Chapter 2: Middle Part

Reading Settings

Translator: Soafp

---

Since we had specifically agreed to find a place where we could be alone, I chose the rooftop of the school building.

By the way, I think it’s the same at any school, but usually, the rooftop is locked. Needless to say, this is to prevent any incidents or accidents.

So, how did we manage to get onto the locked rooftop?

“…Where did you get that from?”

“Hm? You mean this?”

I showed Haruaki the rooftop key I was holding and proceeded to unlock the door leading to the rooftop.

“I once saw the PE teacher and the music teacher embracing each other in the health room by chance, and as a reward for keeping quiet about it, they gave me a master key to the rooftop.”

“Wait, so you blackmailed them?”

“Come on, not really. I didn’t plan to tell anyone in the first place, but the teachers forcefully gave me the rooftop key, asking me to keep it a secret from everyone.”

“But why the rooftop key?”

“Who knows? Well, it’s really convenient when you want to be alone, so I’m grateful for having it.”

While keeping it a secret from everyone, I unlocked the door and stepped onto the rooftop.

Since it was already December, I thought the rooftop would be cold, but thanks to the clear weather today, the sunshine felt warm and pleasant. Perhaps the concrete below was absorbing the sunlight, which contributed to the warmth.

Anyway, I could concentrate on our conversation without being distracted by the cold. There was no one else except Haruaki and me, making it the perfect place for a private conversation.

“So, what did you want to talk about?”

As we reached the middle of the rooftop, I asked Haruaki, who seemed hesitant, what was on his mind.

Then, after hesitating for a moment and looking around, Haruaki finally spoke up with a serious tone.

“Well… I actually… want to apologize to you, Sou…”

“To me? Why?”

“Because…”

After saying that, Haruaki remained silent for a while, avoiding eye contact.

Feeling a bit impatient, I waited patiently for him to continue. Finally, after gathering his thoughts, Haruaki spoke up.

“…Actually, I slept with Rio when I was in first year of middle school.”

“Huh–?”

For a moment, I couldn’t comprehend what he said.

My mind went blank, as if covered in a blanket of snow.

Haruaki and Rio slept with each other?

That means, that means–

“Does that mean you had s*x with Rio?”

“Yeah…”

As Haruaki awkwardly averted his gaze, I couldn’t find words to follow up.

That’s… impossible.

Because Haruaki and I are best friends.

When I was in junior high school, I consulted him several times about Rio.

And Haruaki must have known that I’ve had feelings for Rio since elementary school.

But still, he has s*x with Rio…?

Even if it were after being rejected by Rio, to think that it happened before… that’s just…

“That’s… not true, right?”

“…It’s not a lie.”

Still avoiding eye contact, Haruaki replied with a solemn expression.

“Why… You knew I liked Rio, right?”

“…Yeah. I heard it directly from you.”

“So, Haruaki, did you also… have feelings for Rio?”

“No, I didn’t have those kind of romantic feelings. Even when Rio confessed to me, I declined.”

“Confessed? Rio confessed to you…?”

Haruaki nodded silently, and I became even more bewildered.

Haruaki and Rio had only limited interaction back then. They were aware of each other through me, but to think Rio had feelings for Haruaki… When did that happen?

Well, even if they were childhood friends, it wasn’t as if they shared everything. It wouldn’t be strange if Rio had kept her feelings for Haruaki secret.

“But then why did you… sleep with Rio? You rejected her confession, right?”

“I did reject her. But, she cried, saying she wanted at least some memories before giving up, so…”

“And you couldn’t refuse because of that…?”

“Yeah…”

With a weak nod, Haruaki’s confession made me involuntarily look up at the sky.

Seriously… To think they had such a relationship without me knowing…

And Rio, too. Why would she sleep with someone she had been rejected by? And for the sake of memories? I don’t understand.

Or maybe, do girls think like that?

“Well, I guess I get the gist of it…”

Sighing, I turned to face Haruaki.

“I was really surprised, and honestly, my head’s still spinning a bit. But, you weren’t hiding a relationship with Rio, and I’m not in a position to blame you anyway. But, there’s something I want to ask…”

There was something that bothered me.

“Why did you decide to tell me this now?”

In response to my question, Haruaki’s eyes widened, freezing in place like a statue.

As if I’d hit the nail on the head.

I’d been wondering about it all along.

I was surprised, and honestly, I felt some anger towards Haruaki, but like I said earlier, I had no right or reason to condemn him. He must have known that as well.

But surely, because Haruaki is fundamentally earnest, he found it increasingly difficult to keep the secret. However, it’s still odd.

Why did Haruaki choose now, when Rio’s pregnancy was revealed, to confess to me?

“…Well, Haruaki. I know it’s unlikely, but…”

As Haruaki remained silent, I threw the question at him.

Getting to the heart of the matter.

“Could it be… Rio’s pregnancy is because of you, Haruaki?”

The wind blew. It was no longer the pleasant warmth of before, but a chilling breeze that seemed to freeze the core.

And then, how much time passed? While waiting for Haruaki to speak, I felt uneasy the entire time.

Because, seeing such a tragic expression.

Witnessing Haruaki’s face filled with guilt.

Moreover, it felt like the answer was being hinted at without being said outright.

“…At first, I was just sincerely listening to Rio’s concerns.”

Suddenly, Haruaki spoke, his tone so low it was almost inaudible.

“It was a while ago, but Rio said she had something to talk about, and as we met up several times at fast food restaurants, I started going to her house as well.”

“Yeah.”

“Then, I thought I was just listening to her concerns as usual, but somehow the conversation turned to the time we slept together in middle school, and from there, the atmosphere became strange… And then…”

“And then, you ended up sleeping with Rio… Is that it?”

Haruaki nodded silently in response to my question.

“Why didn’t you use protection?”

“I didn’t have any… contraception.”

“If you didn’t have any, you should have gone to buy some. Why would you do something so reckless?”

“I… I got caught up in the moment…”

No, it’s not just Haruaki’s fault, and Rio is also at fault for not insisting on using protection if they were going to have sex, but either way, it’s too reckless.

“By the way, Haruaki, I already know…”

“Yeah. I heard it from my mom…”

“Then, do you know why Rio hasn’t been coming to school? Not because she doesn’t want anyone to know about her pregnancy?”

“No, not that. From what my mom said, it seems like she’s been shut in her room the whole time…”

Well, it doesn’t seem like she wanted to get pregnant, so it wouldn’t be surprising if she withdrew due to shock.

As he said that, Haruaki slowly shook his head.

“No, it’s not just that. I think it’s because she doesn’t want to see you, Haruaki.”

“Eh?”

She doesn’t want to see me?

I can understand not wanting to see acquaintances, but why only me?

“Is she skipping school because she doesn’t want to see me? Not because she doesn’t want anyone to know she’s pregnant?”

“I think that’s part of it, but I believe the main reason is because she doesn’t want to see you.”

“Why?”

“I can’t say that much. Or rather, I don’t think it’s something I should say…”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

His constant evasiveness was getting on my nerves.

“So, what are you going to do now, Haruaki?”

“Of course, I intend to take responsibility. I’ll probably drop out of high school and work, or maybe I’ll discuss whether I can graduate from high school with my parents and Rio’s family. But…”

“But?”

“But Rio won’t meet with me. She only told me about the pregnancy over the phone once…”

“That’s understandable. She’s probably confused by the sudden news and doesn’t want to meet anyone right now.”

“It’s not just that she doesn’t want to meet me. She won’t even answer my calls or read my messages. It feels like she’s completely avoiding me.”

“That’s… it might be more serious than you think.”

“Yeah… It’s not just that we can’t discuss Rio’s future, but I’m more worried about Rio herself. I’m afraid she might do something rash out of distress…”

“Rash like… self-harm?”

“Yeah…”

Haruaki’s heavy nod made me swallow hard.

I wanted to laugh it off as absurd, but considering what I’ve heard so far, I couldn’t dismiss it outright.

“So, what are you going to do about Rio?”

“I told you this story because I believe you can get Rio to meet me,”

Ha? I couldn’t help but be dumbfounded, forgetting even to respond.

“Me? You think Rio would meet me?”

Even though just now, Rio said she’s skipping school because she doesn’t want to see me?

“Hold on a second. I really don’t understand…”

“Sorry. I want to explain everything too, but I think this is something Rio should say…”

“…Alright. I still don’t get it, but let me try to summarize the situation.”

After taking a deep breath to clear my head, I continued.

“Rio got pregnant because of you. In order to get in touch with Rio, who is currently out of contact with you, you told me this story. Although I don’t know the reason, I assume so that you could meet Rio. …… Is this correct?”

“Yeah. That’s right.”

“I feel like I’m being manipulated here…”

“…I’m sorry. Even just hiding a relationship with the person you like from you is terrible enough, but then to ask you for help with something like this… I’m the worst, aren’t I…”

“Well, it’s kind of questionable…”

Actually, it’s more than questionable. It’s downright concerning.

“But anyway, it seems like you’re really sorry, and you only told me about it, so I’m not going to blame you any further.”

“So… does that mean you forgive me…?”

“I wouldn’t say forgive. Let’s just put it on hold for now. It’s not the right time for that.”

“I see… I guess it’s impossible for you to want to stop being friends with me…”

“I didn’t say that, but…”

It was certainly shocking, but I don’t think I’d go as far as to erase our entire relationship.

What Haruaki did is unacceptable, and I can’t just overlook it, but I don’t think I’m ready to completely cut ties.

If I were to abandon Haruaki here, that would make me the one unfit to be a friend.

“Anyway, once school’s over, I’ll try to meet with Rio. Things won’t move forward if we don’t talk.”

“I’m sorry. I appreciate it…”

“If you mean that, then make sure you talk to Rio properly later. This isn’t just about you two anymore.”

“O-ou…”

As Haruaki awkwardly nodded, I sighed.