NTR Kousuke

Chapter 4

It's been three days since Satsuki—my ex—suddenly told me she has a boyfriend and that he slept with her yesterday.

That morning, just when I thought I couldn't bear to even see her face anymore, I ran into Satsuki at the nearest station.

(Should I say something? ...But what? What could I even say?... My head's a mess, I can't think straight...)

Even when our eyes meet, Satsuki doesn't flinch—she walks toward me without showing a shred of emotion.

She looks the same as always.

Her hair is lighter, a bit shorter and fluffier, and her makeup is more defined than before.

Is she emphasizing her eyes?

A navy blazer, white blouse, red tie, and a checkered skirt.

But her uniform's chest is open, and her skirt is unbelievably short.

She's shifted from quiet beauty to bubbly and cute—my ex... yeah, my ex.

Even after she said those awful things, dumped me, and told me she slept with another guy—I still thought I loved her. No, I believed I loved Mishima Satsuki, the girl I've known since we were kids.

I want it to be some kind of mistake. A lie! A prank! Please, say that...

At the very least, I wish we could've had a better goodbye. Just one more chance to talk...

I watch as her perfectly shaped lips part.

The lips I kissed for the first time in my life, back in March.

Her lips part, and what comes out is—

"You seriously took the same train at the same time? Are you normal? We broke up, so have some decency and take a different one, okay?"

So it's not a dream after all.

It was Satsuki, spitting those words at me like I was garbage.

(...She really has changed.)

As I'm thinking that—

She giggles softly.

"You skipped school yesterday, right? I checked, and that's what I heard. I thought you'd be too shocked to show up for at least a week... Aren't you embarrassed? I can't believe you came!"

I am embarrassed, and hurt, and overwhelmed with all kinds of emotions.

I definitely don't feel like going to school, but I can't keep running away forever.

I have to face this and go to school. I have to end this, once and for all.

So I can turn my ex into just a memory.

I'm resolved—but I'm shaken, and the sting of her words leaves me speechless.

"..."

Satsuki gets slightly irritated.

"Again! You think you can just stay quiet and expressionless and that's fine?! I always thought that! You've got this girly face but then you talk all macho... It's pathetic! Why don't you go whisper your cringey nonsense to your gloomy best friend?!"

Seeing the scorn on her face, I start to question if this is really the Satsuki I knew.

But yeah, I've got a girly face—girly enough that I once had to play a witch in a school play. People always said I looked just like my mom. The only ones I ever told about that complex were Satsuki and my best friend Shou.

I'm starting to feel sad. How did things end up like this?

Why? Did I do something wrong?

"...Satsuki, did I do something?"

I speak carefully, making sure not to stutter, just a little slower than usual.

Satsuki lets out a smug laugh.

"Just like I said the day before yesterday—guys like you are a dime a dozen. I realized my own worth. You're not even in my league anymore, and I'm totally not interested. ...Ugh, and to think someone like you was my first kiss!"

?!

She regrets our kiss...?!

Even if her feelings have changed now—

Back then, in that moment, we both cared for each other, touched, and kissed. Our hearts were connected.

That much is undeniable. Is she really going to deny even that memory...?

I thought I was ready for her cruel words, but everything goes black before my eyes.

I keep my usual blank face and silence out of habit, but deep down I want to run away.

Satsuki looks a little sad.

"What, you're not hurt? You don't feel anything when I say this? You said you loved me, didn't you? ...You're not going to say you love me anymore...?"

Her face softens with a sadness that reminds me of the old Satsuki, and I snap back to myself, blurting out in a small voice—

"I—I—I love you! Of course it hurts! I've been wishing this was all just a lie since the day before yesterday!"

That's how I really feel.

Hearing that, Satsuki grins wickedly.

"Ahahahaha! Gross!! You told your ex who dumped you and got NTR'd that you love her?! That's hilarious! So pathetic! Ahahahahaha!!"

She laughs loudly on the station platform, then suddenly stops and spits out—

"You're disgusting, so don't take the same train as me. I'll give you one last chance to talk, okay? Be grateful. Come to the convenience store near my place this evening. Let's end it there, okay?"

"...Okay."

"You never know—dumped guys snapping and going on a rampage happens all the time. Let's meet somewhere public, okay?"

So she does think I might hold a grudge, huh?

From start to finish, everything went exactly how Satsuki wanted.

I couldn't bear to ride the same train, so I waited for the next one and headed to the terminal station.

My chest is pounding, my head hurts, and I'm dizzy.

Palpitations, shortness of breath—you name it.

Saitou Kousuke, in absolute shambles!

We're supposed to meet and talk after school today.

...I always thought I'd eventually meet her again and get closure. But I never imagined it'd be this soon, this close, and with her saying all that... After school, huh. I've got a bad feeling this won't be a clean goodbye...