Chapter 23 – The One That Got Away (Mahiro's POV)

Reading Settings

Tamari's grades had been getting better lately. Back when we started high school, she and I weren't that different—barely scraping by, barely caring. But now? She was ranking in the top ten every time exams rolled around.

It was already autumn of our second year. That awkward point in high school when we couldn't just coast and pretend we had all the time in the world. The future wasn't some vague idea anymore—we had to start getting serious. Tamari must've had her own reasons. And yeah, I already knew what they were.

“Tamari, wanna hit up karaoke again? It's been a while. Mami's coming too.”

“Ah, sorry. There’s this math problem that’s been killing me. I wanna figure it out today, for real. Seriously, sorry.”

“…That's too bad. Guess it can't be helped.”

After school, the classroom was empty. Tamari was stuffing her books into her bag fast, like she was trying to beat a timer. She was probably heading straight to the library. And I knew exactly who she'd meet there.

Yuuya.

My childhood friend.

That guy.

***

“You know, Tamari's been kinda distant lately.”

“…Yeah.”

“Not that I've got any right to complain. It's not like I'm smart enough for college or anything. Still, it hurt a little.”

The three of us—Tamari, Mami, and I—we used to be stuck together like glue. But things changed after I started dating Hashizume. We hung out less. I got busy being someone's girlfriend. Then I broke up with him, and he ended up transferring schools.

Now that all of us were single again, you'd think we'd slide back into how things were. But it didn't happen. Something was just… off. Like some invisible wall popped up between us.

“So, what now? Just you and me at karaoke?”

“…Nah. Let's wait. Feels wrong without her.”

“Yeah, karaoke's kinda awkward with just two. Wanna stop somewhere else instead?”

“…Sorry. I think I'll just go home today.”

“Oh… okay. See you later, then.”

I wasn't in the mood to mess around. Didn't feel like wandering aimlessly or pretending to be in a good mood.

I waved goodbye to Mami and walked off.

***

“Oh? You’re home early today. Welcome back.”

“…I'm home. You're early too, Mom. And… what's with the outfit?”

I stepped through the door and kicked off my shoes. She stood there in black from head to toe. Way earlier than usual. Normally she didn't make it back before six, but today she was already home—dressed like she was about to attend a funeral.

“A coworker passed away. I came home to change before heading to the wake.”

“Oh… so you'll be out late?”

“Yeah, probably around nine. Sorry, you're on your own for dinner.”

“It's fine… I'll just study or something.”

I had no idea why I said that. It didn't even sound like me. Maybe I just didn't want to sit around doing nothing.

She glanced over and raised an eyebrow, then handed me a crumpled thousand-yen bill.

“Oh? Look at you being responsible. What's gotten into you?”

“Nothing… just thought maybe it's time I start taking the next test seriously.”

“…I see.”

She paused a moment, her brow creasing a little like she didn't quite buy it.

“Well, if you run into something you don't understand, you could always ask Yuuya.”

“……”

“Alright, I'm heading out. Try not to slack off.”

“…Yeah. See you.”

She stepped out the door, heels clicking against the floor, that black dress swaying behind her. She didn't even notice my weak wave.

Ask Yuuya? As if. We barely talked anymore. She should've known that.

“…Guess I'll study.”

I said it more to myself than anything. Saying it out loud made it feel real—like I'd actually follow through.

Still, the quiet settled in again. Heavy.

It wasn't that I felt lonely. Not exactly. But something was off.

Like there was a piece missing. And I didn't know where it went.

Yeah. That sounded about right.

***
I couldn't focus. My brain was fried, and pretending otherwise didn't help, so I gave up on studying and grabbed my phone and wallet. I needed a break. Something greasy and microwaved from the convenience store sounded better than staring at my notes.

On the way there, I passed by the Nakanishi house—just as someone stepped out.

A girl.

“…Tamari?”

“Ah—Mahiro!?”

She jumped like I'd caught her sneaking out of a crime scene. Her eyes darted, her shoulders stiffened. The whole body-language-screams-guilt thing.

“What were you doing at Yuuya's place? …Wait, are you two dating now?”

“N-no way!! I just—there was this part in my studies I didn't understand, so I went to borrow one of his reference books! That's all!”

Both hands up, flailing like she was under arrest. Way too much panic for just borrowing a book.

The Nakanishi house was old. Detached, weathered, full of creaks and memories. It belonged to Sayaka-san's family—Yuuya's mom. Back when we were kids, I practically lived there. Their place had more rooms than I could count, and compared to my cramped apartment, it felt like a castle. We'd run up and down the halls like idiots, playing tag, raiding snacks.

But now? I hadn't been inside in years. Didn't think I ever would again.

Seeing Tamari just stroll out like it was her second home? That annoyed me more than I wanted to admit.

Yuuya used to be this scrawny kid, always hunched over books, glasses slipping down his nose. People actually called him “Scrawny Nerd” like it was his legal name. But then he started doing Shorinji Kempo, got some muscle on him, stood a little straighter. These days, he looked like a normal guy—better than normal, even.

On top of that, he'd held the number one spot in our grade for who knows how long. Word was, people had started seeing him differently.

Nobody called him “Scrawny Nerd” anymore.

And Tamari… she was probably the closest girl to him now.

Just like I used to be.

“I see… You really are studying hard.”

“Ah, yeah… I just kinda felt like, if I don't push myself now, I'll regret it. I mean, there's at least one point in life where you should give studying your all, right?”

“…That's amazing.”

I meant it to sound sarcastic, but she answered so straight, so clean, that I couldn't even follow up. She completely disarmed me.

I was the only one still stuck.

“It's nothing. Compared to Yuuya, I'm still way behind. But even if I can't catch up to him, I at least don't want to lose when it comes to effort.”

“I see… So is that why? Why you turned down Baba-kun?”

“Eh!? How do you know about that!?”

“C'mon, he's popular. The ace center of the basketball team confesses to you, and you reject him on the spot? Of course people talk.”

“A-ahaha…”

She laughed, but it was that awkward kind of laugh. The one you use to swat away gossip. Her fingers reached up, twirling a piece of her hair like it'd save her.

Honestly, I was surprised she rejected him.

Baba-kun was tall, had a good face, star player—he was practically designed for girls like Tamari. Or at least, the kind of girl she looked like she should be.

“Why'd you turn him down?”

“Uh, well… I mean, I've never even talked to him properly.”

“But looks-wise, he's totally your type, right?”

“U-uhh… I mean, I guess? But I just felt like we wouldn't click. I didn't want to lead him on.”

“So it's not because you like someone else?”

“N-not really. I just… think it's pointless to date someone I don't actually like, y'know? I'm not looking for a boyfriend just to show off.”

“……”

“Before anything else, I need to work on myself first!”

That hit me harder than I expected.

I thought about Hashizume-kun.

The other two guys after him.

None of those relationships worked out. Not even close. They all fizzled, burned, or just… rotted.

Tamari and I—maybe we looked similar from the outside.

But deep down, we were nothing alike.

She had everything figured out.

I didn't.

“…I see. Well, as your friend, I'll be cheering you on.”

“Thanks! See you later!”

She waved like she was running late for something. Took off without hesitation.

She didn't notice the weight behind what I said.

She didn't see the tears building in my eyes.

Too late for regrets.

If I wanted to keep up, I had to move forward too.

I couldn't afford to screw up the same way again.

---

HIGHSCHOOL ARC END