Yuu's past in Yuki's perspective

CHAPTER 02

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Yuki's POV

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I'm Natsume Yuki. I just graduated from high school and died on the same day.

In my first year, there was a mysterious guy who was always gloomy. He was kind of good-looking and excelled in academics and everything else.

Many tried to befriend him, including me, but it seemed like he was pushing everyone away.

When he ranked on top of the class, many congratulated him, but he didn't smile or acknowledge them. His arrogant nature made many hate him, and his intelligence made others feel inferior.

I challenged him many times in tests, but I always lost. However, he never even considered it a win; it was as if it were normal for him.

I thought he was just an arrogant loner who didn't care for others. That's what I thought, until the goddess showed me that vision.

The vision started when he was about five years old. At first, he happily showed his achievements and often smiled. This convinced me that he was just a spoiled brat who became arrogant.

But I was wrong.

His adoptive parents never cared about him. As time passed, his smile faded. By middle school, he no longer smiled. Every achievement no longer brought him any joy. It was as if it were normal for him not to celebrate anything.

In middle school, he didn't have a friend. At home, he was told to get a good job to repay their kindness. But I never saw that kindness his parents were talking about. I didn't see him being adored; he was shunned.

His family was so different from mine. My father always supported me, and my mother always cared for me. My parents were nice. It may have been a dream for him.

His was so different. None cared for him, none supported him, none adored him. It was empty.

If my family were like that, I don't think I'd still be alive. I can't imagine surviving to middle school in his shoes.

Any small mistakes he made, he was punished. Any good things he did were non-existent.

Once, I saw him looking at me and my family. I heard his inner thoughts. "It must be nice," he said. I wanted the vision to stop, but I couldn't, because seeing more of it made me feel terrible about everything that had happened to him. Many judged him without actually knowing him. I was one of those.

Years passed in his memory until it reached his graduation. I realized he never really smiled for the whole three years, not at school, not at home... No, it wasn't a home; it was just a place where he could stay.

Because of those memories, I feel mixed feelings towards him: sadness, pity, and sympathy.

That should be all... But the goddess showed me even the parts of him taking a bath and everything!

But still, I realized I never knew him.

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