He brought me here, kissed me against my will, apologized, and left.
What on earth was that supposed to mean?
He usually ignores me when I try to talk to him. What is his deal?
I crouched down in the empty room, hugging my knees.
I’d tried so hard not to notice.
But now… his confession made it impossible to ignore. I realized it.
I love him.
But then… what are these feelings I have for my childhood friend?
If they’re different from what I feel for him, then where are they coming from?
* * *
The next morning, before classes began, my childhood friend called me out.
Standing beside him was the friend from yesterday. She clung to his arm, trembling like a frightened animal, as if she expected me to lash out at any moment.
Apparently, her behavior triggered his protective instincts. His already gentle expression softened even further as he patted her head, causing her to blush in embarrassment.
The scene was so stereotypically out of a shoujo manga that I wanted to roll my eyes.
It was insufferably annoying first thing in the morning.
“So, what did you want to talk about?”
Though I’d been losing sleep over everything, they seemed to be enjoying themselves just fine. My irritation seeped into my curt tone.
“Well… the truth is… we’re in love.”
Tears brimming in her eyes, my friend hesitantly began to speak.
“I know it’s wrong to betray you, but… we couldn’t stop ourselves from falling for each other. You understand, don’t you?”
She tilted her head slightly. (This type of gesture probably only works on men.)
Ignoring her, I shifted my gaze to my childhood friend.
“Is this true? Are you serious about her?”
“Yes, it’s true. Unlike the other girls, this time I really mean it.”
Unapologetically, he said it with a breezy tone, leaving me stunned.
“But… you used to hate girls, didn’t you?”
This time, it was his turn to be surprised. My friend, unfamiliar with this side of him, gave him a puzzled look.
“Haha, what are you talking about? I love girls.”
He tried to laugh it off, but after spending so many years with him, I could tell he was lying.
“You didn’t want to face girls seriously, so you made me your ‘official girlfriend,’ right? With me, it was easy because we understood each other and it wasn’t complicated.”
His eyes blinked once in confusion.
Wait, was I wrong?
The genuinely puzzled look on his face left me lightly shaken. I’d thought I understood everything about him, but it seemed I’d been presumptuous.
Of course, he’d grown and changed.
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