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 22

What happens twice will happen thrice

　My third festival is over.

　My classmates have completely switched to the examination mode.

　In such a situation, I was standing out from the others more than before.

　It was natural.

　.

　I was going around the festival with Iori on The first day of the festival, and the next day I was with Natsuki and we were sh*tting on the performances of each class and volunteers.

[ I feel sorry for Iori ]

[ Ever since Komae dumped him, he’s been acting weird. ]

[ Is his brain turning into a love-brain? ]

[ His good grades must be because he was cheating. ]

[ I hope he fails the exam ]

　There were plenty of people who talked behind my back.

　Their accusations had a point, so I listened to them quietly without arguing with them.

　It’s the same for Iori.

[ I don’t mind. ]

　Iori had once sent me an e-mail saying so.

　I felt guilty about her.

　I had proposed to go around the festival with her, but in the end of the day, I chose to stay with Natsuki.

“or the trouble I caused you, I’m sorry. “

　Iori replies to my apology with kind words.

[ It’s okay, cause Akki is my friend ]

　But when I see the second message that comes shortly after that, my shoulders slump.

[ There was a time when I wanted to apologize to Natsuki… but I don’t think I want to do that anymore ]

　I had taken away Iori’s desire to apologize.

　I didn’t feel anything when my classmates ignored me.

　Yet I was shocked about this.

　While everyone around me was ignoring me, Koyoi’s attitude was surprisingly the same as before.

　When Iori and I try to talk, people around us usually forcefully stop us.

　Also, Natsuki and I rarely talk to each other in the classroom.

　That’s why, since the festival, I only have a conversation in the classroom with Koyoi.

　She does not read the class atmosphere, or she usually talks to me if she has something to say.

　My classmates around me always say.

[ She pampered him too much just because she has known him since childhood. ]

　They seemed to be appalled by Koyoi.
　

　I, on the other hand, felt uncomfortable with her attitude.

　My second life, she was jealous just because Natsuki and I said hello to each other.

　But this time, even though we went around the festival together, she still didn’t give me any reaction.

　Because of what happened with Iori was too obvious, does she think that my relationship with Natsuki is another deliberate act to make her jealous?

　Or maybe――is there another reason?

　I wanted to question her, but I didn’t want to provoke her.

　In the end, I did not ask her anything.

* * *

　The closing ceremony of the second semester was over.

　The town is in a Christmas mood, but it doesn’t matter to a high school senior that is about to take an examination.

　Even though that should be the case…

“24th, you got some free time? “

　Natsuki asked me as we got off the train and went home together.

” …I think I’m studying.”

“Then, you’ll study with me at my place.”

” …Why? “

　Natsuki and I had been going to school together since the festival, but this was the first time she had asked me to come to her home since the day of the fireworks.

“Because I want to be with you… you don’t want to? “

　Natsuki murmured as she looked at the ground.

　I could only see her profile, but I could tell she was embarrassed because her ears were bright red.

“Well then, I’ll take your offer. I’m going to study with you.”

　I answered, and Natsuki looked forward.

“Okay.”

　She nodded her head.

　I noticed that her mouth was twisted into a happy smile.

* * *

　And then, December 24th.

　Christmas Eve.

“Welcome.”

“Sorry to disturb you.”

　I came to Natsuki’s house.

　I was welcomed by Natsuki, who looked somewhat different from usual, and entered her room.

　As before, the room was as lifeless as ever.

　Spreading our study materials on the low table, Natsuki and I start studying.

　We solved the problems without saying a word to each other.

　――Then, a few hours later.

　In the silence, my stomach growls as I feel hunger.

“….excuse me.”

　Natsuki giggled at my words.

“Let’s take a break.”

　She said.

　Then she prepared drinks and cheesecake.

“Here, Christmas cake.”

“Ah, thank you very much.”

　I was tired from studying and my brain was craving sugar.

　I appreciated the sweetness.

“It’s pretty good.”

“I’m glad. “

　Seeing Natsuki’s relieved look, I asked her.

“Don’t tell me, is this homemade? “

　Natsuki looked astonished.

“Ha? I just made it as a break from studying for the exams. “

　Then she turned her face away from me.

　It seems that she made it for me.

“You seem to be putting on more makeup than usual today. “

　I say, and she looks at me resentfully

　Compared to her usual natural makeup… which is more or less natural, she was very well dressed up today.

“…if you noticed, you should have told me earlier.”

　Grumbling, she said.

“It’s beautiful.”

　At my words, Natsuki turned red and murmurs faintly, [Thanks.]

“Well, not that I’m thanking you for the cake, but here you go…”

　I take out a wrapped gift from my bag and hand it to Natsuki.

“Merry Christmas.”

“…is it a Christmas present? “

　Natsuki, who received it in a daze, asked me.

　I nodded my head in response.

“It’s really not that big deal of a gift, and to be honest, I think Natsuki doesn’t need it, so don’t get your hopes up too high.”

“You’re so quick to put up precautions…”

　Contrary to her harsh words, she smiled and carefully peeled off the wrapping.

“It’s a pentagonal pencil…”

　My gift to her was what is called a pentagonal pencil.

“I don’t think it’s necessary for the talented Natsuki, but it’s good to have more, isn’t it? “

　Natsuki giggled at my words.

“I’m happy, thank you.”

　After saying this, she stood up and sat down next to me.

　Leaning on my shoulder, she said.

“Stay over tonight.”

　…Natsuki is completely opened her heart to me.

　I’m not so naive or insensitive that I don’t understand the meaning of her words.

　Before answering her question… I had a question I wanted to ask Natsuki.

“Your parents won’t allow it, will they?”

　I didn’t know anything about Natsuki’s family yet.

　Now I should be able to ask her naturally.

“They won’t be home today… and my father is in Tokyo.

　From the way she was talking, it seemed that her parents were not divorced.

“By the way…can I ask why they are separated? “

　Natsuki answered in a light tone to my hesitant question.

“Because of my new school. My father works in Tokyo and we have a house there.”

　I had assumed that Nagatsuki’s family environment was complicated, but I wondered if that was not the case….?

“Why did you transfer to this rural high school? “

“…because it’s my father’s high school.”

　Natsuki said and turned her face away from me.

　She might be hiding something.

　So I looked at her silently.

” …It’s only for a trivial reason… “

　Natsuki, who could not stand the silence, prefaced her words with this and continued.

“Really, just a trivial… trivial reason. I transferred to this high school because I was a little curious about the high school my father went to.

　That’s not what I was expecting at all.

　I honestly didn’t know how to react, so I smiled and said, [I see. ]

　Natsuki said, [Annoying], and pattedd me in the side.

“But that was the reason after you decide where to transfer to. Why did Natsuki change schools in the first place? “

　She smiled at my question and then continued.

“I’m not going to tell you.”

　She said.

　I wonder if this is something she doesn’t want me to hear…

　What is it?

“My mother is here simply because she can’t let me live alone. She followed me without a single complaint, saying that life in the countryside looks like it would be fun…”

　Natsuki said to me in silence.

“Is that so? Now that you say it…. what kind of work does Natsuki’s mother do? “

　Natsuki did not answer.

　Was this an intrusive question? She glared at me with a bitter expression on her face.

“You know, when you came to our house before, you said my mother was beautiful, didn’t you? …Are you a pervert who likes married women? “

“That’s not what I meant!”

　I raised my voice at her unexpected suspicion.

　Then I stand up.

“I’m going home today.”

　Hearing my words, Natsuki said.

“I see…”

　She replied with a sad expression on her face.

　I put my hand on her head and say

“I know you are lonely, so I will call Natsuki when I get home today.”

　Natsuki’s face lighted up at my words. 　

“Okay, thanks. I’ll wait for your call.”

　She said and saw me off to the exit.

　Seeing her smile, I knew it was safe for now.

　Solving the harassment at the festival was the best follow-up for Natsuki.

　The problems I thought I had with her family environment turned out to be just my imagination.

　If only everything had continued as it was.

　Natsuki would never commit suicide.

　Then we should continue our relationship.

　More than friends, less than lovers.

　And one day, she will really like someone else.

　And when she really likes someone… and he likes her too.

　――Then I can die with no regrets.

　For now, I’ll wait for the season when the snow melts.

　And then I’ll――

* * *

“Liar.”

　Natsuki Mirai said, as if accusing.

　She looks sad, with tears streaming down her face.

“We promised to die together…”

　With a resigned look on her face, she murmurs her last words――

　Then she jumps down into the deep abyss below.