Chapter 22: Old Wounds Reopen

A week after the incident, I decided to take a part-time job at a restaurant. For me, it was a way to learn to open up and face other people. I was serving a lot of customers, but in the corner of the room, a scene caught my attention.

A young woman with brown hair and bright black eyes, who was also a new waitress, was being yelled at by two men who looked like thugs. She had accidentally spilled water on their clothes.

"I'm so sorry, sir! I was careless, I'll clean it up immediately!" said the woman, who I now knew was named Akisa.

"You damn girl, are you blind?! Look what you've done! Our clothes are soaked because of you!" the thug yelled.

I approached them. "I apologize for her," I said, my voice flat but firm. "She's still new here, so please be understanding. I'll cover the damages!"

But they wouldn't accept it. The two thugs were about to punch Akisa. Wham! I held back their hands.

"Sir, she has sincerely apologized," I said. "Is this how you've always extorted money from waiters?"

Embarrassed, the thugs let go of my arm. "Tch! You watch your back! Remember, this isn't over!" they said. But then, several police cars arrived and arrested them. I was suspicious of Akisa, but I didn't want to dwell on it.

"Are you okay, Akisa?" I asked.

"Yes, I'm fine," she replied with a smile. "Thank you for protecting me from those thugs." Even though she thanked me, I knew she was lying. From the books I'd read, I could recognize the gestures of a lie.

Later that night, as I was about to enter my apartment, I found a letter. It was a high school reunion invitation. I was hesitant. I immediately messaged Ayaka.

Akira: Hey, Ayaka, did you also get an invitation for our high school reunion?

Ayaka: Yeah, I did. Are you going, Akira-kun?

Akira: I don't know. I'm still not sure about it.

Ayaka: Don't worry. You've changed, haven't you? Show them all.

Ayaka's message gave me courage. The next day, we met near the train station. Ayaka was wearing a beautiful, elegant dress. Her flushed face made me shy. "Hey, don't look at me like that. I'm embarrassed," she said.

All the way to the hotel, Ayaka held my hand. Her face was a little red, and I could feel the stares of many people looking at us. They looked at us, as if we were a couple from a romantic movie. Ayaka in her beautiful dress and me in my casual clothes, holding hands, created a scene that made people envious.

From a distance, an old woman smiled, whispering to her husband. "Wow, young people these days are so romantic. I'm jealous."

We finally arrived at the hotel. Our old friends were already gathered. Some were married, some were successful, and some were about to get married.

A girl with black hair and green eyes greeted me. "Could it be... you're Akira-kun?" she asked, in disbelief. Our old classmates were confused. They thought I was still chubby like before. Whispers spread. "Wow, Akira-kun has changed so much."

Suddenly, a few girls came up to me. "Akira-kun, do you have a girlfriend?" "Akira-kun, are you married? Your wife must be so lucky." "I'm so jealous of whoever marries you. She's so lucky to have someone as handsome as you."

Meanwhile, Ayaka received the same question. She clearly replied, "Not yet."

I still felt nervous around the girl with black hair. Sonobe Mitzuki. My first love who had rejected me. There was a hint of regret in her eyes.

"Hey, Akira-kun," she said. "Do you have some free time? I want to talk to you alone."

She led me to the balcony. Under the bright moonlight, Sonobe began to speak. "Akira-kun, you used to love me, right? Now, maybe it's the right time."

"May I tell you something honestly?" I asked.

"What is it, Sonobe?"

"Will you accept me back as your first love?" she asked, looking down with a tone full of regret.

At that moment, all the bitter memories from the past came rushing back. The rejections. My first love who always ignored me. When I asked her out, she always had an excuse.

And then, the most painful moment came to my mind: I saw Sonobe on a date with a handsome, muscular blonde guy named Kyoya. Even worse, she always made sure I was left out of group projects and field trips. It was all because of her.

I looked at her. My heart, once fragile, was now stone. I refused.

"I'm sorry, Sonobe," I said. "Maybe I'm not the person I used to be. I'm a different person now. I have another purpose, and... I don't even know what love is."

I looked down and walked away, my heart feeling like shattered glass. The feelings I had held for so long finally broke free in disappointment.

Ayaka saw me from a distance. "Akira! What's wrong? Why are you?" She yelled, but she was blocked by a crowd of old classmates. She kept running, knowing something was wrong.

She searched for me all over the hotel. Finally, she found me in a small garden, sitting alone with a gloomy face. Ayaka sat down next to me.

"Is this because of what Sonobe said?" she asked, understanding the situation.

I just stayed silent. Ayaka didn't ask any more questions. She just hugged me.

"It's okay, Akira-kun," she whispered. "Just let it all out."

In her car, Sonobe was also crying. "What's wrong, Sonobe?" asked her fiancé in the driver's seat.

"Nothing," Sonobe replied, wiping her tears.

She finally understood. Regret always comes at the end. And the wound she had created in the past had now turned to stone.