Living with the Arrogant Queen from High School is Surprisingly Not Uncomfortable

Feeling refreshed, I left the bathroom and began to search for Hayashi.

“Ah, there she is.”

Hayashi was standing in front of the bookstore exit, seemingly engaged in a deep conversation with someone.

And then, I saw her. The girl talking to Hayashi.

“…Kasahara.”

As I muttered her name, my eyes met with Kasahara’s. Then, Hayashi turned to look at me. There was a somewhat serious look on her face.

“See you later, Meg.”

Kasahara left us and departed from the bookstore. What on earth did she come here for?

“…Sorry to keep you waiting, Hayashi.”

“…Yamamoto.”

“Are you okay? Do you feel unwell?”

Hayashi didn’t respond.

“…I’m sorry for making you wait.”

“…Yamamoto…”

“We should probably head home.”

Given Hayashi’s current state, I couldn’t just leave her here. I took Hayashi’s hand and left the bookstore.

On the way home, Hayashi didn’t say anything as usual. This hadn’t happened when we entered the bookstore together. So, when did Hayashi end up in this state?

Well, there’s no need to think about it.

It’s certain that Hayashi became like this after meeting Kasahara. What the heck happened? Kasahara and Hayashi were supposed to be close friends who were always together in high school.

…What on earth happened?

“Hey, Yamamoto.”

As we neared home, Hayashi, who had been silently following my lead, spoke up. Her usual voice was languid and assertive, but now it felt completely devoid of spirit.

“…Were you in a relationship with Akari?”

I instinctively stopped in my tracks.

…The relationship between Kasahara and me.

On the way home from Kasahara’s house, I admitted to Hayashi that I had a secret with Kasahara, and accepted it as the truth. But at that time, I kept one thing from Hayashi.

No, if I were to make an excuse, it’s not that I kept it from her. I just lost the timing to say it. To put it more precisely… the day I ended my relationship with Kasahara, the day she rejected me, was undoubtedly a fact.

But the reason I didn’t utter any excuses was because I knew that wasn’t what Hayashi was looking for.

“That’s right.”

I said, bluntly.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I’m sorry. There’s no room for justification.”

“…Well, there’s no need for justification anyway.”

Hayashi started talking as if a dam had burst.

“We’re not even dating in the first place. So, there’s no need for you to apologize to me.”

“…But, you and Kasahara were close friends, right?”

“…So what?”

“You heard it from Kasahara, didn’t you? About that. I’m sorry. I should have told you at that time. …Because I didn’t, you ended up distrusting Kasahara.”

During high school, Kasahara and Hayashi were best friends. Hayashi was freed from her ex-boyfriend, and they reunited. But I know. Since that day… the day we went to Kasahara’s house, Hayashi hadn’t seen Kasahara again.

Several times, I asked. If she wasn’t going to see Kasahara. If she was happy being with someone like me and not hanging out with her best friend.

Whenever I asked, Hayashi always responded with ambiguous words and a complicated expression.

Seeing her like that, I couldn’t help but understand.

Hayashi was avoiding Kasahara.

“…I’m sorry. You must have felt disgusted knowing that Kasahara and I, someone you dislike, were in a relationship even for a short time, right?”

“That’s not it!”

“…I can’t think of it any other way.”

Hayashi didn’t argue back.

“…But rest assured. Our relationship was a healthy one. More than anything, it’s already over.”

“…You said it.”

“What?”

“That you’re still hung up on your relationship with Akari.”

“…You don’t need to worry. Don’t concern yourself.”

“I’m not concerned. I just… ”

Just… Hayashi didn’t say anything more.

“…When were you two dating?”

“You mean Kasahara and me?”

“Who else could I mean?”

“You’re certainly right.”

I gave a bitter smile and started walking. Hayashi seemed a little down, but she followed.

A moment of silence.

I was lost in my thoughts. When did our relationship start? I had tried to remember that before. But still… remembering it was a little painful.

The usual Hayashi would surely notice.

How I’m feeling right now.

But today, of all days, Hayashi was making it tough for me. She must be upset too. It’s understandable. The disgust she feels towards me now must be considerable.

…Then, things couldn’t get any worse.

I don’t care about my pain at this point. I don’t want to stir up unnecessary anxiety in Hayashi, who is finally starting to recover.

“…From the summer of our third year in high school. It was right after the cultural festival.”

I said.

“We dated for about three months. It was a very short three months.”

Unexpectedly, I closed my eyes.

When I closed my eyes… the memories of that day came flooding back.

Memories I didn’t want to recall.

Memories I wanted to recall.

Various memories were resurfacing…