After Amane left.
Horikita stood behind the door out of habit, because that idiot often pretended to forget her keys, then knocked, begging to be let in.
But this time.
Amane didn't look back.
Should she feel relieved? Or should she feel disappointed?
The relief was that if things continued this way, the rumors would die down.
The disappointment was…she had to push away her only friend with her own hands.
Horikita opened her phone.
She glanced at the messages in the class group chat.
From the chat history.
Quite a few people were still talking about the photos and videos of two girls playing at being a couple—a recent hot topic around campus.
The main characters were, of course, Horikita and Amane.
But the comments were sharply divided.
Some thought it was just innocent play between girls. Only those with dirty minds would take it any other way.
Yet another group slapped labels on Amane and her, using harsh words like "disgusting."
What would this affect?
For a loner like her, it meant nothing.
Her social circle consisted of only Amane anyway.
But what about Amane?
She wanted to make more friends. If bad rumors about her and another girl spread…
Could she still fit in with other groups of girls?
Absolutely not.
In fact, these past few days, the class had been discussing the matter.
Even Chabashira had called her in for a talk.
Told them to be mindful of their image.
Kushida's clique hadn't invited Amane much in the past week either. Though Amane never said anything. Every day after school, she'd watch with hopeful eyes as friends in various groups discussed where to hang out.
But she could only sit at her desk.
Then walk back to the dorm with her.
Horikita knew she wasn't the type to enjoy socializing or shopping.
So she'd hardly ever gone out with Amane.
Really…
Wasn't Amane's personality better suited for the world outside?
Horikita thought for a long time.
The bad rumors persisted because they held some truth—their relationship had indeed gone beyond ordinary friendship. But it hadn't yet crossed the line Horikita had drawn.
So no amount of explaining or denying would help.
The only way was to create distance.
Only if their relationship returned to what it was before school started, would the gossipers find them boring and lose interest.
Then Amane could naturally blend into other groups.
If that didn't work, she'd add fuel to the fire herself—say something harsh in public on purpose.
Amane was well-liked; surely someone would stand up for her. That way, she could smoothly return to the circle she belonged to.
As for herself… she'd go back to her dull old life.
Meh.
So what?
Hadn't she always been alone since kindergarten?
What was a little loneliness like this?
She wouldn't mind another three years of it.
She'd play the villain.
She went to the kitchen.
In the pot was still-warm candied apples.
Horikita picked up a piece and put it in her mouth.
So bitter.
…Had the apple gone bad?
No.
Even if it had, something so sweet shouldn't taste this bitter.
She took a few more bites.
But all she could taste was bitterness.
"If only I'd never met her… Humans are never content. Once you get used to having someone in your life, you can never go back to being alone."
Horikita wanted to force a self-mocking smile.
But no matter how she tried to summon the emotion, she couldn't make the expression.
She gave up.
Picking up a book, she tried to read quietly.
Her eyes skimmed quickly over the words, but not a single one registered.
Whenever she read, Amane would always sidle up to her.
Hug her arm, calling, "Suzune, Suzune~"
Though she found it annoying.
Whenever she saw Amane's smile… all her troubles seemed to melt away.
Even if that smile was a little too goofy.
Because Amane was so noisy, Horikita often told her to quiet down.
Now she was alone.
It was perfectly quiet.
No more noisy distractions.
Yet she couldn't focus at all.
"Hah…"
Horikita let out a heavy sigh.
Closed the book.
Changed into casual clothes, deciding to go out for some air.
If she didn't clear her mind soon, the oppressive atmosphere would crush her.
There was a time she'd proudly claimed she didn't need friends—after all, she'd never had any growing up.
So she could handle loneliness better than anyone.
Then a girl named Miyako Amane appeared.
And ruthlessly proved her wrong.
Remembering how smug she'd been back then…as if having no friends was something to be proud of.
She felt utterly childish.
Horikita opened her door, glanced at Amane's room.
Should she ask if she wanted to go out?
The thought surfaced, but she dismissed it immediately.
She didn't have the courage.
Perhaps it was fate.
As soon as Horikita reached the first floor by elevator, she spotted a familiar figure holding a drink from the vending machine, walking outside.
Was Amane going out this late?
Was she also getting some air?
Maybe she should choose a different direction.
Horikita thought so. But her body chose to follow Amane. At first, Horikita assumed Amane was just out for a stroll.
But she soon realized something was off.
Amane was wearing the formal outfit Horikita had bought for her.
Who wore formal clothes for a nighttime walk?
Moreover, Amane had put on light makeup. Amane always boasted about her natural beauty and never wore makeup.
Why today…?
A bad feeling stirred inside Horikita.
She decisively trailed Amane from a distance.
Amane walked briskly.
Soon, she rounded the dormitory building. Behind the dorm was a large empty lot and some abandoned sports equipment.
No one came here to relax.
If you wanted privacy, though, it was a pretty good spot.
Suddenly.
Horikita thought of something.
Was someone going to confess to Amane?
Well… that wasn't necessarily bad.
Wasn't being confessed to something to be happy about?
It meant people already noticed she'd distanced herself from Amane, so they were accepting Amane again.
Wasn't that a good thing?
What if it was a ha… handsome boy or something.
Amane… would be happy too, right?
Ahh…
She wondered who could make Amane take things so seriously.
Maybe she'd even accept the confession on the spot.
How… enviable.
Seriously.
The wind's so strong tonight, dust keeps blowing into my eyes.
Just as Horikita turned to leave.
She heard a familiar voice.
No one knew that voice better than her.
But it wasn't Amane's.
"Miyako-san, you're very punctual."
Horikita Manabu checked the time.
Perfect timing, not a second off.
Should he call it cutting it close?
Or being strictly on time?
"Well, I am meeting Horikita-senpai. I took a little time to prepare before heading out."
She'd dried her hair and made herself dinner before leaving.
The reason she bought a drink was that she felt a bit parched.
But to Horikita Suzune's ears, it sounded like:
"I dressed up and put on makeup specially to see Horikita Manabu-senpai, so it took some time."
Then…
Could it be that her brother was going to confess to Amane?
Or maybe…
Amane was going to confess to her brother?
But either possibility was something Horikita couldn't accept.
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.