Chapter 3: We don’t cross paths.

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Translator: Soafp

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“….No, let’s stop this.”

I said quietly. In response to my answer, Hirota chuckled, looking lonely.

“Aah, did I get rejected?”

I didn’t agree to be alone with her, but there were things I wanted to talk about in this situation. I had been contemplating how to bring it up, but Hirota spoke first.

“…I got divorced. And I have a child.”

I had just heard this news moments ago, but hearing it again from Hirota made my heart ache as if it were being pinched. Realizing the pain of heartbreak once again at my age made me feel like a pathetic loser.

“I see.”

As I drank the tasteless beer, Hirota laughed.

“You’re not going to say anything like ‘it must have been tough’ or ‘hang in there,’ huh?”

“…I don’t know anything about marriage or divorce, so anything I say would be a lie.”

“Hmm, you haven’t changed in that regard, Nobu.”

Hirota looked at me as if reminiscing about the distant past. After drinking the flavorless beer, I replied to Hirota.

“I’ve always been a bit of a loner. So, well, what I can say is… You did your best, Hirota.”

After my words, Hirota widened her eyes and showed a hint of tears at the corners.

“That’s not fair. Because you say things like that, Nobu… Ah, if only I had been with Nobu…”

Resting her chin on her arm on the table, Hirota looked up at me.

“….Hey, are you sure you don’t want to do this?”

“No… I…”

But I felt like if I hesitated or beat around the bush, I would hurt Hirota even more.

“I… Well, I liked you too, Hirota, and I still think you’re cute. But I’m not ready.”

“Ready?”

Hirota seemed to be struggling to understand the meaning of my words.

“…Ready to be a father.”

After squeezing out those words, my throat became dry, so I poured another beer from the refill glass that happened to be there and drank it.

“The current atmosphere and situation are also factors. It’s not that I don’t want to be in a relationship with you… But I haven’t matured enough to be a father to a child. I’m not mature enough to become a parent. So, I can’t be rash.”

I don’t know if I managed to convey it well, but I tried my best to be honest.

“Nobu, you’re really serious or rather, stupidly honest.”

Saying that, Hirota smiled with a nostalgic expression, reminiscent of those days when we used to see each other every day.

“Yeah. But I think that’s one of Nobu’s good qualities. But, ah, it still doesn’t work out, huh?”

I could only apologize to the lonely Hirota.

“I’m sorry. …I just realized that if I have to date someone, it would have to be someone like you, Nobu. So, in exchange, could you listen to my complaints?”

“If that’s all, I can listen to as many as you need.”

After that, Hirota complained about her experiences from high school to university. She broke up with her senior whom she had been dating during high school when he cheated on her after entering university a year ahead of her.

In university, Hirota found a new boyfriend in her club, but he tried to run away when she got pregnant. They settled it through their parents’ discussions, got married as college students with their parents’ support, but divorced less than a year later due to her husband’s cheating.

“I have no eye for men, haha.”

She laughed with a self-deprecating tone, but no matter the reason, I still think the one who cheats is at fault.

Today, her mother is taking care of the child, so she’s able to stretch her wings for her coming-of-age ceremony, but her daily life seems quite busy and tough.

The “tough” in Hirota’s brief statement carries a depth that someone like me, a university student who still lives with his parents, spends weekends energetically playing video games while doing nothing productive, cannot fully comprehend.

“…Don’t you think that everything, the good and the bad, has shaped the person you are now? Because of the experiences you’ve had, you’ve become the Hirota you are today. That’s why I thought you were wonderful again today. I think you’ve grown much more mature and beautiful than in middle school.”

To my words, Hirota sighed.

“You’re so typical, Nobu, saying things like that even after rejecting an invitation. Hey, Nobu, don’t you want to be with me at all.”

“I can’t.”

“Ugh, no good, huh? But with that red-haired hairy thing at the end of your sentences, you’re just a leech who can’t do anything on its own, relying on scraps from the green dinosaur, you weakling.”

“Apologize to the red-haired hairy thing.”

After that, Hirota and I sat in a corner of the drinking party and talked until the party was over.

After settling the bill, when I offered to walk her home, she said, “If you’re going to be a chivalrous escort, then yes, please,” which left me speechless.

“I’m just kidding. My brother will come pick me up when I get to the main street, so I’ll be fine. …Today was really fun. Thanks, Nobu.”

“Yeah, I had a great time too, being able to talk about various things. …Don’t push yourself.”

“So, it’s not about ‘try harder’ or anything irresponsible like that, it’s more like ‘don’t push yourself too hard,’ Nobu, you’re really… you!”

Laughing as she punched my stomach, her face turning bright red, I waved my hand to Hirota as she walked away.

“Well then, Nobu.”

“…Take care.”

The last words we exchanged weren’t ‘see you later,’ but ‘goodbye.’

I watched Hirota’s back until it disappeared, but she didn’t look back.

“Phew, it’s cold.”

As I looked up at the midwinter night sky that had turned into a new day, I began walking back home.

The love that had lingered in my heart since middle school had finally come to an end. The thorns of first love remained, ultimately leaving their mark on my heart. But still, I’m glad I got to talk to Rougera today.

Looking back now, I wonder if Rougera had also come here to talk to me.

Just like me, perhaps Rougera had come to put an end to the childhood crush that had lingered in her heart.

If only I had taken a step forward back then—there certainly was a future where Rougera was by my side. But it didn’t happen, that’s all there is to it.

But this does bring a bit of closure.

Because I was able to end it properly, I feel like I can move on to the next thing.

Teenage romance, it’s ultimately just that. There’s no glamour or extravagance like in fanfiction. Looking back, there are plenty of regrets, nothing but reflections on my own immaturity.

There are regrets. But isn’t it important not just to regret, but to grow from those experiences?

Today, still a virgin. Tomorrow, still a virgin. It’s okay, I’m a virgin. Laughing to myself as I immerse in my thoughts.

Did I do something wasteful? I know, I understand that. Maybe even ten years from now, I’ll regret doing something wasteful. But I’ve accepted it, so the details don’t matter!

For now, I’ll just think about whether today will be one of those nights when I’ll enter the sage mode thanks to Rougera’s violent cleavage———– And so, that day ended with me going home and having an extremely sage time.