CH 53

Touma-kun Apologizes to His Friend

Translated by AmaLynne

At any rate, the introductions are done.

This is, in a sense, the most important part.

「Now…it’s time…」

I sit down on the ground and get down on my knees.

「T-Touma-kun?」

「Well, you do that, don’t you?」

「Gahaha! You’re the same as ever!」

「Well, Touma is a man of principle.」

「Ahahaha! That’s right.」

「A man who can’t help it…well, that’s one of the good things about him.」

「Guys, let me apologize for any wrongdoing I’ve done. I’m…sorry that I didn’t get involved before…and that I made you go along with it…」

「Touma-kun…」

This is the real purpose.

I abandoned these guys for my own selfish reasons.

I lost my mother, and my friends who cared about me…

I can’t tell you how happy I was that these guys still called me a friend…

I wanted to apologize properly.

They would tell me not to worry about it.

But I can’t forgive myself…

「All right! Touma, get up.」

「Aki…thank you. You still stuck with me…and now I’m grateful.」

「Don’t be so weird! Best friend!」

「Aki…」

「Heh heh, Touma-kun! We are good friends!」

「But…you need to clean up your act. I guess I’ll start with you!」

「All right! Come on!」

「Come on!」

Fist in the gut!

「Ack!!」

「T-Touma-kun?」

「It’s okay, Aya. Next!」

「Gahaha! Seia!」

Same thing, right in the gut!

「Geef! …Y-You’re still the same…! Yes, next!」

「Oh dear, it’s so hot and humid. Well…it’s not so bad!」

Gets hit as well!

「Gah! You’re not what you seem…」

「Ha…you’re the one who can’t help it. Ha!」

A chop to the head!

「Ouch! I didn’t call you! You hit me earlier!」

「All right! I’m coming!」

「Wait, wait, wait, wait! You kicked me in the face.」

I’m flying off the ground, rolling on the floor!

「Touma-kun――!!??」

「Aah! I feel better! Let’s go home!」

「Yeah, let’s go home.」

「Gahaha! See you later!」

「Oh, my God, you’re such a man of principle.」

「See you later! Touma! Aya! That guy!」

All of them walked out of the classroom.

I was surprised that they still treated me the same way they did.

I’ve got good friends…

Then I got up and hurried to eat lunch.

「Well, that was kind of awesome…and they’re each famous.」

「Ah…well, yes. Student council president, almost top of the class in studies, ace of the track team, president of the athletic club, the most popular guy in the school…yeah, I’m the only one who’s plain…」

「Eh――!? Y-You’re not plain! Already standing out!」

「No, not yet. To be worthy of my favorite Aya’s boyfriend.」

「Oh, ahhh…! But, but…already! What should I do!?」

I love to see Aya in agony.

It makes me love her so much.

「…come to think of it, about the cheerleader?」

「Umm, yeah…it’s embarrassing, but Touma-kun will be the cheerleader…」

「Well, I’ll do it with the cheerleading squad. Take it easy, okay?」

「N-Not that! I actually wanted to…but people around me stopped me…told me that if I was there, the boys would crowd in and they wouldn’t be able to practice…」

「Oh? That’s it…Aya, don’t worry. I’m going to crush the eyes of every single guy who comes to watch.」

「Stop!!?? And also, I can go home with Touma-kun…Oh, I can see Touma-kun in his cheerleading squad…I’m sure he’s cool!」

If anything, Aya in cheerleading outfit is going to get me…

I want to see it, but I don’t want to show it…!

Gggg…! No, if Aya wants to do it, I should respect that.

What to do…to get rid of the nuisance.

◆◇◆◇◆

After school that day, we had an early gym practice.

The relay runners have to pass the baton.

We had to do it outside of school hours.

But it was only for about 30 minutes.

After practice, I went to where Aya was waiting for me.

I found her happily chatting with Morikawa and Kurono.

Well, now that we’re dating, she seems to have less time to hang out with them.

Lovers are important, but friends are important too.

I can see that now.

I’ll wait for a while.

I leave the place unnoticed.

I drink a glass of tap water and sit down on a bench nearby.

「Yo, Touma.」

「Aki. Are you alone?」

「Well, about that. I’m just tired…I’m sorry, but I used you as an excuse.」

「No, that’s okay. I’m fine with that.」

「Oh! I knew it!」

「Don’t squeeze my shoulder!」

「Kya――!!」

「It’s here! It’s here!」

「I liked the hidden manly man in glasses, but this is what we’ve got here…!」

「The friendship between a handsome man and a manly man is…moe!」

「…A-Aki? What’s that?」

「…that happened before, didn’t it?」

「Come to think of it, that was on the train…that look…」

「That’s what I mean. You were popular with some people, even if it was only for a short time. Then you and I were…that…」

「Stop it! Don’t say it!」

「I don’t like it either! But I can’t fail a girl!」

「Quit your bullshit!」

「Kyaa――!!」

「They’re flirting!!」

Learn more

Pause

Unmute

「Eyeballs…!!!」

What in the world is going on?

Hah…no words.

The mental damage…is great.

「Touma-kun!」

Ha! My angel is here!

I want my broken heart to be healed!

「Aya!」

I hug Aya tightly!

「Huh!? T-Touma-kun!? Why?」

「Aya! I love you!」

「Ehh――!? I-I’m happy, but…I-I like you too!」

「…you guys are such a couple.」

「Shut up! It’s your fault!」

But I know.

When I explained the situation to Aya on the way home, she said…

「Huh? T-That kind of…no! B-But maybe it’s not so bad…」

「Aya? Hey, Aya?」

「But, but…」

Apparently, Aya also swooned……

But…that won’t sway my love!

Let’s just specify her not to…imagine it.