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

15

I had always thought that changing was a scary thing.

“I think it’s really cute.”

I was so happy to hear those words from him.

“Really? That’s good…”

I was so relieved that I couldn’t help but let out a sigh of relief.

I’d been feeling like I was being avoided lately, so I was really worried.

I felt like all the effort I put into dressing up was worth it just to hear him compliment me.

“I tried a little harder today. I thought it would be nice to do something like this once in a while. I’m so glad you said that.”

Still, I couldn’t help but feel like I wanted to be complimented more.

It’s not like I was trying to show off, but I wanted him to know that I had made an effort.

(It’s not like I want him to notice or anything…)

The current situation was quite stressful for me.

My appearance on that TV show had changed everything around me.

I still remember that day clearly.

I was eating dinner when my aunt came to my house and started talking a mile a minute about how I had been chosen to appear on a TV show that I had applied for.

If that was all, I could have just said, “Oh, that’s great,” but my aunt had entered me in the contest without my permission.

I remember vividly how I was pressured into it, how my parents even said it would be fine, and how I was at a loss for what to do.

I couldn’t say no.

I’m not the kind of person who is strong-willed, and I know that I’m easily swayed.

I don’t think my aunt meant any harm, and I figured it would be a nice keepsake, so I ended up nodding in agreement.

In the end, it was definitely my decision.

I thought, “Oh well,” when I saw my parents talking excitedly about the plans, as if it was an unchangeable fact.

Of course, I consulted with Kou-kun right away.

I knew he wouldn’t be happy about it, and since it was already a done deal, it ended up being more like I was asking for his approval after the fact, which I felt bad about.

Even so, I was truly happy to hear him say, “Do your best.”

He looked away awkwardly as he said it, but it meant a lot to me that he acknowledged me.

I was in love with Kou-kun.

He was the only one who had been by my side since I was little.

We did everything together, and we had similar hobbies.

He wasn’t a bother to be around; rather, he made me feel calm.

So it was only natural that I would fall in love with him, and I was overjoyed to know that Kou-kun felt the same way about me.

…But lately, I feel like that’s starting to change.

The trigger was probably that one thing.

If he had just appeared on TV, it probably wouldn’t have been a big deal.

“Mio-chan, you always wear such plain clothes, don’t you?”

I remember this too, very well.

The day before the TV recording, my aunt came to my house with a large suitcase.

When I answered the doorbell, she greeted me with a big smile.

Thinking back, I guess that’s when I lost.

“Well…maybe so…”

“Are you planning to wear your usual clothes tomorrow?”

“Well, I don’t have any other clothes…”

“That won’t do! I’m glad I came.”

The conversation in the doorway was completely one-sided.

Even though I had the right to make the decision, my aunt’s forceful personality was too much for me to handle.

Since I was so passive, she just kept pushing, which was really annoying.

I really do think I’m weak against pressure.

“It’s a waste to have such good material! I’ll make you look really cute, so wear this.”

“No, I…”

Even so, I tried to refuse.

I don’t like to stand out, and no matter how much I dress up, I…

That’s what I thought, but then,

“If he sees how cute you’ve become, I’m sure your boyfriend will be happy.”

My heart wavered at my aunt’s next words.