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 26

Volume 5: Future (Mirai)

Revival

“Huh? What’s wrong? You seemed in a daze, Akki,”

　Iori, standing next to me, called out to me worriedly.

“Iori… “

　With a dazed head, I answer her call.

　Then I realize I can speak.

“Ugh, bleugh…! “

　Unbearable nausea overwhelmed me, then I crouched down and threw up.

　My head felt like it was splitting open.

　The memories of the worst events that would unfold from now on burned into my mind once again.

　My own stupidity is replayed vividly in my brain.

　The pain, the suffering, the anger, and the sense of loss all resurfaced simultaneously, resulting in my heart screaming in agony.

　I would have gone crazy if I could.

　Natsuki’s last expression.

　The last time I saw Koyoi’s face.

　I couldn’t get it out of my head, and I tried to keep myself sane.

“..I’m sorry. Natsuki, sorry… “

　I apologized to Natsuki repeatedly, even though she was not here for me to apologize.

　When my stomach is so empty that I can’t spit out anything but gastric juice, she said to me,

“Are you really okay, Akki?!”

　Iori’s words made me return to my senses.

　Iori was looking at me worriedly, and onlookers were starting to gather around.

“…I’m feeling a little unwell.”

“Alright, then, let’s go to the infirmary.”

“… I threw up, I have to clean it up.”

　One of the female students among the onlookers spoke up, [I’m on the health committee, so I’ll take care of it. Please go to the infirmary quickly.]

“Thank you! Come on, Akki, let’s go. Can you walk?”

　I nodded slowly and stood up.

　Iori holds my hand, which was covered with gastric juice and vomit, without showing her displeasure, and takes me to the infirmary.

　With the hand that she wasn’t holding, I touched my own neck.

　Of course, there was no self-inflicted wound there.

　And yet, somehow, I could feel a burning pain.

* * *

“It doesn’t seem to be anything out of the ordinary, but maybe you got hit by something you ate at the food stall. Do both of you have any idea? “

　When I arrived at the infirmary, the school nurse examined me.

“The only thing Towa and he ate was churros, right? “

　I nodded my head in affirmative to Iori’s words.

“In that case, maybe you did not get enough sleep? Are you too absorbed in studying for the exam? “

“Ah, Akki’s grades have been really good lately, so maybe he’s pushing himself too hard.”

　I nodded my head again in affirmative to Iori’s words.

“I know this is the time for you to work hard, but do it in moderation. If you ruin your health, it won’t do you any good instead. There’s a bed available, so just rest until you feel better. Oh, and wash your hands, and you can gargle too if your mouth feels uncomfortable.”

　The school nurse said and pointed toward the bed.

“I will wash your dirty clothes, so take them off. There is a jersey (tracksuit) here, so change into it… Iori-san, you are a little dirty, too. I’ll wash them together.”

“Okay, I’ll borrow it. Akki, can you change by yourself? “

　Again, I nodded my head in affirmative to Iori’s words.

　As I wash my hands and rinse the remaining leftover vomit from my mouth, the school nurse prepares jerseys for the two of us.

　I take them and change into the jerseys.

　I take off my uniform, put it in a basket, and hand it to the school nurse.

　Feeling weak, I collapsed onto the bed.

　I don’t want to think about anything anymore… but one memory after another comes back to me.

　It’s the worst.

　I let Natsuki die, made her father a criminal, and implanted a lifelong trauma in Koyoi.

　There’s nothing good that happens from me repeating that life.

　It only serves to confront me with my own incompetence and worthlessness.

　――I’m sick of this.

　I’m going to fail this time, too, because I can’t do anything.

“I’m going to clean up the vomit. I’m going to leave the infirmary for a bit.”

“Okay.”

　As I was lost in thought, I heard the school nurse’s words, and Iori answered her.

　Then, before I knew it, Iori had finished changing into her jersey and pulled back the curtains, and sat down on the bed.

“Those churros were bad, were they? I’m sorry I made you finish up the leftovers, Akki.”

　She says in a coquettish tone.

“…Sorry for causing trouble.”

　Upon hearing my words, Iori said with a worried expression.

“You apologizing again.”

　I murmured, [sorry] again.

　Iori sighed and spoke.

“…What’s going on with you and Natsuki Mirai? “

　Iori has a worried look on her face.

　I clung to her kindness, who didn’t know anything.

“I’ve done something terrible to her. I want to apologize, but I’m…feeling too guilty to face her.”

　I crouch down with my head in my hands.

　Even if I apologized to Natsuki now, she wouldn’t understand what I was talking about.

　Still, I want to be punished by Natsuki.

　…Iori hugged me as I crouched down on the bed, trembling.

“I see. Then Towa’ll apologize to her with Akki, too.”

“…what? “

　Iori said and patted my back gently to comfort me.

“Towa also wanted to apologize to her, but there was never a chance until now.”

　Her words were slightly trembling.

“But if Akki is apologizing, Towa will apologize together with you… or rather, Towa will apologize first.”

　I nodded my head when I heard Iori’s words.

　I don’t want to do anything anymore.

　But still――I can start over.

　Last time, I made Iori lose the will to apologize to Natsuki, but this time will be different.

　――I believe that the Future can be changed.

　…With the changes in Natsuki’s family, Koyoi’s future, and my own fate, I am convinced.

” …Ah! “

　Then, after thinking about it for a while, I finally realized something important.

　I get up from the bed quickly.

　Iori, who had been hugging me tenderly in her arms, took a step back in surprise.

“Whoa! What happened all of a sudden, Akki?”

“Today is the cultural festival…”

“Huh? T-that’s right..? “

　There is no time to respond to Iori’s puzzled voice.

　Today is the cultural festival.

　More time has passed since the day I watched fireworks on the rooftop with Natsuki.

　What kind of rules does my time leap follow? Or is it completely random?　

　How many times can I start over again?　

　Is there an end to this loop to begin with?

　…No, that’s not what I should be thinking about now!

　On the first day of the cultural festival, Natsuki was in despair because of Koyoi’s words.

　First of all, I have to stop that!

“What day of the cultural festival is it today?”　

“Eh? …It’s the first day? “

　I look at the clock.

　Last time, I started moving in the evening after everything was already over.

　Now ――it’s just before 2:00 p.m.

　I don’t know if I can still make it at this time.

　Still, I can’t afford to sleep here.

“Iori, can you check the library and see if Natsuki is there? “

“Uh, Alone? What about you, Akki? “

“I’m going to the rooftop to see if she’s there! If Natsuki’s in the library, call me.”

　I leave Iori behind and head for the exit of the infirmary.

　As I’m walking away, she calls out to me.

“What, on the rooftop? Rather, Akki, are you okay now? “

　I turn around.

　I haven’t recovered.

　I just don’t have time to feel down.

　But the reason I was able to take this first step――　

“It’s Thanks to Iori! “

　I said and hurried to the rooftop.