Is It Permissible To Abandon a Childhood Friend Who Has Become a School Idol and Be Happy

14

“It’s a bit chilly today. Winter is approaching, and I wonder if it will snow soon. Maybe we could go look at winter clothes today.”

Mio spoke to me as I stood frozen.

“But before that, shall we go get something warm to drink? We can take our time and then go shopping…”

“Mio, you’re a bit different today.”

Unable to help myself, I interrupted her as she rattled off our plans for the day.

“Eh, r, really…”

“Yeah. It’s, how do I say this…”

—You look the same as you do at school.

I started to say that but then stopped.

“You look really cute.”

“Really? I’m glad…”

In the end, what came out was a safe and bland compliment.

However, Mio seemed relieved by my clumsy words, and she patted her chest as if paralyzed.

“I tried a little harder today. I thought maybe I’d give it a try for once. I’m glad you said that.”

She smiled even more happily, and I couldn’t say anything more.

Why? Or how?

I actually had a lot I wanted to say and ask, but I couldn’t seem to get the words out.

“…Yeah. It’s different from what you usually wear. You usually wear more subdued colors.”

Looking at Mio again, I could clearly see how different she was from usual.

She wore a white sweater with a pink cardigan, a brown skirt, and black tights—an autumn outfit, but it was clearly a combination that was meant to attract attention.

It was also the kind of outfit that a girl who was aware of her own cuteness would wear.

The Mio I knew would never wear something like this, nor would she ever buy it.

Mio had always preferred more subdued colors—or to put it badly, drab ones.

“Ahahahaha, actually, the other day, I went shopping with Kijima-san and the others. They told me that I could pull off clothes like this too, so I should wear more flashy things. I was hesitant at first, but I started to think maybe it’s not so bad after all… I guess you could say I’ve had a bit of a change of heart. I was pretty nervous about showing you, Kou-kun, but I’m glad it turned out well .”

Misori stuck out her tongue playfully, as if to celebrate the success of her prank.

This was also a gesture that the Misori of the past would never have done.

“…Yeah. It was a great success. I was really surprised.”

Yes, really.

I was surprised, but in a bad way.

“The surprise was a success, wasn’t it?”

I couldn’t hide my confusion at the fact that he thought I’d be happy about it.

No matter how happy Misori was, I wanted to see the old Misori, but she didn’t realize that.

“Let’s go soon. We’ll get cold if we keep sitting on the bench.”

I held out my hand to Misori, suppressing my feelings.

“Oh, right. Thank you, Kou-kun.”

Misori said her thanks and took my hand to stand up.

Her hand was a little cold, probably from the cold.

“You’re welcome.”

But more than that, Misori’s hand, which I should have held countless times, felt like it belonged to a stranger.