When I started High School, My Childhood Friend, who had suddenly become distant and cold, was harassed by a stranger. I stepped in to help, and as a result, from the following day, My Childhood Friend's behavior became unusual. - Chapter 3
“Why did you and your girlfriend break up, anyway?”
It was morning, and Natsuki Sawatari was waiting for the train with Shizune Aizawa when she asked the question.
The memory still stung, but it hurt a little less now. With Shizune, he could talk about it without too much discomfort.
“She broke up with me,” Natsuki began, eyes fixed on the ground. “Later, I found out that she’d been seeing an older senior for a while. She got bored of me, I guess.”
“What? Seriously?” Shizune’s eyes widened.
“Yeah. So, it hit me pretty hard.”
“That’s… really awful.”
Natsuki had genuinely loved her, but to her, it seemed to have just been a game. It made him question if anyone’s true feelings could ever be known—and trust became a lot harder.
“It still makes me feel bitter,” he admitted.
“Bitter?”
“Uh, never mind… But maybe it was for the best to part ways with someone like that.”
“…I know you really cared about her, though.”
“Yeah, I did. But it’s okay. Dwelling on it won’t change anything.”
The betrayal had left a deep void in Natsuki’s heart.
(I don’t think I want another girlfriend… Not that it matters; Shizune is the only girl I talk to.)
“Well, should I be your girlfriend then?” Shizune teased with a playful grin. “I’m pretty loyal, you know?”
Natsuki’s heart skipped a beat at the unexpected comment, the pulse of adolescence quickening his heartbeat. But he knew better; Shizune wouldn’t actually have feelings for him.
“Sorry, but no thanks.”
“It was a joke!” Shizune puffed her cheeks out in mock irritation. “And wow, turning me down seriously? That’s harsh—I’m hurt!”
She gave him a sidelong look with a playful pout, making him chuckle.
(Some things never change…)
Now that he knew she didn’t hate him, Natsuki found himself gradually acting more like he used to around her. Shizune was probably the only person outside his family with whom he felt comfortable being himself. He had always been sensitive to how others perceived him, so he often avoided being completely honest.
Their conversation carried on as they sat waiting until their train arrived.
“Hey, the train’s here.”
“Yeah.”
“It should be fine, but if anything happens, I want you to protect me, okay?”
“Of course. That’s why you asked me to come along, right? I’ll keep you safe.”
“Heh, with how tall you are, that’s pretty reassuring.”
Her voice was steady, but her hand trembled slightly. Though she tried to act calm, the fear from her recent experience was still there.
They boarded the train, which was surprisingly less crowded than usual. There was even a seat available, most likely due to their earlier timing that helped them miss the peak rush.
“There’s one seat open. Want to sit?” Natsuki offered.
Shizune glanced at the seat but shook her head. “No, it’s fine. You’re standing too, so I’d feel bad.”
“I don’t mind…”
Gripping the overhead strap, Shizune looked slightly self-conscious. Natsuki did the same, staying close to her. Talking together like this would hopefully deter any trouble.
As they swayed with the train’s movement, Natsuki remained alert. The trip to the station near school took about 25 minutes.
“By the way, are you ready for the midterm exams coming up soon?” Shizune asked.
“Not really. I haven’t studied at all.”
“Same here. And there’s less than two weeks left.”
They chatted idly to pass the time. About three stops into their journey, a voice reached Natsuki’s ears—one he hadn’t expected to hear.
“Hmm, looks like there aren’t any seats open.”
“Well, it’s morning, so of course it’s packed.”
It was a voice he knew all too well.
(Why is she here… Did she stay at her boyfriend’s house?)
Not wanting to be seen, Natsuki gently tapped Shizune’s shoulder, signaling that they should move. Shizune, understanding immediately, led them to a spot out of sight.
“Hey, there’s a seat open. Want to sit, Yuka?” a male voice said.
“No way, Mik-kun! You’re standing, so I will too.”
“It’s fine. Plus, I’d love to see your cute face while you sit.”
“Oh, stop teasing me!”
The girl speaking was Yuka Samura, Natsuki’s ex-girlfriend. The boy next to her was likely the senior she’d been seeing. Hearing their carefree exchange made Natsuki feel a wave of nausea.
He had found out about her infidelity by overhearing a conversation between Yuka and her friends. While he believed they were in love, she had been flirting with this older senior behind his back. Remembering it made his stomach turn.
“That’s Yuka, right? And next to her… that’s the senior, isn’t it?” Shizune asked, her voice low.
“Yeah. No doubt about it.”
“…Are you okay?”
The day felt like it had already gone sour.
(…I really was clueless. She was like that behind my back, and I never saw it.)
Natsuki didn’t want to think about Yuka anymore. He didn’t want Shizune to worry either.
“…It’s in the past now. I’m over it. They can do whatever they want.”
He averted his gaze, avoiding the concerned look in Shizune’s eyes.
Support "WHEN I STARTED HIGH SCHOOL, MY CHILDHOOD FRIEND, WHO HAD SUDDENLY BECOME DISTANT AND COLD, WAS HARASSED BY A STRANGER. I STEPPED IN TO HELP, AND AS A RESULT, FROM THE FOLLOWING DAY, MY CHILDHOOD FRIEND’S BEHAVIOR BECAME UNUSUAL."