“—What’s that? This is the first I’m hearing of it!”
“S-Sorry! I just didn’t know when to bring it up…”
The following week, as soon as I stepped into the classroom, I overheard that conversation between Kiritsuki and Kaori.
It’s probably about Kaori’s move and transfer, which we talked about before.
Most of the classmates were gathered around the blackboard, surrounding Kaori.
It’s the usual scene, but today feels a bit different.
Since I already knew about it, I slipped past them and quickly took my seat.
Then, Kiritsuki and Tomiya broke away from the usual group and casually came over to me.
“Hey, Kaori was saying—”
“I already know.”
“How do you know?!”
“Why are you mad…?”
“I’m not mad!!”
“You totally are…”
Kiritsuki’s acting unusually emotional.
Even if I hadn’t known, I probably wouldn’t have been that shocked. My reaction would likely be the same.
That aside, I don’t get why Kiritsuki’s so upset.
Ignoring Kiritsuki, who’s inexplicably growling “Ughhh” nearby, I turn to Tomiya.
“Maybe she wanted to be consulted about it sooner?”
“…I told her pretty early, probably right after it was decided.”
“She probably wanted to hear about it when it was still just a possibility!”
Could you not direct that at me?
Well, from Kaori’s perspective, she probably didn’t know when or how things would turn out, so it’s understandable she didn’t tell anyone.
Moving due to family circumstances is common, and transferring schools because of commuting issues is probably pretty normal too.
As high schoolers, it’s probably hard to admit something as childish as not wanting to leave your friends.
Though I’ve said plenty to my childhood friend.
“If you want to hang out, you can always meet up on weekends, so I don’t think it’s worth getting so worked up about.”
“You’re so cold about these things, Aoi.”
“…Am I?”
Part of it is that I already knew, but also, unlike the rest of the class, I’m not that attached to Kaori.
No, maybe calling it attachment isn’t quite right…
Still, maybe because I once thought, I don’t want to be with her, it’s hard to think, I want to be with her again. Even if I did, I could never say it out loud—not with all the guilt and everything else.
Of course, it makes me happy that she still says she wants to stay close, that she wants to be with me.
But separate from those feelings, I’ve got my own thoughts too.
“Ughhh—”
How long is Kiritsuki going to keep growling? This is so unlike her.
Even the smallest sliver of time that’s passed is still the past.
What’s decided is decided, and what’s happened can’t be undone, so you just have to accept it and move forward… or rather, that’s all you can do.
If that’s the case, there’s only one thing Kiritsuki, as her best friend, should do.
“—Ugh, seriously…! Why do I have to stress over something like this?”
Muttering softly, she headed back to Kaori.
“Hey, Tomiya… what’s Kiritsuki stressing about?”
“Hmm? Well, probably choosing between friendship and romance, right?”
“…With those values, she should pick friendship.”
“It’s not that simple, which is why it’s tough.”
Tomiya’s talking like she’s got it all figured out.
I get where she’s coming from. In a situation like this, it’s probably normal to weigh which relationship to prioritize.
Suddenly, she looked at me and gave a wry smile.
“What’s that look? You’re involved in this too, you know.”
“…Not really.”
Tomiya laughed again as the school chime echoed through the building.
But even then, she stayed perched on the edge of a desk, leaning in close.
“…You sure like keeping things to yourself, don’t you?”
“I’m not hiding anything, and I don’t like it either.”
“Really? If you don’t put your thoughts into words, they won’t get across.”
“I know that.”
“…Of course, unless you don’t want to get them across.”
“What are you trying to say?”
“Hmm…? Oh, nothing.”
Grinning playfully, Tomiya returned to her seat. Why does she always hold back the important stuff until the last second?
Saying I like keeping secrets? She’s got no room to talk.
As she left, Kiritsuki took the seat next to me, staring at Kaori across the room with an openly discontent expression.
“Tomiya just said, ‘If you don’t put your thoughts into-words, they won’t get across.’”
“I already told her!”
“Everything you’re thinking?”
“Yes!”
That was quick. And… despite her slightly sulky attitude, she’s being pretty honest about it.
Like Tomiya said, just saying it might be better than nothing.
“…So, I’m leaving my studying for finals to someone else. I want to spend as much time with Kaori as I can.”
“It’s not like it’s a final goodbye.”
“Even so, it’s the last time we’ll spend high school together… I want to be with her as much as possible.”
That’s the result of her honesty, huh? Man, she’s such a good person.
“I’m not handing her over to you, cold-as-ice Himura.”
Kiritsuki’s eyes, though, seemed to waver with some uncertainty despite her words.
The usual her wouldn’t come over just to say something like that.
“…Yeah, do what feels right. I like that you care so much about your friends.”
“Yeah… wait, huh?”
If Kaori comes to see Kohaku, I’ll end up seeing her whether I mean to or not. But as for me personally, I’m saying what I want to say.
“Wait, Himura, did you just—”
“Good morning, everyone.”
A bit later than usual, Ms. Jushinin walked into the classroom.
“What… was that?”
Kiritsuki was about to say something, so I turned to her.
Her cheeks were slightly flushed, and she wore a strained smile.
I couldn’t read what she wanted to say from her complex expression, but she looked down, turned forward, and muttered, “It’s nothing,” in a faint voice.
Maybe I shouldn’t have said that.
Tomiya just told me to say what I think, so I did.
Well, she only said, If you don’t say it, it won’t get across, but still.
I feel like I might’ve been misunderstood.
Or maybe I phrased it wrong?
I didn’t mean “like” in a romantic way, so there’s no need for her to get all shy about it, but… I just don’t get it.
Still, I hope it gave her a push to follow through with her decision.
Time spent with a cherished best friend… that’s something I can’t give Kaori.
Kaori said she didn’t want to leave me. I believe that’s her true feeling.
Even so, I can’t be the only one she doesn’t want to part with.
There are others she wants to spend time with more than me.
If that’s the case, I’d rather she prioritize them over me.
…And that’s probably what Tomiya meant by saying I should speak up.
Letting out a quiet sigh, morning homeroom began.
☆Afterword──────────────────
I originally wanted to wrap this up as episode 36, but it dragged on a bit, so I split it.
This marks the end of the second chapter, but like the first, it’s just a small breakpoint.
