Episode 16 (Maria’s POV): Complete Brain-Meltdown Childhood Friend
“No way, no way, no way, no way… there’s no way!”
I couldn’t hold it in and shouted, and a moment later I heard the sound of hurried footsteps in the hallway, followed by my door swinging open with force.
“Maria-ojou-sama, what’s wrong!?”
It was Saijou who rushed in. She’s a servant who works for the Mikoshiba household, and she’s been with us since the day I was born. At home, she’s often called “Baaya” — my old nanny.
“…I’m sorry for the noise, Saijou. I got a little carried away.”
“Is this about Riri-sama?”
“That’s right…!”
I gripped my phone so hard I thought it might actually break.
I can’t forgive this. I don’t want to forgive this. I refuse to accept this!
Riri started an SNS account under the name “Ruri.” What she mostly posts are heavily-edited selfies.
At first I tried to get her to stop, thinking putting your face online like that was dangerous, but Riri was enjoying it so much that I gave up and just taught her instead: “be careful not to let your personal information leak.”
Even that account had gone quiet for the past few days.
But just now, there’d finally been a new post after all this time.
“Bubble Tea Date”
That was the caption on a photo of a smiling Riri. That part’s fine. Cute as always — no, cuter than usual, even.
The problem is the unfamiliar woman standing next to her. Worse, they’re even holding hands, practically showing it off on purpose.
“…That’s her coworker from the part-time job, isn’t it. When did the two of them get close enough to go out together?”
I’d already identified exactly where Riri’s part-time job is and where she’s currently living. Riri had been trying desperately to keep it hidden, but she really shouldn’t underestimate what money and obsession can accomplish.
I don’t want to interfere with Riri. I don’t want to take away her independence either.
But… but!
“Saijou. There’s somewhere I absolutely need to go this Sunday. Please clear my schedule.”
“Understood, Ojou-sama. I’ll arrange it somehow.”
“Thank you.”
Saijou bowed and left the room. To calm myself down, I pulled a photo album off the bookshelf.
“Ahh, Riri, you’re just so cute…”
The albums dedicated entirely to Riri number more than I can even count anymore. After all, we’ve known each other since kindergarten.
Cute, precious Riri. Sure, she’s messy, lazy, and hopeless at talking to people — but even those parts of her, I love completely.
I’ve always, always adored her. Ever since the day we met.
“I refuse to let some random newcomer take her from me…!”
I want to go to her right now and just carry her away with me. The only reason I can’t is because I’m still a child.
My parents have always been wary of Riri — or rather, wary of me, given how obsessively attached I am to her.
I’ve turned down every single arranged-marriage proposal and kept refusing to budge, and because of that, they’ve completely figured out how I feel.
So, someday, I’m going to become someone impressive enough to satisfy them, inherit the family hospital, and make them approve of my relationship with Riri.
That’s exactly why I work so hard at everything — my studies, my extracurricular lessons, student council activities, all of it.
But right now, all of that effort has turned against me.
“…‘Sora,’ also known as Hayashi Cosmo.”
I checked her SNS too, and found different photos posted there from Riri’s account.
Riri, why do you look so happy?
Did you forget all about me?
No. No, no, no, no.
However much I treasure her, I shouldn’t try to control who she spends time with. More than anyone, I want to be the one cheering hardest for Riri’s happiness.
But the moment I actually see Riri looking that happy with someone else, I feel like I’m going to lose my mind.
“That thieving cat…!”
Giving in to my anger, I slammed my pillow over and over again.