My love story came to an end at that summer fireworks festival.

Jinto Yoshida. The childhood friend who lived next door.

When we were little, we were always together, no matter what we were doing. We were always holding hands.

"Hey, let's get married when we grow up!!"

"Okay."

Even though he was a bit mature for his age, I still remember him making that promise with a shy look on his face.

Kindergarten, elementary school, middle school—I even took the entrance exam for the same high school just to be near him.

We even walked to and from school together.

"Morning."

I loved him for coming to pick me up every single day.

"Hey, Jinto, aren't you going to date anyone?"

"School just started, didn't it?"

"No, it's already our third year. It's the last one!! I've never seen you in love..."

For three years, I was the one by his side.

I thought I'd be by his side forever, that I'd tell him how I felt someday, that things would work out, and that promise would come true.

Or so I thought.

The first day of school after summer break.

That's where it all started to fall apart.

He picked me up as usual, and when I tripped, he pulled my hand and supported me, saying, "Careful."

When we entered the classroom, it was noisy. Rumors about a transfer student were flying everywhere.

"Did you guys walk to school together again today?"

Being teased by classmates was just part of our daily routine.

During homeroom, the transfer student arrived.

"I'm Kaede Shiraishi."

A lovely girl with medium-length black hair.

I was happy.

Another girl in the class, and she was so cute.

"Alright, Yoshida. You're on duty, so show her around the school later."

The teacher called on him.

He answered with a nonchalant face.

Lunch break.

Today, I'm eating alone.

Usually, he'd be sitting next to me.

"Sorry... I have to show Kaede around, so eat with the others."

The transfer student bowed to me from behind him.

I waved back to see them off.

In my lunch box was chicken nanban, which I'd made extra of just to give to him.

It was the same the next day at lunch.

"Sorry. There are still places I didn't finish showing her yesterday." And the day after that.

"I'm going to show Kaede to the teacher's office." And the day after that, too.

He wasn't by my side.

A whole week without him next to me.

I ended up eating the extra tamagoyaki and fried chicken I made out of habit all by myself.

Even the peaches I brought for fruit.

I waited for him after school.

"Sorry. Kept you waiting."

"Were you with Kaede?"

"Ah, yeah. The building is pretty big, you know? Apparently, it's hard to navigate."

"I see. That must be tough."

"Sorry. I haven't been able to eat lunch with you at all."

This is the cruel part about him.

Even as he pushes me away, he makes it impossible for me to leave.