Novel-Mao
Chapter 163 Childhood Friend
'So they're still together?' Haruto thought, his gaze lingering on the pair in front of him.
He'd heard from Daiki that Ren and Ayaka's relationship was falling apart, supposedly no longer together.
Haruto suspected it might have been due to his own conversation with Ayaka—how she'd once confessed her desire for him to be her "prince."
'Maybe she changed her mind because I stopped paying attention to her?' Haruto rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
He'd promised Haruka he'd keep his distance from Ayaka, though he'd never been told why. Each time he asked, Haruka would divert the conversation, leaving him more puzzled.
'What is their relationship, actually?'
Snapping out of his thoughts, he heard Chiyo's voice beside him. "Haruto, what's wrong?" Her eyes followed his line of sight and widened. "Wait—isn't that Ayaka?"
Before Haruto could respond, a familiar, taunting voice called his name.
"Oh? Isn't that Haruto?" Ren's smirk was as irritating as ever as he strode over.
"What's a loser like you doing here? And what's with that ridiculous plushie and octopus hat? Lame," he scoffed, pulling out his phone to snap a picture.
Haruto arched an eyebrow, unimpressed. His gaze landed on the ridiculous dolphin headgear perched on Ren's head, a soft blue monstrosity.
"Huh? Says the guy who looks like an idiot with that dolphin hat," Haruto retorted.
"What do you mean? Pippi is cute!" Ren frowned as the two locked eyes, glaring at each other like they were seconds away from a fight.
Meanwhile, Chiyo, unfazed by their squabble, approached Ayaka with a cheerful smile. "Ayaka! How've you been? I didn't know you'd moved to the same town as us."
Ayaka's expression softened at the sight of Chiyo. "Oh, Mrs. Watanabe! It's been a while. I'm doing well. I moved here with my aunt after... the accident."
Chiyo's face fell slightly as she placed a comforting hand on Ayaka's shoulder. "I see… I'm glad to see you're healing." Then, with a gentle smile, she added, "I'm Hayase now."
"Then Mrs. Hayase, are you here with Haruto?" Ayaka asked, glancing curiously at the young man.
Chiyo nodded. "Yes, of course. Haruto, you remember your childhood friend, Ayaka?"
Haruto, distracted by his glaring contest with Ren, turned to Chiyo in confusion. "Childhood friend? Her? I don't… remember."
Chiyo blinked, surprised. "Really? You two used to be so close..." Her eyes flicked to Ren. "And you—aren't you little Ito? You moved here too?"
Ren tilted his head at Chiyo, his expression turning dismissive. "I don't know her," he said bluntly, his eyes glancing over her with disinterest.
"Eh?" Chiyo tilted her head, puzzled. "You two used to play together during the summers, remember? Before... the accident." Her voice grew quieter as she looked away, a shadow of old sorrow crossing her face.
Haruto and Ren exchanged skeptical glances, both clearly trying to dredge up fragmented childhood memories. Then, like a sudden spark, Haruto remembered.
"You… You're that annoying bald brat!" he said, pointing an accusing finger at Ren.
Ren scoffed. "Nope, I don't remember you and stop with that childhood, that's the worst part of my life."
Haruto winced slightly, a sharp pain stabbing through his temple as he tried to recall more. It was like hitting a wall in his mind—memories locked away, hazy and unreachable.
Before he could dwell on it further, a new voice broke through the tension.
"Ren, here's your drink. Next time, get it yourself or make her do it," the girl said, her tone sharp with irritation as she handed Ren a cup.
Haruto's eyes widened in shock as he recognized the speaker. "Erika? What are you doing here?"
Erika Arataki, Ren's supposed victim—the girl whose videos had been "erased" as part of the pact between The Murder of Crow gang and Red Fang—was standing there, avoiding Haruto's gaze.
Ren smirked, clearly relishing Haruto's confusion. He draped an arm around Erika's waist, causing her to flinch ever so slightly. "What do you mean? She's my date, you dork."
"Erika…" Haruto's voice was low, filled with disbelief.
Ren leaned in close, his voice dropping to a mocking whisper. "Don't worry, Haruto. I didn't break the pact. She came to me willingly. Right, Erika?"
Erika nodded weakly, her eyes downcast, refusing to meet Haruto's burning gaze as if she were ashamed.
Haruto clenched his fists tightly, the urge to wipe that smug grin off Ren's face bubbling within him. But with Chiyo beside him, he forced himself to hold back.
"This is boring. Come on, girls, let's go," Ren said, turning on his heel and leading Erika and Ayaka away, leaving Haruto and Chiyo behind.
But Haruto couldn't let it go. His jaw tightened, his feet moving on their own as he followed Ren, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife.
Chiyo hurried after him, her expression uneasy. The air was electric, and it felt like a storm was brewing, ready to explode at any moment.
Though Haruto restrained himself, his anger simmered beneath the surface. Ren, Ayaka, and Erika were clearly on a "date," though Ren's behavior was far from respectful.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om
He treated Ayaka like a servant, barking orders at her, while his hands roamed Erika's waist, her discomfort evident in every stiff movement. The sight made Haruto's fists clench.
"Haruto… are you okay?" Chiyo's soft voice broke through his thoughts.
Haruto blinked, pulling himself out of his spiraling frustration. Today was supposed to be their date—a moment for just the two of them.
He sighed heavily, pulling out his phone and snapping a quick photo of Ren and Erika as evidence for Arataki.
Turning to Chiyo, he managed a small smile. "I'm sorry," he said, gently taking her hand. "Let's go somewhere else so we can have fun."
But just as they turned to leave, a sudden scream pierced the air, freezing them both in place.
Whipping around, Haruto's heart sank at the sight before him. Ren had tossed his drink at Ayaka, the cold liquid soaking her clothes and leaving her shivering and humiliated.