I Was Abandoned by My Fiancé and Betrayed by My Best Friend—A Story from Rock Bottom - Chapter 22

Saturday, 10:00 AM.

My smartphone chimed with a notification, vibrating like the flutter of a small bird’s wings.

Reika’s name bloomed across the SNS screen.

Wondering what it could be, I peeked at the message.

“Miharu, you’re off today, right? Keep me company. Meet at Ginza 3-chome, 11:00. Dress recommended. That’s all.”

“That’s all”—what, is this a command?

I sighed involuntarily, leaving it on read as I sank into the sofa.

What is this… Am I obligated to go?

Probably not, right?

—And then, a remark from Kiryū last night surfaced in my mind.

“Go ahead. The more experience, the better.”

Pushed forward so matter-of-factly—as if it were just a change of pace—my right to refuse vanished somewhere.

Alright, I’ll steel myself.

If a dress is recommended, I’ll go with a subtle beige, nothing too flashy…

◆◆◆

The air in Ginza seemed to sparkle more dazzlingly than usual.

As I checked my watch, the edge of the street suddenly shifted in color.

Lustrous black hair, swaying earrings, a honey-colored silk dress.

The small crowd gathering around her didn’t seem to be a mistake.

—It was definitely Kujo Reika.

“You’re not late. Pass.”

“W-what are you grading me on…?”

“Preparation. A woman is eighty percent decided by how she gets ready.”

Brushing off my trembling smile, Reika turned on her heel.

Our destination was the jewelry floor of a department store.

A sea of glass and light, even the angles of the clerks’ smiles were perfect.

“Diamonds are for night, not day. Just browsing is enough for today. —By the way, Udo-san, what kind of accessories do you usually wear?”

“Uh, well… At work, small pearls or something a bit delicate.”

“I see. Your neck is pretty, so motifs that drop vertically would suit you.”

Huh? I thought this would be a one-sided bragging session, but she kept asking about my preferences.

Earrings, perfume, heel height, colors for days off.

Her questions came rapid-fire, yet strangely, there was no sense of pressure.

“Just sweet is boring. I think ‘dignity’ suits you, Miharu.”

Eh, first-name basis?

Well, on SNS, that’s how it was, but…

“D-dignity…?”

Is she talking about perfume?

“That’s right. —Next, cosmetics.”

We stepped off the escalator onto the cosmetics floor.

While testing new lipsticks, the conversation turned to work.

“I heard you voiced your opinion in the Development Department? Naoya praised you, which is rare.”

“Eh, praised…?”

“He said, ‘She’s a rare newbie who pushes through with logic.'”

My heart did a weird flip.

—That composed managing director said something like that…?

“Don’t worry. I’ll keep it a secret that I told you he praised you.”

“W-why?”

“Because people become stronger when they share a secret.”

“O-oh…”

She said it with a laugh, but her eyes were serious… weren’t they?

◆◆◆

Lunch was at a café attached to a hotel.

Intimidated by the French dancing across the menu, I ordered the salad and soup set.

Just when I thought a glamorous bragging contest was about to begin—

“Miharu, what do you eat on your days off?”

“Something easy to make. Lots of vegetables… Lately, I’ve been into miso soup.”

“What kind of dashi?”

“Kombu and bonito… sometimes niboshi.”

“Lovely. It has an honest fragrance.”

(Huh? My miso soup got praised?)

Before I knew it, the topic shifted to music, movies, books.

Reika didn’t “appraise” my answers; she “gathered and rearranged” them.

The rhythm of the conversation was comfortable, and even though I tried to play it quiet, I ended up talking.

“You have a ‘quiet passion,’ Miharu. —That usually sets men’s hearts on fire.”

“Eh, um, well…”

“Your face is red. Cute.”

I wish she’d stop making people blush so casually.

◆◆◆

The moment we stepped out of the store, the sound of footsteps cutting through the wind.

At the edge of my vision, a black shadow reached for Reika’s bag—!

“Look out!”

By the time I reflexively shouted, it should have been too late…

But in the next instant, Reika’s body twisted.

She reversed her wrist, shifted her weight, and swept the assailant’s legs.

The bag-snatcher tumbled onto the pavement without a sound.

“Oww… wh-what the hell?!”

“If I were serious, I’d have broken at least three of your bones. I’ll let you off today.”

Coolly retrieving her bag, she released the man’s hand.

Murmurs from passersby.

The man scurried away, not wanting to get caught.

“R-Reika… what was that…?”

“Self-defense. A required subject for women.”

Don’t say it so casually.

It’s bad for my heart.

I’m glad no one was hurt, but…

Honestly, it was cool.

“Are you alright, Miharu? That must have been scary.”

“N-no. Um… thank you.”

“It’s not just about being protected. You should have a ‘self that can protect,’ too. I’ll give you a lesson later.”

“Eh… I’ll pass.”

As I thought, this person is no ordinary woman.

◆◆◆

In the afternoon, we went window shopping.

She even wandered into a casual general store with me, and I felt my shoulders relax a little.

In my hand was one small paper bag.

Inside, a pale sky-blue scarf.

—At checkout, Reika said, “This is from me,” and gave it to me.

◆◆◆

“I kept you out for a long time today. Thank you, Udo-san.”

In the end, we thoroughly browsed three stores.

“N-no, thank you. Somehow, I feel like I learned a lot.”

“Fufu. As thanks for keeping me company today, I’ll teach you just one thing.”

The evening breeze rustled the trees along the sidewalk.

The earlier lightness vanished, replaced by a sharp, refined stillness.

Reika looked straight at me.

“I know Naoya’s ‘past.’ His habits, the meaning behind his silences, his weaknesses.”

“…Yes.”

“You, Miharu, have changed Naoya’s ‘present.’ If you haven’t noticed, you should remember that.”

“Huh?”

Something chimed softly deep in my chest.

What does that mean?

—A strange feeling.

For a moment, my chest tingled, and I felt a little scared.

“And—”

Reika lifted the corner of her mouth slightly, and with the sound of her folding fan as her cue, she said:

“Fair and square, you might become a rival in love. Are you prepared?”

“Eh, w-wait a minute. I’m not—right now, love or anything—”

“Just kidding. Seriously supporting someone requires resolve. I just wanted to see if you have that, Miharu.”

I wish she wouldn’t drop bombs so casually.

“I-it’s impossible!”

“…I see. My apologies.”

Reika brushed her hair back, letting it slide.

“…”

She sparkled, even the scent of her perfume was dazzling.

Then, a car approached us.

“That’s all for today. We’ll continue on SNS.”

A black car stopped beside Reika, and the door opened.

Before getting in, she suddenly turned back.

A single word, directed at me:

“—I don’t dislike your ‘dignity,’ Miharu.”

“Huh?”

The car carrying Reika sped away like the wind.

Left behind, I stared at the sidewalk plantings, my heart wilting limply.

“Somehow… I’m tired today…”

But it’s strange.

Even though I was exasperated and dragged around—deep in my chest, I felt a little proud.

Maybe because I managed to hold a conversation with a young lady from a distinguished family…

The sky-blue of the paper bag seemed to melt gently into the sunset.

(I changed Kiryū’s “present”? Me?)

—Reika, in the end, what did you want to tell me…?

As I headed home, only questions without answers repeated over and over in my heart.