Episode- 03

...Minato, what's wrong? You look pale."

"No, just yesterday."

"I see. Well, just make sure you don't fall over."

　When I entered the classroom and put my bag down on my seat, Saito, who was sitting in front of me, had a shocked look on his face.

　I'm still tired from all the fun I had at karaoke yesterday, and I've been feeling sluggish since this morning.

　Perhaps it was a reaction to doing something that was unfamiliar to me.

　As for Koizumi, who had been having fun with them until that happened, she was now gathered with her gal friends and chatting away.

　I guess the difference in experience shows in the game.

"Good morning."

"Oh, Rii-chan. Good morning."

　The person who came into the classroom with her long black hair fluttering was my ex-girlfriend, Shiina-san.

　Morikawa, who called Shiina "Rii-chan," headed straight for Shiina's seat.

　By the way, she is the only one who calls Shiina by her nickname. They have been friends since before high school, so they are the best of each other.

　Ah, I can't do this. Just hearing his voice is painful.

　I felt like I would really start crying if I continued to look at her like that, so I glared at the desk to keep Shiina out of my sight.

　Then from behind.

"Good morning to you too, Souma."

　A pleasant, bell-like voice called my name.

"Eh! Ah, good morning..."

"Yeah, good morning!"

　Then, after showing a dazzling smile, she exchanged greetings with Saito and returned to Morikawa-san.

　What do you mean? Is it normal to do something like that to someone you dumped yesterday?

　It's true that yesterday she told me to "get along as friends," but I wonder if Shiina was being considerate in her own way.

"Riichan, where did you go after school yesterday? You said you'd go home first."

　My heart leapt.

　Yesterday after school was the exact time that Shiina-san dumped me.

　Although I believe that Shiina-san would never spread rumors about something like that, I still couldn't help but listen in to what they were saying.

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

"It's nothing! Don't worry about it."

"Oh, maybe he's confessing again?"

"No, that's not it!"

　Blushing a little, she denies Morikawa's words.

"Wow, she say saw that as a confession. What do you think Minato?"

　Saitou seemed to have been listening in as well, and asked the same thing.

　I know the truth, or rather, I'm the one involved...

"...I wonder what will happen."

　He lowered his face and said something vague.

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　The morning classes ended and it was lunchtime.

　The store was packed with students, and I managed to buy a yakisoba bun and a melon bun, but then I stopped.

　Now what should I do?

　Usually I would be munching on bread while playing with my smartphone in the classroom, but I don't want to do that today.

　The reason was simple, Shiina-san was eating her lunch with her friends in the classroom. To be honest, it was hard for me to be in the same classroom as her even during class, but I couldn't bear the thought of it happening at lunchtime.

　I find myself looking at Shiina-san once every few minutes, and every time I do, the memory of being rejected flashes back to me and I almost cry.

　So at the very least, I want to be apart when I can.

　...I'm still dragging my feet.

"What will Kowa buy?"

"Um, maybe tea?"

"Well, I'll have orange juice."

"Well, we'll have Calpis!"

　Unable to decide where to eat lunch, I was walking aimlessly down the hallway when I saw a group of three girls buying drinks at the end of the hallway.

　My eyes meet with one of them, Koizumi.

　However, their eyes only met for a moment, and Koizumi immediately turned her gaze to the vending machine.

　There's no need to blatantly avoid the topic like that...

　If you feel a little hurt, your phone vibrates in your pocket.

"It's not lunch yet, right?"

　What appeared on the screen was a chat from Koizumi.

　When I looked at Koizumi, I felt like she was glaring at me and telling me to reply quickly. Why was she pressuring me even though she wasn't looking at me?

"Not yet."

　I ended up using polite language, but I managed to reply.

"Oh, sorry! I have to take care of something urgently. Please eat lunch together!"

"That's too sudden."

"I'm so sorry!"

"Okay, but you've got to come with us tomorrow!"

"Yeah!"

　Koizumi parted ways with her friends and walked towards me.

　And then, just like that, he approached me right in front of me... and walked away without even looking at me.

　...Huh?

"That Bench Gathering"

　I see.

　It would be embarrassing if the two of us were together and rumors started spreading...

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"slow"

"It's not that late."

　Koizumi, who had been sitting on a bench complaining, was taking a breather and drinking the tea she had bought earlier.

"What happened yesterday?"

"Well, I was wondering if you were having a hard time."

"what...?"

"You always looked like you were in pain during class, and when Shiina-san came to school your face looked terrible."

"Seriously?"

　Is that why I felt more distant than usual today from Suzushiro-san, who was sitting next to me?

"But I couldn't believe my ears when I heard that you and Shiina-san were dating. Shiina-san was a fan of Jimmy."

"Hey. Didn't you all gather here just for me?"

"I'm kidding."

"It's too thorny..."

　What's even more frustrating is that I can't deny it.

　Seeing Koizumi looking happy, the complete opposite of yesterday, I suddenly asked her something that had been bothering me.

"Hey, aren't you in pain?"

　After I said that, I covered my mouth with my hand.

　I saw how rough it was yesterday. It must have been tough.

"S-sorry. I."

"It's painful."

　Unlike before, he spoke with a serious expression.

"But he is my first boyfriend. Just seeing his face makes my heart ache, and just passing by you makes me want to cry."

"...But why?"

"Have you forgotten?"

"what...?"

　She tilts her head as if to ask what I'm talking about.

"I told you yesterday. You can cry until yesterday."

"……a"

"I'm going to bounce back from today. There will definitely be times when I drag it out and feel down, but I'm done looking back at yesterday."

"...That's right. That's right."

　I touch the rusty bench.

　I'm really glad I met Koizumi.

　If I had been alone, I would probably just be crying on this bench yesterday, today, and the days to come.

"You're that guy. You're a good guy."

"Huh?"

"Because you all gathered here because you were worried about me, right?"

"That's true! But it is!"

　She seemed to be embarrassed as she glared at me with her cheeks red.

"Sorry for worrying you. I'm fine now."

"...That's fine. Or rather, next time, you'll be the one to relieve my stress."

"I'll put up with that as much as you want. It's no good dragging your broken heart around forever."

"That's right! Oh, that reminds me, I was researching ways to get over a broken heart as quickly as possible this morning."

"Seriously? Tell me!"

　Koizumi took a deep breath.

"I'm going to fall in love again."

　She grinned proudly.

　I see, a new love... I guess it's a good idea though.

"Someone I can like more than Shiina-san..."

"I'm a better person than Sakuma-kun too..."

　Then we quietly started eating lunch.