Is It Permissible To Abandon a Childhood Friend Who Has Become a School Idol and Be Happy

78

“You look like you can’t do it.”

Mio looked at me and laughed gleefully.

With a truly joyous expression, one I’d never seen before.

“Wow, now you look even more amazing. I didn’t know you could make that kind of face, Kouya-kun. I think it’s the first time I’ve seen it.”

Mio’s comment was exactly the same, word for word, as what I felt about Mio’s current smile.

But the content was the complete opposite. While Mio was impressed, I only felt my disgust growing. I couldn’t wait to get out of here.

I must have been visibly irritated by now. I didn’t intend to hide it, and Mio must have seen through me.

“hehehehe, I’m so happy.”

But Mio laughed again. This time, she showed me a goofy smile, as if her face was melting.

She looked as relaxed as if she were in her own home. Far from minding my anger in front of her, she seemed to be enjoying it. It made no sense.

“Why are you laughing like that?”

“I told you. I’m happy.”

“Why are you happy? You can tell that I’m angry, can’t you?”

“Even so, I’m happy about what makes me happy, so I laugh. Some say that animals smile to show aggression, but I’m human, so I laugh when I’m happy. It’s not that strange, is it? “

It’s not strange? How could that be? It’s full of strange things.

I’ve been asking “Why?” over and over again, and Mio just keeps saying “I’m happy.”

This isn’t a conversation. It’s like a kindergarten teacher talking to a child.

“Are you trying to tell me to read between the lines? I don’t understand what Mio is trying to say, so I’m asking. Or should I just apologize for being so clueless?”

Perhaps because I was aware of it, my tone of voice openly unpleasant, not just my attitude became.

I know in my head that I shouldn’t get emotional, but that’s what happens when I open my mouth.

I thought I was more rational, but I can’t seem to control my feelings when I’m with Mio.

“Ahahahaha, that’s fine… no, but maybe it is? That way, I might be able to see more of the Kouya-kun that I don’t know.”

She started to look troubled, but I was reaching my limit.

Time was passing by as we spoke. I had left the house to go to school, but at this rate, I would be late.

“If you’re not going to answer, then fine. I’m going to school, so Mio can…”

I started to say something, and then I realized.

That’s right, today’s Monday. The week has started, and it’s time to go to school. Before the break started, Mio didn’t dye her hair at all.

That means――――.

“Looks like you’ve noticed, Beniya-kun.”

Mio grinned. No, she sneered.

This was also something I’d never seen before――no, that’s not right. I have a memory of this smile.

“That’s right. Today’s the first day I’ll be going to school with dyed hair. But just so you know, it’s not against school regulations. There are lots of girls who dye their hair a little bit. So it’s no problem at all . That’s right, no problem. No problem at all.”

That’s right, I remember. The first time I met the Mio of today.

In that classroom at dusk, Mio definitely had this kind of smile on her face.

“I hate to toot my own horn, but Mio really is a natural beauty. She can be a beautiful girl with any hairstyle. Don’t you think she looks great with dyed hair? Right, my ex-boyfriend?”

She said it teasingly, but I couldn’t laugh at all.

In the first place, I didn’t feel like I could laugh in front of this Mio.

“That’s why… I think I’ll be even more popular if I go to school like this.”

Mio said, flipping her hair.

Her smile, as always, was full of joy. Her hair, which fluttered in the wind, was certainly beautiful.

The bright color reflected the morning light. It wouldn’t have looked like this if her hair was black. It almost seemed like I could faintly see through it to the other side.

“You…”

“I’m already super popular, but if I do this, it’ll be a pain. I might get even more confessions. How many times will I get called out and told that someone likes me from now on?”

I don’t know about that. I don’t want to know. But this Mio will probably tell me about it.

She’s really malicious, and she’s a devil. She’s aware of everything she’s doing, so she’s way too much to handle.

“I’ll become even more popular. I’m not planning on going back to black hair. Not until everyone thinks that the Mio of today is Misaka Mio.”

That means.

“Are you planning on erasing Mio?”

The quiet Mio. The Mio who wore glasses. The Mio who always looked down.

One after another, memories of Mio came to mind. She was nothing like the Mio of today. She was dark and she loved books, but she would only smile in front of me. She was my childhood friend.

“Erase? Mio has already disappeared. You know that very well, Beniya-kun.”

“That’s not it, that’s not it at all!”

I wanted to say something. But I couldn’t say it properly. I had to say it, but I couldn’t find the words to express my feelings.

“Uh-huh, I understand. I understand exactly what you want to say, Beniya-kun.”

Mio nodded with satisfaction, seeing my frustration.

Her eyes wouldn’t let go of me. I couldn’t help but feel like she could see through everything. They were unpleasant eyes.

“You still cherish Mio properly. I’m glad to know that. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have punished you.”

“Punish…ment…?”

“That’s right, punishment. I told you what would happen, but you didn’t listen at all, Beniya-kun. This is your punishment.”

As she spoke, Mio approached me.

Happily, cheerfully. With a smile that seemed to say she understood everything, she approached me.

“Hey. Beniya-kun. Do you want to keep Mio? Or do you want to erase her?”

“…………”

“Just one word is fine. Depending on your answer, I’ll skip school today. And I’ll dye my hair again, and I can go to school starting tomorrow. With the hair color of Mio that you loved so much.”

I really thought she was a devil.

No matter what, this Mio wanted to engrave herself on me. And Mio.

“I…”

My answer is………….