Chapter 59: Severance
#21MotoKanojoSeverance
“Yuu-kun…”
…Of all people, it had to be Hiyori who called out to me.
“…What?”
I shoot her a sharp glare.
“…About what happened four years ago, I’m really sorry… I was such an idiot.”
“…”
“You see? I wanted to get closer to you, Yuu-kun, so I went to him… to Kazuki for advice. But that was a mistake. He tricked me… and then…”
Haa. Tricked, huh…?
“I see. Well, that has nothing to do with me.”
“…! …Yeah, you’re right. Yuu-kun has nothing to do with it. This is between me and him…”
Wearing a sorrowful expression, Hiyori lowers her gaze.
Even so… what exactly is she trying to say?
I have no idea what she’s getting at, so I can only tilt my head in confusion.
I mean, she wouldn’t be shameless enough to say she wants to get back together with me after all this time… right?
“…Anyway, I don’t need your apology or anything else. Just don’t ever show up in front of me again. That’s all I ask.”
Without a shred of emotion, I state it plainly, like I’m handling a mere formality.
I just… I don’t want Hatsune getting dragged into this because of someone like her.
But.
“…No.”
“Huh?”
“No! I… I don’t want this to be the end between us! Never! I… I love you! Yuu-kun, I love you more than anyone in the world!”
“Huh…?”
…I really didn’t think she’d actually say something like that.
“…But Kasuga-san, didn’t you choose a guy who wasn’t even your number one?”
“…!?”
I had intended to ignore her, but the words slipped out before I could stop myself.
Though, to be honest, it wasn’t so much that I wanted to tear into her—it was more that I just couldn’t let it slide.
“N-no…! I never chose Kazuki! The only one I ever chose was you, Yuu-kun!”
“Haa…?”
Hiyori keeps spewing nonsense, and all I can do is sigh.
No, seriously—if I was the only one she ever chose, then how could she cheat on me with Kazuki…?
“…Honestly, I just don’t understand your logic at all, Kasuga-san. If I was the only one you chose, then tell me—what did cheating on me and giving your body to someone else mean to you? Explain it to me.”
“Th-that’s…”
And yet, when I call her out, she falters… Seriously, she’s selfish, convenient, and downright cowardly.
She’s nothing like Hatsune.
If I keep talking to her any longer, I might actually lose my mind.
“…Hurry up and leave already. My Hatsune will be back soon.”
“…”
I tell her that, but Hiyori just hangs her head, showing no sign of leaving.
…Fine. I’ll just text Hatsune and tell her I moved somewhere else.
“See you.”
I turn on my heel, about to walk away—
“…I know, you know?”
—when those words reach my back.
She knows? Knows what? …Not that it has anything to do with me.
I ignore her and keep walking.
But then.
“Your girlfriend is the criminal’s daughter, isn’t she?!”
“…!”
This idiot! Why the hell is she shouting that in a place this crowded?!
“…Hey, Kasuga-san. You should really watch what you say. Do you seriously not understand the difference between what’s okay to say and what isn’t?”
I speak to Hiyori in the lowest voice I’ve ever used.
But… how does she even know about that?
“Ahaha! So I was right! I searched that woman’s name on my phone, and her picture popped right up!”
“…”
Damn it! That idiot stalker spread it online!
I made sure to teach that sc🬀🬀🬀ag a lesson, and I even requested takedowns from major sites, not to mention using the Mushakoji Group’s influence to erase it, but… I guess scrubbing it all completely was impossible.
“…So? What are you trying to say?”
“Isn’t it obvious?! That woman is tricking you! Yuu-kun, you can’t be with someone like her!”
Haah… So this is all just because she thinks she’s better than Hatsune, huh…?
No matter what she does, she doesn’t even have a one-in-ten-thousand chance of surpassing Hatsune.
“…I already know.”
“…Huh?”
“I said, I already know.”
I tell her this like it’s a hassle, and this time, it’s Hiyori who looks confused.
“From the start, that’s how Hatsune and I met—and that’s why we’re together.”
“T-That can’t be…! She’s a criminal’s daughter! How can you be okay with being with someone like that?!”
As if she couldn’t believe it, Hiyori presses closer to me.
“No, seriously, what I don’t get… is why you’re acting like that’s something to be shocked about.”
“B-But! If you stay with someone like her, you’ll be miserable! Someone like that doesn’t deserve to be by your side!”
Haah… She really hasn’t changed at all from four years ago, has she?
“That’s why! That’s why I have to save you, Yuu-kun! Even if I have to use him to do it!”
“…!”
…Did she just say him…?
The only person she could mean by him… is that trash, Kazuki.
“…! Damn it!”
I ignore Hiyori and try to run, but—
“Yuu-kun! Please! Forget about her, and let’s start over!”
…No.
First, I need to deal with Hiyori.
“Kasuga-san.”
“Y-Yes!”
The moment I call her by her surname, her eyes light up with expectation.
She really should have realized by now that I haven’t called her by her name. But… I guess it’s too late for that.
…Maybe Hiyori, just like me, has already fallen apart.
But… I have no intention of saving her.
So.
“Just so we’re clear—yes, Hatsune might be a criminal’s daughter, but she hasn’t committed any crimes. She’s not like you, who betrayed me and cheated with Kazuki.”
“…!”
“…Don’t ever show up in front of me again. You’re a nuisance. Because—”
I pause for just a moment.
And then.
“Because the most important woman in my world will be hurt because of you.”
“Ah… Ahh…!”
“Bye.”
Leaving Hiyori sobbing behind me, I take off running.
Hatsune… Where are you right now?!