Hayashi Megumi and Kasahara Akari

The wedding ceremony proceeded smoothly. The vows were exchanged, the reception began, and I managed to complete my speech as the friend representative without a hitch.

As I had discussed with Yamamoto, I poured all my feelings for Ichi into the speech, delivering it flawlessly.

Surprisingly, the audience received it well. Ichi was even wiping the corners of her eyes at times, which nearly made me cry along with her.

Struggling to keep my voice from trembling, I pushed through the speech… I doubt I’ll forget today anytime soon.

“Phew.”

“Nice job. It wasn’t half bad, you know.”

When I returned to my seat, Yamamoto was grinning with satisfaction.

There’s no doubt that I managed to pull off the friend representative speech thanks to Yamamoto.

But seeing that smug look on his face makes me not want to celebrate too easily. Why is that?

Noticing my prickly attitude, Yamamoto just kept smiling.

Even Akari, sitting with us, gave me a gentle smile, and I ate my meal feeling utterly out of place.

The reception grew lively with chatter and noise.

Suddenly, a few girls approached Yamamoto.

“Yamamoto-senpai, it’s been a while!”

I’m pretty sure she’s from the year below us. She must’ve been in the same club as Ichi.

Since Ichi’s wedding is being held locally, it makes sense that high school underclassmen were invited too.

…Still, what kind of relationship does this guy have with her?

Back in high school, Yamamoto barely had any friends. He wasn’t the type to stand out, so there’s no way he’d have had many chances to get to know a cute girl like her.

It seems Yamamoto, who was eating, is about to answer my unspoken question.

“…Who are you again?”

Hopeless.

This guy’s response to a girl who went out of her way to talk to him is just too absurd.

“Ugh! Senpai, you’re as careless as ever!”

A good impression… really?

“It’s me, Matsuo!”

“…Oh, thanks for helping out at last year’s cultural festival!”

“No problem. I had fun too.”

Last year’s cultural festival.

That must be the one where Yamamoto shone as the head of the festival committee, earning him some clout among those involved.

I see.

If she was also part of the festival committee, it’s not strange that she’s so friendly with him.

…Still, isn’t this guy charming way too many girls?

It’s a little—no, quite—irritating.

“Senpai, which university are you at?”

Yamamoto answered with the name of his university.

“Oh, wow! The university I’m aiming for is near yours, Senpai!”

Yamamoto let out an impressed sound.

“Hey, Senpai! I’m planning to do some sightseeing in Tokyo before starting university… Could you show me around, maybe?”

…Huh?

She made this outrageous request, either oblivious to my glare or deliberately ignoring it.

“Uh, no way.”

Nice.

That’s the Yamamoto I know. I love that side of you.

…N-not that I mean anything by it!

It’s just a figure of speech, okay?

“Aww, come on! What’s the harm? And, like, if it’s okay, maybe I could crash at your place afterward?”

“Matsuo-chan, how about I show you around instead?”

The one who made that suggestion was Akari.

“Oh, Akari-senpai! Long time no see!”

“Yup, it’s been a while. You doing okay?”

“Not really. It’s been so lonely since you graduated, Senpai.”

And yet she’s been all over Yamamoto without so much as a word to Akari. The nerve to say something like that.

“Well then, Yamamoto-senpai, Akari-senpai, see you later!”

“Later.”

She waved at them both and left.

“You’re the worst, flirting with an innocent girl like that.”

“Did it look like I was the one flirting?”

I puffed out my cheeks and turned away.

No matter how you look at it, it didn’t seem like he was flirting, okay?

“I’m gonna step outside for some fresh air.”

I stood up, sulking.

“Oh, I’ll come too.”

“Alright, be careful.”

I walked out quickly.

Unlike the noisy reception hall, it was quiet outside, with hardly any sounds.

The calm environment was perfect for soothing my rattled nerves.

“If you keep acting like that, people are gonna start hating you, you know?”

As I crouched down, hugging my knees, Akari’s voice came from behind.

“…Shut up.”

“Cute.”

It’s strange.

Hearing Akari’s silly words somehow calmed me down. Maybe it’s because I realized how ridiculous it is to get upset over something like this.

“Thanks, Akari.”

“No problem. We’re best friends, aren’t we?”

“…Best friends, huh?”

Akari’s words stuck with me.

The friend representative speech. I’d tried to act as composed as possible to make my best friend’s big day even better, but… truth be told, I was incredibly nervous.

I was overwhelmed with anxiety.

Somehow, it all came together, and I managed to get through it, finally relieving one of my worries.

I remembered a conversation with Ichi from some time ago, inside her car.

On the way back from trying on her wedding dress, Ichi had opened up about her feelings. She was happy for my safety too.

…But ever since that conversation with Ichi, there’s been a knot in my chest.

‘…What can I do? You can’t steal your best friend’s lover.’

It was because of Ichi’s words.

It hit me later.

…Back in high school, I had no idea Akari and Yamamoto were dating.

But by the second semester of our third year, Ichi must’ve known.

Why?

I could think of a few reasons.

Maybe she saw the two of them walking together, looking all cozy.

“…Hey, Akari?”

Or maybe…

“Did you tell Ichi that you were dating Yamamoto?”

Or maybe Akari herself had told Ichi.

I hoped it wasn’t the latter.

That was my wish.

Because Akari never told me anything… She never told her best friend, me, anything.

If she only told Ichi…

“Yeah, I did.”

After a brief pause, Akari said it.

It was the last thing I wanted to hear.

“…Why?”

As I asked, I already had a suspicion.

‘Yeah, because you two were practically at each other’s throats back in high school. Akari and I were pretty worried about it.’

…Could it be?

“Was it… because of me?”

Because of me…

Because I, Akari’s best friend, was on bad terms with Yamamoto.

So, not only did she not tell me they were dating, but in the end, did Akari break up with Yamamoto because of me?

…I always thought it was strange.

Seeing how close they still are.

Seeing their relationship, which makes me jealous despite myself.

Why did these two break up after just three months?

I couldn’t find a satisfying answer.

I even got angry at Akari for dumping Yamamoto so callously.

…But.

If it was because of me…

…Then I…

“No, it wasn’t.”

Akari said.

I understood immediately.

Ichi…

Ichi isn’t the type to lie. If anything, she’s the type to say her true feelings with a joking tone.

Then, Akari…

“Don’t lie to me.”

“I’m not lying.”

“You are.”

“…Meg, that’s the same as saying you’re not listening to me. No matter what I say, you just want to believe you’re the reason Yamamoto and I broke up.”

“…Then why did you break up?”

“…No big reason. We just cooled off, that’s all.”

“You don’t have any lingering feelings for Yamamoto?”

I could tell Akari caught her breath.

“None. No regrets, no attachments, nothing.”

“…I see.”

If that’s true… I just felt sorry for Yamamoto.

A wave of guilt washed over me.

“What should I do to make this right?”

Before I knew it, I was venting my weaknesses again.

“It’s simple.”

Akari said in a playful tone.

“Just do what you want, Meg.”

…People are selfish creatures.

Yamamoto once told me that, all proud of himself.

When I heard that, I inwardly rejected the idea, thinking I wasn’t like that.

I tried my best not to live selfishly.

I wanted to repay those who helped me.

I wanted to thank those who showed me kindness.

I thought I was just doing the obvious things.

…But.

In the end, I realized I’ve just been doing whatever I wanted all along.

I’m just a selfish creature too.

To think I’d ruin my best friend’s relationship and try to steal her lover.

I’m the worst…

Akari headed back to the venue before me.

Chapter Eight is complete.

You probably noticed, but I dragged out the story bit by bit to stretch out the chapters and time.

I resorted to such sneaky tactics, so of course, I’ve got a ton of results now.

Results? Nope!

No stock either!!

No ideas for the next chapter!!!

I can’t stand this kind of writing process!

Reviews, bookmarks, and feedback are greatly appreciated!!!