Reborn as the Man Who Takes Away the Protagonist’s Beloved Childhood Friend

I Don’t Want to Go Home

Walking along the dusk road with Ayana.

“Towa.”

“What is it?”

“Oh, I just wanted to call your name.”

“…I see.”

“Yes.”

…After leaving the park, Ayana has been too cute and dangerous. Specifically, she’s been clinging to my arm, never letting go, and repeatedly calling my name with a smile like now.

After walking for a while, I sneak a glance at Ayana—

“…Ah.”

Our eyes meet naturally, and for some reason, we both blush in embarrassment. I find it awkward to gaze into each other’s eyes, but Ayana seems to want to keep looking. She smiles happily, never averting her gaze, just staring at me.

“Even though you’re clinging to me, you should look ahead…”

“No, I don’t want to. Today, I’m going to keep looking at Towa♪”

Being told so cutely, I can’t really object. Or maybe, not just Ayana, but I myself am happy to be like this.

As we walk arm in arm, exchanging thoughts about the future, a figure appears in front of us. Ayana and I stop and look at that person.

“…Ah.”

“…………”

From their panting, it’s evident they ran all the way here. The person stares at our linked arms, eyes wide in disbelief. In their eyes, there was shock, sadness, and perhaps even anger towards me.

As the person—Shu—seemed about to speak, Ayana spoke first.

“I’m going out with Towa now.”

“….Eh.”

Shu was dumbfounded by Aya’s words.

Even I felt like I had to say something, but Aya stopped me. She quietly asked me to leave it to her and turned her gaze back to Shu. It was then that I realized, the look Aya gave Shu wasn’t cold and distant; it was the gaze of someone who recognized him as a childhood friend. Yes, as a “childhood friend.”

“I’ve always liked Towa-kun. Since elementary school, ever since we met.”

Every time Aya conveyed her feelings, a look of sadness appeared in Shu’s eyes. He had eyes that seemed to convey emotions of disbelief and denial. And as if I had never existed from the start, Shu opened his mouth, focusing solely on Aya.

“Why… why is that! Aya and I have always been together since we were kids! We’ve been together even more than Towa!! You’ve always been by my side… you even started making me bento boxes in the latter half of middle school… you’ve always been by my side with a smile…!”

Because they had always been together as childhood friends, Shu must have thought that Aya had feelings for him. But in reality, Aya and I had connected on a deeper level… of course, that was one reason, but I knew from the start that Aya wasn’t in love with Shu. She started making bento for Shu only after I was hospitalized… which means what she said at the park was the truth.

I’m not Shu, so I can’t understand his feelings… but being told that the person you’ve always loved likes someone else must be an unbearable pain. Although I once resented Shu, I couldn’t bear to see him in his current state.

“I see. We’ve been together all this time.”

“If that’s the case—”

“That’s why!”

“?!?”

With a loud voice, Aya interrupted Shu and spoke.

“It’s not me, please find someone better. Rather than a terrible person like me who used your kindness to tell lies… there should be someone wonderful by your side, Shu.”

The emotions carried by those words were a mix of parting and apology…

Aya wore a beautiful smile, but to Shu, her words might have seemed cruel when combined.

“What’s a lie… Aya… I’ve always…”

Tears welled up in Shu’s eyes as he reached out to Aya, but she didn’t respond. From Aya’s demeanor, Shu seemed to have understood everything. He lowered his outstretched hand and turned his gaze to me next. His eyes held clear hostility, as if he saw me as a traitor.

“You…”

Just as Shu was about to say something, Aya once again interrupted him.

“Shu!”

“…”

Aya continued speaking.

“Please don’t fall into a state of mental paralysis like those people. Don’t behave shamefully by throwing a tantrum when things don’t go your way. Otherwise… Shu, you’ll remain stuck forever, won’t you?”

“Darn it.”

Just as Shu was about to give in to anger, Aya’s words of advice stopped him. Shu didn’t look at me or Aya, but instead, turned his back and ran off. Watching his retreating figure, Aya let out a small sigh and leaned into my chest as if she was about to jump into it.

“With this, I’ve also taken a step forward.”

“Indeed. I’ll have to talk to him too at some point.”

I gently stroked Aya’s head, conveying a sense of encouragement. She looked up at me as if wanting more strokes, her gesture irresistibly cute. Despite smiling wryly, I continued to pat her head gently.

Then, Aya made a proposal.

“I… don’t want to go home today.”

…My heart races when you say things like that.

I mean, today is Friday and tomorrow is Saturday… which means it’s the weekend.

“Mom would be delighted… Aya, are you staying over tonight?”

“Yes!”

“As for changing clothes…”

“I’ve put some in the closet Towa-kun prepared, so I should be fine.”

“Ah, I see. That’s right, there was that.”

Recently, I had been so preoccupied with what to do about Aya that I had completely forgotten about it. It wasn’t the first time Aya stayed over at my place, nor was it the first time she needed to change clothes. That’s why there were clothes prepared for Aya in Towa’s room.

“But what about Aya’s mother…?”

“It’ll be fine.”

With those words, Aya took out her smartphone, did a quick operation, turned it off, and put it in her bag. Aya then took my arm again.

“What did you send?”

“I sent a message saying, ‘I’m staying at the house of the person I like.’ The rest… well, that’s my own issue.”

“?”

“hehehe, well then, shall we go?”

I was concerned about the latter part, but Aya took my hand and started walking, so I temporarily interrupted my thoughts. But still… Aya’s mother is likely to be upset. It seems like I’ll have the opportunity to talk to her soon.

There are many worries on my mind. But for now… I want to think about the person next to me.

“Aya, I don’t know how many times I’ve said it today, but I love you.”

As I conveyed that, her smile was, as always, beautiful.

“I feel the same way. Towa-kun.”

“I’m staying at the house of the person I love today, so I won’t be coming back. Also, when I return tomorrow, please leave some time aside as I have something important to discuss.”