Chapter 24

Young ladies have their own social circles.

Including myself, young ladies are involved in many extracurricular activities. Many of these activities come with recitals.

Frankly speaking, no one outside the family is interested in children's performances, be it playing or dancing. However, to fill the audience and maintain appearances, upper-class families with children attend each other's recitals as a form of social engagement.

Today was a violin recital for one of those connections.

My mother, who still hasn't given up on the idea of me learning the violin, suggested I start now.

I refuse.

I even went to a trial class at my mother's strong recommendation, but pressing the violin strings hurt my fingertips. The friction almost erased my fingerprints. I, being a bit weak, thought it might be a bit too much for me.

Similarly, the flute, which my mother recommended, brings back a nightmare from my previous life when I was in elementary school. During a class recorder performance, I accidentally made a terrible "Peeep!" sound at the very end, ruining the entire performance.

When everyone returned to the classroom and started searching for the culprit, "Who made that sound?!", it was truly terrifying.

I pretended not to know, but my heart was pounding. I was saved by the silence of my neighbors, who must have noticed.

So, I hope to be spared from any more music lessons and stick to piano.

The recital was over, and we went to the lobby to give bouquets.

While waiting, I casually looked around and saw an unexpected person.

"Kazusa-kun?"

Kazusa-kun was standing a little away, holding a bouquet just like me.

I went to him, saying I was busy with a friend, but in reality, I was curious.

"Kazusa-kun? What are you doing here?"

"Ah, Kichijouji-san?!"

Kazusa-kun turned around and was surprised to see me.

"Why are you here, Kichijouji-san? Well, I came to watch my childhood friend perform today, but why are you here, Kichijouji-san?"

"I'm here for a similar reason. A friend of mine was performing."

As we were talking, Kazusa-kun's mother and my mother approached.

"Reika, is that a friend?"

"Ah, Mother, this is Kazusa-kun. He's in the same grade as Rui and attends the same cram school."

"Nice to meet you, I'm Kazusa Kousuke."

My mother smiled when she realized he was Rui's classmate.

I also greeted Kazusa-kun's mother.

While our mothers were exchanging pleasantries, we continued our conversation.

"Your childhood friend, didn't she give you chocolate on Valentine's Day?"

"Oh, right. You remember that. We've been close since we were little, and our families are close too. She's like a little sister to me, even though we're the same age."

"Like a little sister?"

"Yeah, she's always followed me around. We even went to the same kindergarten. When we had to go to different elementary schools, she cried a lot. She insisted I come to watch her today too."

Kazusa-kun, that's...

Just then, the performers and their families started coming out of the recital hall.

"Kousuke!"

A long-haired, traditional Japanese beauty ran over, calling Kazusa-kun's name.

"Ah, Sakura, good job! Your performance was great."

Kazusa-kun greeted the girl with a smile.

The girl blushed and smiled happily at the compliment but looked confused when she saw me standing next to him.

"Kousuke, who is this?"

"Ah, this is Kichijouji-san. She's in the same grade as Rui and in the same class at the cram school, though not in the same school class."

Kazusa-kun smiled innocently at me.

Seeing this, his childhood friend, Sakura, looked annoyed.

"So, this is the childhood friend you were talking about, Fukioka Sakura."

"I'm Kichijouji Reika. Nice to meet you."

"...I'm Fukioka Sakura."

Her expression clearly showed she didn't have good feelings toward me.

Ah, this is certain.

"Kousuke, did you come together?"

"No, not at all. Kichijouji-san's friend was also performing today. We just ran into each other. Right, Kichijouji-san?"

Kazusa-kun smiled at me again, and Fukioka's expression became even more severe.

Ah, she's glaring at me.

"I didn't know Kousuke had a girl friend. You always talked about boys."

"Really? Well, we basically only talk at the cram school."

"Are you close?"

"Um, I guess? We're not bad, right?"

"Ah, yes, I suppose so."

Fukioka looked at Kazusa-kun sadly.

What a surprise.

I underestimated Kazusa-kun. I thought he was just a normal elementary school student, like me, who had no romantic entanglements.

I never imagined he had a classic, heart-wrenching "childhood friend romance" up his sleeve!

I thought Kazusa-kun and I were in the same boat, but it seems we were on completely different levels.

I should have realized when he said he gets chocolate from his childhood friend every Valentine's Day. It wasn't just a token or a friend's gift; it was a serious love confession.

I feel like I should apologize to Kazusa-kun for thinking we were in the same situation when I have no romantic cards to play.

Kazusa-kun doesn't seem to understand why Fukioka is upset and asks, "What's wrong?"

Classic. The classic "clueless childhood friend."

Kazusa-kun, you seem so distant now...

From Fukioka's perspective, I must look like a villainous rival who suddenly appeared by her beloved childhood friend's side.

Why do I have to be a foil in a story where I'm not even the main character?

I don't want to deal with such drama in elementary school.

My young lady friend who invited me appeared in the lobby, so I decided to take this opportunity to leave.

"Mother, Emiri-sama is here. We need to give her the flowers."

"Oh, right. Then, Kazusa-sama, it was nice meeting you. We'll be going now. Excuse us."

"Excuse us. Good day, Kazusa-kun, Fukioka-san."

"Likewise, it was an honor to meet you. Good day."

"Kichijouji-san, see you at the cram school."

"...Good day."

Fukioka's glare was like a dagger in my back.

When we stepped outside, it was snowing.

No wonder it was so cold.