Chapter 23: Jealousy

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Translator: Soafp

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“Dad. I sent the package by express delivery.”

“Okay. Thanks. So, Haruki, have you thought about what we talked about the other day?”

I had just finished arranging for the shipment of some clothes from our family home, as Dad had asked me to.

“I told you, I'm not joining the same company as you. I turned it down last time too.”

“If you joined our company and got assigned to the Osaka branch, I thought maybe we could live together again.”

Dad looked a little disappointed as he said, “That's a shame,” but there was nothing I could do about that.

I appreciated that both Dad and Seiya-san were encouraging me to join their company, but…

I want to evaluate benefits, income, and future prospects with my own eyes, find a job on my own, and become someone who can live independently.

And once I've truly stood on my own two feet… I want to be with her…

After finishing the phone call with my dad, I headed to my family home.

My aunt and uncle—Dad's sister and her husband—live there now, but they were both out today, so I was going to house-sit.

Not that I had to do anything special. They were just on a day trip and would bring back souvenirs. All I had to do was wait for them to return and receive them.

(Seina… I wonder if she's doing well in her teaching practicum.)

It's been a week since my girlfriend Seina started her student teaching.

Apparently it's pretty tough, but she's been getting along with the students reasonably well, so it sounds like things are going okay.

Her days end late, so we haven't had a chance to meet up in a while.

We talk on the phone every day, but not being able to see her face still makes me feel lonely.

As I arrived at the house, I happened to glance at Shiho's place across the street.

(Come to think of it… Shiho rushed off the other day.)

Last week, we'd had dinner at a family restaurant, gone bowling, and were walking home together—until Seina suddenly showed up and Shiho ran off…

(Was she feeling unwell? Now that I think about it, she did take a long time in the bathroom at the bowling alley…)

It was just about noon.

As I took my key from my bag to enter the house, I suddenly got a strange feeling about Shiho's place.

More specifically, I thought I'd seen a figure in front of her house just now…

I stared at her yard for about a minute, but I couldn't see anyone there anymore.

Was it my imagination…? Or if it wasn't, could someone be hiding behind something?

No way… A burglar…!?

The thought crossed my mind.

But no, that's probably not it.

The silhouette I saw for a brief moment looked familiar to me.

“What the hell is she doing…?”

I walked up to Shiho's house… and casually peeked into the yard.

---

[Shiho PoV]

“See you next time, Shiho-sensei!”

“Yes, see you later.”

I recently started volunteering at a free school, teaching kids.

I'm a senior in university and have pretty much completed all my credits. I'm currently studying to get into graduate school in Osaka after I graduate, and that's going well too.

With a bit of free time on my hands, I wanted to try something new, and when one of my professors introduced this volunteer opportunity, I decided to give it a shot.

Today was my first day at the school, teaching the children there.

My previous experience tutoring came in handy, and I think I was able to be quite effective.

It was just for a short time in the morning, but I was happy to connect with the kids so quickly.

“Thank you so much, Fukase-sensei. We're looking forward to next time too.”

“Thank you. I really enjoyed it.”

The staff at the school were all kind, and the atmosphere felt very welcoming.

Many of the students there are kids who haven't been able to fit in at regular schools or are dealing with school refusal.

But even so, they seem to want to study, make friends, and attend school just like everyone else.

“There are some staff members who weren't in today, so I'll introduce you next time.”

“Okay. See you.”

After that, I headed straight home.

It was just before noon.

(What should I do for lunch…?)

As I was thinking that and reaching into my bag for my keys…

“My keys are gone…”

At first I thought I might have dropped them, but after calming down and tracing my steps…

(Today I'm using a different bag…)

I remembered—the house key was in my usual bag.

My parents both work, and they won't be home until late at night.

(Wait… does that mean I can't get into the house until tonight…?)

Realizing the situation, I froze on the spot.

(Oh no… Now I need to use the bathroom too…)

I casually glanced across the street at his—Haruki's—house.

And then I panicked and ducked into my yard to hide.

(Oh no… It's him… Haruki's there…)

I had caught a glimpse of Haruki, the guy I like.

Last week, we had gone out and were walking home together, when his girlfriend, Endou-san, appeared. I ran off the moment I saw her.

My heart was pounding wildly.

Just seeing him made me happy.

(Yeah… I really do like him…)

Right now, I didn't want to see him face to face.

Seeing him together with Endou-san had brought me back to reality.

There's no chance that I can be by his side anymore.

I have to give up.

But I can't.

Being near him only makes those feelings stronger.

To stop myself from falling any deeper for him… I need to…

“Hey… what are you doing?”

“…Eh… huh!?”

My heart nearly leapt out of my chest in surprise.

Haruki had spoken to me…?

Why…?

“Why are you hiding?”

“N-no reason…”

I can't exactly tell him it's because I didn't want to face him.

“I left my keys in the house… and I can't get in…”

“Huh? Your mom's not home?”

“No… she's working and won't be back until night. Same with my dad.”

“…You dork.”

“D-dork!?”

He smirked a little as he said that.

And I couldn't just ignore it.

“What's with that tone!?”

“Well, you are a dork.”

He grinned even more openly, and somehow… it was infuriating.

And precious.

“Wanna come over to my place for a bit, then?”

“Huh? Your place…?”

“Yeah, my house. No one's home right now, and I've gotta stick around anyway to watch the place.”

He's inviting me to his house…?

That kindness, just like before we had that falling out… made my heart race.

“But… Haruki, you have a girlfriend…”

Yes, Haruki has Endou-san.

I know that, so going to his house and being alone with him for a long time…

I can't take advantage of his kindness like that.

“Ah, don't worry about it. I'll explain things to her later. Besides, if a friend's in trouble, helping them out is just what you do, right?”

“F-friend…?”

“Yeah. We're childhood friends, remember?”

I want to be his girlfriend.

But that's a dream that can't come true.

In fact, because of my past mistakes, I don't even deserve to be called his childhood friend.

“Is it… really okay? Even if it's me…?”

“What are you talking about now? C'mon, let's go.”

He still sees me as a friend.

Why… why doesn't he hate me? Why doesn't he resent me?

Why is he still treating me the same?

“Okay!”

But… I don't need to think about that right now.

“U-um… Haruki? Can I use the bathroom, first thing?”

“Sure. Gotta poop?”

“T-That's not it! You've been stuck on that joke since that group date, haven't you?”

“Well, last week you left in such a hurry I was worried you had a stomachache or something.”

“T-that was because… I suddenly remembered something…”

Whatever the reason—just knowing that he's been paying attention to me…

Makes me incredibly happy.

---

So nostalgic…

When I was little, I came to this house so many times… and played with Haruki a lot.

“I’m thinking of making some fried rice for lunch. That okay?”

“Um… are you sure? I thought some relatives were living here now?”

“Yeah, it’s fine. They said I can use the ingredients freely.”

How long has it been since I last ate Haruki's fried rice?

His was a single-father household, and mine had both parents working.

As I sat in a chair in the living room, Haruki brought out the food in less than ten minutes.

“Here you go. Thanks for waiting.”

Whenever our parents were working late and came home late, I, who hated being alone, used to come here often. Haruki would cook fried rice for me, and we'd eat together.

“Itadakimasu.”

I brought a spoonful of the nostalgic fried rice to my mouth. The simple flavor hadn't changed a bit.

“It's really good. You're so good at making fried rice.”

“Yeah. Only fried rice though. I suck at everything else.”

“That’s right. Endo-san must be lucky… She can ask you to make this whenever she wants, right?”

A bit of my true feelings slipped out.

I really am jealous of Endo-san.

“Is that so? Come to think of it, Seina doesn't know I can make fried rice.”

“She doesn't…?”

“Yeah. She always cooks for me, so I hardly ever get to use the kitchen.”

“I see…”

The fact that I know something about Haruki that his girlfriend doesn’t… and get to enjoy it… gave me a twisted sense of superiority.

“You were good at cooking too, Shiho. You might not expect it, but actually Seina's good at it too.”

But that moment passed quickly.

Seeing him speak so fondly of Endo-san cast a shadow over my heart.

“Her family's really wealthy, you know? She's had all kinds of elite education since she was little. No wonder she turned out so amazing.”

“…Yeah, that's true.”

“You were always one of the top students in middle school, right, Shiho? I wonder who scored higher between you and Seina?”

“Endo-san, for sure.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yeah. I never once beat her.”

Back in middle school, Endo-san’s grades were overwhelming.

I was always second or third… and she was always one head above the rest.

“There was always that board showing her name at the top of the grade rankings.”

“I see… She’s still amazing even now.”

That one hit me hard.

[You're amazing, Shiho.]

Back when I'd get a high score on a test and show Haruki… he used to say that to me.

But he doesn't say that to me anymore.

The fried rice that tasted so good just a moment ago suddenly had no flavor.

“Seina’s doing her teaching practicum right now. She's trying really hard with the kids, surprisingly enough.”

I'm trying hard too… I did private tutoring not long ago, and even now I'm helping kids study at a free school.

Haruki doesn’t mean any harm.

From everything he's done since we reunited, the conclusion is clear.

Haruki doesn't see me as a woman at all.

“What's wrong, Shiho? You're not eating much. Are you okay?”

“Yeah… I'm fine.”

“You were always a light eater. The total opposite of Seina.”

“Oh… really?”

“Yeah. Seina even snacks after meals, and still manages to have that model figure. I told her she'd gain weight eventually, but…”

Haruki kept talking, but my body suddenly tensed. I stood up without thinking.

“Huh? What's wrong? Need the bathroom again?”

“Seina… Seina…”

“Shiho…?”

At that moment, my mind was in a frenzy. I couldn't think straight.

“Seina, Seina, Seina! It’s always about Endo-san!!”

I didn't even realize I was crying. I ran to the entrance, put on my shoes, and bolted outside.

“Hey! Shiho!”

I ignored Haruki's voice and ran as fast as I could. I just wanted to get away from the boy I loved.

---

“Hah… hah…”

I must've run for about twenty minutes.

Now, I was at a plaza with a fountain, in the opposite direction from my house.

There were elementary school kids playing happily in the plaza.

“Haruki and I used to play like that too, when we were about their age.”

It had been a while since I ran that far. My body was wrapped in a pleasant fatigue.

My head felt clear. I was calm now.

“I really messed up…”

Unable to control my jealousy toward Endo-san, I took it out on Haruki.

Maybe my reaction just now gave me away.

He might've realized how I truly feel about him.

Even though we were lucky to meet again… and had started talking like old times…

Even if I knew I couldn't become his girlfriend because of Endo-san… I still loved the peaceful moments we shared.

If Haruki finds out how I feel, he'll definitely distance himself.

No one would want to stay close to someone who has feelings for them when they already have a girlfriend.

This time, our relationship might really be over.

“Ugh… ugh…”

Even though I thought I was calm, warmth spread through my body again.

Sadness. Frustration. Regret.

But it's no one's fault.

Not Haruki. Not Endo-san.

The one at fault is me…

“Ah… I forgot my bag…”

I ran out without thinking. My bag was still at his house.

“I have to go back…”

My phone and wallet were in that bag. I was literally empty-handed.

How was I supposed to face Haruki now?

I felt so pathetic.

“Um… excuse me…”

As I dragged my heavy feet out of the plaza, someone called out to me.

“Huh…? Yes…?”

I turned around and saw a large-framed man.

“Are you… Fukase?”

The moment he said that, a memory flashed in my mind.

[Hah! You've got a nice rack, don't you?]

I recognized that voice.

“Senda… senpai…”

Faced with him, I could do nothing but tremble.