47
“While we’re at it, why don’t you exchange information with Tsujimura-kun too?”
As I watched the two of them interact in a daze, I was suddenly asked this.
“Me too?”
“Yeah. I thought it would be a good opportunity. It’s not often you get the chance to exchange contact information with two cute girls.”
Is it okay to call yourself cute…? Well, I won’t deny it.
I can read the air that much.
“Hmm… but I don’t really use that kind of thing much.”
“Whether you contact them or not, there’s no harm in registering, right? We’ll probably end up making a class contact list anyway. I’ll let you know when that happens. You don’t want to be the only one left out, do you?”
“That’s…”
To be honest, I don’t think I care that much.
I had already resolved myself to spending my high school days alone, even during spring break.
I didn’t think I would be able to build new relationships, and I didn’t think I was qualified to do so.
—I won’t forgive you
Those words still echo in my mind.
She was supposed to be precious to me, yet I ended up hurting my childhood friend. I can’t forget about it.
“I am…”
That’s why I thought I’d decline.
If I’m not forgiven, then I’ll be fine on my own. I’d rather be alone.
If I think of it as just an extension of middle school, I’ll be able to endure it.
I might get made fun of behind my back, but if I just close my eyes and cover my ears, I shouldn’t hear any of that noise.
It’s much better to be alone than to be with someone and end up hurting them.
But――I saw it.
“…………”
Beyond Mihara, that girl was staring right at me.
Her smartphone was clutched tightly to her chest.
Her expression was one of loneliness and unease.
Her already petite frame looked horribly fragile.
“Ah……”
Akane Nishi.
She was the one who, despite my reluctance to change, had once given me the impetus to do so.
I’d run into her again.
I don’t know what that means.
Maybe it doesn’t mean anything at all.
I don’t believe in God anymore, so I don’t think this is fate or anything like that.
From Noble mtl dot com
(Even so…)
This person gave me something very important.
Even if it was just the misguided courage to break up with someone I liked—at that time, it was definitely something I needed.
So I don’t care if it’s not fate.
At the very least, for me, meeting her wasn’t a mistake.
That much is certain. I’d secretly been hoping that I could repay this favor someday.
Someday, again.
Someday—
But if I reject her here, then that ‘someday’ might just disappear, perhaps forever.
I am Koyo Tsujimura.
Am I really going to disregard the kindness I received from someone who was kind to me even though they didn’t know anything about me?
Am I really going to keep putting off repaying the favor I received, saying ‘I’ll do it someday’, and not change anything ‘now’—?
(That—is wrong)
As a person, that’s something I can’t do.
“…Okay, let’s exchange numbers.”
Before I knew it, I was nodding.
It might be a bit of an exaggeration to say that my body moved on its own, but that’s the only way I can describe it.
“Eh, really?”
“Yeah. Mihara’s got a point. I wouldn’t want to be iced out right after entering high school.”
Mihara seemed surprised.
I guess he thought I’d turn him down.
That’s what I would have done in the past, so it makes sense that he’d think that.
“Huh…”
“What’s with that reaction? You’re the one who asked to exchange.”
As I took my phone out of my pocket, Mihara looked at me with something like admiration.
“No, Tsujimura-kun. Have you… matured a bit?”
“Huh?”
What the heck is he talking about, out of the blue?
Did he eat something bad?
“I thought you’d turn me down for sure. You seemed like you hated dealing with people. I guess I’ve revised my opinion a little.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
Was Mihara’s opinion of me really that low…? But whatever. This goes both ways. Extroverts and introverts just don’t get along. I’m more convinced of that with each passing day.
“So, let’s exchange numbers right now. This is great, Tsujimura-kun. You’re the first guy in high school I’ve exchanged numbers with♪”
She beamed as she held out her phone, but sorry. I’m not exactly thrilled.
It’s not like it means anything.
“I’m so happy. Thank you.”
“Wow. I can totally tell you’re not being sincere. You won’t get popular if you don’t act more friendly… Oh, but I guess that doesn’t apply to you. Okay, next up is Yuka -chan. Come on over here, I’m finished.”
Ugh, now she’s using her first name and beckoning her over.
I could never do something like that. I don’t like how extroverts get so familiar so quickly, but I have to thank her for calling Akane-san over.
“Oh, yes… Um, is it okay, Tsujimura-san? Is it okay if I exchange numbers too…?”
Akane-san came over to me with tiny steps and looked up at me with her big eyes.
“Yeah, I’d actually like to ask you.”
I don’t know anything about her.
All I know is that she likes to read, and I can tell that she’s not very good at interacting with people.
So I somehow felt like we were similar. Her and that girl too.
(But there are differences too.)
I remembered how she helped me that day. She could have just gone home, but she came over to me, and she stayed with me until I was done crying.
And in class, she could have just left us alone like the other classmates, but she talked to us.
She must be a kind person.
I think people who can be kind to others are amazing.
I’m just a coward. I can’t be kind to others.
That’s why I thought I’d keep rejecting people forever—
“I want to get to know Akane-san better.”
Right now, I just wanted to know more about her.
“Ah…”
“Is that… okay?”
I felt like I wouldn’t be able to say anything if it wasn’t.
I’m fully aware that I’m not someone who can do anything for a person who doesn’t know anything.
“…No.”
I don’t think anything about me will change because of this, though.
“Likewise, it’s nice to meet you.”
Just seeing this gentle smile, I knew that I hadn’t made the wrong choice.