My Childhood Friend, Who I Made a Promise To Spend the Future With, Dumped Me... But Ever Since I Started Dating a Beautiful Girl From School, My Childhood Friend Has Been Acting Strange - Episode 12

Saori really does have someone she’s dating.

I had heard about it before, but I never expected to see her in town with her boyfriend.

Standing in the plaza, Toma Suzuki found himself looking down slightly, unable to do anything.

His heart felt tight, as if it were being squeezed.

“Big brother, are you okay?”

“Don’t worry about it. Saori had already told me. She said she was dating someone else.”

Toma’s heart was racing abnormally fast.

Still, he suppressed his emotions and answered his little sister’s question as calmly as he could.

Even when something is happening right before your eyes, accepting it immediately is not easy.

Taking a deep breath, Toma lifted his head.

Saori Azusa, who had been in his line of sight just moments ago, was now gone.

She must have gone somewhere.

His heart rate gradually slowed down, and he was able to start thinking more clearly.

“Well, I’ll figure something out about Saori later. You wouldn’t like it if things were awkward between me and her, right, Emi?”

“Yeah… I like Saori-san. I don’t want to see you two not getting along.”

“Right. I’ll find some time later and do something about it.”

Toma spoke with a slightly uncertain tone, sweat forming on his forehead.

“Sorry to keep you two waiting! I was running a little late!”

From a distance, Suzuha Kamiya came running towards them, slightly out of breath.

She wore a blouse on top and jeans on the bottom—a casual outfit with a summery feel.

“I don’t think you’re late, though.”

Toma pulled out his phone from his pocket and checked the screen.

It wasn’t even eleven o’clock yet.

“But you two got here early. And this must be Toma’s little sister?”

“Yeah, this is my sister, Emi.”

“Nice to meet you, Emi-san. I’m Suzuha Kamiya.”

Suzuha turned to face Emi directly, looking her in the eyes as she spoke.

“Nice to meet you too, Kamiya-san.”

At first, Emi seemed a bit nervous, but Suzuha’s friendly approach helped her relax and speak more comfortably.

“Toma, we’re going to the department store now, right?”

Toma remained silent for a moment, looking somewhat uneasy—

“Toma, is something wrong?”

“No, it’s nothing.”

“Really? Emi-san, did something happen to Toma?”

Instead of asking Toma directly, Suzuha turned to Emi.

Sensing his discomfort, Emi chose not to mention Saori. Instead, she just said, “I think he was spacing out a little.”

“If there’s no problem, then let’s head to the department store! It’s near the entrance of the arcade street, right?”

“Yes, I know the way, so I’ll guide you!”

Emi eagerly took the lead in talking to Suzuha.

As the two of them walked ahead towards the department store, Toma followed after them.

He decided to put his feelings aside and enjoy his time with Suzuha today.

Since it was a Saturday, the streets were crowded with people.

The three of them weaved through the busy streets as they made their way forward.

“This is the place I wanted to visit.”

On the first floor of the department store, Emi pointed at a section of the directory board listing different areas by floor.

The clothing section was on the fifth floor, and it was well-known for its surprisingly good selection.

“I’ve shopped for clothes there before. They have some really nice stuff.”

“Right? The quality is good, and the prices are a bit cheaper. Plus, you earn department store points too!”

Suzuha and Emi already seemed to be hitting it off.

The two walked ahead, chatting happily, while Toma followed behind them.

For someone meeting Suzuha for the first time, Emi was surprisingly good at carrying a conversation.

Although she had been a little nervous at the beginning, she was now completely at ease.

Toma quickened his pace to keep up with them, stepping into the elevator together to head up to the fifth floor.

“Look at this one! It’s perfect for summer, don’t you think?”

“Yeah, Emi-san, you’ve got a good sense of style!”

“Really? I don’t think I can compare to you, though, Kamiya-san.”

“That’s not true at all!”

Toma sat on a bench on the fifth floor.

Suzuha and Emi were enthusiastically discussing summer outfits in the clothing section.

Originally, the plan was to shop for Toma’s clothes, but now, Suzuha and Emi were having fun together as if they were real sisters.

Maybe this wasn’t so bad after all.

There was still time.

Toma figured he could pick out his clothes later and decided to just sit and watch them for now.

As he got up from the bench and casually glanced towards the escalator—

He saw Saori.

His heart skipped a beat, and he quickly turned away.

He moved to a spot where she wouldn’t be able to see him, trying to stay out of sight.

Saori was heading upstairs with the guy she was dating.

Toma hadn’t expected to run into her at the department store.

A cold sweat formed on his forehead.

“Big brother, what’s up with you? You’re acting weird.”

Noticing his odd behavior, Emi called out to him.

She had been talking with Suzuha about clothes but turned around when she saw Toma’s back.

“Oh, uh, it’s nothing. I just… felt like getting a drink. I’ll grab something for you two too.”

Toma turned to them and made up an excuse on the spot.

This department store had seven floors.

There was a food court on the basement floor, but the top floor, the seventh, also had dining areas.

Since it was almost lunchtime, there was a chance Saori had gone to the food court on the seventh floor.

Toma figured it might be best to come up with a reason to leave the department store soon.

For now, he made his way to a vending machine in the corner of the fifth floor, inserted his money, and bought drinks for the three of them.