Life Reversal ~ I Was Cheated On and Falsely Accused, but Now the Most Beautiful Girl in the School Is Getting Close to Me ~ Volume 1 Chapter 10
Chapter 10
The First Holiday Date
──In front of the Station──
On Sunday morning, I found myself waiting at the station to meet Ichijou-san.
Honestly, I barely slept a wink. The thought of a movie date with the school idol felt like too high a hurdle for me to clear.I ended up waking up far too early, my nerves getting the better of me. To kill time, I had breakfast at a family restaurant near the station, nursing drinks from the self-serve bar until I finally decided to wander closer to our meeting spot. There were still a good twenty minutes left until we were supposed to meet.I couldn’t sit still in the restaurant any longer, so I was just milling about in front of the station when I heard her voice.“Oh, Senpai! You’re early. We still have twenty minutes until our meeting time.”
I turned around to see her.
Ichijou-san, whom I had only ever seen in her school uniform, was wearing a dusty pink, camisole-style dress. At first glance, it might have seemed a bit too deliberate, but on her, it harmonized perfectly with her aura, lending her an air of elegance. Paired with a small white bag, the outfit only seemed to accentuate her gentle nature.
“Ah, well… I was so excited I got here a little early.”
The honest-to-god truth just slipped out before I could stop it.
“What are you saying all of a sudden? Geez.”
“But you’ve said you don’t dislike this sort of thing, right?”
“…Hmph. I suppose I do like it.”
She offered a wry smile, her grin a little shy.
“And that dress… it really suits you.”
At times like this, you have to compliment a girl’s clothes. I knew that much, at least.“Ah, thank you very much. As expected, Senpai, you’re quite used to handling girls.”
She said this with a slightly complicated smile. I figured she was being considerate, knowing I’d just been cheated on and dumped.
“That’s not it at all. I was just… captivated, and spoke without thinking. Besides, you’re popular too, Ichijou-san. You must be used to going on dates with guys.”
“Actually, this is my first weekenddate. The one at the café after school was my first date ever, really… That’s why I had to ask my helper, Maeda-san, for her opinion on this outfit…”
“Eh?”
A strange sound escaped my lips. I’d suspected she might not have dated anyone before, but I never imagined she was quite this… inexperienced.
“Please don’t press the issue. It’s a little embarrassing. I’m a high school student, so it’s not that I’m not interested or anything. But since you seem so used to this, Senpai, I feel at ease. Please, make sure you escort me properly today.”
For some reason, at that moment, Ichijou-san seemed more like a girl than ever before.
“I’ll do my best.”
I feel like everyone’s staring at her. I’m not just imagining it.A truly special time had begun.
“Well then, shall we go buy our movie tickets?” she asked, her spirits high, ready to officially begin our date.
“Ah, about that—I already booked our seats online yesterday, so we’re all set. I figured it might get crowded since it’s a Sunday.”
I had taken care of it the day before.
“Eh?”
“Hm? What’s wrong?”
My date stared at me, her expression blank for a moment before her face suddenly flushed a brilliant red, as if her emotions had just exploded.
“I did ask you to escort me, but… I didn’t expect you to be this thorough! I’ll pay you back for the tickets!”
Slightly flustered, my junior kouhai started fumbling for her wallet like a small animal. I chuckled. “It’s fine, it’s fine,” I said, starting to walk. Honestly, Ichijou-san has helped me out so much that a little gesture like this wouldn’t bring any divine punishment.
I had already decided in my heart that I was going to make sure she enjoyed this date to the fullest.
A fun Sunday had officially begun.
※
“Since you bought the tickets, I’m paying for the drinks and popcorn. No, let me pay!” Ichijou-san insisted, so I decided to take her up on the offer.
Even though she’s slim, Ichijou-san has a pretty healthy appetite. She’d finished both the fried oyster set meal and the lunch plate at the restaurant before. Though, as expected, she didn’t ask for a refill on rice. At Kitchen Aono, the first rice refill is free, a perk that brings in a lot of athletic guys and other young men.Popcorn is a must for the movies. I ordered a cola, while Ichijou-san got an Earl Grey iced tea. If I hadn’t eaten breakfast, I would’ve been tempted by a hot dog or some french fries, too.
“‘Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.’ That’s a line from this movie, but it’s really true, isn’t it? Before summer vacation ended, I never would have imagined I’d be here watching a movie with you like this, Senpai.”
The movie’s most famous line rolled off her tongue so smoothly that I couldn’t help but agree.
“Yeah, you’re right. I’m grateful for this chance encounter, too. If I hadn’t met you, Ichijou-san, I think I would’ve just stayed miserable forever.”
“There you go again, saying things that make a girl happy without even realizing it. But I think you’re blessed with the people around you, Senpai. Your mother, your older brother, your teachers, and Imai-senpai… No matter how tough things get, you have so many people on your side.”
“But you were the one who reached out to me first, Ichijou-san. So that doesn’t change the fact that you’re special to me.”
If we hadn’t met on that rooftop… if the timing had been off by even a few minutes… a tragedy probably would have befallen us both.The movie began, and the title of the famous film appeared on screen.
It was a masterpiece of American human drama. A story about a bullied protagonist who, through the acknowledgment of the understanding people around him, finds happiness and, in turn, makes those around him happy too. Despite its comedic tone, it was a solid human drama set against the backdrop of modern American history.
In a way, my current situation made me empathize deeply with the protagonist. It’s in the tough times that you truly appreciate the people who offer you their help, and I knew I had to repay that kindness.
I’ll make sure to cherish the people who care about me. I lost a lot because of this whole mess, but it also taught me that there are so many other important things right here around me. And it’s really all thanks to Ichijou-san.As I reached for the popcorn, my hand unexpectedly brushed against hers. Ichijou-san let out a small “Ah!” and quickly pulled her hand away.
That reaction seemed so unlike her usual self that I found it incredibly endearing.
I wish this moment could last forever.
With that thought, I let myself become absorbed in the movie.
※
“That was wonderful, wasn’t it?” my junior asked, her voice tinged with excitement as the lights came up.
“Yeah, it was. I always cry during that Vietnam War scene.”
It was a film that had won numerous famous awards. My mom even had it in her Blu-ray collection, so I’d borrowed it and watched it many times over the years.
It really was a great movie. You can enjoy it on Blu-ray, but watching it in a theater, with that immersive sound and giant screen, really pulls you in.
“The ending is a little sad, but I love how that’s just like a person’s life, you know? It’s a movie that just makes you happy watching it. Being able to see it with you was the best part. Watching a movie with you is somuch fun, Senpai!”
Ichijou-san beamed, looking completely satisfied. Come to think of it, she and my mom were talking about movies, too. My mom loves foreign dramas and films so much that she subscribed to a subscription service for the restaurant’s break room. I heard that back before streaming was a thing, she used to rent the maximum number of videos or DVDs every week and binge-watch them in her spare time.
“It’s a movie from before we were even born, so it’s hard to catch it in a theater unless there’s a special opportunity like this, huh?”
I never thought I’d get to see this film on the big screen, either.
“During COVID, there was a time when they couldn’t release new movies, so it seems this theater survived by doingrevivals. They got requests from the audience, so they still have a slot for re-screening masterpieces.”
“I see. Well then, if they show another interesting movie, let’s come again.”
I said it casually, but the weight of my own words hit me a second later.
Did I just… make a promise for another date with the most beautiful girl in school?Despite my internal panic, Ichijou-san simply smiled.
“You’ll go on another date with me? Hehe, I’m looking forward to it. There are still lots of classics I want to watch with you. Please tell me your favorite movies, too, Senpai!”
She answered without a hint of hesitation. There’s a next time. My heart pounded with the hope of it.
──Ichijou Ai’s Perspective──
Senpai enjoyed the movie. But I never expected him to escort me so perfectly. As expected of someone who used to have a girlfriend. I’m sure his relationship with Amada-san was going well, right up until things got complicated. They probably went out together a lot.
Where did they go? Did they watch movies? They must have, right?And then, it hit me. I was jealous of his ex-girlfriend.
So this is jealousy.Senpai must have been deeply shocked by what happened. I wonder if he’s still hung up on her. And what does he think of me? Does he just see me as a little sister?
But I want him to see me as a woman… Not knowing what the person I like thinks of me… it’s unbearably scary.Hiding my anxiety, I walked beside him, making sure to match his pace. As expected, he was already matching his to mine.
※
We decided to have lunch at a nearby café.
I was glad I’d researched a few places beforehand. I figured Ichijou-san would probably prefer a café with delicious sweets, so I’d focused my search on those.
“Welcome! Table for two? Please, use the couple’s seat right over there.”
Hearing the staff member say that, I immediately got flustered. The seat we were guided to was the fanciest one in the entire café. Do we really look like a couple? For her sake, I was about to open my mouth and deny it, but a gentle tug on the hem of my shirt stopped me.
“Senpai, I want that seat.”
Surprised, I glanced back at her.
“Are you sure? Being mistaken for a couple with me…”
I had to check. Her face turned a lovely shade of red as she replied.
“Do you not want people to think we’re in that kind of relationship?”
After a question like that, I was left speechless. I could see the staff member smiling, clearly having caught on.
※
“Here you are. One Hawaiian pancake set and one hamburger lunch.”
As we waited in the plush couple’s seat, our food arrived right away.
Ichijou-san gazed happily at her long-awaited pancakes. As for me, I had a very filling, social-media-worthy set with a hamburger and fries. When I took a bite, the savory flavors of the meat and vegetables filled my mouth.
I felt a gaze on me and looked up. Ichijou-san was watching me intently. Ah, I see.“Ichijou-san, want to try a bite?”
Sensing her silent request, I made the offer, and her expression instantly brightened.
“Are you sure!?”
“Could it be that you’ve never had a hamburger before?”
Seeing her look happier than I expected, she replied immediately, “Yes! And please, have some of my pancakes too, Senpai.”
We swapped our plates. Being considerate, I took a bite from the opposite side of where she had eaten. The fluffy texture of the pancake, the tartness of the fruit, and the sweetness of the maple syrup were perfectly balanced and delicious. I found myself wondering if we could serve something like this at Kitchen Aono to attract more young customers.
Satisfied, I looked over at Ichijou-san. She was struggling with how to hold the large hamburger.
“It’s going to fall apart no matter what you do, so the best way is to just go for it and take a big bite.”
“O-Okay.”
She held the hamburger, which was bigger than her face, as elegantly as she could, then steeled her resolve and took a bite. Her eyes widened at the almost violent burst of deliciousness as she smiled in satisfaction. A little ketchup had gotten on her mouth, so I handed her a paper napkin, and she wiped it off shyly.
Just when I was basking in her cuteness, she launched an unexpected counterattack.
“Sorry, we just had an indirect kiss, didn’t we?”
She smiled, looking a bit like a mischievous little devil. Then she continued.
“Senpai! I’ve never dated a guy before, so I’m pretty clueless about the world. Please teach me all sorts of things. I’m sure there are many things you’re used to, but I don’t know anything at all!”
She smiled like a little devil, and my heart skipped a beat.
※
For shopping, we browsed the general store in the department store in front of the station.
“Whoa, this is my first time in a general store, but it’s pretty interesting.”
As expected, most of the customers were women, but it was still enjoyable for a guy. You could try out finger massagers and fluffy bead cushions, and they had unusual bath bombs and snacks.
“Right? I like to wander around shops like this when I have time. You can find a lot of unusual things.”
Ichijou-san said with a smile, placing things like bath bombs and cute memo pads into her basket.
“There are a lot of things I’ve never seen before. It’s a nice, refreshing change of pace.”
In the foreign goods section, there were American snacks and juices. I decided to try a cherry-flavored cola. It’s amazing how this broadens your world. If I were by myself, I would never have even known this kind of drink existed.
“Senpai, your reactions are so cute. I’m glad you’re having fun!”
She smiled, looking genuinely happy.
※
It was four o’clock—a bit of an awkward time. For a pair of responsible high school students, it was probably about time to think about parting ways. I wasn’t sure what kind of people Ichijou-san’s parents were, since they almost never came up in conversation, so I was wondering what to do.
“Senpai, what should we do now?” she asked, seeming a little troubled herself.
“What do you want to do? Want to come over to my place for dinner again? My mom and brother would be happy to see you.”
“That’s a tempting offer, but you’re always treating me to meals, so I’d feel bad. I think I’ll pass for today.”
“I see…”
I was actually hoping we could be together a little longer.
“Don’t look so disappointed. In that case… would you like to come to my place? After all, I’m always the one visiting your house, Senpai.”
“Guhe.”
The sudden invitation made a strange sound escape my throat.
“By the way, the helpers aren’t here at this time. So, no one’s home.”
Ichijou-san said mischievously.“No, isn’t that a bad idea? What if something… happens?”
“Geez, I was just teasing you a little, and your face is all red… You’re so interesting, Senpai. By the way, I live alone, so you don’t have to worry about running into my parents~”
The teasing was apparently still ongoing. However, hidden in her words, I felt a slight hint of her family’s darkness.
“Then, may I come over?”
“Eh!?”
Apparently, she’s good on the offense but weak on the defense.
“Your face is bright red too, Ichijou-san.”
When I teased her back, she adopted a slightly maidenly expression and protested, “Please don’t tease me.”
“Come on, let’s go.”
Saying that, she grabbed my arm and began to lead me toward her home.
“It’d be fine if a little something happened… as long as it’s with you, Senpai.”
I thought I heard her whisper in a voice so small it was almost lost to the air.
※
So this was Ichijou-san’s home. It was a rather magnificent apartment.
She lives alone in a place this big? Well, it seems the helpers come by sometimes, but… something still feels off about it.“I’m going to get some tea now, so please wait here for a moment.”
With that, she led me into a room that looked like a study, lined with large bookshelves.
“That’s a lot of books. It feels like a rich person’s house.”
The books were neatly dusted and stored with great care. Famous award-winning new releases were also properly arranged on the shelves. It looked like a small, private library.
She must really love books.On the desk sat a framed picture of a happy-looking family of three. It was probably taken around the time she entered elementary school. Such a happy-looking family, and yet… It would be rude to stare. If she has some kind of family problem, this might be the last thing she’d want someone to see.
“Sorry for the wait. Here’s some tea. I also had some chocolate, so please have some.”
“Thanks. That’s an amazing number of books. Have you read all of them?”
She offered me tea in an antique-style, elegant cup and saucer, along with some expensive-looking foreign chocolate.“Some of these were my late mother’s, so not all of them, of course.”
Even so, she seemed to have read quite a lot. There were many books that had been published within the last year.
“This is like heaven for a book lover.”
“I’m glad to hear you say that. Please feel free to come again anytime.”
She took a sip of her tea and looked at me intently. I could tell she was trying to work up the courage to say something difficult.
“What’s wrong?”
“Senpai… please don’t quit writing novels.”
Her unexpected words made me slow to react. Honestly, after everything that had happened, I had distanced myself from writing—what was supposed to be my biggest hobby.
“No, that’s…”
I was so happy that she’d retrieved my manuscript from the literary club room. The desire to write was still there. But a part of me was paralyzed by a kind of trauma.
“I’ve read a lot of books. Maybe this is just my own selfishness speaking, but your story was truly interesting, Senpai. It was warmer and gentler than any other story I’ve ever read. I absolutely refuse to let something like this be the end of it!”
My junior’s sincere feelings shook my heart. After a plea like that, I had no choice but to try.
“Thank you. I really feel like I’m always receiving things from you, Ichijou-san.”
In a true sense, I felt like I might have found myself again right here, in this room. She smiled gently, holding her teacup.
※
It wouldn’t be right to stay too long. As much fun as I was having, when I told her I was leaving, she smiled with a slightly sad expression. We moved to the entrance. It was a little sad to think that our date was about to end.
As I stood in front of her, my clothes were lightly tugged by Ichijou-san. Noticing the strange feeling, I turned to see her looking at me shyly.
“Oh, right, Senpai! Today was an actualdate, right?”
“Y-Yeah.”
It was embarrassing to be asked again. It was true that Ichijou-san had said she wanted to go on a proper date, and I had accepted.
“This is a thank-you for escorting me. It’s embarrassing, so please close your eyes.”
As she said that, she placed her hands on my shoulders and stood on her tiptoes.
“Eh?”
I felt the soft touch of her lips on my left cheek.
“It was a special date, so it’s better if something happens, right?”
Surprised, I looked at her, and Ichijou-san muttered the words as if to hide her own shyness.
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