Chapter 362: Absent

As our conversation continued, I ended up pulling her to the benches near the entrance. I knew I was running out of time but… I just couldn't leave her.

I did think I liked her before and perhaps I still do today. Otherwise, I wouldn't easily recognize her after four years.

In any case, as our conversation progressed, it was easy to notice that she already moved on from what happened to us.

Well, there's just that thing. She couldn't hold prolonged eye contact with me.

Her name is Shigeno Hifumi. When we graduated from grade school, she's the most outstanding student. It's as expected. Even if I somehow corrupted her to the point that there were times when we would be skipping a class, she remained the one on top.

When I cut her off the same way I did with Chii, this girl didn't have that strong of a reaction but she was certainly dejected and saddened.

At that time, she ran excitedly to come and meet me instead of her 'supposed boyfriend'. Perhaps hoping I would also congratulate her for the honor she got. Instead of doing that, I heartlessly cut her off before leaving her all alone and never looked back

After that day, I never heard from her again. Until today.

"Oh. Look at the time. You will be late, Ruki. Un. You can go now. This time, for real. Straighten your face, that's so not like you, you know? I still remember that cold-faced Ruki and comparing you to that one in my memory, that's too drastic a change. But hey, even though that one made a mark on me, I'm liking how you are this time. You now exuded that warmth openly."

After blurting all that out without letting me interject at all, Hifumi beamed a smile before turning around, quickly exiting the station.

Even if I thought of chasing after her to at least say goodbye, she already disappeared among the crowd.

In the end, I had no choice but to continue on my way.

When I boarded the train and found a seat for me, I began contemplating her words.

There's no indication of her hate for me. She had really moved on from what I did.

I guess I should just stop thinking about how I could make it right or that might just turn worse.

Although I probably didn't hurt her like how I hurt those I stole during middle school… Meeting her this time was probably a sign for me to stop thinking about and stop unconsciously looking for those who didn't chase after me.

Right. I was unconsciously thinking about them. That at any time, there's always the possibility of running into them.

Perhaps that's also the reason why I instantly remembered Hifumi. Unlike Chii, there's no drastic change in her. Perhaps except how she was even more diligent with her studies. For sure, she would top the midterms and final exams for this semester. That's good for her then.

As long as she's fine then there's no reason for me to meddle with her life again.

I had my girls to think about.

Starting today, I would restrain myself unconsciously thinking about those girls I already let go of.

Well, that's hard of course. How can one restrain one's unconscious action? Either way, that's what I had to do.

Taking out my phone, I stopped thinking about Hifumi and just checked on my girls' messages.

In this way, the train ride passed and I arrived at school barely in time before Eguchi-sensei lined up the latecomers.

When she saw me, one of her eyebrows raised again, intrigued that these past three days, I came late once and barely on time twice.

Since she had a job to do, Eguchi-sensei didn't stop me but at least, I bowed towards her which returned with a nod.

When I entered the room, I went straight to my seat.

Naturally, I scanned my gaze first and found out that I wasn't the last to arrive.

A few seats behind Nami, Ogawa who should've been there already was absent.

That coward. Is he running late? Or is he not going to show up today?

Looking at the direction of Nami, there's a trace of slight concern in her eyes. And that's even more apparent in Hina's eyes.

Before Shio arrived, I asked the two if something's wrong.

Nami instantly replied that Ogawa's not going to school.

Hina then deliberated whether to tell me or not what happened but in the end, she chose to tell me.

"Ruki, Kazuo. He fell sick today. I checked on him this morning because his sister knocked on our door to ask if we had spare fever medicine."

That's right. Instead of Nami, that guy is a next-door neighbor of Hina.

"I see. He fell sick. Do you think we pushed him to the point that he ended up sick?"

While I sent my reply to Hina, I also informed Nami what I heard from her.

"Maybe. But, it serves him right! Even when I knocked on the door of his room, he was still refusing to meet me.."

"Don't get worked up too much. Despite what he did, you already expressed your concern to him. That guy, although this might sound like I'm destroying his image, it would be a miracle if he changed. Let's focus on school for today."

I refrained from telling her that she needed to think about her choice first. Well, I didn't need to pressure her. Sooner or later, she would make a decision. In the end, she couldn't be like me, she had to make a choice if she wanted to continue chasing after Ogawa or be completely mine.

As we continued our conversation through Messenger, Nami then told me that her period had already arrived this morning. As for her concern over Ogawa falling sick… it's not the same reaction as what Hina showed. In the end, that's the difference between the two girls for now. Hina was still somewhat hung up with her affection for Ogawa while Nami already put that guy down on her priority list.

After a while, Shio entered the room to begin the homeroom. Naturally, she scanned her gaze to check if everyone already arrived.

She knew I was about to run late again so after seeing me in my site, my adorable Shio slightly curved her kips

None picked that up because of her stern eyes that could probably make another student tremble in fright.

"Eyes front. Class Representative, please."

Doing the daily routine, Kanzaki stood up and headed the opening of the day.

"Rise. Bow. Sit."

After that bow, Shio began her class.

"Hmm. Ogawa-kun's sister called and told the school that he's sick. Those close to Ogawa-kun, do take a note for him."

Shio then turned around and began writing on the board in huge font. Usually, that means she's announcing something.

Everyone waited until she finished to read what's that about.

A few seconds later, she stepped to the side to let us read it before going back to her podium

"As you can see. This Sunday. We will have an extra-curricular activity at the nearby river. It's part of our school's program. This class is assigned to one area to do a clean-up drive. Do mark your calendar and I expect to see all of you. Understand?"