I Went Back to Being a High School Student Again, but I Was Rejected by My Childhood Friend, Whom I Thought Was In Love With Me, So I tried to Suicide With the Most Beautiful Girl In the School. - Chapter 13

Cultural Festival

　Summer has passed, and the season has turned into autumn.

　My sunburn has calmed down, and it has become chilly without a jacket.

　My classmates seemed to be somewhat tense in their daily lives as they were preparing for the entrance examinations, but that didn’t matter much to me since my goal in life was set before the entrance examinations.

　Since then, Koyoi and I have returned to an unnaturally normal relationship.

　We don’t go back and forth to each other’s houses, and our conversations are quite normal.

　It’s as if I was mistaken about the girl I saw that day.

“Why are you staring at me in a daze? “

　Natsuki said to me in a tone of puzzlement.

　I was studying at a family restaurant with her after school.　

　Fortunately, Natsuki is still helping me with my study from time to time.

　Thanks to her, I feel that my academic ability is even better than it was when I was a student.

　I can see that she is very attentive to me.

　Natsuki, however, has not been able to fit in with her classmates, just like before.

“The school festival is coming soon, and I was wondering what you did last year.”

　I said to Natsuki.

　The last sports festival of the high school had already finished, and this cultural festival would be the last big event we would have before the entrance examination.

“Did you think about that? I studied in the library on the days of the festival. It was less crowded than usual, so I could concentrate.”

　Letting out a sigh, Natsuki said.

　I had expected that there would be no one to visit the festival with, but I was surprised to know that she had been studying on the festival day.

“Are you not going to visit the festival and look around this year, too? “

“What’s the fun in it for me? I can only go around and see the young country people playing something uninteresting.”

　Natsuki said with an exaggerated shrug, sticking out her tongue mockingly.

　Then she sees the look on my face and gives me a startled look.

“…Are you, by any chance, asking me out? “

“Yep, if you want to.”

　Natsuki looked at me in surprise with a wry smile.

“I’m not trying to make you like this school. But you don’t want to hate it if you don’t know it well, don’t you? “

　I say, and she smiles weakly, then says.

“You’re right. It’s not right to make fun of the youth of the countryside when I didn’t take part in the festival properly.”

　Then she goes on to say.

“It’s a nice offer, but I’ll pass. I’m not going to be a freak show.”

“A freak show? “

　I wonder what the logic is, and she explains it to me.

“You’re what’s called a ‘Person with a fulfilling life.’ If you were seen hanging out with me, a loner-type of a person, we’ll be exposed to curious looks. I don’t want that.”

“I won’t force you if you don’t want to. But you’re used to people’s gazes, aren’t you? “

“Huh? Are you making fun of me? “

　I guess she was annoyed by my words, she asked me without hiding her annoyance.

“No, that’s not what I meant… Natsuki is a beauty, so you usually get a lot of stares.”

　I’m almost fed up with the number of guys who look at me with envy when I walk alongside her outside the school.

“You’re going after some stupid gal in reaction to being dumped by your childhood sweetheart you’ve had a crush on for years, and now you’re trying to hit on me too? I’m sorry, I’m just not into a guy who picks up girls with no restraint.”

　Natsuki glares at me as if she’s trying to say, [you’re too obvious].

　Maybe my words were too flirtatious, but she misunderstood me.

“That’s too bad. If you change your mind, just tell me.”

　I shrug my shoulders and say so, and she silently kicks me in the shin, taking out her still-unresolved frustration on me.

* * *

　And again, days go by quickly, and it is the first day of the last school festival of my high school life.

　Since the third-year students are preparing for the entrance examinations, they are not in charge of any performances and only observe the festival.

　I didn’t do anything with Natsuki, Koyoi, and Iori. Instead, I went around the school with some of the boys in my class, just like what I had done in the past.

　The noisy atmosphere of the school brings me back old memories.

　I felt subtle nostalgic feelings and was enjoying myself.

* * *

　Lunch passed, and it was getting late in the evening, but students’ excitement was still maintained.

　In an hour, the first day of the festival would be over.

　Watching the stage performances with my friends, I suddenly became curious about Natsuki.

　Is she studying in the library this year, too?

　It would be too lonely for her if she were studying by herself again while everyone around her is so excited.

　…Natsuki is always helping me with my studies, I should bring her a small gift as a thank-you.

　I called out to my friend and went out of the auditorium where the stage performances were going on.

　I bought a tea packaged in a carton at the store and went to the library.

　Nothing was in the shoe rack when I arrived at the library’s entrance.

　I entered the library and looked around just to make sure, but Natsuki was not here.

　I wondered where she might be.

　A certain place came to my mind…

　I enter the school building and go up the stairs.

　I stand in front of the rooftop door.

　The padlock is unlocked. I knew it, she was here.

　I open the door and step onto the rooftop.

　I saw Natsuki leaning against the handrail and looking down.

　I stand next to her and call out to her.

“Don’t you have to study in the library this year too? “

“…you. What do you want? “

　When she heard my voice, she didn’t seem to pay any attention to me, nor did she glance at me.

　She just gazed down at me with a languid expression on her face.

“I thought you were studying, so I brought you a small gift.”

　I hold up a drink in front of her eyes.

“Oh… thanks.”

　She said this with her mouth, but she did not accept it.

　I hold it up in front of her and say in a persuading tone.

“…If something happened. I’ll listen to you.”

　Natsuki’s behavior was strange.

　She must have been harassed.

　She must have run away to this place where she could be alone and not be hurt by anyone.

“Shut up!”

　Natsuki showed her annoyance at my words.

　At this moment, our gazes finally met.

　Natsuki’s eyes were red and swollen.

“Your eyes… “

　I muttered, and she looked away, then briskly brushed my hand away.

　The carton slammed from my hand onto the ground, spilling its contents.

　Natsuki watches silently as the tea is absorbed into the ground while never making eye contact with me, and says

“…just let me be alone.”

　I picked up the misshapen carton and muttered.

“…alright.”

　There was nothing I could do for her now.

　I mutter and leave the rooftop without looking at Natsuki’s reaction.