Rentarou's POV :
...Ahh, how did I get myself into this situation!?
"Oi! I'm talking to you, Rentarou!" Usagi-chan slammed her hands on the table, making me jump.
"Ah—yes, ma'am!" I stuttered. "As you asked, I looked into it, but... I'm sorry. I don't know much in detail either!"
"That can't be true!" She glared at me. "You're Okami-kun's best friend since childhood! You went to the same school, you're in the same college, even his family knows you!"
"Ah, well... I do know a few pieces here and there," I admitted, rubbing the back of my neck. "But you know how Okami is—he's never opened up about it to anyone. I mean, I know what happened, but so do you. That incident..."
"But that's all from other people's perspectives," Usagi said, her voice laced with concern. "He never denied or confirmed what they said... and he never shared his own side of the story either." Her brows furrowed as she sighed, clearly worried about Okami.
"Ahhh!!! Usagi-chan, you know he never explained himself during that incident... because he knew nothing would change," I said, frustration clear in my voice. "He just took all the hatred from everyone without a word. His own kindness murdered his happiness, and now... now he's just cold."
I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "But believe me, there was a time when he was completely different. He was far more cheerful—heck, even more than you! No matter what situation you threw him into, he'd always smile and face it head-on." My voice softened as I looked at Usagi. "Until that incident happened... and everything changed."
"Is his father and sister still not willing to forgive him?" Usagi asked, her worry for Okami clear in her eyes.
I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck. "You know things haven't changed with his family. His mom… she's the only one who shows him kindness, but even that's just because she doesn't want to abandon him completely. And now that he has you, she probably just wants to make sure you don't worry too much."
I hesitated before continuing, my voice quieter. "But as for his dad and sister... it's worse. They haven't let go of the past, and Okami… he's just accepted his fate."
"Rentarou… but he must have some reason for keeping all his pain to himself," Usagi asked in a low, calm voice, her eyes searching for an answer.
I let out a deep sigh, leaning back in my chair. "His reason, huh? It's simple… it's just the way he was," I said, my voice laced with frustration and sorrow. "His habit of always smiling, his kindness, his stubbornness to handle everything on his own… all of it led him to where he is now. He never let anyone share his burdens, and in the end, he was the one left carrying everything alone."
"But Usagi-chan… I'm really relieved knowing that he has you by his side now," I said, exhaling a breath I didn't realize I was holding. "It puts me at ease, knowing he's not alone anymore."
I looked at her, my expression softening. "You know, he never had many friends—just his family and me. But he was happy with just us. Then, when his family turned their backs on him… he stopped smiling the way he used to. It was like a part of him just disappeared."
I paused, then gave Usagi a sincere smile. "But ever since you came into his life, he's been changing. He's slowly becoming more like the old Okami—more alive, more himself. So… thank you."
Standing up, I bowed deeply to her. "Please, take care of Okami-kun."
.
.
.
.
"This will stay between us," Usagi said firmly after our long, tense conversation. She then grabbed her bag and left for her lecture, her determination evident in every step.
As she walked away, I leaned back in my chair, exhaling heavily. Hahh… If anyone can help Okami now, it's you, Usagi-chan.
I closed my eyes for a moment, letting the weight of the past settle on my shoulders. I hope you can do what I failed to do when Okami needed me the most.
Regret gnawed at me as I clenched my fists. If only I had spoken up that day… If only I had the courage to stand by him, to fight for him—I could have saved him from all of this. But I didn't.
I sighed, shaking off the heaviness. Usagi… you're different. You're strong. You never hesitate to take the steps that others are too afraid to. And because of that, I believe in you.
You'll be the one to bring Okami back to his family.