It’s Already Too Late
Since he had work today too, Yuuki walked toward the café.
During lunch break, Ayaka had tried to apologize to Yuuki, but he never once met her eyes. All Ayaka did was keep repeating “I’m sorry,” creating a strange and uncomfortable atmosphere.
No matter what Ayaka did, to Yuuki she was already just another stranger, someone he wanted nothing to do with, someone who only brought him harm.
Yuuki had started feeling that even going to school was troublesome because he didn’t want to see Ayaka’s face or even have her in his sight, but skipping school would only cause more problems, so he couldn’t do that.
“Yu-Yuuki.”
Yuuki had already been burdened with worries lately, and now he had a bad feeling that yet another problem was about to be added to that list, so he didn’t want to turn around.
On top of that, the voice belonged to someone Yuuki disliked.
Ignoring it, Yuuki kept walking, but the person ran up from behind and appeared right in front of him.
“Yuuki.”
It was Hinata Arisa.
It would not be an exaggeration to say she was at the very top of the list of people Yuuki hated.
“Sorry for stopping you so suddenly.”
Yuuki figured she hadn’t actually tried to stop him, and since he had no reason to talk to her, he tried to walk past, but Arisa stepped in his way.
“Yuuki, there’s something I want you to listen to. It’s important, both for you and for me. I want to properly talk about everything that’s happened and everything that’s going to happen.”
What is she even talking about, the question formed in his mind.
The future with Arisa? Things up until now? Things from now on?
Yuuki really had no idea what she was saying.
Until recently, he had thought his relationship with Arisa was completely over.
“Lately, Yuuki, you broke up with that girl named Ayaka, right?”
Arisa asked Yuuki about Ayaka, but he didn’t think it was any of her business, so he didn’t say a word.
Even so, Arisa continued speaking.
“I also know that Ayaka made a fake confession and tricked you.”
Yuuki briefly wondered how Arisa could have known that, but after thinking about it, he figured the story must have spread to other classes after someone in his classroom talked about it with their friends.
“And for some reason, I also heard that Ayaka’s friends have been bullying you. I think that’s what made you the way you are now.”
Arisa kept talking.
Yuuki still hadn’t said a single word.
“Of course, I know I was one of the people who hurt you in the past. It wasn’t just me. A lot of people hurt you and ran away. Even though we ran away, you still forgave us. That’s why I decided I won’t run anymore. I thought I needed to talk to you properly.”
In contrast to Arisa’s serious eyes, Yuuki’s eyes were lifeless.