I'm sick and tired of my childhood friend's, now girlfriend, constant abuse so I broke up with her Chapter 30

Chapter 30: Epilogue

Link to Original Chapter: https://ncode.syosetu.com/n0844gb/30/

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And so, shortly after Hanabi burst into tears, my classmates found me. I heard this after the fact, but it was Yukishiro-san who initially noticed that something was off when I wasn't there at the campfire. Seemed like she talked to Hasuike about it. Once no one saw me after dinner, my classmates went out to look for me. Because of that, no one in my class was at the campfire. No one blamed me, as they were worried for me. 

Once the teachers found out about the stunt Hanabi, Kirigaya and his lackeys pulled off, they were immediately suspended. Hanabi was then taken to the hospital and it was confirmed she had a compound fracture in her right foot that needed surgery. Thus, she's staying at the hospital. Two days afterwards, I received a short apology letter Hanabi wrote. 

"Honestly, all of this is just messing with me. First, you shovel so much hostility upon me. Then you suddenly apologize and confess to me." 

And so, on the day her letter arrived, I gave Yukishiro-san a call. Since it was a holiday, we met up right away at the park near my house. Hanabi’s letter was on the bench we were sitting on. Inside, she wrote an apology to Yukishiro-san as well, which Yukishiro-san herself saw earlier. 

"Even if Hanabi is throwing away all of her pride, I wonder if this is some elaborate trap." 

"But Hanabi-chan isn't like that, you should know. I think your plan of ending things amicably was successful, Ichinose-kun." 

"I was only a little nicer, I can't believe she had a change of heart because of that." 

"You weren't just a little nicer. You helped her when she was at her lowest point. The person who helped just happened to be her unrequited love, and someone who hated her bitterly. I'm sure she was able to wholly accept what you had to say." 

"I still think her love for me is a clear lie..." 

"Well..." 

Yukishiro-san lowers her eyebrows as she's deep in thought. 

"Up until now, Hanabi-chan had been taking the wrong approach with you. I mean, you probably won't forgive her. So how about you hear me out on something." 

"Yeah, sure." 

"I think Hanabi-chan does love you. However, she went about her love the wrong way. She loved you too much, that her emotions consumed her. Her desire for you to stay with her forever overshadowed her desire to make you happy. She was obsessed with not letting other people have you." 

"..." 

"Her love was bountiful. That doesn't excuse her actions completely though. Because she wasn't able to control her feelings of love, her mind became twisted and it only made herself and you miserable." 

"That make sense" 

Hanabi's good intentions are all but lost on me, but listening to Yukishiro-san's speech has opened up a new perspective within me. 

"But to love someone like that in such a relentless way... Hanabi really is such a mystery." 

"You know, I'm jealous. I don't want Ichinose-kun to talk to any other girls except for me... Sorry..." 

"Uh, n-not at all." 

"After hearing about the ugly side of love, are you determined to make no one love you...?" 

"No one...?" 

"If I love you, will that make you suffer, Ichinose-kun?" 

I can tell Yukishiro-san feels some hint of jealousy. Despite my shock, comparing her feelings to Hanabi's, I don't feel threatened at all. Honestly, having someone love me like that is a bit startling. I look away and Yukishiro-san hangs her head in shame. 

I know that Hanabi and Yukishiro-san are completely different, so endangering my future with Yukishiro-san because of what Hanabi did in the past is something I don't want to entertain. I'll take my pitiful past by the horns, and cuddle close with the gentle Yukishiro-san. From now on, I'll always have Yukishiro-san by my side. Whenever we talk, I can feel a sense of serenity wash over me. 

"Your love still hasn't fully set in yet for me. However, it's something I can not hate at all. Conversely, you're a very important person to me, Yukishiro-san." 

I stare at Yukishiro-san and deliver all of my feelings to her. She gasps in surprise, her facing turning a bright crimson. 

"That makes me so happy..." 

With that, she places her hand on top of mine, its warmth helping me calm down. 

"If it weren't for you, Yukishiro-san, I would still have trauma regarding love. I don't think I would have been able to love again." 

"Ichinose-kun..." 

"Thank you, Yukishiro-san. You taught me the beauty of love. You truly did save me." 

I see tears in her eyes as she smiles. 

Love can cause immense suffering and pain, but it can also bring about healing and kindness. Having finally learned this reality, I vow to never hurt the person I love. I grasp Yukishiro-san's hand tightly, as I steel my resolve for the future I vowed myself to. 

The End.

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Translator’s Note: And that concludes the story! Thank you so much for sticking with it, especially with the hiatus for the longest time after Chapter 25. I don’t know what I’ll be working on next, but I’ll take my time before I come up with anything concrete. Until next time!

Chapter 29