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 28

Apology

“…Huh? I can’t forgive you.”

　Natsuki expressed her disgust and muttered.

“…I don’t want your forgiveness. I just want you to know that Towa is reflecting on her actions,”

　Iori walked up to Natsuki and said with an apologetic look on her face.

“What? Do whatever you want.”

“I want you to listen to her. Iori is not here in front of Natsuki with half-hearted feelings.”

　I interrupted Natsuki and said.

“…tsk.”

　Natsuki clicked her tongue in disapproval, then said

“Fine, for your sake, I’ll listen.”

　Saying that, Natsuki urged Iori in a commanding tone, [Speak up quickly.]

　Iori didn’t seem angered by her tone. She took a few deep breaths and then tried to speak,

“What? You’re just trying to talk to the bullied girl, why are you acting kind of weird? What’s wrong? Can’t you just laugh as usual, looking down on me with your usual arrogant attitude?  …You can’t do anything without your group of girls, can you?

　She fell silent.

　Natsuki ridiculed and provoked Iori.

　Given the accumulated resentment until now, it’s understandable. But…

　…having this kind of strong-willed nature is only giving Natsuki a disadvantage.

　If she continues like this, she will have a hard time if she doesn’t have people around her who understand her.

“…That’s true. Towa can’t do anything.”

　Iori listened to Natsuki’s words with a serious expression.

“Towa has no confidence except for her cuteness, and she’s not very smart either. Because of her lack of confidence, she thinks it’s okay to do things that she thinks are wrong if people around her encourage her to do them…”

“Oh, I see. So you want to say that the people around you are to blame for you being mean to me and that the ‘cute’ Towa is not at fault? Ah, yes-yes, I see. Towa-chan, whose cuteness is her strong point, did nothing wrong, right?”

“No, Natsuki-sa… Natsuki. It wasn’t anyone’s else fault I bullied you, it’s because Towa was annoyed with you.”

“Huh? Did I do something to you?”

“You did.”

　Iori answered Natsuki’s words clearly.

“Towa actually wanted to be friends with Natsuki. I wanted to hear all about Tokyo, and I also wanted to study and learn from you. You looked so beautiful, so I thought you would be my best friend. That’s why Towa approached Natsuki when she started to become isolated from others! “

“I don’t know anything about that.”

“What do you mean you don’t know?! Towa said to Natsuki when the girls in our class were saying terrible things to you. [It’s better not to care about them], or something like that. Then you insulted me by saying, [Shut up, You have no right to pity me, you country girl!] That’s why I was so shocked and…pissed off! 　So I bullied you with Rikarino.”

“Oh, I remember now. That may have happened. But in the end, you said something like, [Mirai-chan has her flaws too, you know? It would be better if she considered other people’s feelings a little more.] You were so smarmy and proud of yourself, and you looked down on me and made fun of me, right?”

　Iori probably didn’t mean it in a sarcastic way; It was Natsuki’s own persecution complex.

　Because Natsuki had already lost trust in those around her at that time.

“What?! What’s that? No…completely different! Towa didn’t think that way… Akki believed me! Why didn’t you believe me? “

　Natsuki heard what she said and briefly glanced at me.

　I had talked a little to Iori about how we were getting along, but of course I hadn’t told Natsuki about it.

　I wonder if she might be curious about it.

　I tried to explain, but before I could open my mouth, she continued.

“No, that’s not what this conversation is about. I just want to apologize to Natsuki.”

　Iori said and looked straight at Natsuki.

“I’m sorry for all the terrible things I’ve done to you. I won’t do such things again to you or anyone. I apologize.”

　Iori said and bowed her head toward Natsuki.

　Upon hearing that, Natsuki bit her lip and let out a sigh.

“It’s okay, I get it. I fully understand that there were unfortunate misunderstandings between us. I don’t care anymore. Let’s get along from now on.”

　Natsuki said with a smile and in a casual tone.

　Then Iori looked at Natsuki’s expression and said

“That’s a lie.”

　Iori expressed remorse but clearly conveyed her own intentions.

“Towa, no matter what you say, it’s okay. No matter how bad the harsh retaliation, considering what I’ve done so far, it’s understandable that it can’t be helped…. here, let out everything you’ve been holding back.”

　Upon hearing Iori’s words, Natsuki mumbled in a daze, [Huh?].

　She seemed to be expressionless, but she wasn’t.

　She was desperately trying to hide her anger.

　Natsuki looked at me as if seeking salvation.

　I stared back at her silently. It would be better to say what she wanted to say here.

　Then, Natsuki showed a slightly sad expression and spoke.

“Let it all out here? It’s impossible. No matter how much time I had, it wouldn’t be enough to let it all out!”

　Natsuki said in a trembling voice.