Oneshot: After Risking My Life to Save My Childhood Friends

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Translator: Soafp

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My name is Akito Hayama.

This may be sudden, but I have three childhood friends.

One is Haruno Aisaka, the school idol known for being both beautiful and brilliant in academics and sports.

Another is Yuki Hoki, born into a distinguished family and currently the student council president.

And lastly, Maika Mizuno, who has taken care of me ever since my parents died.

Looking at them again… they're way too good for someone like me.

---

“Akito, hurry up.”

“Why are you dawdling? You’re our slave, remember?”

“That’s right~. If we took away your only redeeming trait—your legs—from this filthy pig, there’d be nothing left~.”

Lately, they’ve started depending on me like this. Even though I’m worthless, being useful to them has finally made me feel like I have some value.

“Hey, what are you spacing out for?”

“A slave should only think about their masters, us.”

“For thinking of anything else, no dinner for you today~.”

Looks like I'm going without dinner today. Still, I should be grateful that someone like me even gets fed at all.

---

It happened while the four of us were walking our usual route to school.

“Haa… I'm so tired today.”

“Indeed~. Taking care of our little piggy is such a hassle~.”

“No kidding.”

Seems I've troubled them again. I must reflect on my actions.

“Hm, how about we go check out that new crepe place today?”

“Hmm, sounds fun.”

“I'm a bit curious too~.”

“Alright, it's settled then. It's close by, and we can jog there to work up an appetite.”

So we're going for crepes today. I'll never understand why girls our age crave sweets so much. Didn't Maika say she gained a bit of weight yesterday? Oh well, not my business.

“Okay, let's race there. Last one there pays!”

“Yay~”

“Roger that.”

Haa, there goes my part-time wages again. I could easily win if I went all out, but last time I came in first, they got mad at me: “A real man lets the ladies win!” I mean, they're the ones who suggested a race. Expecting me to hold back is a bit unreasonable… but I guess it's not my place to complain.

“Hurry up, pig.”

“That's right~. Don't drag your feet!”

“If you don't hurry, you're the one paying!”

Looks like they're calling for me. I better move quickly. Just then—I saw it.

A car was speeding straight toward them.

I could see the driver asleep through the windshield.

The car was almost on top of them. They hadn't noticed a thing and were still chatting happily. At this rate, it was only a matter of time before it hit them.

Without thinking, I rushed forward and shoved them out of the way.

The rest is a blur. I remember being thrown, and my blood splattering on the pavement. I barely remember anything else… except—

Their tearful, panic-stricken faces leaning over me. But that must've been a dream.

---

“…An unfamiliar ceiling.”

When I opened my eyes, I saw a ceiling I didn't recognize.

“Akito! You're awake!”

I turned toward the voice and saw Maika.

“…What's wrong? Why do you look like you're about to cry?”

When I asked, Maika responded in a trembling voice, on the verge of breaking down.

“Of course I'm crying! Because you're alive! Wait here—I'll go get Yuki and Haruno!”

She tripped a few times on her way out, but I didn't care about that right now.

What did she just say?

“Because I am alive”?

As I was trying to process that, the other two came rushing in.

“Akito! Are you okay? Are you in pain?”

“Akito! Thank goodness… I'm so glad…”

They both looked genuinely worried, and it didn't seem like an act.

“…Hey. Why do you two look so worried?”

“Because you were hit by a car, obviously!”

“We were terrified you might die!”

“That's right! Why would you even ask something like that!?”

No… something's off.

“Why would you worry about me getting hit by a car? You've always said I'm worthless, that I'm filth not even fit to be alive.”

“””!”””

When I asked that sincerely, all three of them bit their lips and looked like they were about to cry.

“…Why the teary faces? Are you emotionally unstable or something?”

“I… I'm sorry. I know ‘sorry' doesn't begin to cover it… but I'm really sorry.”

“…Why apologize? Even if someone like me dies, it wouldn't matter to you, would it?”

“W-Wait! Didn't you shield us from the car? Why would you do that?”

I found the question so simple that I answered plainly.

“Simple. A worthless person like me is less important than people like you, who actually have value in society. You've always said it yourselves—I’m ‘worthless.’ Why even ask something so obvious?”

Their faces immediately went pale.

“Is that all? If you don't mind, can you tell me what day it is?”

“It's the 28th…”

“I see, it's already been four days. I need to go apologize to my boss at my part-time job.”

“You're going to work in that condition!? That's insane!”

“True, but I need to become independent. I have to earn money.”

“I-Independent!? What do you mean!?”

“Hmm? I guess I didn't tell you. I plan to move out of Maika's house within a year so I don't bother her anymore.”

“Wha—I never thought of you as a burden!”

“It's only noon. I might still make it to work on time.”

“W-Wait! Please, don't go!”

I closed the hospital room door, ignoring the voice calling out to me.

And I convinced myself the sobbing I heard behind me was just a hallucination.