Chapter 1: Cheating, betrayal, distrust

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Translator: Soafp

You have to read this as a story is being told. I was confused while translating this.

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That was during the summer break of my third year in high school.

At the time, I had a girlfriend I’d been dating since we started high school.

(I know.)

I was over the moon when Akiho, who lived next door and had been with me since we were little, confessed her feelings to me.

(Hmm. I'm a little jealous.)

But by the time we reached our third year, she started to distance herself from me.

That day, too, I was wandering around town after Akiho canceled our date at the last minute.

(You should have just gone home.)

I realize that now.

“First time we agree to meet up at the place, and then you cancel on me? What's that all about?” (Haru)

I had to vent a little, you know?

(I get it.)

Since I was already out, I thought it'd be a waste to just go straight home.

In the end, I went to see a movie that was popular at the time by myself.

(All by yourself, huh?)

But the movie turned out to be good, you know?

After that, I did some window shopping before heading home.

As I exited the ticket gates at the nearest station and walked through the shopping street, I saw Akiho in front of me.

(Yeah?)

I thought it was fate. I didn't expect to see her again that day.

But in hindsight, it would have been better if we hadn't met.

(Why's that?)

Akiho wasn't alone.

Next to her was Toma, my childhood friend and best friend.

They were holding hands, looking like a couple.

I mean, they were interlocking their fingers, like lovers do.

“Akiho! You cancel on me and this is what you’re doing?” (Haru)

I suddenly confronted her.

But it was Toma who answered.

“It’s Haruto, huh? Well, as you can see, from your perspective, it looks like Akiho's been cheating on you. But we have been going on for about a year now.” (Toma)

I was at a loss for words.

My emotions were in a whirl, and I couldn't tell if it was anger or sadness.

The only thing I understood was that I had been betrayed by both my girlfriend and my best friend and that I had lost them.

(That's heartbreaking.)

In the end, Akiho didn't say a word.

She neither denied nor explained herself.

That, in itself, was her way of admitting everything.

I don't even remember how I made it back home that day.

“Haruto, dinner's ready.” (Mother)

Even when my mom called me, I ignored her.

(Auntie remembers that time vividly.)

I bet she does.

I had never really gone through a rebellious phase before then.

From that night on, I became a recluse.

My parents and sister were worried about me.

But I just stayed shut in my room and refused to go to school.

(It was during the summer break, after all.)

Yeah, it was.

My relationship with Akiho was well-known both at school and to our families.

So, my parents went to ask Akiho what happened.

And you know what? Akiho called Toma to explain things.

“Haruto was going out with other women while he was dating Akiho. So, I confronted him about it.” (Toma)

(What the heck?)

Akiho and Toma had always been seen as good kids since we were little.

Since my parents had known them for so long, they took his word for it.

And because I wasn't saying anything.

(Why didn't you clear up the misunderstanding right away?)

After hearing Toma's story, my parents said this to me:

“Haruto! We told you not to make Akiho cry!” (Mother)

They just assumed I was in the wrong from the start.

I was too disgusted to even want to say anything.

That's when I thought:

“I won't trust anyone anymore.” (Haru)