Chapter 243: First Love

A series of “beep beep” alarm sounds rang out.

Kurata Ryoko didn’t open her eyes but, as usual, skillfully reached out to press the alarm clock by the bed to stop it.

Though her consciousness was gradually awakening, her bad habit of lingering in bed made her struggle for a while before slowly opening her eyes.

Sitting up, she saw the same room as always, and suddenly, she let out a sigh of relief.

She wasn’t sure why she felt that way, perhaps it had something to do with the dream she had last night.

She couldn’t remember the details of the dream, but she knew it was a very unpleasant one.

Fortunately, it was all just a dream.

With sleepy eyes, she walked out of the room and saw Tomoko busily preparing breakfast while Tachibana Sui was intently watching TV.

Seeing her two friends, who shared the apartment with her, doing their usual morning routines, made her mood unexpectedly good.

After freshening up, Kurata Ryoko and Tachibana Sui sat down at the dining table, chatting while waiting for breakfast.

“We can eat now,” Yamaguchi Tomoko said as she took off her apron and placed the freshly made breakfast on a tray, bringing it over.

“Any man who marries Tomoko is so lucky,” Ryoko said with a smile as she placed her portion of breakfast in front of herself.

“I agree,” Tachibana Sui chimed in.

Yamaguchi Tomoko, however, dismissed their praise with a casual tone, “You both can cook too, but you’re just too lazy to do it. When we first moved in, we agreed that each of us would cook breakfast and dinner on alternate days, but it ended up being just me. Shouldn’t I protest?”

Tachibana Sui quickly smiled and said, “You cook better, plus I’m in charge of the cleaning, right? It’s division of labor.”

“Well, I guess everything you say makes sense.”

“What classes do we have today?”

“Please, don’t ask me that every day. Don’t you have the timetable yourself?”

“It’s faster to ask you.”

“Ugh, I can’t stand you.”

As they chatted, Ryoko smiled quietly in the background.

After a while, Tachibana Sui noticed something odd and turned to look at her. “Did you take the wrong medicine today? Why are you so quiet?”

“Nothing, I just suddenly think you two are really cute today,” Ryoko said with a smile.

“Cute? Looks like this girl really did take the wrong medicine,” Tachibana Sui said with a strange look.

“Ryoko, are you okay?” Yamaguchi Tomoko also felt something was off with her friend today.

“Hey, I’m just complimenting you guys, do you have to react so much?”

Tachibana Sui and Yamaguchi Tomoko exchanged glances and then said in unison, “Very suspicious.”

Tachibana Sui continued, “Honestly, did you do something to let us down? Like, did you get our clothes dirty, or maybe bring back a stray cat or dog from the street?”

Yamaguchi Tomoko, also concerned, added, “If you got our clothes dirty, that’s one thing, but Ryoko, you didn’t really bring a pet back again, did you? The building manager said no pets are allowed here.”

These guys… Kurata Ryoko gave them a disgruntled look.

※※※

“Okay, let’s go,” Kurata Ryoko said casually as she stuffed her books into her bag and stood up firmly after class in the afternoon.

“Today’s class was so boring. I should’ve skipped it. Tomoko, hurry up,” Tachibana Sui said, gathering her things and standing up too.

“Wait, I have to finish copying my notes,” Tomoko was diligently copying notes from the blackboard.

Kurata Ryoko made a face, saying, “I really don’t get you. What’s so hard to remember? It looks like Sayaka turned into a bookworm just like you. Both sisters are the same.”

Tachibana Sui continued, “I also find it strange. It’s hard to imagine a girl like Tomoko studying journalism. I can’t picture what she’ll be like when she interviews people after graduation.”

After finishing her notes, Yamaguchi Tomoko started packing her things. “You two are so chatty. Just because I’m studying journalism doesn’t mean I have to become a reporter. There are plenty of professionals in production who come from this major.”

After leaving the school, Tachibana Sui excitedly said, “Today’s the day I get paid for my part-time job. To celebrate, let’s go out to eat.”

“Are you treating?” Kurata Ryoko quickly responded.

Tachibana Sui rolled her eyes at her and said, “Fine, I’ll treat, but you’ll have to treat me back when it’s your turn to get paid.”

“Deal.”

Tachibana Sui grabbed Yamaguchi Tomoko’s hand. “Tomoko, I’ll treat you as thanks for cooking for us. By the way, this time of year is perfect for hot pot. Ryoko, do you know a good hot pot restaurant?”

Kurata Ryoko thought for a moment and then said, “I know a good one, but it’s a bit far.”

“Doesn’t matter, as long as it’s delicious. I’ll go hail a cab.” With that, Tachibana Sui hurried to the roadside to catch a taxi.

Yamaguchi Tomoko suddenly noticed that Ryoko’s expression seemed a bit strange.

After about fifteen minutes in the taxi, Ryoko brought her two friends to a hot pot restaurant with a rather elegant decor. According to Ryoko, the restaurant’s owner and chefs were from Kansai, so the side dishes and flavors were different from other places, making it quite unique.

After trying the hot pot, Tachibana Sui and Yamaguchi Tomoko agreed that it tasted very different from the hot pot at other restaurants.

“Ryoko, how do you know this place so well? You even know where the owner and chefs are from. Have you been here often?” Tachibana Sui casually asked while eating.

Ryoko suddenly paused her chopsticks, and after a moment, she said, “I’ve been here a few times.”

Yamaguchi Tomoko noticed that her expression when saying this was different, with a hint of sadness in her eyes.

After finishing their meal and paying, the three girls were about to leave the restaurant when a group of men’s loud laughter echoed from behind them.

Suddenly, Kurata Ryoko froze and stopped in her tracks.

“Ryoko, what’s wrong?” Yamaguchi Tomoko asked in confusion as she saw her friend stop suddenly.

“It’s nothing, let’s go.” Ryoko quickly quickened her pace and walked out.

At that moment, a male voice called out from behind, “Ryoko? Is that Ryoko?” The voice grew closer, and soon, a man in his thirties, wearing a suit, ran in front of Ryoko.

“So it really is you, Ryoko! What are you doing here?” The man looked at her with a surprised expression.

“I’m just passing by,” Ryoko replied coldly.

“Amuro, what’s going on?” The other men who had been with him walked up and asked.

Amuro Masato turned to them and said, “I ran into an old acquaintance. She’s one of my former students.”

“Your student? That’s right, I almost forgot you used to be a high school teacher.” A man in his forties looked closely at Ryoko.

Former teacher? Hearing those words, Ryoko felt a little strange.

As if he knew what she was thinking, Amuro Masato explained, “Ryoko, after you graduated from high school, I quit teaching. I’m now working at a trading company.”

Amuro Masato’s colleagues saw the situation and said, “Amuro, since you’ve run into an old friend, we’ll head out first.”

“Alright.”

After bidding farewell to his colleagues, Amuro Masato turned to Kurata Ryoko and said, “Ryoko, it’s been a long time. Are they your friends?”

Kurata Ryoko glanced at him and replied, “They’re my classmates.”

Tachibana Sui looked the man over before asking, “Ryoko, is this your teacher from high school?”

“He’s Amuro Masato, my Japanese literature teacher from high school,” Ryoko simply introduced.

Amuro Masato looked at Ryoko and said, “Ryoko, can we find a place to talk privately? I have a lot I want to say to you.”

“I’m sorry, I’m busy. Excuse me. Sui, Tomoko, let’s go.” Ryoko’s expression darkened as she turned to leave.

After nodding her head in acknowledgment to Amuro, Yamaguchi Tomoko and Tachibana Sui followed Ryoko out immediately.

Amuro Masato sighed softly as he watched Ryoko’s retreating figure.

In the taxi, Ryoko didn’t say a word, silently gazing out of the window.

Sensing the awkward atmosphere, Sui didn’t dare ask anything.

The next afternoon, after school, Ryoko returned to the apartment with her two friends, just like usual.

But at the school gate, Ryoko quickly spotted Amuro Masato, dressed in a sharp suit, standing among the crowd, watching her.

Ryoko pretended not to see him, lowering her head and continuing to walk forward.

However, Amuro Masato kept walking toward her.

“Ryoko.” He called out as he reached her.

Ryoko looked up at him with an expressionless face.

“Is there something you need, Mr. Amuro?”

“Ryoko, can you spare me some time? I want to talk to you privately.”

“There’s nothing for us to talk about. Sorry, I’m leaving.” Ryoko kept walking forward.

Suddenly, Amuro Masato grabbed her hand.

“Ryoko, please give me a chance.”

Feeling the warmth of his hand, Ryoko froze for a moment, involuntarily stopping in her tracks.

After a while, Ryoko forcefully pulled her hand away, then turned to her two friends.

“Sui, Tomoko, you go ahead. I’ll be back soon.”

They glanced at Ryoko and Amuro Masato, then silently nodded before walking off.

In a coffee shop near the school, Ryoko and Amuro sat quietly in the far corner, neither saying a word.

After a while, Amuro spoke.

“Ryoko, I’ve missed you so much.”

Seeing that she was still looking down, Amuro continued, “Ever since we met last night at the hotpot restaurant we used to frequent, I couldn’t sleep all night. I kept thinking about the time we spent together…”

Before he could finish, Ryoko angrily raised her head and glared at him.

“What’s the point of saying this now? Don’t forget, it was you who abandoned me back then to marry the principal’s daughter, you shameless liar!”

Hearing her words, Amuro’s eyes filled with guilt.

“I wronged you back then. Actually, I divorced her the second year after you graduated.”

Ryoko looked at him in surprise.

Suddenly, Amuro reached out his right hand and took hers.

“Ryoko, the person I’ve always loved the most is you. Please give me another chance. Let’s go back to how things were before, alright?”

Kurata Ryoko stared at him in disbelief. After a moment, she suddenly slapped him hard across the face. At the same time, tears streamed uncontrollably from her eyes. Standing up, she shouted, “What do you take me for?”

Without waiting for an answer, she covered her face and ran out of the café.

Amuro Masato watched her leave, a look of quiet despair on his face.

※※※

“Ryoko, are you okay?” Yamaguchi Tomoko asked, concerned, as she saw her friend staring blankly at the television. Freshly out of the shower, she sat beside Ryoko, studying her worriedly.

“I’m fine. Where’s Sui?”

“She went on a date. Apparently, it’s with someone she’s been interested in for a long time.”

“Is that so?” Ryoko forced a smile, picking up the remote and changing channels aimlessly.

Seeing her friend in such a despondent state, Tomoko said softly, “Ryoko, if something’s on your mind, you can talk to us. Even if we can’t help, we can at least share your burden. Sui and I are your friends; we don’t want to see you like this.”

Ryoko turned to see the concern in Tomoko’s eyes. Her heart softened. She set the remote down and, in a voice filled with bitterness, said, “You’ve probably already figured out that my relationship with Amuro Masato wasn’t just that of a normal teacher and student.”

Tomoko nodded gently.

Ryoko began to speak slowly, “He was my first love. Back then, we were madly in love. I even planned to marry him as soon as I graduated high school. I dreamed of becoming an ordinary housewife—seeing him off to work in the morning, keeping the house spotless, and having dinner ready for him when he came home. That was my only wish at the time.”

She paused for a moment before continuing, “But then, he abandoned me. He chose to marry the principal’s daughter because he couldn’t accept living his whole life as an ordinary teacher. And now, today, he tells me he divorced his wife and wants another chance with me. That bastard… Why is he messing up my life all over again?”

At that, Ryoko could no longer hold back her emotions. She rested her head on her friend’s shoulder and burst into tears.

Tomoko didn’t know what to say. She could only stroke Ryoko’s hair, offering silent comfort.

※※※

For several consecutive days, Amuro Masato waited for Ryoko at the school gate. Eventually, he even began waiting near her apartment building.

Though she never spoke to him again, every time Ryoko saw the longing in his eyes, she felt as if the walls she had built around her heart were being chipped away, bit by bit.

She knew deep down that she had never been able to forget this man—the one who had once sent her from heaven crashing down to earth.

One evening, a week later, Ryoko was alone in her room. She suddenly felt a dampness on her face. Looking up, she realized it was raining outside. A few strands of rain had blown in through the open window. She instinctively got up to close it.

After securing the window, she stood behind the glass, gazing out at the rain. As the rain grew heavier, an inexplicable unease began to well up in her heart.

The unease and agitation grew stronger with each passing moment until she could no longer bear it. Finally, she left her room.

At the entrance, she opened the door and looked downstairs.

What she saw stopped her in her tracks.

Standing quietly in the torrential rain was that man, drenched from head to toe.

Tears fell from her eyes, just as relentlessly as the rain outside. In that moment, she felt the wall around her heart collapse completely.

Without thinking any further, she ran barefoot down the stairs, not even bothering to put on shoes…