What a Coincidence

When the professor dismissed us, Haruto and I promptly rushed out to avoid having to wait for other students to exit first. Upon making it out and into the courtyard, Haruto turned on his heels and waved.

"Well, I'll be off now," he said. "I promised the Kendo team that I'd join them for dinner. As much as I would like to stay and chat with you about a certain someone, I only have about thirty minutes to get home and change.

"You know, since you were gonna end up annoying me anyway, I'm kind of glad you're preoccupied."

"Huh?! Y-you don't mean that, do you?!"

"Haha, I'm kidding. See you next week, Haruto."

"Yup!"

He disappeared into the sea of students, leaving me to take in the air on my own.

It's the weekend now. I wonder what I'll do. Probably rot in bed, but I think I have a few homework assignments to catch up on. After that, I can laze around all I want.

"Oh, Kazuha! Fancy seeing you here."

Even without turning around, I can recognize that voice. I used to find it so sweet, and to be honest... I still kind of do.

"Junko..." I mumbled.

"Aw, don't give me those sad puppy eyes now. You'll make me feel bad."

My chest hurt. It was only a few days ago that I told her to get out. I was angry then. I still kind of am. But... I'd be lying if I said I didn't miss her just a little bit. Maybe more.

"Did you need me for something?" I asked, trying to keep my cool.

"Hmm... Nope. I was just passing by, then I saw you and decided to say hello."

"Passing by? You know this building is where my last class is. Yours,"—I pointed at another building—"is over there."

"Oops~ Have I been caught?"

"Tell me straight up, Junko. Why did you come here?"

"Ho~? Why do you sound so disappointed? You used to be so happy to see me. By now, we'd be walking together. To go shopping, chill at home, or maybe grab some boba. Everything has changed so fast. It kind of hurts me, you know."

And who is to blame for that?

But I didn't say it out loud. It'll just fall on deaf ears. No matter how many times I remind Junko of what she did, she'll still show up unannounced like nothing ever happened... As if she's trying to get a reaction out of me.

Does seeing me in pain amuse her? Probably. She's always been one to gossip and talk shit while also praying for the downfall of people she doesn't like. Maybe I'm included in that list now.

"Just answer me, Junko," I muttered, my voice shaking.

"Hmm... Honestly, I thought I'd show up to see if you might've wanted me back. You don't have to pretend this time, Kazuha. You can say it."

My fists clenched at my side.

Is she being serious? Of course, she is. I wouldn't expect anything less. After all, this is just a game to her, and I happen to be a component of that.

Just when I was about to walk away—

"Ah! Kinoshita! I'm glad that I found you before... b-before..."

Junko and I turned to see Chihara, not fully off the stairs just yet. She was looking at us, but something was... off. Her eyes were wide, filled with so many emotions that it was difficult to name just one.

"Chihara?" I said, which snapped her out of it.

"Oh! S-sorry! Um... Am I... interrupting?"

In that moment, Junko shot me a suspicious glare, but I didn't react.

"Not at all," I said. "You needed me for something, right? Come."

And so, I left with Chihara, leaving Junko for what was hopefully the last time.

As we walked along the path, I asked, "You okay?"

"Ah... Yes, I am. It's just... something came across my mind."

"Hmm... I won't pry. Anyway, what was it you wanted to see me for?"

Suddenly, she came to a halt. I turned around to meet her gaze, and now that I was closer, I could see it. There was nothing short of sadness and disdain in those delicate eyes.

"Kinoshita."

"Y-yeah?"

"That girl... What is your relationship with her?"

"...Huh?"

What's this now? This isn't just subtle curiosity. Her eyes, her tone, and even her body language — everything about her had shifted into something more... hateful.

"Her name is Junko," I replied steadily. "She was my girlfriend up until a week ago, when she cheated on me."

Chihara flinched.

"She... cheated on you?"

"Yeah. There was a pretty big party that happened last Friday, and I'm guessing that was where she decided to sleep with some other guy."

"Ah... Kinoshita, I... I'm sorry."

Quickly, I threw my hands up.

"N-no, it's... I didn't tell you that to get some sympathy points. It just seemed like you really wanted to know, so I gave in. Nothing you need to apologize for. But, I have to ask... Why did you wanna know?"

She didn't say anything at first. Instead, her body shriveled up like a turtle retreating into its shell.

"Kinoshita. You know that... that I was cheated on, too, don't you?"

"Yeah?"

"Well... That girl..."

It only took a second for me to realize where she was going with this.

"...You've got to fucking kidding me."

This is crazy. Way too crazy. At the same time, though, it adds up.

It was around the same timeframe, just like Haruto had mentioned. This girl, whom I met purely by chance... Her ex-boyfriend cheated on her with my ex-girlfriend. If anything, I was the dumb one for not figuring that out sooner.

"I'm... sorry, Kinoshita."

"What? Why are you—"

I took a moment to calm down — deep breath in, then out. Chihara seemed shaken as is. I shouldn't make it worse.

"Let me ask you something, Chihara. Was it your fault that your ex cheated on you with my ex?"

"W-what? Of course, not."

"Exactly. So, once again... Don't apologize for things that are out of your control. Chill out, alright? I'm not one to bite. I promise."

There was a glint of uncertainty in her eyes, as if she wasn't ready to stop blaming herself. It took a short while, but she was finally able to smile again.

"Yeah. Thanks, Kinoshita."

"Mhm. Although now... We're kind of left in an awkward position, aren't we? I mean, what are the odds that we were both outside that night because our exes cheated on us with each other? That is such a crazy coincidence."

She let out a lighthearted giggle.

"I was thinking the same thing," she said."Oh! Maybe it was fate!"

"Ah, come on. I took you for the smart type because, of all things you could've done in the middle of the night, you chose to read that book for our class. Now I find out you believe in superstitions?"

That one sent her into a panic.

"Huh?! It's not like I believe in them for real! This situation is just so unbelievable, I can't help but—"

"Pfft... Relax, Chihara. I'm only messing with you."

"W-wha... That's not fair, Kinoshita..."

"My bad, my bad."

For the most part, she seems cheered up now, which is a relief. I was worried I'd have to send her off to cry in a corner somewhere, but thankfully, we're past that now.

"Kinoshita."

"What's up?"

"Are you... really not mad at me?"

"This again? No, Chihara. I'm not, so don't worry."

"Phew... That's good. It's just that... I hadn't seen you in the courtyard all week. I thought I might've done something wrong, and that's why you were avoiding me."

Just like that, I've been busted. Since she's clearly bothered, I probably shouldn't bull-shit my way out of this.

"Well, to be honest with you, Chihara, it was because of you, but it's not in the way you're probably thinking."

"H-huh?"

"You see, I have a friend who really likes to gossip. He planted the idea in the back of my head that you were closed off. Combined with the fact that you chose to hang out in the courtyard after dark, I assumed you didn't want anyone bothering you — including me."

"What?! You don't have to do that for me, Kinoshita. Don't you also regularly go outside after midnight?"

"Yeah, I did. But if I found out that it was making someone uncomfortable, then naturally, I should make some changes."

"Well, here's me giving it to you straight. You... don't have to go out of your way for me, Kinoshita."

Somehow, the fact that Junko cheated on me with Chihara's ex didn't seem like the craziest thing anymore. Instead, it was Chihara's words and the sincerity of her voice that left me speechless.

With a subtle scoff, I jokingly asked, "Should I take this as you making an exception for me?"

Then, she giggled.

"If it means you'll stop avoiding me out of consideration, then sure."

"Hah..."

Chihara Ouka. What an interesting person.

"In that case," I said, turning to walk away, "I'll see you around. Maybe."