Prologue

Introduction: A Man Who Has Experienced Heaven and H**l Twice

Spring break of my third year in junior high school.

That day, I was surrounded by happiness.

Because I could go on a date with my girlfriend, Shirasawa Kohaku!

Kohaku was a college student five years older than me.

We used to date every day, but it had become difficult for us to see each other since Kohaku went away for college.

So, for the first time in a while, we were able to go on a date, and I was spreading an aura of happiness, but–

For some reason, Kohaku looked unhappy even though we had not had a full date in three months.

I thought I had created an ideal date in my own way, but maybe it wasn’t enough for a college girl. Although it may be hard to say, if it was boring, I would’ve liked her to tell me honestly. I’d make more effort for the next date.

“…How was the date?”

“It was fun. Really… It was really fun…”

Kohaku said happily. She didn’t seem to be lying.

“I see. I had fun, too.”

Apparently, I was mistaken.

The reason she looked so gloomy was because she was sad the date was over. It meant that she enjoyed today’s date so much that she felt sad.

I’ll make the next date even more fun! And for that I need to save up my allowance!

In the meantime, we were at the station, waiting for the train to arrive. I felt sad to think that we were about to say goodbye.

I want to hug her before we part. And then I want to kiss her. …But Kohaku is very shy. She won’t let me kiss her unless it’s just the two of us, like in my room or a private room at karaoke.

“Hey, Touma-kun… I want you to give me one last kiss…”

It was like she read my mind.

She seemed to be more interested in kissing me than the embarrassment of kissing me in public. Naturally, I couldn’t say no and kissed Kohaku on the lips. I kissed her soft lips as if I was biting them, and then put my tongue inside her mouth.

Kohaku stretched out her tongue and twirled it around mine. As our lips were lapping greedily against each other’s, and our tongues entwined as if to confirm our love without a care that we were being seen–an announcement echoed through the platform.

I pulled my lips away from hers with regret.

Kohaku looked very bitter.

…My kisses, were they that bad?

The last time I kissed you, your face was melting with happiness. …Maybe I wasn’t as good as I was because it had been three months.

“Let’s break up.”

Kohaku suddenly and abruptly cut in with a thoughtful expression on her face.

“…What?”

W-What did you say? Did you say break up? Why are you breaking up with me? It’s a joke, right? Yes, yes, I’m sure it is!

“I… I have someone else I like.”

I was puzzled and confused, and Kohaku followed up.

She looked too serious for it to be a joke…

“…A-Are you serious?”

“I wouldn’t say this as a joke.”

“T-This is a lie, right? Who’s the guy you like? Is it someone I know?”

“That’s… Sorry, I can’t tell you. Forget about me and be happy. Goodbye…”

After telling me this as I stood there stunned, Kohaku got on the train and disappeared from my sight.

◆ ◆ ◆

One day two years later.

I was surrounded by happiness.

Because I could go on a date with my girlfriend, Akamine Akari!

Akari was a college student five years older than me.

She lived in the neighboring prefecture, so it wasn’t easy to see her, but she would come to see me and we would have a date once every half a month.

We hadn’t been able to see each other recently, perhaps because she was busy with job hunting, but we had been frequently making contact with each other.

The other day, she asked me out on a date for the first time in a while, and I gladly agreed. From that day to this moment, I’d been very happy.

But this was a date. I couldn’t be the only one having fun.

So, in order to make Akari happy, I challenged her to a crane game and got a stuffed animal for her, who liked cute and cuddly things.

“Here you go.”

I presented it coolly as a gift.

I thought it was cool to do that. After all, I got it in one try!

I had been going to the arcade for a while and had worked on my skills for this day. It cost me quite a bit of money, but it was a small price to pay to see Akari’s smiling face.

Now, Akari, show me your beautiful smile!

“Thank you, Touma… I’m happy.”

Akari said with a gloomy face.

…Wait a minute? I’ve seen this face before.

N-No, no, no. This isn’t true, is it? I’m doing great with Akari! …Well, I thought I was doing well with Kohaku until she broke up with me.

But that was that, and this is this!

Today’s date went well. Akari and I have been getting along without any fights. There’s no way she’s going to ask for a break up!

“Hey, Touma. Will you give me one last kiss?”

…What? Isn’t this the same as two years ago? I wonder if that word is going to come out of Akari’s mouth after this?!

N-No, I’m just thinking too much!

And by last, I assume she meant ‘at the end of the date’!

Oh, my God. She’s so cute that she’s asking for a kiss in an arcade!

I kissed Akari on the mouth while trying to calm myself down. I placed my tongue between her lips and wrapped my own tongue around hers, which was warm and soft.

By the time I pulled my lips away from hers, her face was blushing. It seemed that I was able to satisfy her. I hadn’t kissed her for a while, but I was relieved to have done so successfully–or so I thought.

“We’re done…”

Akari cut in with a pained look on her face.

So you too!

Why?! Why do you want to break up with me? What’s wrong with me? We’ve been getting along so well until today!

“Wh-Why did you say we’re over?!”

“…I have another person I like.”

“Who’s the guy you like? If you have a picture, can you show it to me? I’ll make myself better looking than him!”

“That’s impossible. Goodbye Touma. I won’t contact you again…”

I was devastated with despair, and Akari left me those final words–…

◆ ◆ ◆

–I leapt out of bed.

The morning sun shines through the window, and I could hear birds chirping.

I wiped the sweat off my face and sighed deeply.

“A nightmare…”

It was like watching two depressing movies in a row.

If this was just a nightmare, I would have been relieved that it was just a dream, but it all happened for real.

It’s a fact that Kohaku dumped me in the spring of my third year in junior high school and Akari dumped me in the spring of my second year in high school.

I haven’t seen their faces since then. And I haven’t spoken to them. This is because they rejected my calls…

“Just why did I get dumped…?”

I asked myself, but I have some idea of the reason.

It was the age difference.

They were five years older than me, and both of them should be working adults by now. It’s not surprising that their values no longer match that of a small boy like me, and that they were having a hard time in the relationship.

Still–just because I know the reason doesn’t mean I’m over it. I went to bed in shock for the first month after the breakup, and I still haven’t gotten over the heartbreak.

But… Worrying about it won’t do me anything.

New love will solve love problems–I learned this when I went out with Akari after being dumped by Kohaku.

That’s why I want to have a girlfriend, but… The problem is that I still love Kohaku and Akari, so I’m not attracted to any other girls.

I wonder if I can find a new girlfriend at this rate…

“Ah! It’s already this late!”

Not good, not good! I’m almost late for the first day of school. I quickly got myself ready and headed down the street to school–

There, I was reunited with two of my ex-girlfriends who are now teachers.