The Beautiful Girl With a Kind Personality and Good Looks, Who Happens to Be My Childhood Friend, Seems to Have Eyes Only for Me
Monday morning. Honestly, last week was just too much. My relationship with Haru took a step forwardโno, more like a hundred steps. With that, you could say the obstacles to dating Haru are pretty much gone. I am still worried about Yamato, but Haru herself said, โYou don’t need to worry about it anymore.โ So, it wouldn’t be right for me to dwell on it more than necessary.
As I was thinking about that, a familiar figure appeared at the edge of my vision.
โSorry to keep you waiting, Yuma-kun.โ
The same voice. But her expression couldn’t quite hide her happiness. Probably, no matter how many times I see her from now on, my heart will skip a beat just a little. That’s the feeling I get.
โI just got here too. Well, let’s go.โ
โOkay!โ
We started walking side by side. And today, one thing was different. Yamato wasn’t between us.
The message Haru had sentโ
An apology for everything that had happened, and her wish to be with me from now on.
It seemed no reply had come, but she didn’t appear to care anymore.
Naturally, without either of us initiating it, we held hands. The path we always took felt strangely fresh today.
โSchool’s close, huh?โ
โYeah.โ
Students began to appear, and eyes started to turn our way. It wasn’t like I didn’t notice. I was about to say somethingโwhen it happened. Haru said nothing, just smiled and nodded, squeezing my hand tighter instead.
โโฆLet’s just stay like this.โ
A small voice. But I heard it clearly.
โโฆYeah.โ
I squeezed back tightly. Haru’s eyes widened in surprise, then she smiled like a flower blooming.
As we passed through the school gate, even more eyes followed us. The basketball club was doing their greeting campaignโand among them was their manager, Hayase-san. Of course, Yamato wasn’t there.
Me and Haru, our hands linked. Hayase-san’s eyes widened as if she’d lost her words for a moment. I gave a slight bow, and Haru followed suit. โฆWell, that was to be expected.
We passed the shoe lockers and walked down the hallway. I thought maybe it was time to let go, but Haru took my hand again almost immediately. The stares hurt.
But if it made her happyโฆ well, whatever.
โโฆWhat a luxury problem to have.โ
I muttered softly. Haru tilted her head in confusion. I almost stroked her head, but stopped myself just in time.
โIt’s fine, really.โ
โNot here.โ
Haru puffed out her cheeks. She was so cute it was embarrassing.
When we entered the classroom, all eyes turned to us. Only then did I let go of her hand and head to my seat.
The moment I sat down, someone tapped my shoulder. It was Fujiwara.
โMorning. โฆHey, Asahina, what just happened?โ
โI confessed, and we’re dating now.โ
โNo way!? Damn, I’m jealous!โ
Fujiwara started rubbing my shoulder with his fist.
Cut it out.
Glancing over at Haru, she was surrounded by girls congratulating her. Amidst them, she spotted me and waved.
โShe’s totally princess material.โ
โYeah, cuter than any princess.โ
โDammit! You two are bragging!!โ
I waved back, and there was that smile again. No wonder the boys around us were blushing and looking away.
โHey, Fujiwara.โ
โHm?โ
โYou like someone, don’t you?โ
โโฆIt’s none of your business!โ
He scratched his cheek. That confirmed it. If there’s anything I can do to help, I will.
Just then, Yamato entered the classroom. He glanced at us, said nothing, and went straight to his seat. Then he just buried his face in his desk.
โฆHonestly, it’s a complicated feeling. But I don’t regret it.
Lunchtime. I grab my lunchbox and head over to Haru.
We head out to the courtyard together.
โโฆI want to make lunch for you too, Yuma-kun.โ
โMy mom wouldn’t allow that.โ
โโฆMuu.โ
As we’re having this exchange, Haru suddenly looks up at the school building.
โโฆAh.โ
At the end of her gaze was Yamato. When our eyes met, he immediately walked away.
โโฆThat was kinda creepy.โ
โYeah.โ
I answered instantly. Well, I get the creepinessโthe guy I thought was my best friend was the cause of it all. But I don’t feel lonely. I don’t even want revenge. As long as Haru is here, that’s enough.
โI’m fine. I’m strong.โ
โWhat the hell are you talking about!?โ
At the end of lunch break, I dozed off briefly, resting my head on Haru’s lap. When I woke up, Fujiwara was smirking.
Wait, why are you even here?
โHey, Asahina.โ
โWhat?โ
โHeard any weird rumors? Or rather, that anonymous thing posted on the school bulletin board?โ
โHuh? Is that something worth interrupting my happiest moment right now to talk about? Huh?โ
โCome on, just look. Here, this.โ
Fujiwara fiddled with his phone and showed me the bulletin board site. I peeked, wondering if it was worth interrupting my blissful moment.
โฆHuh?
ใSchool Bulletin Boardใ
ใI heard this storyโฆโฆโฆใ
Confidential User
@Parent (Anonymous)
20XX-4-24
I heard a rumor that someone related to the perpetrator of an accident is among the current students.
The accident apparently happened near โโ about six years ago and was a hit-and-run. I hear the victim still suffers from lasting effects. Since my son also attends this school, I’m worried.
Does anyone know anything about this?
My child is in second grade and will be taking entrance exams next year. I’m worried, so I’m asking.
4 Responses
โAccident this, old story thatโฆโ
โWho wrote this?โ
โNo name mentioned. But apparently the perpetrator’s initials are K.Y. If they know that much, they probably know the full name too.โ
โYeah, you’re right.โ
โYuma, are you okay?โ
โโฆYeah.โ
Rumors. The kind that spread quietly, steadily. Why is this coming up now? I didn’t do anything. I glance at Haru. Her head is tilted back, andโฆ
โฆC-cute. Haa!
Probably not. I told her when I confessed. If that’s not it, I have no idea. I just hope it doesn’t get too big.
After that, contrary to my expectations, more rumors kept getting posted in response to this thread.
ใปApparently, a student caused a traffic accident a few years ago.
ใปThat accident seems to have been handled improperly.
ใปThe victim still attends the school.
ใปThe perpetrator’s side is living as if nothing happened.
ใปThey seem to be getting away with saying โI don’t rememberโ or โIt’s none of my business.โ
Maiasa