Chapter 15: Scum

After school, I called that piece of trash to the rooftop.

I put my smartphone in my pocket and open the rooftop door.

The blue sky was beautiful as always.

She was leaning against the rooftop fence.

「...Calling me to a place like this, what's this about?」

I felt a little envious of her nerves for still being able to maintain that innocent facade, acting like she had nothing to do with anything.

「Yui, it was you, wasn't it? You're the one who spread the rumors about Runa, who schemed to make Runa alone...」

Hearing that, she held her stomach and laughed.

Kobayashi Yui─just thinking that name now made every cell in my body show a rejection response.

The affection I once felt had crumbled into trash and disappeared.

「That's not true. Yui just removed an obstacle.」

There wasn't a speck of lie in those eyes.

I wanted her to say it was a lie.

Emotionally, I raised my voice.

She immediately returns words in kind.

「Why are you saying such things? I always wanted the three of us to play together.」

「Don't lie like that now. If it was going to be just two people in the end anyway, Yui wanted it to be her. Yui wanted to be chosen. That's all...」

「I liked you too, Yui. But you toyed with me so much.」

「Aaahhh.」

She goes mad. In less than a few seconds, she collapsed from her knees.

「Let's just say it was all Runa's fault, okay? I won't toy with you anymore. I'll love you forever.」

Madness filled her eyes peeking through her bangs.

「It's impossible. It's too late now. ...I have someone precious I promised to protect.」

I picture Runa.

I want to hurry and end this conversation and rush to her.

I wanted to talk properly.

Glaring at her, I said finally.

「I'm recording this conversation, so I'll report it to the teacher later.」

I stated it matter-of-factly and left the rooftop.

I heard something like "wait", but I was already too bothered.

「「「「「We'll always be together」」」」」

I quickly exit the school building and get on my bicycle.

Then I set the bike gear to the heaviest setting and pedaled full force toward the apartment where Runa lives.

No matter how much the headwind tried to interfere, my feet pedaling never stopped.

Room 602.

I stood in front of the door marked with that number.

I can't stop sweating.

I rang the intercom many times.

But there was no response at all.

──Runa's bicycle was parked there, so she should definitely be here.

Though I thought its wrong, I reach for the door handle and try turning it.

Then, with a click, the door opened.

「...Runa...?」