Chapter 12: Why

Why... why is Yui here?

Just moments ago, I had been picturing Runa's smiling face.

But it was Yui who was there instead.

I couldn't speak at this unexpected sight.

She was lying spread-eagled, looking up at the sky.

Eventually, Yui opened her mouth. Her profile looked rather unhappy.

「...You came here thinking Runa would be here, didn't you?」

She hit the mark, and all I could do was nod.

Seeing my reaction, she muttered "I see" quietly.

For a moment, she looked down.

She seemed to be thinking about something.

Without warning, Yui suddenly stood up and approached right in front of me.

I felt cold sweat dripping from my forehead.

My hands shake for no reason.

I'm about to be scolded.

That was the atmosphere.

However, she suddenly laughed playfully.

「You found me. Oni-san, Yui's coming with you too.」

「Heh?」

An idiotic sound escape me.

I think it's because my whole body was wrapped in a mysterious warmth.

It took me several seconds to realize it was a hug.

Her hands melt the nostalgia in my back.

I didn't understand what was happening.

At the same time, for the first time in my life, I felt disgust toward Yui.

She has a boyfriend, so why is she doing such suggestive things?

「Let go of me.」

I averted my eyes.

I thought I told her as gently as possible.

But she was perceptive.

「...Why?」

In the middle of her one-sided hug, Yui looked up at me from my chest.

A brazen upward gaze.

But those eyes were playing victim, as if she'd been hurt.

Please just let go already, I desperately wish.

You have a boyfriend, so don't make eyes at other guys.

I wanted to stop the Yui in my memories from being defiled at all costs.

──I want Yui to remain the wonderful person she was in my memories.

「Why, why, why... why do you make that face? Was Runa-chan really that much better? Was Yui really that bad? Even though we were always, always together? Why, why... why?」

Saying that, she started crying against my chest.

But the heart that once felt affection had already died.

Her body temperature became vivid and made me feel nauseous.

I took a breath and forcibly pushed her away.

The blue sky remained blue sky.

Her tear-stained face, trembling violently as she hugged herself alone, was distorted more hideously than ever before.

I wanted to forget this version of her.

「Sorry, Yui. But... I think it's wrong to make eyes at someone when you have a boyfriend.」

I clearly tell her what she needs to hear.

She was saying something, but I didn't care about that anymore.

I didn't want to hear excuses.

And without even glancing at her, I turned my back and left the gym storage shed.

──Let's hurry and find Runa to end this hide-and-seek.

With that burning thought, I started running.