Chapter 2

"Uhm ... Akane?"

That night, as usual, I was on the phone with Akane.

|| "Hmm?"

I wanted to know what she had been doing with Renya.

Could it really have been a mistake?

They had clearly kissed.

"Well, today ... Re-"

My voice stopped.

I wanted to ask, but if I considered the possibility, fear engulfed me.

The fear of this relationship coming to an end bound me.

|| "What's wrong?"

"Uh, it's nothing..."

Why am I such a coward?

If I confirm the truth, things will likely progress as I suspect.

The truth will change everything.

"Goodnight, Akane."

|| "Okay, goodnight, Toma."

"Akane, I love you."

|| "I love you too."

What should I do from now on?

Calling it a mistake is just a comforting lie to ease my heart.

For now, let's confirm without them knowing if Akane and Renya are really cheating. It's almost certain, though.

The real story begins here.

I have a feeling that once I confirm it, my heart will shatter, but it's better than this current state of confusion.

I'm scared to know the truth, but I have to know.

***

From that point on, I couldn't help but view them with suspicion.

Even going to school with Renya as usual had become painful.

Perhaps there was a chance that Akane and Renya had slept together.

Just being around them made my heart pound loudly.

"What's wrong? You don't look so good."

I was worried about that as well.

In reality, I hadn't slept much since that incident.

"Sorry, Akane..."

The same happened when I tried to be intimate with Akane.

It didn't work.

No matter what I did, I couldn't get aroused.

I thought of Akane's naked body, of being inside Akane, but it didn't work.

Does Renya possibly know this, about Akane's body, about being inside Akane?

When I thought of that, my heart ached.

Maybe Renya and I are like brothers...

Why can he act so calmly in front of me?

"No, I'm fine."

With a slightly disappointed look, Akane put on her underwear.

"Lately, you seem a bit down. Are you okay?"

I wanted to say it's your fault for making me like this.

Everything that happened is your fault!

"Yeah, I'm fine ... Akane."

"What is it?"

"Do you love me?"

"I always tell you, I love you."

"Oh..."

Oh, I want to confirm it soon and be relieved.

***

Two days later, in the morning.

[Sorry, I have something to do today, so I can't walk home with you!]

I received a message.

Ah, it seems that the day has finally come.

I'm sure Akane is going home with Renya.

I replied, [Understood!]

"See you later, Toma!"

"Yeah, see you tomorrow."

After school, Renya, who was in the same class, left the classroom with his school bag, and I followed him.

My heart was pounding.

Renya was climbing the stairs.

So, I followed suit.

I followed him all the way up to the fourth floor, the top floor. I hid in a corner and observed him. And in front of me...

Oh, seriously...

"Hey, Kanzaki."

Akane leaned against the wall, playing with her smartphone, waiting.

Akane put her smartphone in her pocket.

"I was here first, so kiss me, Renya."

Renya kissed Akane on the cheek.

My strength drained away.

That kiss wasn't a mistake, was it?

My body felt heavy.

I became convinced.

They were cheating.

And then they started walking.

Haah, haah...

My heart ached.

Can such a thing really happen?

It's like something out of a manga.

I followed them.

Why did they come up to the fourth floor?

And there was a sign saying "No Entry" hanging on the stairs to the rooftop a little further away. However, they stepped over it and went up.

I just waited, hidden behind the wall.

It happened a while later.

"...///"

I faintly heard a woman's breathless voice.

At that moment, everything I had ever thought about them came crashing down and collapsed.