Chapter 54 Nakano Yuya's Misfortune

Nakano Yuya’s Misfortune

Yuya’s PoV

It happened last night.

After being thrown out of Akari’s house, I wandered aimlessly through the storm.

Before I knew it, I had ended up on a park bench, far from home.

At least there was a roof here, offering some shelter from the rain.

But by then, my clothes were already soaked, and the umbrella I had brought was broken and useless.

“Ugh… Akari…”

My throat tightened. I felt like I was about to cry.

The moment replayed in my mind—Akari standing at her front door, looking at me with cold, unwavering eyes.

—I want to be alone with Kyogoku-kun. Yuya… you should go.

She had rejected me. Clearly, unmistakably.

Akari, who had always been the embodiment of kindness.

My chest ached unbearably.

My eyes fell on the soaked, crumpled paper bag beside me.

The sweets inside were ruined, covered in dirt and rain.

Every time Akari and I fought, we had always made up over sweets.

It was a tradition between us, dating back to when we were kids.

And yet… she had kicked it aside and shut me out.

Not choosing me, who had always been by her side, but that guy—Kyogoku.

“Why the hell are you even there, Kyogoku?”

That spot had always, always been mine.

Even after we broke up, I thought I’d still be by Akari’s side. Our families were close, and I figured we’d continue getting along, just like always…

But everything had fallen apart.

The future I had envisioned was wiped clean.

…Because of Kyogoku.

“Don’t mess with me…!”

The wind howled, and the rain lashed against my body.

It hurt… and it was freezing.

I felt absolutely miserable.

Everything felt disgusting.

My heart, my body… everything.

And on top of that, even Akari’s mother—who had always treated me with the kindness of a saint—had rejected me.

She used to fuss over me like I was her own son, just like she did with Akari…

—Anyway, I don’t want a piece of trash like you anywhere near my beloved daughter!

“Ugh…!”

—If you say another word, I’ll rip your tongue out.

“Cough…!!”

I couldn’t breathe… I was suffocating! It hurt… it hurt so much!

Even though she was smiling, her eyes were ice-cold.

There wasn’t even a shred of kindness or sympathy in her expression.

I had always thought of Akari’s mother as a second mom.

And yet, she had turned her back on me… What the hell was going on?

“This is insane… this isn’t right!”

Yeah, cheating was the worst thing I could’ve done.

I’ve known that for a long time.

…But I couldn’t help it.

Manami-chan had feelings for me, and I realized I liked her too.

So I thought—I had to make her happy.

There’s no way my feelings for Manami-chan could be wrong.

Why can’t the two of them understand that?

They’ve known me for years.

They should know better than anyone that I’m not just some cheating sc🬀🬀🬀ag—I actually care about people!

“Why won’t they understand…?!”

I never wanted to hurt Akari.

More than anything, I just wanted her to be happy.

…She must be feeling lonely after breaking up with me.

She must be sad.

And I was the only one who could comfort her—I was the closest person to her.

And yet…

“Kyogoku…!”

I don’t understand, not even a little, why Akari is so attached to Kyogoku.

That guy is obviously dangerous.

Letting him into her house is unthinkable.

What if he pushes her down and forces himself on her…?

“Ugh…!!!”

But right now, I have no right to protect Akari.

After all, she shut me out.

Akari… and even her mother.

“…Ugh.”

The relentless rain and wind only grew stronger…

And so, I sat there, drowning in my misery.

As darkness fell and the worsening weather made me fear for my safety, I finally decided to head home.

My broken umbrella was useless, leaving me exposed to the wind and rain as I walked down the road.

The wind was so strong… I had to brace myself just to keep from being blown away.

Why the hell do I have to go through this…?

“Be careful, Yuka! Don’t let go of me!”

“O-Okay! Got it!”

“…Ah.”

Across the road, a boy and a girl in school uniforms were walking together.

They huddled under a single umbrella, pressing forward against the wind and rain.

The sight triggered a memory—an old, rainy day.

Back when it suddenly started pouring, and Akari and I had shared her foldable umbrella as we walked home together…

“…Ah…”

My knees buckled, and I collapsed.

Right into a puddle, soaking my pants with cold water.

Will those days never come back?

Rejected by Akari… I…

“No… No way… This can’t be happening…!”

I felt like I was about to cry.

I hung my head, trying to hold it back—when suddenly.

“Hey!! Look out!!!”

A voice shouted from behind me.

I turned around—just in time to see a falling signboard hurtling toward me.

“…Huh?”

And in the next instant, everything went black.

—And that’s how I ended up here.

“I can’t believe I got hospitalized with a concussion… Well, at least I didn’t die.”

A few days in the hospital was a small price to pay. I guess I should consider myself lucky.

Still, hospital life was boring.

There was nothing to do. Seriously…

“Kei-chan! Are you feeling okay?”

“Yeah, I’m totally fine! Everyone keeps visiting me, so I’m having a great time!”

“Hehe, that’s good to hear!”

In the bed diagonally across from me, a guy around my age was lying down, talking to a girl sitting on a stool beside him.

They were both wearing uniforms from a nearby high school. From the way they interacted, they were probably dating.

It wasn’t just her—earlier, his classmates had come to visit too.

It looked fun. Lively.

Oh, right. Hospital visits.

I’m sure my close friends will come visit me. And besides…

“Akari will definitely come, right?”

Even if she rejected me, she has to come once she hears I’m in the hospital.

We’ve been childhood friends for over ten years.

It’d be weird if she didn’t worry after hearing I got hospitalized.

And Manami-chan will definitely come too. Of course she will. I mean, she and I are dating.

“Haha, I can’t wait!”

Maybe this will be my chance to make up with Akari.