Chapter 2: What If the One Who Stopped Me From Jumping Was a Beautiful Girl?

「Geez~ Kou-kun! Why didn't you reply to me? I was waiting the whole time.」

When I got to school, the object that used to be my girlfriend had the nerve to talk to me.

But I can't register what she's saying. My ears will rot. Just hearing this one's voice makes my skin crawl.

「I heard you haven't been replying to her messages! You're the worst! Who do you think you are when she's gracing you by going out with you?」

Shut up, you hangers-on!

I guess birds of a feather flock together. That's probably why I was dating you until now, though.

That damn woman is playing the victim too, getting comforted by her cronies. The way they're glaring at me is seriously getting on my nerves.

「Yeah, you're right.」

After giving a half-assed reply, I rushed to my classroom.

「Oi, don't you feel bad for your girlfriend? You're childhood friends, aren't you? That's a terrible way to treat her after all this time.」

Now that guy, Kiyama, tried talking to me, but I ignored him and ran off.

He's still saying something from behind me, but as if I'd listen.

「Yeah.」

After giving a half-assed reply, I rushed to my classroom.

I was grateful right now that we weren't in the same class. I never thought that until yesterday.

But it's no good. The entire day's lessons went completely over my head, I can't even remember what we did.

So they've even stolen my will to study.

I think I managed to at least look like I was paying attention with what little energy I had left, but can I keep this up from tomorrow onwards? No way.

Come to think of it, I feel like that woman came by every break time. It must be my imagination.

I don't even want to see someone like that anymore.

She's the type of woman who wouldn't feel a thing even if I wasn't around. It's a waste of time to even deal with her.

After school, I grabbed my bag and left the building, trying to avoid seeing anyone.

I was betrayed by the woman I loved more than anyone. I've lost my sole emotional support.

Or maybe it was never there to begin with? Was that woman just drunk on the fact that guys liked her? She was never really looking at me at all!

Before I knew it, my feet had stopped on the bridge over the biggest river in this town.

This place isn't on my way home, so the fact that I ended up here must mean I don't want to be in this world anymore.

I wonder if drowning is a peaceful way to die? Who cares, it can't be any more painful than this.

As such thoughts spun in my head, I placed my hands on the bridge's railing.

But in that instant, a sound from the distance suddenly caught my ear. It was the laughter of a small child.

I turned my gaze to the riverbank. There, a few children were playing happily. They were laughing and running around innocently.

I had times like that too. Back when I used to play with that woman without a care in the world.

I thought that kind of relationship would last forever, but she alone grew up to be filthy and cunning. She ignored the relationship we had built up until then and reduced herself to a damn bitch.

It's all over, I don't have the energy to try anymore.

For a moment, that scene from the past flashes through my mind, and I immediately shake my head.

Let's jump.

The resolve I'd made just moments ago hardens even more. Whatever happens, my life ends with this.

What a shitty end.

The woman I loved was stolen from me, and I don't even have the spirit to fight back. I'm just getting one-sidedly pissed off, and yet I have no guts.

In the end, I couldn't even bring myself to end things.

I don't have the courage to get over a broken heart and carve out a new path.

The one who irritates me most is myself.

But I can't cause my old man any trouble, so I decided not to leave any kind of suicide note.

I think that's the least I can do to be a good son.

「In exchange for my life, I pray that those two live a shitty life.」

「You there, what exactly are you doing?」

Suddenly, I heard a voice. It's the voice of a young woman.

I turn around and see her.

Standing there was a single girl.

With beautiful hair and what looked to be soft cheeks──she is a little girl.

With wide, round eyes, she is staring at me inquisitively, as if she cannot comprehend my actions at all.

「What, you say...」