Chapter 1

Y/n pov. :

I don’t think my life is that interesting.

At least, not anymore.

If someone asked me what kind of person I was, I’d probably say I’m normal. I have a hause, a job, a few friends, and way too many bills to pay at the end of the month.

Nothing special.

Well... maybe the whole “normal” thing is a little debatable.

I got out of prison a few months ago.

Six months.

It’s not something I like talking about, especially with people I barely know. Usually, when someone hears the word prison, they start imagining all kinds of things.

I didn’t kill anyone.

I didn’t rob a bank either.

I beat a man up.

Pretty badly.

But if you ask me, he deserved it.

— Are you planning on standing there all day?

I look up from my phone.

Nobara is standing in front of me, her arms crossed and wearing the same expression she always has when she thinks I’m doing something stupid.

— Standing where?

— In your own little world. I’ve been calling you for almost a minute.

— I didn’t hear you.

— Exactly.

I slip my phone into my pocket.

— What do you want?

— Come with me.

— Where?

— The store.

I stare at her for a few seconds.

— You called me all the way over here just to go to the store with you?

— Yes.

— You have legs.

— So do you.

— Fair enough.

Nobara sighs and starts walking.

I follow her.

This is probably the closest thing I have to a normal life.

Nobara.

Yuji.

Megumi.

We aren't the kind of group that has to meet every single day and do everything together. Sometimes I go days without seeing some of them. But they're the people I can call when I need something.

Nobara is the only one who really knows me.

She knows what I’m like when I don’t have to pretend.

She knows I’m not nearly as fearless as I look.

She knows that when someone raises their voice at me, the first thing I feel is fear, even if my response is usually something unnecessarily sarcastic.

And she knows why I ended up in prison.

Actually, she was the reason I ended up there.

— What are you thinking about? she asks.

— Nothing.

— You’re lying.

— I’m not.

— I know you.

I look at her.

— Unfortunately.

Nobara nudges my arm.

I laugh.

And for a few minutes, I actually forget about everything.