Work Text:
They say that 70% of high school couples break up within a year.
Almost all of them separate before graduation, yet they let love move them forward, crying and laughing along the way.
I don't expect that much from myself or from reality for temporary bonds to stir my heart.
Though sometimes, I do think about it.
If I had a youth like that... If I had a heroine weighed down by tears...
Then...
What would I think?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Ah... how wonderful animals are."
...I said as I finished reading the latest animal magazine I had bought.
Learning more about animals always brings me a deep sense of peace.
"I am deeply satisfied," I thought as I quietly closed the book.
I straightened my posture in my seat and lightly adjusted my glasses. Then I took a sip from the drink on my table.
"I can't wait for the next issue of the magazine," I muttered to myself when suddenly a shout caught my attention.
"You can't do that, Subaru-kun! Don't waste time on this!"
"But—"
"You might never see her again!"
The shouting from a nearby table pulled me out of my thoughts. I think it's a couple arguing about something.
Good grief, the atmosphere in the restaurant had been so peaceful... They should learn to discuss sensitive matters in private.
Well, I suppose I should ignore them. After all, it's not my problem. I'll just keep reading my magazine.
Though my melon drink is almost empty. "Maybe I should go refill it," I said as I stood up from my seat.
"—Huh!?"
I quickly sat back down after trying to walk toward the refill station.
Damn it, the couple at the other table is from my school. They're also my classmates.
The one shouting is Rem Oni. She's a cute and helpful girl, popular in class.
The boy sitting across from her is Subaru Natsuki. A black-haired guy with deep eyes who's also fairly well known.
Those two have always been together.
Hmm... actually, they're dating, right?
But why would they start arguing here? —I perked up my ears while pretending to read my magazine.
"If you don't go see Emilia-chan... she'll leave for England. Is that what you want?"
"But Emilia-tan already said goodbye to me and—"
"Doesn't that mean she wants you to go after her!?"
...What is this conversation? It's getting interesting.
The Emilia they're talking about... that's the girl who transferred here, right?
I think her name was Emilia Elior.
Ah yes... I still remember the scandal the day she arrived.
When she introduced herself on her first day, she got into an argument with Subaru. Something about, "Ah, you're that pervert from before!"
But wait... England? Is she transferring again? Isn't that too fast?
While I drifted through my thoughts, their conversation continued.
"How can you be so sure about that?"
"I know! I know very well... because I... because I've always loved you too..."
Rem lowered her head, small tears falling as she clenched her hands.
"Rem... I..."
Rem lifted her head with determination. Then she suddenly stood up and placed her bicycle key on the table.
"Go, Subaru-kun... Emilia-chan is waiting for you!"
"...Are you sure?"
"Emilia-chan is a good girl. I won't accept her being unhappy."
"Thank you. I'll tell her how I feel."
"Good luck. If she rejects you, I'll comfort you with a lap pillow."
"...I'm sorry, Rem."
After saying that and grabbing the key from the table, Subaru ran off. He didn't even look back at her.
Rem remained sitting there silently, head lowered.
"...Don't apologize, idiot."
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
What a scene I just witnessed. I think I'll just pretend I didn't see anything.
After reaching that conclusion, I took a sip of my drink, trying to forget what had happened.
But I couldn't help glancing back toward Rem's table.
—Huh?! That can't be real...
The girl who had just been rejected, Rem Oni, slowly extended her hand toward the glass on the other side of the table.
It was the glass left behind by the boy who had just rejected her, Subaru Natsuki.
Realizing her intentions, I couldn't help covering my face.
—Stop! Please don't do something so pathetic! Think of your sister!
My silent prayers went unheard. Rem held the glass in her hand and, hesitating slightly, placed the recently used straw into her mouth.
...Ahh, she actually did it in the end.
The girl took a long, deep sip, her flushed expression making it seem like she was enjoying it.
While the straw was still between her lips, her eyes scanned around to check if anyone had seen her.
...Damn it, our eyes met.
And there went my last hope that she hadn't noticed me.
Rem's face turned bright red. Then—"Pfft!" She spat out all the drink in her mouth and started coughing.
Well, I can only pretend I didn't see anything. I whistled and returned to my magazine, trying to act inconspicuous.
Unfortunately, my efforts were in vain. Rem sat down in front of me.
.
.
.
.
.
.
"Subaru-kun and I are childhood friends."
Is she really about to tell me her life story right now?
"When we were little, Subaru-kun put a ring made of clovers on my hand. He said I would be his wife... his wife."
Rem said this while staring out the window.
"I won't be able to get married anymore!"
she cried as she began sobbing.
"Uwah! Please calm down."
After a few moments, she finally settled down.
"Thank you very much for helping me pay for the food. I didn't realize I didn't bring enough money."
"It's fine. Just pay me back later."
She nodded.
"Here, drink this and calm down a little."
I offered her a glass of tea.
"Thank you... You're Suwen-kun, from my class, right?"
She's asking that now?
"This tastes really good."
she said after taking a sip.
"It's rosehip tea. They say it's good for your skin."
"My skin?"
She laughed self-deprecatingly.
"Though I don't have anyone to show it to."
Don't say that. Just drink it and go home.
Just as I was wondering what to say next, the waitress arrived carrying a plate.
"Here is your large order of fries."
"Thank you."
Huh? I didn't order those.
"You like honey mustard and mentai mayo, right?"
Rem said while putting two fries into her mouth.
"Did you order these?"
"Emilia-chan is also my friend, but... but she only arrived this May! Subaru-kun and I have been together for twelve years."
"I'll ask again. Did you order the fries?"
"After telling me I'd be his wife, this is just cruel. He's a liar."
Isn't she being cruel to me too?
I want this to end peacefully, so I suppressed my urges and crossed my legs.
"When did he tell you he'd marry you?"
"Before elementary school. When we were five or six."
Yeah, that definitely doesn't count.
"Did he cheat on me? He changed targets after a prettier girl with bigger breasts appeared."
I really don't think that's what happened.
"Were you two actually dating?" I asked.
"Eh? G-Goodness, do we really look like that? Well... people have always said we were a perfect match since we were little, hehe."
Rem covered her flushed face in embarrassment.
So that means...
"You two weren't dating? Then it's not cheating, right?"
Rem's expression twisted after hearing my words.
"B-But we were basically a couple. If it weren't for that dairy cow, by now I would've already..."
Wasn't she your friend?
"Besides, it's not completely over yet."
Honestly, I don't think Subaru will change his mind at such a crucial moment.
"...No, I'd say it's completely over already."
"Let me tell you something. It's a secret. Once, I took a bath with Subaru-kun."
"That was when you were five or six, right?"
I bet Emilia and Subaru will take a bath together soon. You should mentally prepare yourself, girl.
"Also, also! Both of our parents approved of our relationship (even if my sister didn't like the idea). After all, marriage is just two families becoming one."
Rem continued, but then tears began falling from her eyes again.
"Uwah, what's wrong now?"
"...Marriage... the wedding... his wife... the wedding dress I should've worn will now be shown off by that busty woman."
I think she just imagined her romantic rival wearing a wedding dress. Ah... good grief, I don't understand why rejected girls become so unstable.
"I know, I really do. If I had been braver, maybe the result would've been different," Rem said between sobs.
"You're right..."
She wiped her tears and smiled.
"Sorry for causing a scene."
"It's fine."
You should apologize for something else, though.
"I don't mind. As long as Subaru-kun is happy... that's enough for me."
"I-I see..."
This girl was rejected in an incredibly cinematic way.
Rem kept eating the last fries while I watched her with a sympathetic gaze.
Now that I think about it, there's a way to describe girls like her.
Ah... yes...
Rem Oni.
Yes, this girl is a losing heroine.