Volume 1 - CH 5.4

Yuzuki Minato won’t turn back

Translated by 64990022

Chapter 5: Yuzuki Minato won’t turn back

Part 4

“Hahh…” 

Nothing has ever gone my way. 

And even if my intuition was right… 

If Minato was hiding something from me…

Then it would be something she didn’t want to discuss. 

Unfortunately, I knew that feeling too well. If possible, I wanted her to be the one who broke it to me.

Maybe it was my lack of forcefulness that blocked the progress.

“What should I do…”

With these brooding thoughts, I ansently tossed the rest of my frames.

◆　◆　◆ 

“Here you go, coffee.”

“Thanksss”

He caught the can I threw deftly. I pulled my own tab and took a sip as I sat opposite of him.

There was a resting area near the entrance of the buildings. Among the numerous benches, we sit on the outermost ones.

Above our heads hung numerous balloon-like decorative balls, some big, some small, some transparent ones with smaller balls inside. It had been here for as long as the building, but I still couldn’t figure out what it was supposed to be.

“Still a cola addict,” commented Reiji, his eyes on my can.

“Still delicious.”

“I still don’t get it. I can’t even force it down.”

“My condolences. Unable to savor this pleasure. The fizz and the sugar’s gonna make you lucid. Soda’s the best.”

“Oh, so that’s why you’re an idiot when not drinking.”

“Give back my coffee.”

“Too late~”

Damn you, stop screwing around for once?

“But,” something flashed in his eyes, “You haven’t drink once during middle school”

“I have refined my taste buds. I’ve grown up.” I couldn’t help but growl.

“Uh, if I have to choose one, I’d say more childish.”

“…”

“By the way, Io.”

“Yeah?”

“Have you figured it out? The mystery of the playgirl bitch?”

“Stop calling her ‘bitch’, and no, I’m at my wit’s end.”

“Huhhh? Boring.”

And you remembered the details? How is that boring to you?

“I thought there would be something interesting for once–”

“It’s not boring nor interesting. My work as the Angel isn’t some entertainment.”

“It’s not your problem?”

“Even it’s other’s problem, I care about it as my own”

I looked up at the hanging spheres and sighed loud enough for him to hear.

The smell of baked mund and cheese waffled from Lotteria at the corner. Strangely enough, I didn’t have the appetite.

“Maybe you should deal with your own problem before helping others,” he said flatly.

I was about to snap back, but his tone was unexpectedly mellow, so I bit back my retort.

“There’s nothing I can do with it.”

“There’s nothing you can do with yours, but you think you could do with hers”

“Ngh…”

Something in his eyes switched that instant. I unconsciously recoiled.

“You’re not the same. You and that girl.”

“…”

“Are you aware of how blind you are to your own shortcomings?”

“Shutup”

He pretended to not notice my snarl. His silver earrings gleamed dully. His profile was insufferably handsome.

“Speaking of which, what about your side?”

“Hm? What?”

“That kouhai girlfriend.”

I saw her coming to our class once, she was flashy, Reiji’s type.

He threw his head to the side. “Ahh. We broke up.”

“What even happened? It hasn’t been three weeks.”

“Long enough to tell that we don’t fit. Thank heavens.” Reiji guffawed.

Couldn’t expect less from him.

I doubt this will make any difference, but, “If you’re gonna break up like that, couldn’t you spare a thought before saying yes?”

“Huhh? You never know until you date. Not compatible? Just break up. That’s the only way to know whether it would work out or not.” 

Reiji was… carefree, but that didn’t mean he was messing around. His arguments were, to an extent, sound.

That didn’t stop the resentment from those he rejected.

“Don’t expect everyone to treat dating as some sacred ritual like you. If you got confessed, then go along with it, at least that’s how I think.”

“Yeah, yeah. Sorry.”

But, sacred ritual? I’m just another dude, no? I’m normal, right?

“Maybe you might begin liking them back for their affection. Some people are like that, you know?”

“Hm?”

Liking them back for…their affection?

…

“Well, in short, Io, no offense, but get over that senpai—”

I sprang up. “I see!!” 

My head was working at an unprecedented speed. The more I theorize, the more it makes sense.

“What? That ecstatic expression…”

“Reiji!” I took him by the shoulders and chook him.

“Quiet…”

“I’ll treat you ice cream too!”

“Eh? Uh, well, if you insist?”

I let him go and raced to the door. I couldn’t slow down and ran all the way home, the excitement took away my fatigue for this past month.

Finally.

I took my shoes off and steadied my breath. 

[The ice cream, one scoop, ‘kay?]

I sent a message to Reiji and threw it onto the sofa. I ignored the muted vibration of the reply notification and went through the events until now.

I recalled the day we met, and what happened even before that