Graduating From This Relationship のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 1 - チャプター 10

After gazing at the message for a while, I replied, "No thanks. I'll get there myself."I quickly received a call from Philip, but I ignored it.He sent another text message. "Are you still angry? Alright, then. I ordered that strawberry cake you like. I'll have it delivered to you tomorrow as an apology gift."In the past, my heart probably would've softened at that.He knew what I liked and remembered all my dietary restrictions. He would also make me hot chocolate when I was on my period.So, I kept telling myself that he liked me.However, I finally realized that it was so tiring having to constantly remind myself that he had feelings for me.The farewell dinner was being held in a restaurant outside the college.When I arrived the next day, the private room was already more than half full.There was an empty seat next to Philip.When he saw me, his eyes lit up, and he waved at me. "Stella, over here."Before I could even make my way over to him, Mandy came in with a sta

Three days before my flight to Londashire, I started packing my belongings from my dorm room.I sorted through my books, notebooks, certificates, and even the gifts I once received from Philip.On my birthday during my freshman year, he'd given me a crystal moon lamp."You're my precious star, so you should have your own moon," he'd said.During the winter of my sophomore year, he'd given me a scarf.During my junior year, he'd given me a fountain pen.I once displayed these items in the most prominent spot in my dorm room.Now, piled up in the trash can, they just looked like cheap baubles.After I was done tidying up, I checked my phone.My WhatsApp was completely free of notifications.True to his word, Philip hadn't sought me out for the entire day, nor did he try to cheer me up.…Two days before my flight, I went through the dormitory checkout procedures.The dormitory warden, Isabella Wright, recognized me. As she signed off on the paperwork, she glanced toward the

Tears slid down Mandy's face. "Am I wrong? She'd been planning to leave ages ago. She accepted an offer from overseas with no intention of telling you."Philip asked slowly, "You knew all along?"Mandy stiffened. "I… I saw her graduate survey form. She later filled in the column for her plan after graduation—participation in a research project in Londashire. I thought she'd have told you."Philip looked at her. "Why didn't you tell me?"Tears streamed more heavily down Mandy's face.Philip ignored her and ran toward the entrance again.Mandy suddenly raised her voice and, as if she'd been holding it in for a long time, she yelled, "Because I like you!"Several of their nearby classmates stopped to look over in astonishment.However, Mandy seemed to have thrown all caution to the wind.She ranted, "I'm the one who's been handling class affairs at your side for the past four years. When you ran for student council, I helped you organize the necessary materials. When you were pre

Philip looked up at me with red-rimmed eyes. "But I forgot that you aren't a child who will always stay in place, waiting for me to cheer you up. You get tired, too."I said nothing.He started speaking faster, as if afraid that I'd turn around and leave. "There's nothing between Mandy and me. I never liked her. I know that explaining all this now makes it seem as if I'm trying to cover my own back, but I still want to clarify this."I helped her out of a sense of responsibility as class president, because I thought that it was only natural for classmates to help each other out. When she was suffering from low blood sugar, I only steadied her."That one time I escorted her back to her dorm, it was because she was running a fever and a teacher asked me to keep a closer eye on her in the group chat. That night I helped her with her thesis, it was because she failed the plagiarism check, and the counselor asked me to help her on short notice."Each and every time, I felt that I was s

Philip immediately took my suitcase from me.His movements were smooth yet cautious, as if afraid that I'd change my mind.The car's heater was on.Philip handed me a bottle of warm water."Did you sleep well on the plane?" he asked."Well enough.""Are you hungry? Would you like something to eat first?""No thanks. I'd like to go home.""Okay."Along the way back, we didn't speak much.Later, I asked him, "How's your grandfather doing?"Philip tightened his grip on the steering wheel. "He was hospitalized again a while back—same old illness. He's been getting on in years, so the flare-ups have been bad."I said, "I'll visit him if I have the time."Philip looked at me intently, then quickly turned away.He replied in a low voice, "He'll be very glad for it."We chatted about some other topics—the weather in Londashire, my work, his company's recent projects.Philip spoke much less than he used to.In the past, he was always self-assured, confident, and carried himself