re:Happiness | Cell Phone Novel

childhood friend | iv - vi

・・・ iv ・・・

"—Ao-kun."

He flinched as he heard his name being called.

He turned his head to look at the person who was standing beside him.

It was Hashimoto Rie.

The same green scarf was wrapped around her neck.

On her face, she had a worried expression.

"Don't forget...
It was her who made you go."

He turned away again and went back to reading.

It was a Wednesday afternoon.

They were in the library.

In front of him, Rie shifted uncomfortably.

"Ao-kun... you look terrible," she finally said.

He didn't say anything.

A still silence passed.

Hesitantly, she raised a hand and reached out for him.

He flinched and quickly moved away.

The spiteful words came out of his mouth before he could even stop himself.

"—Don't touch me."

・・・ v ・・・

Rie froze.

A look of hurt passed over her face.

No.

Don't show me that expression.
Don't make that kind of face again.

Please go away.

He shook his head, tightly gripping the book in his hands.

"... I'm fine. Don't bother me," he said.

She blinked. She looked down.

Slowly, she retreated her hand.

Her voice was quiet when she began to speak.

"... You've been absent for the past three days.

I... was worried.
You suddenly disappeared that night.

A few said they had seen you staggering outside the doorway.

Seeing you right now...
I... All I can say is that I'm so sorry.

I shouldn't have forced you to go.
I shouldn't have pleaded you to go.

I'm so sorry, Ao-kun.

It was all my fault."

He blinked.

In that moment, Rie's face was replaced with the boy from the other night.

Again, he was asking the same words to him.

'Is this... all my fault?'

"—Snap out of it."

He shook his head again. The boy's face disappeared.

He breathed out quietly.

"... It doesn't matter."

・・・ vi ・・・

She pressed her mouth.

"Ao-kun... are you okay?" Rie suddenly asked in a quiet tone.

He thought about it for a moment.

I don't know.
I wonder... Am I?

Once again, he shook his head.

"That isn't important," he said.

She made a troubled face. One that was almost close to tears.

For a few moments, she simply stood there.
In return, he decided to ignore her presence.

"... —later," she said in a weak, reluctant tone.

"May I... walk with you to the cafe later?"

He looked at her pleading face.

There was guilt written all over it.

He pretended not to notice.

"Reject her."

I know.
I know already.

Yet even then, in spite of everything,
he found himself answering her without thought.

"... Do what you want."