My Second Lead

Chapter 12 - Past

[Inei Mizuki's POV]

It's just an ordinary morning, and I find myself standing on my rooftop, lost in thoughts.

My name is Inei Mizuki, and I'm twenty-six years old. A decade ago, I experienced heartbreak in love. During high school, I fell deeply in love with a girl who became my first love. She was a classmate of mine, and every time I entered the classroom, my eyes were immediately drawn to her. Whenever our teacher lectured, I was fascinated, gazing at her from behind. I was fortunate that she sat before me, allowing us to grow closer—her name is Hina.

Hina was a stunning and elegant girl with short black hair that perfectly complemented her gentle face. Her lips were naturally red, as if she always wore lipstick, and her eyes shone like bright stars.

I remember how we used to walk home together every day. With each passing day, my love for Hina grew stronger. And then, one fateful day, I mustered the courage to confess my feelings to her, and my joy, she accepted. We even celebrated our anniversary, but I caught her flirting with one of our teachers on that day. Days passed, and eventually, I decided to end the relationship with Hina. I didn't mention that I had witnessed her kissing our teacher. Instead, I told her I had fallen in love with someone else—she was my first love and my first heartbreak.

It's funny that moving on took me almost half a year. I often visited Ayumu's house to cry and let out all the pain I felt. Eventually, I managed to pick up the pieces and excel in high school. I enrolled in college alongside my best friend, Ayumu Ito, and we chose the education course. That's where it all began—my life as a cheater, playing with the emotions of others. I never took relationships seriously, and every week, I would go out with different women, even men, allowing my inner desires to overpower the genuine me who just wanted to find true love.

Years had passed, and I had grown accustomed to my role as a cheater and a womanizer. It was true, some men fell in love with me, and I became their boyfriend. But deep down, my conscience was burdened with guilt, knowing the pain I had caused others.

As I sat on my bed, lost in my thoughts, I noticed a large box in my closet—curiosity got the better of me, and I reached for it, opening it up to see its contents. To my surprise, it was filled with old photos from my high school and college days and love letters that had been tucked away for years, and each letter reminded me of the flirtatious encounters I had engaged in, whether with women or men.

A smile formed on my face as I looked at those items. It was almost nostalgic to see them again, a testament to the love experiences I had once cherished and hidden away. While scanning the old photos, I found a picture of Hina and me. Instantly, memories flooded back, transporting me to that special day at our school festival. Ayumu, my ever-supportive friend, had captured that moment when I mustered the courage to confess my feelings to Hina.

Looking at the photo, I could vividly recall the nervousness that fascinated me, the pounding of my heart, and the anticipation that filled the air. It was a bittersweet memory, a pivotal moment in our relationship that would shape our future.

I suddenly missed her. Where could Hina be now? Is she married yet? With renewed curiosity, I got up and grabbed my laptop. I tried to recall Hina's full name, but it had been a decade since we last spoke, and my memory had faded. "Hmmm... Hina Sakamoto?" I mumbled to myself.

I began my search for Hina on social media, hoping to reconnect with her. To my dismay, there were numerous profiles with the same name. "So, is Hina Sakamoto a common name nowadays?" I pondered, realizing the challenge of finding her among the many individuals who shared her name.

After a minute of scrolling, my eyes landed on a familiar face that immediately grabbed my attention. It was Hina. I clicked on the photo without hesitation, and what I saw left me shocked. Despite the passing of ten long years, she remained as stunningly beautiful as ever.

The image froze on my screen, capturing a moment that transported me back in time, evoking nostalgia and curiosity. Memories and emotions flooded my mind, reminding me of the love and pain we had shared all those years ago. It was like a whirlwind of emotions was unleashed with that simple click.

Feeling a mix of anticipation and anxiety, I clicked on the "Add Friend" button on Hina's Facebook profile. A sense of uncertainty lingered in my mind as I wondered if she would accept my request.

As I waited for a response, a sudden realization struck me. "What if she's already married?" Despite being in a committed relationship myself, I couldn't help but entertain the thought. "No! Why am I even thinking about that? I have Yuki," I muttered, trying to reassure myself. Yet, another question occurred, causing my thoughts to twist. "If Yuki is my girlfriend, then what is Akira to me? What's wrong with me? I can't help but be a flirtatious person again!" Frustration washed over me as I scratched my head, trying to make sense of my tangled emotions.

Taking a deep breath, I reminded myself firmly, "I won't go back to the past. I need to focus on the present and be faithful to Yuki." With that resolve, I pushed aside the distractions and awaited Hina's response, hoping for a chance to reconnect and find closure.

Feeling the need for a break from my laptop and the swirling thoughts in my head, I shut it and stood up. I went to the bathroom, deciding to wash up and clear my mind.

As I filled the bathtub with warm water, the thoughts about my relationship with Akira and my old habits continued to linger. I couldn't help but admit that I had a flirtatious side to me. "I am indeed a flirty person," I realized, reflecting on my past actions.

However, a concern dragged in as I questioned whether I was reverting to my old ways. Was I unintentionally retracing the steps of my past life? It was a realization that made me pause and contemplate my path.

At that moment, as I submerged myself in the soothing water, I resolved to take control of my inner self and make conscious efforts to avoid repeating past mistakes. It reminded me to stay mindful of my actions and choices and be fully present rather than dwelling in the past.