Chapter 19 – The Aftermath

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LINE suddenly lit up with a loud buzz, making me flinch.

Temari: Hey! When the hell are you gonna tell me what you want!? I can't sleep at night ‘cause I don't know what kinda crazy s**t you're gonna ask for!

Of course. Temari.

Honestly, I'd completely forgotten I still had LINE installed. These days, all I did was scroll through Instagram like a zombie—half-naked cosplayers, suggestive captions, all of it cluttering my brain. I hadn't replied to Temari in… days? Maybe more.

I figured I should just be honest.

Me: My bad. I forgot you existed.

The three dots popped up for a moment.

Then nothing.

Oof. Left on read. Brutal.

Still, this might've actually worked in my favor. I'd been dying to know what was going on with Mahiro and that mess involving Hashizume. Asking Mahiro directly would've been awkward—especially after all that drama with the soccer team. But Temari, being her best friend, probably knew more than anyone.

Me: By the way, what's going on with Mahiro and Hashizume? After all the crap with the soccer team, I figured Mahiro might be catching heat too.

Temari: You really only talk to me when it's convenient for you…

Me: So, you don't know?

Temari: I do know! But it's too long to explain over text. You free after school?

Me: I gotta go to the Shorinji Kempo dojo, but I can spare a bit.

Temari: You're going to the dojo when we've got exams coming up? Must be nice to have that kinda free time.

Me: I'm sick of being called a scrawny weakling.

There was a pause.

Temari: …Sorry.

Damn. That came out harsher than I meant it to. I wasn't trying to guilt-trip her. Yeah, it still stung being called weak, but I wasn't trying to drag her into it.

I decided to let it go.

Me: Meet me in the back yard after school.

Temari: Got it.

Her reply came a little slower than usual.

Or maybe I was just overthinking it again.

***

“Long story short, nothing ended up happening to Mahiro.”

“Huh? Seriously? Why?”

After school, I met up with Temari at our usual spot—a narrow, tucked-away pathway no one really used. Quiet, shady, perfect for an introvert like me. Leaning against the wall, I skipped the small talk and got to the point.

“Because Mahiro was too calm.”

“…Explain.”

“The guys involved tried covering for each other. Playing dumb like they didn't know anything. But that plan fell apart instantly.”

“Yeah, that was a weak move. Seriously weak. Like building a house out of soggy toilet paper—one fart in the wrong direction and the whole thing just collapses into a wet pile of crap.”

“…Okay, that’s disgusting. What kind of metaphor even is that?”

“What? I'm just saying, calling that a ‘slip-up' is way too soft. A slip-up is like—accidentally flashing a tit during a wardrobe malfunction. This? This was more like diving headfirst into a septic tank with your mouth open.”

Temari's face twisted in disgust. Yeah, maybe I crossed the line with that one. Probably best to tone down the sexual harassment.

“Anyway. That's basically what happened. They got tricked into thinking someone had already spilled everything, and then boom—confessions started pouring in.”

“I told Hashizume to just come clean, you know. Idiot didn't listen.”

“You actually told him that? Well, doesn't matter now. Everyone involved is either getting expelled or quietly dropping out.”

“Bravo.”

I gave a slow clap, mocking and exaggerated—like that one supreme leader from the north. Honestly, just getting those soccer club creeps kicked out was a huge win. The school felt less like a minefield without those rapist bastards lurking around.

Besides, even if they had kept quiet, once that girl who tried to kill herself woke up, it would've all unraveled anyway. They were screwed either way.

“So, they questioned Mahiro too. Asked if anything had happened to her.”

“Yeah, makes sense. Everyone knew she was dating Hashizume.”

“Right. So when they called her in, she didn't even flinch. Just looked them in the eye and said—”

“What'd she say?”

“Something like, ‘I chose to be with Hashizume. That was my decision. I'm not blaming anyone for how it turned out. I do regret not being a better judge of character, but it was my responsibility. So don't worry about me.'”

“…Damn. That's pretty bold of her.”

“Yeah. She owned it completely. After that, they just let it go.”

Turns out my childhood friend had more spine than I gave her credit for.

“Considering everything that idiot put her through, it wouldn't have been surprising if she ended up hurting herself… or worse. She’s stronger than she looks.”

“…She said it's thanks to you.”

“Huh?”

“She told me it was something you said to her. About how, if she acted on her own feelings, then the consequences were hers to own. And that no matter how filthy she felt inside, she could still start over.”

“…”

Wait, hold on. That's not how I meant it. I wasn't being some wise counselor. I was just being a sarcastic prick. She totally misunderstood me.

…Eh, whatever. No point correcting her. I'll just take the win.

Maybe she can pay me back—with titfuck action. From her mom.

“When I hurt Yuuya the other day… that's what we were arguing about before everything spiraled. Even after all that, I still didn't do anything to help Mahiro. I just feel… ashamed.”

“Hmph.”

“Really… I'm sorry.”

“If that's how you feel, fine. I'll let it go. Consider it payment for the fact that I didn't get dragged into this shitstorm.”

“…Thanks.”

Somehow, I felt a bit lighter. And no, it wasn't because I was imagining Mahiro's tits. Definitely not.

Still, I could respect that she wasn't blaming anyone else for getting bitten by a dog just because she mistook affection for love. Whether she really learned from the experience… that was another story.

A real man doesn't force a woman to submit. A real man earns her devotion.

And honestly? I didn't have any lingering feelings for Mahiro anymore. If this crap helped her find someone actually worth her time, that was enough for me.

“Alright. Guess that means my childhood friend duties are officially over.”

“…Huh?”

“Mahiro's moving on, right? Then my job's done. Nothing left for me to do.”

“…Wait. You're seriously okay with that? Just like that?”

“Of course.”

“But you— I mean, didn't you like her—”

“Sure, I wanted it to work out. But after she flat-out rejected me? Told me I was disgusting? Clinging to that would just be pathetic. Why should I waste my time on someone who clearly doesn't want me? Half the world's population is female. I've got better options.”

“…”

Youth is short. That's why you gotta cut off the dead weight and move forward.

I firmly believe that.

Also—tight is always better than loose. In every possible sense.

Stretching my arms, I made up my mind.

“Alright. Time to uninstall LINE and wrap this up.”

“Why the hell would you do that!?”

“Why wouldn't I? The only people I had on there were my mom and Mahiro. I already forgave you, so I don't need anything from you. Plus, my phone's outta space. Manga apps are eating it alive.”

“Have some respect for human connections, damn it!”

“I do. That's why I remembered your name. Congrats, Temari.”

“Uuuuugh! You are so annoying!!”

In the end, thanks to Temari's overdramatic whining, I decided to keep LINE installed.

Not like I planned to use it anyway.

---

I, once again, completely forgot about this one…

sorry~