The Price of Being Everyone’s Childhood Friend

By the time Miyu and I reached our floor, I had already begun regretting every decision that had led me to this moment.

For starters, I had made the terrible mistake of telling her my apartment number.

Second, I had somehow failed to convince her that visiting my apartment was completely unnecessary.

And third…

Well, third, I had a feeling Sara was going to kill me.

Not literally, of course.

Probably.

“Hey, Aoto!” Miyu said brightly as we stopped in front of our doors. “I’ll come over to your place sometime!”

My blood ran cold.

“Ahaha… about that, Miyu. There’s really no need.”

“Why not?”

“Because…”

*Think, Aoto! Think!*

"My apartment is a disaster! It’s messy, it’s dusty, and I’m pretty sure something in there has started evolving into a new life-form!”

Miyu blinked.

Then her face lit up.

“Oh! That’s great! I’ll help you clean it!”

*Why is she like this?!*

I had expected embarrassment. Perhaps a little disgust. At the very least, I thought she might reconsider visiting a place that I had just compared to a biological experiment.

Instead, she looked as though I had invited her to a festival.

Before I could come up with another excuse, she waved cheerfully and disappeared into her apartment.

I stood there, staring at her closed door.

“…I’m doomed.”

With a heavy sigh, I turned toward my own apartment.

Unfortunately, my problems were only beginning.

The elevator doors opened, and Sara stepped out.

Our eyes met.

She stopped.

I stopped.

For a few seconds, neither of us said anything.

Then Sara looked at me.

More specifically, she looked at me as though I had personally betrayed every childhood promise we had ever made.

“Sara, actually—”

“Come inside.”

“Huh?”

“We need to talk.”

Her voice was calm.

Far too calm.

I had learned over the years that there were several kinds of Sara.

There was cheerful Sara, who smiled at everyone.

There was sleepy Sara, who refused to get out of bed before breakfast.

There was teasing Sara, who enjoyed making my life unnecessarily difficult.

And then there was this Sara.

The Sara who smiled like an elegant villain in the final episode of a psychological thriller.

I swallowed.

“…Yes, ma’am.”

I followed her inside.

The moment I entered, I noticed that she had already settled onto the sofa. She crossed her legs, folded her arms, and looked at me expectantly.

I sat on the floor in front of her.

For some reason, that felt like the safest option.

“Now,” she said, her smile growing slightly wider, “tell me everything about Miyu.”

And so, I did.

I explained how Miyu and I had met, how she had recognized me as her childhood friend, and how she had hugged me earlier.

I also explained why she had come to my apartment.

By the time I finished, Sara was still smiling.

Somehow, that made things worse.

“After all this time,” she murmured, “I finally get the chance to break someone’s bones on purpose.”

“PLEASE DON’T SAY THAT SO CASUALLY!”

“I’m joking.”

She tilted her head.

“Mostly.”

I immediately began apologizing.

“I’m sorry! I swear I didn’t do anything! The hug happened so suddenly that I couldn’t even react!”

Sara watched me panic for several seconds before reaching forward and gently holding my chin.

“Relax, Aoto.”

Her expression softened, but there was something strangely possessive in her eyes.

“Didn't you say you loved me?”

My heart skipped a beat.

“…I did.”

“Then why are you acting so guilty?”

“Because I know how scary you can be!”

“Excuse me?”

“NOTHING!”

She gave my chin a little squeeze.

“Good answer.”

I was beginning to wonder whether surviving this conversation would count as an achievement worthy of unlocking a secret ending.

“I just want you to understand something,” Sara continued, leaning closer. “I don’t like seeing you with other girls.”

I stared at her.

For once, I couldn't think of a clever response.

Sara looked away first.

“And yes, I was jealous because she hugged you. But that isn't the only reason.”

“…There’s another reason?”

She glanced back at me.

“I don’t want to see you getting close to another girl and forgetting about me.”

Her voice had grown quieter.

For a brief moment, the teasing expression disappeared, revealing something more vulnerable beneath it.

I remembered the promise we had made as children.

Back then, everything had seemed simple. We had been inseparable, and whenever one of us had to leave, the other would insist that we meet again.

We had promised to remain friends forever.

And when I had left our hometown, I had promised Sara that I would return to see her once I became rich.

Of course, I had been a child.

I had no money, no plan, and absolutely no understanding of how difficult becoming rich actually was.

Still, she remembered.

She remembered everything.

I scratched my cheek awkwardly.

“You know I wouldn’t forget you, right?”

Sara studied my face.

Then, slowly, she smiled.

“I know.”

She leaned forward and wrapped her arms around me.

I froze.

Unlike Miyu’s sudden hug, this one felt familiar.

Warm.

Comforting.

Like returning to a place I had never truly left.

For a moment, I forgot about the trouble I was in.

Then Sara whispered into my ear.

“But if you ever make me regret trusting you, I’ll break your legs.”

“…And there goes the emotional moment.”

She laughed.

Before I could complain further, someone knocked on the door.

*Knock, knock.*

I immediately recognized the timing.

Only one person could possess such incredible determination to make my life difficult.

“Miyu,” I muttered.

Sara released me.

Her expression changed so quickly that I almost wondered whether I had imagined her earlier smile.

“Why is she knocking on your door?”

“Well, you see…”

I explained that I had told Miyu my apartment was messy, hoping she wouldn't visit. Unfortunately, she had interpreted that as a personal invitation to help me clean.

Sara stared at me.

Then she sighed.

“Go on, then. Handle her.”

I rose reluctantly and walked toward the door.

Opening it halfway, I found Miyu standing there with an energetic smile.

“Aoto! I’m here to help you clean! So, shall we get started?”

“Miyu, actually, I should tell you that—”

“Don't worry! I'll do my best!”

She raised both fists enthusiastically.

*Why does everyone ignore the important parts of my sentences?*

“Miyu, I haven't even—”

“By the way, why are you standing like that? Is someone inside?”

I stiffened.

“No!”

The answer came out far too quickly.

Miyu narrowed her eyes.

“…That was suspicious.”

*I'm finished.*

Before I could explain, she stepped past me and entered the apartment.

“Miyu, wait!”

But she was already inside.

She took two steps into the living room.

Then she stopped.

Her gaze landed on Sara, who was sitting on the sofa.

Silence descended.

Miyu looked at Sara.

Sara looked at Miyu.

Then Miyu slowly turned toward me.

“Aoto…”

Her voice trembled.

“Who is she?”

“She's my—”

“Girlfriend?!”

“NO!”

The word escaped my mouth with enough force to frighten a nearby houseplant.

Sara's eyebrow twitched.

Miyu looked between us, seemingly unconvinced.

“I want an explanation.”

And so, for the second time that day, I explained everything.

By the time I finished, Miyu had finally understood that Sara was my childhood friend and neighbor.

She seemed relieved.

Then she smiled at Sara.

“Oh! So you're Aoto's childhood friend! That's wonderful! Then we can be friends too, right?”

Sara's expression remained cold.

For a moment, I genuinely believed she would refuse.

Instead, she smiled.

“Of course! I'd love to become good friends with you.”
I stared at her.

*That's terrifying.*

Miyu didn't seem to notice anything unusual. She happily continued talking, and before long, the two of them were chatting as though they had known each other for years.

Meanwhile, I stood beside them, wondering when exactly my life had stopped belonging to me.

Somehow, the situation had become worse than I had imagined.

And the worst part?

I had absolutely no idea what was coming next.
---

### At School

The following day, I discovered a terrible truth.

Sara and Miyu had become friends.

Not just ordinary friends, either.

They had apparently reached the stage where they could sit together, talk endlessly, and completely forget that I existed.

At lunch, I watched them chatting happily while I sat alone in the classroom.

Ren and Ikkun had gone to the cafeteria, and I had no intention of following them.

Eating alone in the classroom was peaceful.

Usually.

Today, however, the two girls sitting nearby were making me question every decision I had ever made.
Sara laughed at something Miyu said.

Miyu laughed in return.

I stared at my lunch.

*Amazing. I've been replaced in less than twenty-four hours.*

I wasn't sure whether I should feel impressed or offended.

Probably both.

Things weren't much better during physical education.

Sara and Miyu were competing against each other, and apparently, the entire class had decided to treat their rivalry as the greatest sporting event in school history.

“Did you see that? Fujimoto is actually keeping up with Sara!”

“Looks like Sara finally has a real competitor!”

“Who do you think will win?”

I watched them from the sidelines.

*Man, why are all my childhood friends so popular?*

Sara was beautiful, intelligent, and practically worshipped by half the school. Miyu was energetic, friendly, and had the kind of personality that made people want to approach her.

And then there was me.

Aoto Kagawa.

The guy who had somehow ended up in the middle of their friendship drama without receiving a single benefit from it.

*Wouldn't it be nice to have a childhood friend who wasn't incredibly popular?*

I imagined someone ordinary.

Someone who wouldn't attract a crowd simply by entering a room.

Someone who would look at me and say—

*“Aoto, you haven't changed at all! Did you forget about me?”*

I shook my head.

No.

That would probably be even more troublesome.

Besides, I already had two childhood friends who could turn my life upside down.

I didn't need a third.

Unfortunately, fate had never shown much interest in my preferences.

After the match ended, Miyu approached me and dropped onto the bench beside me.

She looked exhausted.

“Ahh… that was fun!”

I glanced at her.

“You two were pretty evenly matched.”

“Really? You think so?”

She smiled brightly.

For a moment, she looked like the same girl who had hugged me the previous day without warning.

Then she leaned closer.

“Aoto, why are you sitting all alone?”

“Because my friends abandoned me.”

“Your friends?”

“Ren and Ikkun.”

“Ohhh.”

She nodded as though that explained everything.

Then she smiled again.

“Does that mean I can sit with you?”

I sighed.

“You're already sitting here.”

“Right!”

She laughed.

I couldn't help smiling a little.

Despite everything, Miyu was still Miyu. Her enthusiasm was exhausting, but it was difficult to stay annoyed with someone who could look so genuinely happy over something so small.

Unfortunately, peace never lasted long around me.

A few students walked past us.

“Hey, why is Fujimoto sitting with Kagawa?”

I buried my face in my hands.

*Please. Someone. Anyone. Make them stop.*

Miyu, naturally, looked delighted.

“Aoto, we're famous!”

“No, Miyu. We're a public disturbance.”

She burst out laughing.

And somehow, that made the entire situation worth enduring.

Almost.

---

### After School

I arrived home later than usual because Ren, Ikkun, and I had stopped at a café.

By the time I entered my apartment, I was exhausted.

All I wanted was a shower, something to eat, and a few uninterrupted hours of peace.

Unfortunately, my apartment had other plans.

Sara and Miyu were sitting together on the sofa, chatting happily.

The moment I entered, Sara glanced at me.

Then she turned back to Miyu and continued their conversation.

I stopped in the doorway.

*Did she seriously just ignore me?*

I waited.

Nothing.

I cleared my throat.

Still nothing.

Apparently, I had become invisible.

With a sigh, I went to take a shower.

Afterward, I returned to the living room, only to find that the two of them were still talking.

My phone was charging, my stomach was growling, and I was beginning to suspect that I had somehow wandered into a world where childhood friends were legally required to bully me.

I sat down on the sofa.

“Sara, I'm hungry. Could you make something?”

She didn't even look at me.

“Why don't you cook something yourself?”

“Because I'm tired.”

“So am I.”

“Then we're both suffering.”

“Exactly. Now you understand.”

I stared at her.

*When did she become so unreasonable?*

Miyu glanced at me.

“Aoto, could you move away from here?”

I blinked.

“…Why?”

“We're talking. You don't need to listen to our conversation.”

I looked at Sara.

She gave a small nod.

Apparently, they had reached a unanimous decision.

I had been evicted from my own living room.

“Fine.”

I stood up and walked toward my bedroom.

Neither of them stopped me.

For some reason, that bothered me more than it should have.

I closed my bedroom door and sat on my bed.
*Did I do something wrong?*

I replayed the events of the day in my mind.

Had I said something offensive? Had I embarrassed Sara? Had I somehow managed to offend Miyu without realizing it?

I couldn't think of anything.

And yet, both of them were treating me as though I were an unwanted guest.

Eventually, exhaustion won.

I lay down and fell asleep.

---

When I woke up, it was around seven in the evening.

My throat was dry, so I dragged myself out of bed and headed toward the kitchen for a glass of water.

That was when I noticed the delicious smell drifting through the apartment.

Sara and Miyu were cooking together.

I stopped at the entrance.

For a second, I considered asking what they were making.

Then I remembered how they had treated me earlier.

*Nope. Not worth it.*

I quietly went to the living room and turned on the television.

A little while later, both girls approached me.

“Do you want dinner?” Sara asked.

Miyu stood beside her, wearing an expression that suggested she was waiting for my answer.

I looked at them suspiciously.

“…Is this a trick?”

“Just answer the question, Aoto,” Sara said.

I folded my arms.

“I'll eat if you give me something to eat.”

Miyu giggled.

Sara disappeared into the kitchen and returned with dinner.

I was just beginning to feel hopeful when she placed the food in front of me.

“Aoto, could you eat in your room?”

I stared at her.

“…Why?”

“Because Miyu and I want to eat together.”

I looked at the food.

Then at Sara.

Then at Miyu.

I was beginning to understand why villains in stories always ended up living alone in castles.

At least they had their own space.

“Fine,” I muttered, picking up my plate. “I'll eat in my room.”

Neither girl protested.

I returned to my bedroom, closed the door, and ate in silence.

Afterward, I opened my textbooks and tried to study.

Tried being the important word.

The same questions kept circling through my mind.

*Why is Sara treating me like this?*

Maybe she was simply happy to have made a new friend.

Maybe she and Miyu had discovered they shared similar interests.

Maybe Sara didn't feel the need to talk to me as much anymore because she finally had someone else to spend time with.

That last possibility bothered me more than I wanted to admit.

Before Miyu arrived, Sara had always talked to me whenever we were alone.

Sometimes she teased me. Sometimes we argued over ridiculous things. Sometimes we did absolutely nothing and simply enjoyed each other's company.

It had never occurred to me that those ordinary moments might be something I would miss.

Now, whenever Miyu was around, Sara barely acknowledged me.

Perhaps I had taken her attention for granted.

Perhaps I had grown so accustomed to being her childhood friend that I had forgotten friendship wasn't something I could simply claim forever.

I stared at the textbook in front of me.

The words blurred together.

Finally, I closed it.

*Fine.*

If Sara and Miyu wanted to spend time together, I wouldn't interrupt them.

I wouldn't approach them first.

I wouldn't force myself into their conversations.

Until one of them spoke to me, I would keep my distance.

And if they decided to speak to me, I would respond in exactly the same way they had responded to me.

Coldly.

Politely.

Without showing how much it bothered me.

It was a childish decision.

I knew that.

But sometimes, even someone as ordinary as me needed to protect what little pride he had left.

I turned off the light and lay down.

Outside my room, I could still hear the faint sound of the girls laughing together.

I pulled the blanket over my head.

*Have fun, you two.*

*Just don't forget that I live here, too.*