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 25

The Third Time’s the Charm – After

“…What? “

“Especially Natsuki Mirai’s story, I really don’t want to hear it.”

“Why…?”

　I muttered in astonishment.

　I remembered what she had said earlier as I looked into her eyes, which were filled with emotions.

“That b*tch who misunderstood and got all excited because Akira was nice to her… I can never forgive her. My Akira wouldn’t have been hurt like this if she wasn’t around.”

　Why couldn’t I sense the discrepancy right away?

“…Since when did you know? “

“I don’t know what you’re referring to… but if you’re talking about Akira and her meeting on the rooftop, then I’ve known from the beginning, okay? “

[You get wet on the rooftop.]

　Koyoi did say that before.

　I told Atsuta-sensei that I talked with Natsuki in the hallway, but I never mentioned anything about the rooftop to anyone else.

　It’s also hard to imagine Natsuki telling that story to someone else, either.

　Then why does Koyoi know about that day?

　There is only one answer.

　Koyoi has been following me after she bumped into me in front of the classroom that day.

　She followed me and actually saw it with her own eyes.

“Akira, you’re also bad. You shouldn’t fall for such a person with an ugly character.”

　Koyoi says in disgust.

“But I understand that you were deceived by that woman’s dirty tactics. She deliberately instigated and isolated herself from the surroundings and drew Akira’s sympathy. It’s a very sneaky and dirty trick, and I’ll never forgive her.”

“There is no way that’s true…”

　Koyoi’s words are clearly a misunderstanding.

　But she firmly believes that her own thoughts are the truth. She doesn’t even doubt it.

“Akira just doesn’t know anything about girls other than me.”

　My words no longer reach her.

“Then, how do you feel about Iori? Me and her, we’re always together…”

“I felt sorry for her.”

“Sorry…?”

“Yeah. Akira would never fall for such a stupid girl… and you just used her as a substitute on purpose so that I wouldn’t get jealous of Natsuki Mirai, right? …When it comes to Akira, I know everything..”

　Koyoi said calmly.

　I was… horrified at the look on her face.

　What is she saying?

　What is she looking at?

　Who is this Akira she is talking about?

　Is she really looking at ‘me’?

“That’s why, I think Natsuki Mirai is totally different from Iori Towa. She’s smart and beautiful. And you even went to great lengths to avoid making me jealous.”

　There was a dark, dim light harbored in her eyes.

　I will never understand what it was.

“…Natsuki was harassed by someone on the day of the cultural festival and was hurt.”

“Harassed? I’m just telling her the facts.”

“Facts ……? “

　Koyoi smiles at my question and says

“When I badmouthed Natsuki Mirai, you looked like you were enjoying it. I knew that Akira and her met on the rooftop.

You made a promise to me that if Akira and I both passed our desired schools, we would start dating. There were other things I said too, but… the most interesting expression she had was when I said,

[No one, not even Akira, needs you.]

Her usual composed face crumpled into an ugly mess, like a small child about to cry.”

　The last time I laughed at Natsuki’s badmouthed comments was before the time leap.

　Koyoi knows that Natsuki and I met on the rooftop, not because I told her.

　I promised to go out with Koyoi only because I thought I would be dead by then anyway, and I responded thoughtlessly.

　――I needed Natsuki.

　But other than that――――as Koyoi said, she was just telling the ‘facts’.

　I thought Natsuki and I had built a relationship of trust.

　But what did she think about these ‘facts’?

　Did she believe that all the words from Koyoi, who had been with me much longer than her, were all lies?

　Even if she believed that Koyoi’s words were malicious lies, she could never get rid of all the suspicions that had sprouted within her.

　What did Natsuki think of my stubborn refusal to cross the final line even when I was by her side?

　How did she feel when she saw me refuse to die with her at her last moment?

　――I knew it, I was betrayed.

　She probably thought so and was disappointed in me.

　 Did she end up dying…while cursing everything in this world?

　That’s… too undeserved.

　It’s too, too pitiful.

“Ahh, that face…”

　Seeing me speechless and stunned, Koyoi smiled at me lecherously.

“Akira, you’re adorable.”

　Koyoi pushed me down and straddled me, immobilizing me.

　With no strength in my body, I couldn’t even push her away.

“Akira doesn’t know about this yet? We both got into the school of our choice… Now we’re lovers, as promised.”

　Saying this, Koyoi kissed me.

　Unable to resist her devouring me, I had a shocking realization.

　The future has changed.

　In the future where I was originally from, Koyoi had failed to get into the university.

　After that, he had to take a second exam before he could enter a junior college.

　After I had successfully entered a university in Tokyo and Koyoi had failed to get into the school of her choice, it became awkward for us to keep in touch, and we gradually drifted apart.

　After graduation, I found a job in Tokyo, and Koyoi found a job in her hometown.

　As work kept us busy and we couldn’t communicate easily, my connection with Koyoi diminished.

　During that time, Koyoi told me that she had found an older boyfriend through a friend and they were in a relationship then.

　Afterward, Koyoi got married to her boyfriend.

　Koyoi was supposed to attain ordinary but desirable happiness.

　If I don’t do something, I’ll end up taking that happiness away from her.

　――Now, I hate Koyoi.

　But I don’t want to ruin anyone’s life anymore.

　Koyoi tried to take off the hospital gown I was wearing.

　I looked around for something to resist and noticed a fruit knife on the table.

　I grabbed it and put the tip of the knife against Koyoi’s neck.

“…move away.”

　Seeing my expression, Koyoi looked surprised.

　The knife ripped into her skin, and a few spilled drops of blood stained my face.

“If you don’t move away…I’ll really kill you.”

　Hearing my words――――Koyoi had a look of ecstasy on her face.

“Fine, kill me.”

　Saying that, Koyoi peered into my face.

　Then she whispered to me.

“It’s your first time to kill someone, right?”

“I’m sure Akira will never forget that you killed me.”

“When you wake up in the morning, eat breakfast, go to school, study, work part-time, talk with your friends, go home, take a bath, go to bed at night, and wake up again.”

“While you’re going through such a normal day, Akira will suddenly be reminded of something.”

“…no, you’ll realize that you can’t forget it even for a moment.”

“You’ll never forget my last expression, which will always be etched in your mind, an ugly expression enduring pain.”

“That means that Akira will continue to think about me for the rest of his life, right? “

“You can’t fall in love with someone else and overwrite your feelings for me. If you kill me, you’ll never be able to have a real relationship again.”

“I love you, Akira.”

“From now on, we’ll always be together.”

“But, please. Kill me without causing me pain.”

“Because I don’t want the last thing Akira will remember of me for the rest of his life to be an ugly face in pain.”

　Hearing her monologue, I realized how shallow I was.

　Didn’t I say I don’t want to ruin someone’s life any more than I already have?

　Koyoi has already… become crazy because of her feelings and jealousy.

　I feel like I’m going insane.

　――No, wrong.

　I had already lost my sanity.

　I put all my strength into the arm that was holding the knife.

　Then I slit my own throat.

“Huh..? “

　My right eye, which still had some vision, saw Koyoi’s expression gradually being dyed with despair.

　Serves you right… it’s quite satisfying.

　You’ll never be able to love anyone for the rest of your life.

　You’ll never be able to have a decent love life again.

　You’ll never forget the last time you saw my face.

　In my fading consciousness, I open my mouth to tell Koyoi my last words.

[―――――――――――― ]

　But I can no longer speak properly.

　In the end, I couldn’t convey my last words to Koyoi.