CH 3

Childhood friends do not always become heroines



In the classroom after school, a white-haired girl spun her words.



Glowing in the reflection of the sunset coming through the window, she looked somewhat divine.



Her skin, her hair, and her being were all transparent, and looking at her made me feel somewhat restless.



It’s hard to find a girl who is so out of touch with the world.



I had expected her to be quiet, cool and as cold as ice.



But in reality, she was completely different.



“It’s true that Ryuzaki-kun and I have known each other since childhood.　But that doesn’t mean we were close. …… We only live in the same neighborhood, and I don’t remember us playing together much, nor were our parents close to each other.　I don’t know if you can call this a childhood friendship.”



Shiho Shimotsuki is quite a talker.



No, it is not quite that. She is a very vocal girl.



“I’m not sure if it’s a coincidence that we went to the same high school. I never consciously wanted to go to the same school as him. I don’t know if he had any other options.　It’s creepy, he always asked me where I’m planning to go to high school, it’s like he’s stalking me.”



No, I don’t think he’s a stalker. …… I think Ryuzaki likes Shimotsuki.



I was curious to see how she would react if I told her that, but I thought that was indeed unfortunate.



By the way, it’s not Ryuzaki. It was Shimotsuki who was pitiful.



“Fate is awful. I have the right to choose, but why does it keep trying to get to me like that? …… Ugh, I feel a shiver run down my spine. I don’t like the sound of his voice. …… It sounds like an insensitive, self-centered person who can’t perceive the feelings of others.”



I know it sounds harsh, but it seems that she understands the true nature of Ryuzaki because they are literally childhood friends connected by their decaying relationship.



It is true that he is insensitive. Especially when it comes to love, he’s very unaware of it. Even when my stepsister, childhood friend or former best friend like him, he can’t read their feelings. I think he’s dense and dull.



That’s what Shimotsuki doesn’t seem to like about him.



“People who use such a tone hurt a lot of people. But that’s not a problem that can be dismissed as being dull, and I think it also requires a greater effort to understand the feelings of others. …… Ugh, that gives me the chills. If he liked me, I’d have to carry the grief of all the other girls. It’s hard, and I feel like crying when I think of all those girls who won’t get their reward.”



Shimotsuki held her arms together and rubbed them as if she was really cold.



Yeah ……, after all, Ryuzaki might like you, right? I can’t say that. I felt that if I said it, Shimotsuki would probably have a stroke.



I think that’s how much she dislikes Ryuzaki.



“So, although we’re childhood friends, we’re just acquaintances, okay? Pfft. Oh, that was just how I show my anger. My mom says it’s ‘cute’ when I do it like this, but I wonder if she’s right. I don’t think it works very well.”



…… She’ s very talkative.



She was so quiet in front of Ryuzaki, still it was surprising.



” You were just being unsociable because you’re not fond of Ryuzaki, but the real Shimotsuki is like this.”



I was surprised, but I couldn’t help but understand.



I’m not a fan of Ryuzaki either. It’s a personal grudge, because the people I loved were taken away from me, so I don’t think it’s strictly the same feeling as Shimotsuki.



But if that’s the case,……, then there was still a question.



“Then why did you show your true colors to someone like me?　I don’t think I’m someone who’s attractive enough to be liked by Shimotsuki.”



Why did it have to be me?



I just happened to be in the classroom after school. It was a shame to show the real Shimotsuki to such a person.



Why did they give me a special look to this loser who was such a mob character and couldn’t even hold together the hearts of the people who he loved ……?



Seeing me in such a negative mood, Shimotsuki smiled happily.



Apparently, there is a good reason–