Volume 2 - CH 7.3

I moved up to the third grade, and for some unknown reason, I ended up in the same class with Yuuri, with who I had never been in the same class before. And I even got to be in the same class as Kanade.

When I entered the classroom, the two of them were already talking together in Yuuri’s seat. I was sure that those around them were Yuuri’s and Kanade’s friends.

Looking at those four people, it was as if I was watching us before, and it made my heart ache. Laughing together with Yuuri was such a normal thing, but now I will never have that normal thing again.

(Even though I betrayed him, he’s still not ready to leave me.)

As far as I can see, Yuuri seems to have already blown me off, and I feel very sad at the fact that my childhood friend, whom I have been with for about 17 years, has forgotten me so easily. Of course, I understand that it is selfish. But I still feel that way.

———

It was lunch break time.

I didn’t want to see Yuuri and Kanade talking amicably, so I was about to leave the classroom.

“Yuuri-senpai! Let’s eat together!”

I stopped in my tracks and looked in the direction of the voice. The voice calling for Yuuri was a very cute girl.

I thought to myself, Isn’t that girl Yoshi-chan, who was a good friend of Hana-chan? As I was thinking that, Hana-chan hurriedly entered the classroom from behind Yoshi-chan.

I see… both of them have entered this school. As I was thinking about this in a daze and looking at Yuuri and the others, Hana-chan noticed me, erased her smile, and glared at me with cold eyes.

From her gaze, it seemed as if she was saying to me, “Why are you here?” and “Get out of here as fast as you can.” I hurried to the school cafeteria to escape from her gaze.

———

A month after school started, many people knew that Yuuri and I had broken up. It is not surprising that people would think so, since the two of us, who had been together all this time, did not speak a word to each other as soon as we entered the third grade. And it is a fact that we have broken up.

“Is Hazuki okay? It must be awkward to be in the same class as your ex-boyfriend. Have you gotten used to it?”

“Yeah, I’m fine, thanks.”

“But, you know, I wish he didn’t have to flirt so much with different girls when his ex-girlfriend is in the same class as him.”

“I was thinking that too. Is he trying to put the blame on Hatsuki?”

“I didn’t think Yamagishi-kun was the type of person who would do something like that. I guess his image has changed a little.”

“Everyone is fine for me. I’ve already broken up with him. I can’t demand anything of Yuuri, and I can’t stop him from doing what he does.”

“Hmmm. Hazuki is very modest, really. If you ever have a hard time, you can always talk to us.”

Masashi, Kotone, and Sasetsu, who are worried about me, have been my friends since I started high school, and I can call them my best friends. Because of them, even though I lost Yuuri and Kanade, I think I am still able to make it at this school somehow. So I can only be really grateful to them for being with me.

“Speaking of which, the sports festival is coming up soon, isn’t it? I wonder who will be on the committee?”

“I definitely don’t want to do it. I hope it will be decided smoothly.”

“Well… Actually, I would like to run for the committee. I’d like to be the vice-chairman of the committee.”

“What? Hazuki is going to do it?

“It’s unusual for you to be actively involved in a school event.”

“I’m in my third year, so I thought I’d make at least one memory.”

“Oh, I see. But I’m sure Hazuki will do it well, so everyone will be at ease.”

The other two nodded their heads in agreement.

But the truth is, it’s not about making memories, it’s because I thought that if I got busy, I would be less conscious of Yuuri that way. I also have an ugly ulterior motive in thinking that if I am a member of the athletic festival committee, I will be on stage at the opening and closing ceremonies, and Yuuri may take another look at me.

———

Since becoming a member of the sports festival committee, I have been busy as I thought I would be, and that did not change even on the day of the sports festival. It would be more correct to say that I was busy looking for work on my own.

That didn’t change even at lunchtime.

The teacher asked me to deliver a package, and just as I was about to leave the courtyard for a shortcut, I saw Yuuri and his friends happily eating lunch together.

Why?

Why?

Yuuri, why are you smiling so much while I am suffering so much?

Was that all I was to you?

Are you just going to abandon me, not listen to my apologies, forget about me and go on with your life?

———

The sports festival is over and I am sitting alone in my classroom.

Looking out the window, I see the sun setting and turning the town red.

As I look out, I remember the smile I saw on Yuuri’s face at lunch.

How long have you been doing that?

I noticed that it was getting dark outside.

I decided it was time to go home and suddenly looked at my phone to see that I had received a RINE from Kouki.

After checking the contents of the message, I got up and headed for Kouki.