I'm a Shy Loner and I Was Confessed to by a Beautiful Girl Who Has All the Boys in School Smitten, but It Turned Out to Be a 'Fake Confession,' So I Politely Declined. As a Result, I Ended Up Learning About Her Hidden Side and She Started to Cling to Me - Chapter 43

“Ju-bei-kun, let’s go home.”

“Ah, yeah…”

As usual, I was invited by Hana and ended up walking home with the girls’ group consisting of Nene, Hana, and Kise-san.

It seems like it’s become completely normal for me to be with them; there’s no reaction from the class anymore.

“It’s like Satochin has really become a part of this group.”

“True. It’s like he’s naturally one of us now, almost like family.”

…Have I really become a part of the group? I personally don’t feel that way, but I felt a mix of happiness and slight embarrassment hearing Hana and Kise-san say that.

“Right, Nene-chan?”

“…Eh? Ah, sorry! I was spacing out… What were we talking about?”

“…Nene-chan, is something wrong?”

“Eh…?”

“No, it’s just… You seemed lost in thought today, like you were worried about something…”

It’s just like Hana to notice such things. Not just Nene, but she pays close attention to everyone in the class and treats them all kindly.

“If there’s something bothering you, don’t hesitate to talk about it. We’re friends, after all.”

“…Thanks, Hana-chan.”

Nene replied, looking slightly embarrassed. Seeing that, Hana decided not to press any further.

We reached Shimokitazawa Station and started heading towards the usual ticket gates.

Now, here comes the problem.

Usually, I’m the only one taking a different train, so I just see the three off. But today is different.

Nene, who is currently running away from home and staying at my place, is taking the same train as me.

“Eh? Nene-chan, aren’t you coming this way?”

Naturally, they were surprised and curious.
Hana looked puzzled, waiting for Nene from the other side of the ticket gate.

Nene, seeing Hana, seemed to hesitate for a moment.

“…Actually…”

“Today, Satochin is helping me with some shopping, right?”

Before Nene could say anything, Kise-san interjected.

“With Ju-bei-kun?”

“Yeah, remember? I mentioned it before. About buying a birthday present for my dad. I wanted a male perspective.”

“Eh? Really?”

Hana seemed uncertain, as we hadn’t actually had that conversation. But if I affirm it here, the story becomes more credible.

“Ah, um, yeah.”

“Well, I’m not sure if Satochin’s opinion will be helpful, but okay.”

“Hey, stop it.”

“…Hmm. Now that you mention it, maybe it was like that?”

(Thanks. That helped.)

(Just remember, this trick only works once. And now you owe me one.)

(Got it.)

Hana was looking at me and Kise-san with an intense gaze.

“Hana-san? What is it?”

“You two have only been friends for three months, right?”

“Yeah, that’s right. What about it, Hana-chan?”

“You two seem really close.”

Above mine and Kise-san’s heads appeared a question mark. We didn’t think we were that close. Compared to others, we’re relatively distant.

“No, Hana-chan is definitely closer than anyone. Anyway, the train is coming! Let’s go!”

“Ah, Yayoi-chan, wait! …Ju-bei-kun, Nene-chan, see you tomorrow!”

We waved at the retreating figures of Hana and Kise-san.

“Hey, Ju-bei… Can I talk to you?”

Nene, who was also waving, turned to me. She probably wanted to talk about why she ran away.

“…Yeah.”

This must be the real test for a loner introvert like me.

The reason Nene ran away…

“I’m transferring schools.”

“Transferring? Why?”

“My stupid dad, he’s a doctor. He’s going to be the head of a big hospital… and we’re moving near the hospital.”

“Is it that far?”

“No, I checked… It’s a bit far from where I currently live, but it’s commutable.”

Then… there’s no need to transfer just to move, right?

“There’s another reason. The high school I’m transferring to is a prestigious one. We have exams next year, and it has connections with many universities. It seems to offer a lot of open campus events and has many recommendation slots.”

She added that it’s also close to the hospital.

I see, a prestigious school would have a well-developed curriculum and make it easier to get university entrance information.

“It’s not that I think it’s wrong. Maybe transferring is better for my future. But, I really like this school. I don’t want to leave Yayoi and Hana… and also…”

Nene looked intently at me.

“What?”

“Nothing…”

Clearly, she seemed like

she wanted to say something…

“Well, basically, I’m still a high school student who wants to prioritize her current feelings over the future.”

“I see.”

“Also, listen! I was suddenly informed about this yesterday! And it was a one-sided phone call!”

Yesterday… The day she ran away.

“My dad always decides everything by himself, like a dictator. Always informing me after the fact. ‘You understand, right?’ he says, without considering my thoughts… He even made me quit the piano lessons I loved…”

She muttered, “It’s always the same…”

“So, maybe I wanted to rebel. No, maybe I just wanted to escape.”

“Have you told him… that you don’t want to transfer?”

“It’s pointless. He’ll ignore me anyway… My feelings don’t matter to him.”

There was a sense of resignation in her voice. The parent-child relationship must be that cold.

But there’s one thing I can say.

“Running away won’t change anything… Eventually, you’ll have to face it.”

“…That’s…”

Huh? Is someone near my house?

A man in a classy suit, looking quite assertive… Someone familiar?

I glanced at Nene next to me, and she was clearly disturbed.

“…Nene.”

“…My stupid dad.”

Looks like it’s time to confront the issue.

…Isn’t this development a bit too fast?