Chapter 5: Ai vs. Miyuki
“Ojou-sama, here is the requested report.”
In the quiet of the living room, Kuroi handed me the documents. The report I had commissioned from the detective agency was complete. As I skimmed the first few pages, a wave of nausea hit me, stirred by the sinister details within.
I had deliberately avoided asking Senpai about what happened. It felt like a wound too raw for him to share, even with his own mother. Forcing him to recount it might only deepen his pain. I could piece together fragments of the story, but reading the report brought my own trauma rushing back, the malice directed at him cutting too close to my own scars.
Why does fate allow such injustice, letting someone as kind as him endure such cruelty?
I was grateful I had tasked Kuroi with hiring the detective agency to investigate Senpai’s ordeal. Now, the enemy was clear. I could act.
At first, I assumed it was a simple romantic entanglement gone wrong. But the truth was far uglier, steeped in malice.
※
“Report”
Aono Eiji-shi was betrayed by his girlfriend, Amada Miyuki, who was secretly meeting with Kondou, a senior from the soccer club (※his parents are city council members and de facto managers of a local construction company). Their behavior sparked suspicions and rumors among neighbors.
The details of this love triangle remain unclear. However, following Aono Eiji-shi’s birthday, social media posts actively spread claims that he had been violent toward Amada Miyuki. No such posts existed prior to that date, suggesting a deliberate campaign. Most accounts spreading these claims were throwaways, but some belonged to active users, likely soccer club members, based on associated photos and evidence.
The rumors began circulating among students two days after his birthday, indicating a coordinated effort by a specific group to defame Aono Eiji-shi. We have preserved this data, which may serve as evidence in court if needed.
※
The report laid out the facts plainly, pointing to a single conclusion. Given Senpai’s gentle nature, the idea of him being violent toward Amada-san was unthinkable. The soccer club’s suspicious behavior only reinforced my suspicions.
Most likely, Kondou, that sleazy senior from the soccer club who once indirectly flirted with me, was the mastermind. I suspect he and Amada-san were cheating, and on Senpai’s birthday, their affair came to light. To shield themselves, they fabricated rumors of Senpai’s violence, orchestrating his social isolation.
If my theory held, their actions were utterly despicable. Senpai and Amada-san began dating last winter, and on his first birthday as a couple, he was struck with such a brutal betrayal—falsely accused and nearly destroyed.
“It’s just too cruel,” I murmured, my voice trembling with suppressed anger. That day on the rooftop, when we first met, he had been driven to that edge by their actions. The thought of their betrayal fueling his despair ignited a fire within me. “There’s no excuse for trampling on someone’s pure affection.”
Even if they weren’t bound by marriage, their actions were indefensible. Free love might justify some choices, but not this—not the destruction of someone as kind as Senpai. To think they framed him with lies so vile they pushed him toward suicide… My stomach churned, the report’s revelations hitting me again and again.
Yet, amid this hellish truth, my admiration for Senpai only deepened. “You’re truly a kind person, Aono Eiji-san…”
Having endured my own torment after that accident, I knew how extraordinary it was for him to show me compassion on that rooftop. In his darkest moment, cornered and broken, he still reached out to save someone like me, someone teetering on the edge of death. How could he be so selfless?
I needed air. Brushing off Kuroi’s concern, I stepped out alone toward a nearby park, though I knew an escort likely trailed me discreetly. The greenery offered a momentary reprieve as I walked, trying to clear my mind.
“What Senpai lost was so immense… If only I could ease even a fraction of his pain.” The thought of filling the voids in his heart felt presumptuous, yet I couldn’t help but wish it. Still, one thing was certain—I could never forgive Amada-san and Kondou.
As I wandered, lost in these thoughts, an uncanny coincidence unfolded. A pale-faced beauty staggered toward me, her features unmistakable. Though we had never met, her reputation as a stunning senior preceded her, and her name had just burned itself into my mind from the report.
“Ichijou… Ai?” Her voice was faint, her face ashen, like a ghost’s.
“Amada Miyuki-san…” I replied, my tone steady despite the storm within. For the first time, we stood face-to-face. For her, the timing couldn’t have been worse.
※
Given how boldly I’ve been acting, it’s no surprise that rumors have reached Amada Miyuki-san, Senpai’s ex-girlfriend.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Ichijou Ai,” I say, my voice icy. Truthfully, I have no desire to speak with her.
“T-Today, you’re not with Eiji?” she asks, her voice trembling, ignoring my greeting.
“You make it sound like we’re always together. We’re meeting for the first time, Amada-san, and you’re a senior at school. Asking something so personal right away doesn’t entitle you to an answer.”
My words drip with venom, sharp and unyielding. I don’t care if she despises me.
“But I’m… Eiji’s girlfriend…”
Her words make my eyes widen in disbelief. After all she put him through, does she still cling to that title? No, it’s worse—she’s fleeing from her guilt, from the truth of her betrayal. Her shameless refusal to face reality is unforgivable. She nearly drove someone as kind as Senpai to suicide. If our meeting on that rooftop had happened even a moment later, either he or I might not be here. My glare burns with righteous anger.
“Is that so? But Amada-san, didn’t you choose Kondou-san from the soccer club? You discarded your childhood friend, Aono Eiji-senpai, who stood by you all those years. And on his birthday, no less…”
I speak with deliberate precision, testing the accuracy of the report’s details while letting her know I’m aware of her actions.
“That… is…” She falters, as I expected. I’ve struck true.
“So, at that moment, your relationship as lovers ended, didn’t it? In the cruelest, most betraying way possible.”
“But…” She tries to speak, but her words falter, her gaze dropping as she seeks another escape.
“Your silence confirms it, doesn’t it?” I press, my voice steady as I force her to face the truth. She’s on the verge of tears, but I won’t let her dodge reality any longer.
I’ve made it clear I know about her infidelity and how she framed Senpai to protect herself. The truth hangs between us, unspoken but undeniable. I could tear into her now, but there’s no point in an outsider like me cornering her further. Instead, I fix her with a cold stare as she scrambles for justifications.
“We’ve been together for over ten years,” she murmurs, as if that excuses her actions.
“And you’re the one who shattered that bond,” I retort sharply. “You destroyed a decade of trust in the most heartless way. Love may be free, and if you fell for someone else, you should have ended things properly with Eiji-senpai. That was the least you owed him. But instead, you betrayed him on his birthday, deliberately causing him pain. Why? Why would you hurt someone so kind like that?”
My voice rises, the words spilling out in a rush, fueled by anger I can no longer contain.
“I didn’t want to break up with Eiji,” she says, her voice mechanical, as if reciting a script. “We were always together, and he was my first love. But I made a mistake with Kondou-san, and then we kept seeing each other. It was supposed to be temporary. I was going to choose Eiji in the end. But that day, I ran into him by chance, in a place we weren’t supposed to meet. For some reason, he was there.”
Her words paint her as a tragic heroine, wallowing in self-pity. But she’s no victim. She’s the perpetrator, and her refusal to see that only deepens my disgust. “You speak as if you’re the one who suffered, but the true victim was Eiji-senpai. All I hear is your selfishness.”
“Ugh…” She crumples to the asphalt, as if her excuses have finally run dry. Or perhaps she’s already crafting another.
“Why did you spread those false rumors?” I demand, my voice trembling with barely restrained fury. I nearly reveal the full extent of Senpai’s pain but catch myself, knowing it’s not my place to expose his darkest moment.
“I was scared,” she whimpers, clinging to her desperation. “I was terrified of being alone. I knew I couldn’t go back to Eiji, so I held onto Senpai. I’m sorry, I’m sorry…”
Her apologies only fuel my rage. “For that reason?” I ask, unable to hold back.
“Huh?” She blinks, caught off guard by my question.
“For such a pathetic reason, you tried to ruin the life of someone as kind as Aono Eiji!?” My voice rises, sharp and unrelenting.
“Eek!” She flinches, shrinking under the weight of my words. The urge to slap her surges within me, but I cling to reason, refusing to sink to her level—pitiful creatures driven by base desires.
“Senpai… after summer break, on the school rooftop, he was ready to die. Someone as kind as him was pushed to the brink of suicide. And for what? All he wanted was to spend his birthday with his girlfriend. You trampled on his pure kindness, made him the villain to save yourself, and drove him to the edge of death. You and your accomplices are unforgivable. I won’t forgive you. I can’t forgive you!”
“Eiji… suicide? No way…” Her face pales further, her expression hollow, as if her emotions have withered. But I’ve said all I need to. She never realized her malice could so easily destroy a life. She couldn’t face it. The cruelty I endured after that accident must have come from people just like her.
“I said too much. Excuse me.” Ignoring her stunned silence, I turn and walk away, fleeing the encounter as much as I’m escaping her. Self-loathing creeps in—I overstepped. I shouldn’t have revealed Senpai’s suicide attempt. He likely wanted that pain buried.
My emotions overwhelmed me, and I couldn’t stop. I feel a pang of guilt toward him. But my lifesaver was driven to such despair. Someone as kind as Senpai was pushed to the edge by her malice, yet she plays the victim. I can’t forgive her. I’m not noble enough to absolve someone who distorts such a kind soul with their cruelty.
Anger and self-reproach churn within me, a storm of negative emotions. Yet, strangely, I feel no regret. Senpai, with his boundless kindness, would likely have stepped back, but I spoke for him. I wonder if I helped, even a little. Even if he hates me for it, I stood in the line of fire, perhaps repaying a fraction of my debt to him.
Had we not met on that rooftop, Eiji-senpai might have died there. A good-hearted person like him shouldn’t perish alone, unnoticed. He deserves a full life, surrounded by a loving family in his final moments. He’s on a different plane from someone like me, who survives at the cost of others’ lives. Aono Eiji has every right to happiness.
“Ai, you must find happiness.”
“I’m sorry. I should have said it properly. Forgive your useless mom who can only say this now. I love you forever.”
“It’s okay. You’ll definitely meet someone who loves you.”
“Mom will always be with you. If I have one regret, it’s that I wanted to see you as a bride.”
My mother’s final words, long buried, surface unbidden. The words I’d fled from echo relentlessly, her warmth reaching me now, vivid and real. Thank you, Mom. I was ready to give up, but I finally understand what you meant.
I’m sorry for running, for seeking an easy escape. But now, I’ve found someone I love—someone who cares for me more than I care for myself.
“I want to see Eiji-senpai,” I whisper, fully embracing my love for him. I curse my cynicism, dismissing high school romance as fleeting. I want to believe my feelings for him are eternal.
My steps quicken toward my apartment, but fate smiles upon me once more. In the distance, a man waves—Aono Eiji-san. Freshly awakened to my love, I can’t help but see this ordinary coincidence as destiny.
“Senpai!” I call, nearly throwing myself into his arms. It’s just chance, but my longing to see him makes me believe it’s fate.
“Ichijou-san, what a coincidence!” he says, his smile warm and kind. “I’m about to grab some ramen for dinner. Wanna join?”
He remembers my comment from yesterday’s date, when I mentioned I’d never been to a ramen shop despite my curiosity. My heart leaps before my mind catches up. “Is that okay? I’d love to go!”
His thoughtfulness washes away the unease from the report and my confrontation with Amada-san. Above all, I’m overwhelmed by Senpai’s kindness, a balm to my troubled heart.
※
I was on my way to the convenience store to photocopy the class notes Satoshi lent me when I ran into Ichijou-san by chance. On a whim, I invited her to grab some ramen. As an ojou-sama, she rarely visits ramen shops, so I figured it’d be a fun experience for her.
We headed to a nearby place known for its classic, delicious miso ramen. It’s not some hardcore spot that’d overwhelm a newbie, making it perfect for Ichijou-san.
“How do I do this?” she asked, staring at the ticket machine with a puzzled look. Her flustered expression was adorable, and I couldn’t help but notice the attention she was drawing in the shop. I’d better keep an eye on her.
“Put in the money and press the button for the ramen you want,” I explained. “The portions here are big, so for you, Ichijou-san, a regular or mini size is probably best. I’d recommend the vegetable miso tanmen. It’s packed with veggies, so maybe go light on the noodles to be safe.”
“It’s that intense!?” she exclaimed, her eyes wide. “Good thing I asked. Alright, I’ll go with this one.”
She followed my advice, pressing the button for the mini size and adding an oolong tea. “I’m starving, so I’ll get the miso vegetable with extra chashu,” I said, placing my order.
We were led to a small two-person table with a great view of the bustling kitchen. The shop’s straightforward menu and friendly staff made it an ideal spot for a beginner like Ichijou-san.
“Wow, look at that,” she said, her eyes sparkling as she watched the cooks. “They’re tossing that huge wok so effortlessly. Are they stir-frying vegetables?”
“Yeah,” I replied. “They stir-fry the veggies perfectly here, and they’re tasty enough to eat on their own. If you order rice, it doubles as a side dish.”
“Carbs on carbs sounds like a nightmare for the next day, but it looks so good,” she said with a laugh.
“You just have to balance it out somehow.” Her veggie-heavy choice seemed healthy enough, aside from the salt.
“Here you go!” The auntie server set down two steaming bowls with practiced ease.
“Thank you!” Ichijou-san replied, her bright smile earning a warm grin from the server in return.
“Itadakimasu!” we said in unison, diving into our ramen. Ichijou-san’s eyes widened at the mountain of vegetables, but when she sipped the broth, her expression shifted to pure surprise.
“The gentle sweetness of the vegetables really shines,” she said, her voice full of wonder. “Are they stir-fried with sesame oil? The aroma is so rich.”
“For a flavor twist, try adding some yuzu kosho,” I suggested.
“That would definitely work! This is my first time eating proper ramen, and I’m kind of kicking myself for not trying it sooner.”
Her delight in the dish I recommended warmed my heart. Her animated reactions only added to the moment’s joy. Sharing something we both enjoyed felt like true happiness, a simple realization that hit me deeply. Ever since meeting Ichijou-san, my days have been filled with light. It’s not just that the rooftop was my lowest point—she’s become someone irreplaceable, filling the voids I thought I’d never recover.
Finishing our ramen meant leaving the shop, and I couldn’t help but wish we could stay longer. I’d see her tomorrow, but the thought of parting now stung.
“I’ll walk you home,” I offered, noticing a flicker of loneliness in her eyes. Her face lit up at my words, and I felt relieved knowing we’d have a bit more time together.
“Thank you!” she said, her voice bright.
We walked slowly, stretching out the five-minute journey to her apartment. Her hand brushed mine, a fleeting touch that drew a quiet “Ah” from both of us. We glanced at each other and laughed, the moment charged with mutual awareness. During our last date, Ichijou-san had been the bold one. Now, it was my turn.
Summoning my courage, I gently took her hand. It was small, delicate, and slightly cool. I held it carefully, mindful not to grip too tightly. She glanced down, shy but resolute, and squeezed my hand in return. Those few minutes felt like an eternity, thrumming with quiet thrill.
“That was a sneak attack,” she teased, pouting slightly. “So unfair.”
“I’d say that to the Ichijou-san from Sunday,” I shot back, managing a rare comeback.
“Ugh, that part of you is unfair too,” she said, her smile radiant with happiness.
I couldn’t help but find her utterly lovable. “When I get home, I’m thinking of posting a novel online,” I said, inspired by her suggestion from this morning. It had given me the courage to take a step forward.
“That’s great!” she exclaimed, her eyes shining. “It’s a bit of a shame for me to be the only one reading them. I’m sure they’ll be super popular.”
Her encouragement steadied me, and the grip on my hand tightened, warm and reassuring.
“But, Senpai?” she said, her tone shifting.
“What?”
“This might make me sound like a delusional, clingy girl, but… don’t go too far away, okay? Keep holding this hand forever.”
Her slightly troubled expression was breathtakingly beautiful. “Yeah, I’ll keep holding it,” I promised softly.
The perfect moment ended too soon. Reluctantly, we let go of the hands we’d vowed to hold forever. “Thank you for today. See you tomorrow,” she said, her voice gentle.
“Yeah, see you tomorrow.” We waved, parting without unnecessary words.
Satisfied with the day, I headed home, muttering to myself, “I’m glad she enjoyed it.” But as I walked, a familiar figure approached, unmistakable even from a distance. My heart began to pound, an uneasy rhythm.
“Eiji?” The voice was frail, her face pale as a ghost’s. Amada Miyuki, my childhood friend and ex-girlfriend, stood before me—the person I never wanted to see again.
※
──Miyuki’s Perspective──
Eiji tried to kill himself?
The question echoed in my mind, sharp and unrelenting. Why? Why would he do something like that? How could I not have noticed the pain I caused him?
The truth Ichijou Ai revealed struck me like a blade, forcing me to confront everything I’d done. Cheating on Eiji with Kondou-san behind his back. Abandoning him on his birthday to go on a date with Kondou-san. And when my betrayal was exposed, framing Eiji out of fear, desperate to protect myself. Because of me, he was bullied, isolated, driven to the edge of suicide.
“I’m the worst kind of woman, aren’t I?” I whispered, the words bitter on my tongue. Deep down, I’d always known but refused to face it. I was terrified—terrified of losing my status as an honor student, my friends, my carefully curated life. But that shallow self-preservation cost me the one thing I should never have let go.
Without thinking, I found myself at the neighborhood park, the place where Eiji and I used to play. We’d spend hours on the swings, talking endlessly about nothing and everything. Lost in those memories, I sank onto a swing, the cold chains creaking under my weight.
“If we grow up, I’ll be Eiji-kun’s bride,” I’d said in first grade, so certain of our future.
“It’s okay. We’ll always be together,” I’d promised when his dad passed away, comforting him in this very spot. But I betrayed that vow, breaking the one promise I should have kept. I’d done the worst thing a person could do, and I kept running from it, too scared to admit my guilt.
Eiji had honored our promise. When my dad died, he was there, easing my loneliness even before we started dating. He always protected me, thought of ways to make me smile. And I repaid his kindness with betrayal. Why? I think I chased a fleeting warmth in Kondou-san that reminded me of my dad. Eiji’s warmth was constant, but I took it for granted, assuming it would always be there.
“You finally confessed. Yes, I’ve always loved you too.” The memory of his confession surfaced, vivid and precious. Those ten years with Eiji were the most important of my life, I realized too late. Why had I acted so selfishly?
Through tear-blurred eyes, I noticed a sign: “Notice of Playground Equipment Removal. The following work will be conducted to install new equipment.” The swings, the slide—our memories—were vanishing too. The realization broke me, and my tears fell unchecked.
“I loved him, I loved him, I loved him,” I sobbed. “But because of me, I lost everything.” The truth tore my heart apart. I had no right to cry, yet I couldn’t stop.
I betrayed Eiji, the kindest person I knew. I deserved to go to hell. I had no claim to happiness. Even Kondou-san, whom I’d chosen over Eiji, was on the verge of abandoning me. My mom had given up on me too. I was a fool, forever barred from that warm, happy place I once knew.
Sobbing, I staggered home from the park of memories, dreading the empty house where no one waited. Amid the crowd, I spotted him—the one I’d longed to see but no longer deserved.
“Eiji?” I called out, my voice escaping before I could stop it.
He stiffened, then turned slowly. “Miyuki?” His face held no trace of the kind smile I once knew, only confusion and a flicker of fear. And why wouldn’t it? I’d destroyed everything.
“Eiji was my childhood friend, but… he was so clingy, like a creepy stalker and a violent boyfriend.” Those vile words I’d spewed when my cheating was exposed replayed in my mind, each one a fresh wound. I’d gone along with Kondou-san’s lies, framing Eiji with accusations I never corrected, even when I had the chance. All to protect my hollow status as an honor student. For such a shallow reason, I’d scarred him for life.
After a long silence, he spoke, his voice colder than I’d ever heard. “What, did you come to mock me? You’re the one who told me to never talk to you again, Miyuki.”
His words were deserved, yet they crushed me. I thought I was prepared, but the rejection shattered my fragile resolve. “N-no, that’s not it,” I stammered. “I just want to go back to how things were, even a little.”
Our childhood friendship was in ruins, and his wary tone pierced my heart. I knew I was being selfish, but losing him had shown me his true worth. Kondou-san fed me empty words, treating me as a convenient accessory. I’d been fooled by him, and now I was losing my lover, my friends, my family. I’d been called an honor student, but I was nothing but self-centered. I could study, but I’d failed to grasp what truly mattered as a human. Self-loathing consumed me, yet I clung to a naive hope that Eiji might still see me as his childhood friend, that he might forgive me.
“What are you talking about?” His cold words extinguished that hope, tearing my heart apart more than any tirade could. Still, I couldn’t stop clinging to him. Sobbing, I pressed on, my runaway heart beyond reason’s control.
“I’m sorry. I know I did the worst thing. But I had to tell you…”
Eiji sighed, his expression unyielding. No trace of the warmth I once knew remained.
※
I realized a part of me had grown cold in response to Miyuki’s unexpected apology. The space in my heart once filled by my childhood friend, who meant so much to me, had vanished entirely. I hadn’t completely avoided imagining what I’d do if Miyuki apologized, but I thought it unlikely, and my unforgiving feelings were strong. Yet, since meeting Ichijou-san, Miyuki’s presence in my heart has faded. Now, she’s just someone from my past. I’ve moved beyond anger, listening to her words with only indifference.
“I thought I’d be angrier, but… I guess the opposite of love is indifference,” I said, my voice flat.
“What are you saying, Eiji? If you forgive me, I’ll do anything…” Miyuki’s plea was desperate, her way of apologizing. But it didn’t reach me. That’s not what I wanted. We’d been together for over ten years, yet we never truly understood the parts of each other that mattered most.
It wasn’t about forgiveness. A part of me found her apology repulsive. I didn’t even want to remember Miyuki anymore.
“That’s not it,” I said firmly. “I don’t want our memories to be tainted any further. I think it’s best if we don’t interact anymore. That’s probably better for both of us. I don’t want to hate you more than I already do.”
I delivered a clear rejection, believing it was the honest response. There was no need to be truthful with an ex who betrayed me, but if I wasn’t, I’d sink to the same level as those despicable people. Still, mercy was unnecessary. To me now, Miyuki was nothing but an unpleasant presence.
Miyuki froze, her breath catching. “Huh…?”
A twinge of guilt pricked me, but I pressed on. She might not have expected such bluntness, but her cruel betrayal had led me here. I owed her clarity—the sincerity a guy could show an ex who wanted to start over. With these words, I resolved to sever ties with the woman I’d been close to for over a decade, even dated, the worst person I’d ever known.
“I have someone else I like.”
With that brief rejection, I turned and walked away. It was a scene reminiscent of the day she betrayed me, but I wasn’t lashing out or cheating. Miyuki broke our bond first. This was enough. There was no need for more.
“No, no way! Eiji, Eiji…!” Her screams followed me, but I had no obligation to respond. I kept moving forward, never looking back.
※
──Ichijou Ai’s Perspective──
I ate ramen at a shop for the first time in my life. It wasn’t as if I’d never had ramen before—after moving out of my father’s house to live alone, I’d tried instant noodles and cup ramen out of curiosity. They were delicious, but I quickly tired of them, returning to the balanced diet I’d been raised on. I’ve always enjoyed cooking to some extent, and preparing dinner with the maids was a joy.
Still, I’d always wanted to visit a ramen shop. Going alone as a girl felt intimidating, so I was genuinely thrilled when Senpai remembered my offhand comment and invited me. Especially since weekends are when the maids are off, sparing me a lonely dinner.
He’d recalled a passing conversation and acted on it. No girl could help but feel happy being treated so kindly by someone she likes. Though we parted after dinner, the time we spent together was joyful, dispelling the gloom from reading that report earlier.
“Oh, I ran out of tea,” I realized, noticing I was out of the black tea I drink while studying. It boosts my focus, so I decided to head to the nearby supermarket, stepping out of my apartment.
Maybe Senpai’s still nearby. We’d just parted, but I was already hoping to see him again. It was foolish, but my heart fluttered as I scanned the street for him.
A short walk later, I spotted Eiji-senpai’s back. Perhaps he’d join me at the supermarket. It might be a bother, but I gathered my courage to ask. “Eiji-se…”
The words died in my throat as I noticed another figure—Amada Miyuki-san. My excitement turned to ice. Why was she here? Was she waiting for him? Following him?
It was too soon. Eiji-senpai, just beginning to smile again after his pain, shouldn’t have to face her yet. Betrayed by a childhood friend of ten years, he couldn’t be unaffected, no matter how much he brushed it off. And from our earlier conversation, Amada-san clearly still harbored feelings for him. She might exploit his kindness to worm her way back into his life.
Then it hit me—why I was panicking. I feared someone else might take him from me. The anxiety that Aono Eiji might not choose me tore at my heart. We weren’t even exclusive, yet the thought consumed me.
Scared and ashamed, I hid in the shadows, close enough to overhear their conversation.
“No, that’s not it. I just want to go back to how things were, even a little.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I’m sorry. I know I did the worst thing. But I had to tell you…”
Amada-san’s excuses ignited my anger. She had no right to say such things. Senpai froze briefly before responding, his face expressionless.
“I thought I’d be angrier, but… I guess the opposite of love is indifference.”
“What are you saying, Eiji? If you forgive me, I’ll do anything…”
His words—the opposite of love is indifference—were a merciless rejection. Amada-san’s response was all wrong, deepening his visible disappointment. Of course. That wasn’t what he sought.
His tone grew colder, laced with raw rejection. “That’s not it. I don’t want our memories to be tainted any further. I think it’s best if we don’t interact anymore. That’s probably better for both of us. I don’t want to hate you more than I already do.”
He was so kind, refusing to deny the precious memories they’d shared despite her actions. If I were in his place, I’d have hurled resentment at my betrayer. But he restrained himself, valuing what they once had. Yet his kindness didn’t waver his resolve to hurt her with the truth, a testament to his deep disappointment.
“I have someone else I like.”
My heart raced at those words. I might be presumptuous, but the thought that it could be me filled me with hope.
“Is that Ichijou-san?” Amada-san muttered, sobbing, her voice breaking as she said my name. I braced myself, fearing I’d hear something I wasn’t ready for.
Senpai, already walking away, answered without turning. “I don’t think I should tell you before I tell her. So I can’t answer.”
Leaving Amada-san crying, he continued forward, resolute.
※
After cutting ties with Miyuki, I moved forward, surprised by how little it hurt. Not entirely painless, but the wounds were far shallower than I’d expected. Over ten years together had left countless memories, but they’d become just that—memories, relics of the past.
Through this ordeal, I realized I’d found something far more precious than what I’d lost. An angel-like kouhai who helped me at her own expense. A best friend who showed me unwavering sincerity. A mom and big brother who love me unconditionally. Minami-san, carrying on Dad’s will. Teachers who carved out time from their busy schedules to act in my best interest. Even after losing someone as significant as Miyuki, I still had so many irreplaceable treasures. That’s likely why the loss didn’t weigh as heavily.
“For the sake of everyone who’s supported me, I have to find happiness,” I resolved, continuing toward home. Then, a voice called out from behind.
“Senpai!”
I turned to see Ichijou-san, whom I’d just parted from, standing there with a radiant smile.
“What’s up?” I asked, feeling as if I were dreaming. The person I most wanted to see was right before me.
“I forgot to buy tea,” she said, a bit fidgety, her cheeks faintly flushed. “I was heading to the supermarket over there when I saw you, so I called out.”
“Got it. But it’s late, so walking alone is dangerous. I’ll go with you.”
“Thank you. It’s a hassle to backtrack, are you sure?”
“Yeah, I’m in the mood to spend a bit more time together today.” I caught myself, realizing I’d let my feelings slip too openly.
Her shy smile warmed me. “Thank you. You’re so kind, Senpai.”
“Well, you’re a girl, so… uh, never mind.” Ichijou-san’s beauty draws attention, and I couldn’t help but worry about her safety, though I couldn’t say it outright.
“Hehe, are you worried about me?” she teased. “Thank you. Maybe I’ll be a little selfish today.”
Her innocent smile shone brighter than ever, and I couldn’t help but feel elated. “That makes me happy.”
“Huh? What does?”
“I mean, it’s nice when you casually rely on me like that. At school, Ichijou-san, you’re usually the one people depend on, not the other way around.” Seeing this side of her felt special, like we shared a unique bond.
“You’re the only one I do this with,” she said, her tone lightly teasing. “Because you’re special…”
Her words widened my smile. “That makes me happy. Being special means you trust me enough to rely on me.”
I replied more playfully than usual, and she suddenly flushed bright red, taking a deep breath to steady herself. So Ichijou-san could make such an expression too.
“You always respond so sincerely,” she said, her voice soft but exasperated. “You’re such an idiot, Senpai!”
Her adorable way of calling me an idiot filled me with joy, a realization of how truly happy I was.
“Alright, let’s go.”
“Yes, please!”
We started walking, leaving the past behind. This time, she reached out and took my hand, her grip warm and certain.
※
──Ichijou Ai’s Perspective──
We walked hand in hand, each step a quiet farewell to the past. I understood now—this moment symbolized a new beginning.
Senpai’s words, though unspoken confessions, had reached me time and again. He looked into my eyes with honest, unfiltered sincerity, unlike the shallow flattery of others who’d confessed to me. They spoke only of my appearance or popularity, echoing rumors rather than their own hearts. I’d resigned myself to a life alone, convinced no one would truly stand by my side. Yet here he was, walking with me, his presence steady and real.
Just moments ago, he’d noticed my neediness and embraced it without hesitation. I didn’t deserve to be beside someone so kind—it felt like a chain of impossible coincidences. But as he made me happy, I longed to do the same for him. “I want him to feel that choosing me was worth it…” I whispered, my heart set on proving my place by his side.
※
Back home, I opened the web novel site I’d registered for on a whim. It was a major platform I’d been curious about but had only signed up for, never daring to go further. Ichijou-san’s encouragement from yesterday echoed in my mind. I didn’t know if I had talent, but with the literature club disbanded, this was my only outlet to create.
The shock of past events had stalled my writing, but her words reignited my drive. I retrieved a manuscript I’d written for the literature club’s magazine, copied it, and pasted it into the submission form. Filling out the required fields, I hesitated only briefly before clicking the submit button—a step I’d never had the courage to take before. Normally, anxiety would have crushed me. Sharing my work with an unknown audience was terrifying, the fear of harsh criticism paralyzing. I’d always been too scared to press that button, but now it felt surprisingly light.
“Well, it’s not like I’ll get the kind of verbal abuse I got at school,” I muttered, a wry smile tugging at my lips. That ordeal had forged an odd resilience in me.
I refreshed the page on impulse. A few minutes later, the reader count ticked up slightly. “Oh, ten people have read it!” No comments yet, but knowing someone had seen my work sparked a quiet joy.
A knock interrupted my thoughts. “Eiji, can we talk?” Mom’s voice came softly through the door.
“Yeah, it’s open,” I replied.
She stepped in, her smile gentler than usual. “Actually, yesterday, I went to the police with Takayanagi-sensei.”
“Huh? The police?” I blinked, caught off guard.
“Yes, about you getting assaulted,” she said, her tone steady but warm. “Apparently, someone recorded the scene on video, and Sensei looked into it for us. So we went to confirm it. I’m sorry I didn’t notice. It must’ve hurt.”
As I’d suspected. Mom wrapped me in a gentle hug, and I felt the weight of her love. It wasn’t just Ichijou-san—I had a family who understood me, supporters who stood by me. I wasn’t alone anymore. I should’ve confided in someone before climbing to that rooftop. If I hadn’t met her and had gone through with it, I would’ve broken their hearts. I’d been such a fool.
“It’s okay now,” I said softly. “Everyone was there for me.”
“You’re right. We’re truly blessed with the people around us. Your late dad is protecting us too. I just filed a police report against that third-year, Kondou.”
Relief and anxiety swirled within me. “Got it.”
With video evidence, Kondou had no way to escape accountability. He was finished. A flicker of fear—that he might retaliate—crossed my mind, but I steadied myself, knowing I wasn’t alone.
“Also, you’re amazing, Eiji,” Mom continued, her voice swelling with pride. “The police told me you and Ai-chan saved a man who collapsed yesterday. I was so surprised. You’re incredible. I’m so proud of you.”
Her words unleashed a flood of emotions. I wanted to cry, to let it all out like a child. “How…” I managed, my voice small. How did they know it was me?
Mom understood without me finishing. “The police figured it out. They thought the person who was assaulted and the you from yesterday might be the same. The firefighters want to commend you and Ai-chan. They’re sending someone to the school tomorrow.”
“What happened to the man who collapsed?” I asked, slipping into the tone of a grade-schooler.
“He’s fine. Thanks to your quick response, his life’s not in danger. He really wants to thank you…”
“That’s good,” I said, relief washing over me. I’d scoured the internet and SNS for updates but found nothing. That uncertainty had weighed on me.
“You two are truly amazing,” Mom said, her eyes shining. “Your dad would be so happy. I’ll protect you for him.”
“Yeah…” I felt closer to the dad I’d always admired, warmth spreading through my chest. Wrapped in an overwhelming sense of security, I let myself be a kid again, basking in her love.
The next day, the school’s atmosphere had shifted entirely. News of the incident spread, and over the next week, the tables turned. Kondou, once untouchable, was now the one cornered. I realized he’d been on a path to ruin since that day.
