I, Who Was Ridiculed as a “Video Game Otaku and Creepy” and Dumped by My Childhood Friend, Was Actua

Chapter 23

The Missed Fish Was Too Big

Translated by NotBlueYet
Edited by Kingavent

Even though I was getting busier, I still went to school as much as I could.

When all the day’s classes were over and I was about to leave, my phone vibrated.

I checked the screen and saw that it said, “You have two messages from Ema Ichinose.”

“What is it, Ema?”

If it had been me before, I would have been happy just to receive a message from Ema.

Looking back, I wonder why I fell in love with Ema.

The time goes back to almost 10 years ago.

I used to play with Ema because our houses were near each other.

At that time, Ema was pure.

I loved the kindness she showed unexpectedly and the smile on her face.

I am sure that I fell in love with that part of Ema.

It is often said that in love, the one who falls in love loses.

However, Ema gradually changed.

Perhaps it is inevitable that time changes people.

But I had an illusion.

I wanted her to be the “Ema of old.”

That fantasy was easily betrayed.

“You and I are not compatible, are we?”

I felt like everything was over that day when Ema harshly rejected me.

But now I think it was for the best.

It was because she gave me a chance to meet Rio Natsume.

If it were not for Rio, I probably would not have recovered so much.

I am the type of person who drags things out, and I was dumped by the person I had a one-sided love for 10 years.

“I’ll check it out.”

I opened the message from Ema.

“I want to meet and talk. Can I go to your house today “

Those were the only two messages I got from Ema.

I was like, “What the hell are you talking about now? It’s so troublesome.”

But if I turned her down, I didn’t know what she would do to me.

I wanted to make my relationship with Ema clear.

“If only for a little while.”

I replied and put my phone away in my pocket.

“Huh, that’s depressing.”

I walked slowly home.

My steps were somehow heavier than usual today.

After a while, the intercom rang.

It was probably Ema.

I checked and unlocked the front door.

There stood Ema, with a smile plastered on her face, as if she was trying to make up for something.

“Ryo, long time no see.”

“Ah.”

The day I was dumped, Ema and I had naturally kept our distance.

“So, what can I do for you?”

“I’m sorry about that day. I didn’t listen to you properly.”

“Nothing.”

“I changed my mind. I’ve changed my mind and I’m willing to go out with Ryo.”

How is it possible to say things from such a high-ranking point of view?

“What about your boyfriend?”

“I didn’t want to be with that guy. I knew it had to be Ryo. ……”

she said with a beautiful smile on her face.

“I’m sorry. I wonder if that’s impossible.”

“What did you say ……?”

“I’m sorry, I can’t do that. I can no longer respond to Ema’s feelings.”

The expression on Ema’s face changed to despair.

I don’t think she thought she would be rejected.

“Why! You were in love with me, weren’t you!?”

“Oh, I liked you.”

It’s already in the past for me.

“Can you go out with me!?”

“No, sorry”

“So why?”

“Because I met someone who I want to walk in the same direction with”

I said with Rio in mind.

“Since we’re done, go home.”

“…………”

Ema left my house without saying anything.

It looked like she had tears in her eyes.