Yumi Sakura. She was my childhood friend, and we started dating when we were in our second year of high school.
Until then, we felt like just childhood friends, and nothing really changed between us.
However, in our second year, a classmate named Tsuyuki Eguchi confessed his feelings to her, and Yumi was worried. She was troubled over whether or not she should date him.
Up until that moment, I could not be honest with my own feelings that I loved Yumi.
When Yumi asked me what she should do, my heart ached terribly.
I thought Yumi would choose me, but seeing her struggle over Eguchi’s confession made me wonder if she just saw me as a childhood friend, and if she didn’t see me as a romantic partner.
And then, unable to hold it in anymore, I told Yumi.
I told her that I loved her… that I had loved her for a long time.
At that time, Yumi was very surprised and happy. Then she told me that she had loved me for a long time too.
For the first time, both of our feelings became one.
And after that, Yumi and I officially started dating.
✶
“It’s been about three months since I broke up with Yumi. I wonder if she’s doing well with Eguchi.”
When I muttered that, Iori let me know.
“Sakura is going to the same university as Eguchi, apparently. I eavesdropped on them talking.”
“Is that so. I guess things are going well between them.”
I felt a little down. I know this always happens when I hear about my ex-girlfriend, but still…
“Sorry, I made the mood awkward out of nowhere.”
“Why are you saying that, Towa? Don’t worry about me, I mean, take care of yourself first.”
“Haha… You’re right.”
Saying that, I immediately stood up.
“Iori, I’m going home.”
When I said that, Iori was surprised.
“Eh? You’re going home already? You just got here.”
“Sorry. Somehow, if I stay any longer, I feel like I’ll make the mood even worse.”
Hearing that, Iori looked disappointed and said to me.
“What’s with that. Haah… Fine. If you say so, it can’t be helped.”
“Sorry for being selfish.”
I cleaned up my empty coffee cup and left the shop.
✶
I started walking from the front of the station to go back home. The nostalgic scenery brought my memories back to life.
The karaoke place and the arcade where I used to hang out with Yumi.
We also went shopping together in the building in front of the station.
One by one, the memories came rushing back.
As I was on my way home, reminiscing with nostalgia, I happened to see a person I did not want to meet.
(That’s Yumi and Eguchi.)
Yumi and Eguchi walking happily together in front of the station. They haven’t noticed me.
Just as I felt a little relieved, I heard a voice calling out to me.
“Towa! You left your jacket behind!”
Iori’s loud voice echoed.
I quickly ran over to Iori.
“Idi*t! Your voice is too loud.”
Hearing that, Iori looked annoyed and said to me.
“What is it!? That’s because you forgot it, right?”
“No, wouldn’t a phone call or a message have been fine?”
When I said that, Iori turned serious.
“Ah, right. I had that option. My bad.”
“No, it’s fine, but right now is a bit bad.”
When I said that, Iori looked at me blankly and asked.
“Why is it bad?”
“…Well, right now…”
Just as I was about to explain to Iori, a person I did not want to notice me called out to me.
“Could that be Towa?”
Hearing that nostalgic voice, I faltered for a moment. Then, I turned toward the voice.
Standing there together were Yumi Sakura and Tsuyuki Eguchi.
An awkward atmosphere hung in the air, and time felt like it had stopped. Even though I didn’t want to talk much, I spoke to Yumi.
“If it isn’t Yumi. Long time no see.”
I called out to her, but she ignored me. Yumi looked at us with a disgusted expression and said.
“You guys are still going strong. Of course, you are. You wanted to be with this girl more than me, after all.”
Yumi said that to me in a sarcastic tone.
I did not argue back against those words.
Back then, Yumi saw us together.
And then Yumi ran off, and shortly after, she told me we were through.
“Yumi. You don’t need to bother with these guys now, do you? Let’s just leave them be.”
Eguchi spoke up from beside her. Eguchi had always liked Yumi, so he must be happy to be with her now.
I didn’t want to get in the way of the two of them any more than this.
“My bad. I didn’t want to see you, but we ran into each other out of nowhere.
We’re going to disappear now.”
With that, I pulled Iori’s hand and tried to leave the scene.
At that moment, Yumi muttered quietly.
“I never want to see you again…”
I left the scene without replying to those harsh words.
✶
We had come to a place away from the front of the station.
“My bad, I didn’t think those guys would be there.”
Iori apologized to me.
It wasn’t Iori’s fault. It was because I forgot my jacket.
“It’s my fault for forgetting my jacket.”
“Still, is it really okay to leave things like this? You, actually, for her sake.”
Iori tried to say that to me, but I stopped Iori’s words.
“You don’t need to say the rest. Let’s drop that topic.”
“But you don’t ever plan on seeing her again, do you?”
Iori’s words sounded like they were telling me to tell her my true feelings.
I have no intention whatsoever of conveying those true feelings to her.
“Iori. I am never going to tell Yumi my true feelings. I intend to take these feelings to my grave.”
Saying that, I turned around.
“Sorry for making you play the bad guy too. I appreciate it, Iori. I can’t repay you for anything right now, but if we meet again next time, let me treat you to something.”
“What’s that about? I had you teach me studies, didn’t I? That’s more than enough.”
“I’m grateful to hear you say that. See you later, Iori.”
I said those words and walked home.