Chapter 292 - Everything But Love

Moriko's POV

I finally had a conversation with Suzuha. I haven't got any chance to talk with her since Christmas Eve. She hasn't been texting me much, neither was I trying to talk with her because I was vexed at her.

Mostly because of what she did with Saishi. I wasn't planning on telling him myself because it wasn't my place to intervene. It was their personal matter, but I was still curious as to what she was doing on Christmas Eve.

She lied to us as easily as she breathed.

There was a misunderstanding that she created in the first place. When we invited her with us on Christmas Eve, she apologised about already having plans with Saishi. But she told otherwise to Saishi.

If it wasn't for Saishi stumbling upon me that day, I would've even known about Suzuha's deed. Though it's not like I'm surprised. I was expecting something like this to happen sooner or later.

I was aware about what sort of girl she actually was.

Suzuha knew that her cover was blown. I uploaded a picture on social media with Saishi after returning home that day. And I'm pretty sure Suzuha saw my pictures with him. Yet she didn't text me or try to talk with me.

And I believe Saishi isn't aware of the situation but he seemed to be quite dispirited that evening. With how sharp his intuitions are, I'm sure he must have already thought about something like this occurring.

Even though it was their personal matter, I was rather curious and sort of infuriated at Suzuha as well. She was finally dating someone like Saishi but had little to no respect for him.

Saishi was way better than what she deserves.

I know that being her friend, I should always wish for the best. But it's just her own self destructive actions that lead to consequences like that. I didn't want her to hurt Saishi because of her own selfish reasons.

But it seems like she already did.

Just that he wasn't aware of it.

I never understood why boys always liked girls who wouldn't respect their feelings and end up getting played by them. And after a heartbreak for their own silly decisions, they would stop acknowledging affection from other genuine girls.

And it was very unexpected for me when Suzuha told me she was dating Saishi. Out of all the girls she could've gone for, he chose her. And the fact that she is probably his type of girl astounds me.

Though I didn't resent either of them. It's just that watching them hanging out right in front of my eyes hurts me a lot. Knowing that I have known him for a longer time and that he doesn't deserve the treatment Suzuha gives him.

I wonder what made him choose her.

He was still the same as he was in middle school. He just looks a bit different because puberty hit him. He feels like the same old Saishi but at times, he just seems so distant that I can't even imagine embracing his slightest touch.

But I can't keep holding onto the same old memories. These lingering feelings about him would fade away with time and I'm pretty much sure of it. I have to move on from this ordeal.

I can't be concerned about him for dating her because he was well aware about what he is getting himself into. Suzuha has quite a firm reputation among our year so the chances of him being oblivious is low.

I remember him standing up for her when there was this rumour about going around in our class. Maybe he thought that he could be her knight in a shining armour, but reality is often disappointing.

Rumours often stem from the thin ridges of truth.

Though they are often exaggerated and mixed with people's own version as they travel from a lot of ears to mouth. So the end result might end up becoming distorted, but it sure holds the core truth.

As for Suzuha, I met her on my way back from an appointment. She seemed to be going somewhere, as I could assume from her neatly presented attire. It appeared like she was going on a date but I didn't pry.

She waved at me, and we had a short conversation.

I had no plans of starting the topic about Christmas Eve and Saishi from my side. Because that may make me appear a bit nosy and I didn't really like sticking my nose in other people's affairs.

We were talking about our plans for that day when she suddenly asked me why I was with Saishi on Christmas Eve.

I wasn't actually expecting her to talk about it. But since she started the topic, I got the opening and continued the conversation about what she did and whom she actually spent the evening with.

It turns out that she had to meet this other guy she was seeing. He was a university student, so I assumed that he was probably two or three years older than us. I was perplexed that she was seeing another dude at the time as dating one.

She called his name as Ryota if I can remember correctly.

I never understood why she needed so many men in her life at the same time. I was her friend, but I never supported her in these sorts of activities. Nor did I encourage this type of behavior, but she couldn't bother much.

As for when I asked why she lied to us, she just acted silly and brushed off the question. I couldn't press on her without appearing desperate and I didn't want her to know that I had any connections with Saishi.

I only hoped that she would tell Saishi about all the truth sooner or later and break off their relationship. Instead of carrying forward a broken bond like that and calling it love, even though it was everything but love.

She told me about most of the details of the evening and I could help but feel bad for Saishi. Yet I decided not to tell anything to him. If Suzuha told him herself then it was alright, but I wasn't going to intervene.

Even though the urge to just spill the truth and break them off was immaculate.