Chapter 22: Schadenfreude Toward a Childhood Friend (Souta’s Point of View)
That ominous news arrived last night.
[Thank you so much, Souta-kun! Thanks to you giving me a push, I was able to confess to Yuki-kun, and now we’re going out! I’m really thankful!]
It was a message from Kanae, even decorated with a little bunny emoji at the end.
And today, ever since morning, that topic has had three beautiful girls buzzing noisily about it.
“I’m really glad Kanae-senpai’s confession worked out. I mean, Souta-senpai, that was a nice assist!”
“The two of them suit each other very well. Also, Niisan, what you said to Kanae-san in the hallway could be heard a little inside the student council room.”
“Mm, I’m truly glad the confession succeeded. Fufu, but even so, it seems Souta-kun really did believe in Yukiya-kun after all.”
In response, I put on a vague smile while thinking to myself.
Why did things turn out like this…!?
Every single word I said feels like the important parts were maliciously cut out, and none of my true intentions got through at all.
Honestly, emotions so intense I feel like I might die of rage are swirling inside me, but I get through it using my specialty, a perfect poker face.
Besides, there’s something else I should be paying attention to right now.
“Uh… well, whatever, but you’re not clinging to me today, huh.”
That’s right. Just for today, the three of them aren’t sticking close to me, instead fooling around together and chatting like girls.
Of course, as a gloomy loner introvert, I welcome not drawing attention, but if they’re forcing themselves, that’s not what I want.
So, for their sake, I decide to pass the ball from my side here.
However…
“Mmm, how should I put it, I kinda feel like I’m done with that kind of vibe now.”
“I’ve already made friends, and I’ve gotten along well enough with you too, Niisan.”
“Yeah. Especially after seeing those two, it really makes how awkward my past actions were, done just on the spur of the moment, stand out…”
As she says that, I follow Azaka-senpai’s gaze as she looks ahead…
“Yuki-kun, good work today. Here, this is for you. A towel.”
“Ah, that helps a lot. Thanks, Kanae.”
Just past the school gate, along the path toward the shoe lockers, there they were. Kanae and that Yukiya guy were pressed close together, fooling around at exactly the distance lovers keep.
At that instant, my throat spasmed like a hiccup and my breathing stopped. A surge of emotion, like my sense of self collapsing, smashed straight into my head. At the same time, an abrupt urge to pee hit me, my knees trembled inward, my vision spun upward, and my consciousness started to fade.
“Ahh, yeah, when you see a real couple that close to you, it really makes your past actions feel cringey, doesn’t it. I mean, sure, when you’re doing it for fun, even the morning fooling around was enjoyable, but once you snap out of it, the pain just explodes.”
“Yes. Even though I was anxious about fitting in at my new home and school, I think my behavior was extremely inappropriate. I’m reflecting on that.”
“Exactly. Honestly, that fooling around every morning was nothing but a blemish. Souta-kun, I’m truly sorry for dragging you into such a strange mood.”
With those three’s words and my own formidable mental strength combined, I somehow manage to avoid fainting.
Wh-what on earth is going on? No, it’s obvious. This pain gouging at my chest and this sense of emptiness can only be described as being cuckolded and betrayed. Yes, once again, I’ve been betrayed by a childhood friend I trusted.
And because Yukiya and Kanae crossed a line, our group of companions is now on the verge of collapsing.
In the midst of that, I think about what I need to do.
No, across all times and places, the proper response to being betrayed by a childhood friend is schadenfreude.
When a childhood friend you’ve spent years with gets a boyfriend, schadenfreude.
Even if you realize you actually liked your childhood friend only after she already has a boyfriend, schadenfreude.
In any case, a childhood friend who chose someone other than you deserves schadenfreude no matter what.
In the light novels I like, it’s a classic development. You really do learn a lot from books. In moments like this, the countermeasure comes to mind immediately.
This must also be the result of me, as a gloomy loner, cutting out wasted time dealing with people and instead devoting myself to self-improvement through reading.
I can already see how things will play out from here.
First, I’ll get into a romantic relationship with someone and show it off, making Kanae realize her true feelings, her feelings for me, and teaching her the mistake and regret of choosing Yukiya.
Normally, it would end there, but I’ll deliberately show mercy. I’ll forgive Kanae once she regrets her mistake and accept her back. That way, I’ll deliver schadenfreude to Yukiya at the same time.
Just as I’m about to grin to myself over predicting this future…
“Hey, hey, Yuki-kun, let’s have lunch in the courtyard today too, okay?”
“Then, since we’ve got PE before that, I’ll go ahead early and save us a spot.”
Maybe because we’re walking at similar speeds with the flow of students heading to school, I can hear Kanae and Yukiya’s conversation from a few meters ahead, neither too close nor too far.
Honestly, just hearing the traitors talk makes me want to puke. Without realizing it, I grind my lower lip between my teeth and breathe heavily through my nose.
Ah, seriously, good grief. Seeing my childhood friend, of all people, rejoicing and despairing over a fake happiness like that makes her look utterly pitiful.
That’s why I make a decision. At this point, pretty ideals like no one getting hurt no longer apply.
For the sake of schadenfreude, I resolve myself to choose either Azaka-senpai or Rinka, fully prepared to hurt one of them.
I also possess the cold-heartedness to choose any means necessary for my goal.
“Rinka! Azaka-senpai!”
I raise my voice loudly enough for the surrounding students, and for Kanae and Yukiya walking ahead, to notice.
Just as planned, attention gathers from all around, and Kanae and Yukiya turn to look this way. Good. Burn this into your eyes, Kanae…!!
This is the first step of the schadenfreude I’m about to unleash. If I accept either Azaka-senpai’s or Rinka’s confession, just what kind of face will Kanae make then?
The easily imagined catharsis makes goosebumps rise all over my skin, and my breathing grows heavy again, in a very different sense from before.
“Right here, right now! I want to give my answer to the confessions I received before!”
I wonder what kind of frozen expression Kanae has right now. Too bad. Kanae isn’t in my sights at the moment, so I won’t even look her way.
Instead of Kanae, I stare at Rinka and Azaka-senpai in front of me. Our eyes meet with a look that says, here? Now? and I give a small nod.
At this sudden confession scene, the students on their way to school stop in their tracks, and some even raise their smartphones to record.
In the midst of all that attention, Rinka speaks first.
“Ah, um, I’m sorry, Souta-senpai. I was planning to tell you quietly later, but please pretend that confession the other day never happened.”
Huh?
“Um, after hearing Souta-senpai’s passionate pep talk yesterday, I felt like it was really rude of me to confess to you so lightly, without any real reason. So I’m really sorry!”
Rinka bows deeply, looking apologetic.
Next, Azaka-senpai beside her opens her mouth.
“Yes. I was inspired by Souta-kun’s words yesterday as well. I realized my true feelings and decided to get back together with my ex-boyfriend. In that sense, you pushed me forward too. You’re quite the impressive boy. So please consider my confession null as well.”
At Azaka-senpai’s casual statement, Chris raises her voice slightly.
“Huh? Azaka-senpai, you’ve dated someone before?”
“Hey, hey, is that really so surprising? What do you think I am? Of course I’ve had a boyfriend.”
Azaka-senpai says she’s dated six people so far, and that the one she got back together with is her first boyfriend.
I can’t keep up with the situation at all.
But the surrounding murmurs, the camera shutter sounds and flashes, and the countless arms holding smartphones thrust toward my face drag my awareness back to reality.
“Ah… ahh… r-right… h-heh, y-yeah…”
My brain instantly begins spinning at high speed, and even in this extreme situation, I boldly attempt to correct course.
“Eheheh… g-good, good, yay! That’s great! That’s awesome! A-and, uh, that’s perfect timing! I-I was thinking of turning you down too!”
After a moment of frozen silence, quiet giggles rise up.
Rinka, Chris, and Azaka-senpai are all laughing as they desperately try to chase off the onlookers. Everyone’s laughing. The world is laughing. Ironically, the only ones not laughing are Yukiya and Kanae.
I feel the blood rushing to my head.
No. This isn’t embarrassment. It’s anger.
I turn on my heel and resolutely head back the way I came, walking fast. I absolutely do not run.
Hah… honestly, I can’t deal with such despicable people who laugh while picking at others’ weaknesses. Good grief.
I went home.