　After all, I, who haven't any experience with the issues 'normal' people face, have no place to ponder the hurdles other humans face in life.

　...

「■■■kun! Wait up!」

「Eh?」

　Oh, right. It's around here on my commute to school that I'm greeted by a friend.

(I better let her catch up, or I’ll be subjected to the dreaded 'pouty face' all day.)

　It's the usual conversation.

「――I can't believe you always walk past me――！」

「――Sorry, really sorry!――」

「Seriously ■■■kun, you――」

　Trotting along beside me with her typical unkempt hair. Leant forward as we walk to scowl up at me.

　Ahh, how mean...

　Even through all the years I've known this girl she's never been good with mornings. Either that or she doesn't understand how a hairbrush works.

　At least she irons her uniform. It's important to look presentable at the school we go to, or the teachers harp on about a 'bad school image'.

　Do I like her? I'm not sure. But I'm sure that others do and it shows in her popularity.

　Maybe she tries to be more appealing to me? I suppose the messy hair has some degree of cuteness to it. It would make sense if she did, after all, we've known each other from when we were just dumb little kids playing in sandpits.

　Our families knew each other and she's had a relatively similar upbringing to me. She's essentially my female version, if not a little more polite throughout her life.

　I've had my ups and downs in the 'likable' department. Not her though, she's always been popular with, well, everyone.

　It does make me wonder why she sticks to me like glue. Pestering me in class and around the schoolyard. She was even upset to hear I would not be joining the same club as her when the year started, insisting I make it up to her.

　To some level, I admire how she can so naturally be liked. I've worked to better myself and be liked, while for her it appears to come like water down a stream. Or perhaps I am envious.

(Envy...)

　Hm, maybe not envy, but instead a jealousy.

　I'd reserve the word 'Evnious' for those who look on at us with distaste. As in thinking 'It should be me with her!'.

　Yes, it's really like that. I get scornful looks from a handful of my peers simply because of being friends with this girl walking beside me.

　No matter what I do in hopes of making them like me, some still have their envy amplified by my past actions towards them. Which is entirely reasonable. I'd feel the same way if I saw a guy who I viewed as a piece of trash getting close to the girl I admire.

　Hmm... maybe I should pursue my relationship with her more seriously? Would that be the right thing to do...?

(Someone's running? A late student I guess... Ahh, you'll upset the old folks running so loudly in the morning. Quiet do-)

「O-ow...?」

　Just as I heard the footsteps behind me grow louder, a spark shot down my spine and my body jolts rigid. A feeling so searingly hot and simultaneously freezing spreading over my back, making a cold sweat glaze over my skin.

　Beside me, the girl had screamed and was stuttering, a horrified expression contorting her face.

「What is it? Why the face...?」

　At the feeling of liquid trickling along my pant legs and dripping to the ground, I shakily look down.

　Blood... and so much. All pooled around my feet.

　I feel my stomach twist as my vision blurs.

　Ahh... so that's what it is. I'm bleeding? From where... it hurts. My back, it hurts...