I didn’t want to go back to class. I didn’t have the energy to go back. If the teacher or students found out, then so be it.
I sat there alone.
…Tenma. He confessed to Hanachan.
I didn’t know. When did that happen…
“…”
Tears slowly welled up in my eyes.
Don’t give up, Nanase Hiyori… Keep going, keep going.
I have to overcome this, move forward, and make it a memory.
Besides, I knew it. I knew it, right?
When I was rejected, I knew this would happen… I was prepared for it.
But…
“… Ugh, ugh…”
It’s painful.
“Nanase-san, are you okay?”
“…Huh?”
When I looked up, there was Bun kun, out of breath.
“Eh, wh-why…?”
“Because Nanase-san… you didn’t come back to class even five minutes ago, so I thought something might have happened.”
Bun kun sat down next to me, taking a breath.
“What about class?”
“I skipped it.”
“Eh, but… if the teacher finds out, you’ll get in trouble, right?”
“Then we’ll get in trouble together.”
He laughed and handed me my favorite milk tea.
…Really, that’s just like him.
After that, Bun kun didn’t say anything, he just sat silently next to me. Just that alone made my tears stop flowing.
He’s such a mysterious person.
“…Tenma and Hanachan. They’re dating.”
“…I see.”
“I thought I had gotten over it, but now that they’re dating, it’s painful and difficult… It’s the worst.”
“…I understand. And the fact that I can’t honestly congratulate them makes me feel like a ugly person.”
“That’s right…!! As expected of a veteran who’s lost more than ten times in a row. You get it.”
“Shut up.”
Bun kun turned away sulkily.
I’m sure Bun kun has also fallen in love with someone, been unrequited, and suffered like I have.
Maybe that’s why… I end up spilling my feelings to you, even the ones I didn’t intend to share.
“Hey. Doesn’t this situation remind you of that movie we saw the other day?”
“Well, just the situation, anyway.”
“No way! You’re definitely my savior, Fumio-kun.”
It’ll take a little time, but if I can come to terms with my feelings for Tenma and get ready for a new love, then…
“…Maybe my new love is right around the corner.”
“…Huh?”
He tilts his head, looking confused. I laugh and drink my milk tea.
Behind the gymnasium, the two of us skip class alone.
There’s no particular conversation, and all that can be heard is the chirping of birds.
But for some reason, there’s no awkwardness. It feels somehow comfortable. In fact, I even feel reluctant to let the time pass.
Something is beginning to sprout inside me.
I don’t know what it is yet, but I’m sure it will grow from here on.