I was Rejected 10,000 times by My Childhood Friend, but After I Gave Up, I Suddenly Started Getting Popular? - Ch. 2 - Episode 2 p7

Are We Old Enough to be Talking About Our Childhoods?

We had just finished picking out my clothes, but it wasn’t even close to the time we were supposed to leave. And so, Kakeru and I wandered around the mall at random.

Normally, in a crowded place such as the shopping mall, I would have made a beeline for the exit and my home immediately after finishing my business. However, it apparently wasn’t enough for Keru.

It had been a while since I’ve seen so much miscellaneous paraphernalia, and if you asked if I had fun, I would, without a doubt, say I did.

But the stress began to build up in my legs, making me feel that I needed to exercise more often.

After a while, the clock struck five. Since my strained legs were on the verge of giving in, I decided to head home.

On a side note, Kakeru didn’t break a sweat. As expected of the ace of the basketball team. 

“Well, the clothes I’ve picked out for you today will hopefully get you through summer vacation.”

“Yes, hopefully. Thank you very much.”

This exchange happened on the train ride home, by the way (I was carrying two large paper bags in my hand).

I bought way more clothes than I thought I would need. Keru probably participated in some door-to-door sellings. Or he worked as an apparel store clerk. That was quite easy to imagine.

“Well, I don’t want to say too much, but for no particular reason, Ritsu, you actually have a pretty good face, you know?”

“What do you mean, ‘for no particular reason’? Just give me the damn compliment.”

“Yeah, for no particular reason.”

“Hey. Don’t push it.”

I was actually attempting to hide my embarrassment, as no one had ever told me that before.

I thought I was an average, ordinary protagonist with no personality… Wait, no.

I’m just a normal high school student! You’re the one with the good-looking face!

In other words… I’m just normal.

Shocking, I know.

“You can’t help it though. The people around you are too strong.”

“You’re including yourself in that, aren’t you?”

“I’m the type of guy who can evaluate himself.”

“Dammit… I got nothing.”

“See?”

“I want to retort… but I really can’t say anything.”

No matter how you look at it, Kakeru is handsome and perfect.

The only thing about him that annoys me is that he always has a “I see through everything in the world” look on his face.

Other than that… trouble, trouble, trouble.

“But, Ritsu, you’ve got to be confident. You’re a good guy, after all.”

“Why do you insist on that?”

“Well, it’s called hiding embarrassment.”

“…You can’t say that to a guy. It’s gonna cause a misunderstanding.”

“What if it’s not a misunderstanding?”

“I’m scared of having a girlfriend now! This transformation is terrifying!”

I’ve said this a number of times, but please und erstand that Keru and I do not have that kind of relationship.

Please don’t write, “I want the Kakeru route!” in the feedback comments. Refrain yourselves from doing so, please.

I got off at the next station and headed for home.

Since we went the same way, Keru and I walked together.

We passed by a rather large park, when Keru suddenly glanced toward that general vicinity.

“Let’s go to the park for the first time in a while.”

“What’s up with that all of a sudden?”

“Hmm… Well, I just wanted to have a reminiscence, that’s all.”

“…I see… I’ll go along with you, then.”

“Great.”

This playful, lighthearted feeling is what I, as a high school boy, was looking for.

We live in a groove (biased).

We stepped into the park.

I haven’t gone to the park since the day I started high school. This is a bit nostalgic.

Kakeru was unusually excited.

Since it is about six o’clock in the evening, there are no small children playing around in the empty park.

Now, the park has changed to be for the teens.

“It’s as if the park has been transformed for big kids.

“Well, it seems that most of the playground equipment is too small for us.”

“Right. I can’t deny that.”

There definitely is no shortage of places to play and exercise. However, I thought exercising was a hassle, and thus, this lazy body was born.

But probably due to Aki-san’s cooking, I didn’t gain much weight.

Aki-san, thank you.

We eventually sat down on a bench in the park.

I didn’t think there was any need to be in the park, but since Keru insisted, I stayed. We both didn’t feel like we were in high school anymore.

“Well, when I was a kid, I was outside all the time.”

“We’re not old enough to go back to our childhoods!”

“Well, it’s good to go back once in a while. You never forget your beginnings.”

“W-What do you mean?”

“Well, don’t worry about the details.”

Keru, as of right now, was being quite strange.

Though, judging from the way he was acting today, I had a hunch that he was talking about Karen and me.

My prediction was right on target and he suddenly posed a question.

“So, have you really given up on her?”

How many times have I heard that line today?

With each passing day, the weight of those words became heavier.

Did you really give up?

…My answer is already out there.