Reborn as the Man Who Takes Away the Protagonist’s Beloved Childhood Friend

My childhood friend is a precious existence to me.

“Phew, we’re done, President.”

“Good work, Shu-kun. I just finished as well.”

Handing over the documents I was working on to the president, I took a breath. Normally, after school, the three of us, Aya, Towa, and I, would go home together, but the president, Iori-san, asked me to help with something and that’s why I stayed at school.

I had my doubts about why it had to be me and not someone else, but I guess it’s mainly because we’ve known each other for quite a while. I shifted my gaze away from the president who was cleaning up, picked up my smartphone, and opened an app to find a message from Aya.

“I’ll go home with Towa-kun first. Good luck with your work, Shu-kun.”

She didn’t need to send a message like this specifically, but the overflowing kindness in her message made me happy, and I couldn’t help but smile.

I wasn’t worried about being alone with Towa. While Towa had known Aya longer than I did, the two of them seemed like nothing more than good friends from my perspective. Even though it was a long time ago, Towa said he supported Aya and me.

“Why are you grinning at your phone? Everything okay?”

“Whoa!? N-no, it’s nothing, really.”

“Hmm.”

I hurriedly tried to smooth things over with Iori-san, who was looking unimpressed. She suddenly closed the gap between us and brought her face closer. I was bewildered by the proximity that seemed like a kiss could happen with just a slight movement, and Iori-san chuckled mischievously.

“From the looks of it, do you think there’s still a chance for me too? Hey, Shu-kun.”

Her mischievous yet seductive sidelong glances made my heart race. The Iori-san I knew was a woman who maintained such close distance only with me, showing no such attitude to other boys. She wouldn’t tell me what she liked about me, but there was a time she almost did.

“If you date me, I might tell you, you know?”

I realized that her words were a joke, so I casually replied, “That’s fine.” No matter how modestly put, Iori-san was beautiful.

She was a celebrity far beyond someone like me. If I were to say this, Towa would probably scold me for belittling myself, but despite some improvement from the past, this self-deprecating nature wasn’t easy to shake off.

Or rather, I like Ayana. Though I may be swayed by Iori-san’s advances, Ayana is still my number one.

“Ahem. Let’s head back soon, Iori-san.”

“Oh, you’re trying to escape?”

“I’ll head back first.”

“Don’t leave me behind.”

I didn’t want to be teased further, so I quickly left the student council room. Iori-san soon caught up, walking beside me, and together we retrieved our shoes from the lockers and exited the school gates.

We walked and talked on the way home until a familiar voice made my eardrums vibrate.

“Senpai! Shu-senpai!”

A lively voice echoed, and as I turned to look, a girl was running towards us.

“We’re heading home now, are you guys too? If so, may I join you?”

The one who approached us was Mari Uchida, a junior. In contrast to the mature and beautiful Iori-san, Mari was boyish and slender… more cute than beautiful, perhaps.

“Sure. Shu-kun, you’re okay with it, right?”

“Of course. Let’s walk together, Mari.”

“Yes!”

Mari energetically replied and positioned herself between me and Iori-san, closing the gap. Seeing that, Iori-san also closed the distance between us as if to show her competitive spirit. Towa might remain composed in such a situation, but it was impossible for me. Besides, I didn’t know what others might say if they witnessed this scene.

“Uchida-san, isn’t that a bit too close?”

“President, why don’t you move a bit farther away?”

Please, don’t argue while sandwiching me between you. Whether they noticed my troubled expression or for some other reason, the two stopped their argument, almost like declaring a temporary truce.

I didn’t want Ayana to misunderstand if she saw this scene, but fortunately, she should have already gone home, so that worry was unnecessary.

After walking a bit more, Iori-san suddenly spoke up.

“By the way, what’s the connection between Shu-kun and Uchida-san?”

It was a simple question from Iori-san. Mari was the one who answered.

“On holidays, I often run around the town, and I met Senpai Nonomura there. As someone who was dedicated to club activities, talking with Senpai Nonomura was enjoyable for me, and that’s how Senpai Nonomura introduced Shu-senpai to me.”

On a certain holiday, I was summoned by Ayana and met Mari where she was. I was nervous as it was our first meeting, but with Ayana by my side, the conversation flowed.

Since then, I started accompanying Mari on her runs more often. We got along well, and recently, we’ve been meeting without Ayana as well.

“I see… But isn’t it a coincidence? Thinking about it, wasn’t it Nonomura-san who also played a role in Shu-kun and me meeting?”

“Eh, really?”

“Oh, now that you mention it…”

Ayana often took the lead in class discussions. When it came to reporting the decisions made in class to President Iori, she asked for my help, and that’s how I got to know her.

“It seems like Ayana is like a cupid.”

“Indeed. Well, Shu-kun still doesn’t seem to notice our feelings.”

“It’s quite a challenge.”

“Indeed.”

Why are both of them giving me such serious looks?

Looking at my troubled face, the two of them let out a big sigh.

“No good, no good.”

“Not good at all.”

“What did I do!?”

I unintentionally interjected.

Expressing my dissatisfaction with the two’s reactions through my expression, they each softly smiled and apologized. Well, I can’t say I dislike the everyday life spent with them. I can even say I like it. They, just like Ayana, truly see me.

“…But still, Nonomura-san is a formidable opponent.”

“Indeed. Childhood friends are tough!”

Why did Ayana’s name suddenly come up?

However… childhood friends, huh. I truly appreciate being able to grow up with Ayana. My beloved childhood friend whom I’ve spent time with since we were young, the girl who always treated me with a smile, I really like her.

To me, a childhood friend is… yes.

The most important existence above all else.

Yes, this feels right.

“I have fun being with Ayana-chan!”

“Is that so? Me too.”

Ayana’s smile as she said that, a treasure that will forever remain in my heart. That’s why I hope that one day she’ll understand my feelings.

I might be laughed at for saying this, but Ayana and I are practically acknowledged by our parents. Ayana, without making a displeased face, has always been by my side with a smile… I am confident that these feelings will surely reach her. It will be alright.

“Nonomura-senpai is amazing too, but Yukishiro-senpai is incredible as well. Wasn’t he really good at soccer in middle school?”

“!? Is that so?”

Unlike Iori, who seemed interested, my heart felt as if a shadow had been cast over it. Towa is indeed my best friend. But, discussions about Towa’s soccer are like a forbidden topic for me.

“Although it was different in middle school, it became quite a topic even though we were in different schools. But, I heard he quit soccer after getting injured in an accident. Do you know anything about it, Osamu-senpai?”

“Um…”

I couldn’t answer immediately to Mari’s question.

Because that incident… no, it’s all in the past now. Towa forgave me too.

“Well, that’s just how things go. Don’t worry about it. It’s more important that you’re safe.”

…See, that’s what Towa in my memories is saying. So, it’s all in the past.

“I don’t know the details. It must have been regretful for Towa, so maybe it’s better not to pry too much.”

Am I speaking normally? I’m sure it’s fine. I’ll say it again, that’s all in the past.

“That’s true. Anyway! I have to do my best!”

“Good luck, Mari-chan. We’re rivals, but I’m rooting for you.”

As the topic of Towa ended, I felt truly relieved.

Pretending to be calm, I walked home while conversing with the two. Towa is my best friend… yes, my best friend.

A best friend who can do anything.

Good at studying, good at sports, has many friends… and is close with Ayana.

I envied you, who were different from me… In the hospital room, seeing you being told you couldn’t participate in the tournament anymore…

I smirked… almost as if saying “serves you right.”

The gaze I felt at that moment was so terrifying, but since no one was there, I didn’t pay it much mind. Perhaps… someone saw my mocking expression.