CH 68

(POV Chiharu)

Finally, the day arrived for Nishino’s farewell event. First, all the classmates wrote messages on colored paper, encouraging Nishino to do his best even if he went to a different school. We then processed the paper and laminated it as a gift for Nishino.

Afterward, we headed to gym class to play dodgeball.

“Alright, then, for now, please warm up.” 

Following the teacher’s orders, the students began our warm-up exercises. The boys, who were close friends with Nishino, put in extra effort so they would be the last ones to finish the warm-up. Naturally, Nishino himself seemed more determined than usual.

Chiaki, Chinatsu, and Chifuyu, understanding the atmosphere and not wanting to disturb the bond between Nishino and his close friends, quietly performed their warm-up exercises without causing any disturbance. While Chiaki usually approached everything with boundless energy, she knew when to step back. That’s just how Chiaki was.

After finishing the warm-up exercises, we divided into teams and started playing dodgeball. Usually, Chiaki would excel, and Nishino would also have a great performance, but in the end, Chiaki would always emerge victorious.

Chiaki would win, no matter what. She would always win. Win, win, and win.

Chiaki would always win, leaving Nishino frustrated. After each match, Nishino would approach Chiaki, trying to pester her, but she would either ignore him or not pay much attention to him. In the beginning, Chiaki had a policy of never backing down from a fight, but recently, that had changed.

“Hey! Ahhhh!”

With a shout of “dokudoku,” Nishino hurled the ball, striking a certain female student. It was a familiar scene. Then, Nishino aimed the ball at Chiaki, who was on a different court.

Usually, Chiaki would catch the ball flawlessly. But today, she missed the catch, and the ball hit her, causing her to move from the infield to the outfield. Nishino tilted his head in confusion. This seemed too easy, and he was somewhat disappointed.

Chiaki was kind, considerate, and full of energy. But sometimes, she would overthink things, and that might have been what happened this time. When Chiaki came toward the outfield, where I used to be on the same team as her, I called out to her.

“Chiaki… Did you do that on purpose?”

“…Yeah, I thought it might be better for him to win and leave on a positive note since it’s the last time…”

“I see…”

“Was it a bad idea?”

“I don’t think it was a bad idea…”

It wasn’t a bad idea. After all, it would allow Nishino to leave on a positive note and create a memorable farewell. Letting Nishino win wasn’t a mistake. However, if it were revealed that Chiaki had held back, it would tarnish the beauty of their final moments together. It would leave a lingering trace of deception.

It’s not a mistake… but it’s complicated. I think it can be considered the right thing to do… Chiaki’s face was clouded with uncertainty.

“I don’t think you should worry about it. Because what you did, Chiaki, was an act of kindness to make Nishino’s last moments the best. It’s neither right nor wrong.”

“Yeah… thank you.”

Chiaki expressed her thanks in a soft voice. With that, she returned to the game, wearing a normal expression, and fulfilled her role in the outfield.

Nishino gave an outstanding performance, and the dodgeball game inside the court reached a level of excitement beyond the usual. The match and the farewell party came to an end.

◆◆

(POV Chiharu)

After school, we concluded the farewell events, including Nishino greeting his classmates and receiving encouraging words from the teacher, during the homeroom class. It was time to head home.

Some of the students felt a sense of loneliness with Nishino’s absence, but they carried on towards their homes as usual, and others cherished the remaining time through conversations within their close-knit groups.

As part of the former group, we began to head home as we always did. 

However… Nishino called out to Chiaki.

“Hey, um…”

“What is it?”

“I have something to talk about… so come with me… no, would you come with me?”

“…Alright.”

Chiaki accepted without a hint of displeasure.

“What do you think Nishino wants to talk about with Aki?” Chinatsu asked.

“Aaah, I think it’s probably about that thing…” Chifuyu said.

“What thing?”

“You know, that thing.” Chifuyu added.

Chinatsu didn’t understand why Chiaki was being called, but Chifuyu seemed to comprehend, wearing an expression of understanding. Chiaki followed behind Nishino. Meanwhile, Chinatsu and Chifuyu briefly discussed waiting here, but out of curiosity, they pretended to need the restroom and secretly followed them, leaving the classroom.

It was highly unlikely, but if something happened to Chiaki, it would be terrible. We couldn’t afford to let anything happen, not even a remote possibility.

The two of them, Nishino and Chiaki, entered the library. They initially intended to go to the rooftop, but it seemed they had changed their plans since it wasn’t a place they could simply enter.

Nishino faced Chiaki, who still had her backpack on. His expression wasn’t the usual playful or teasing one; instead, it was serious and somewhat awkward.

“Um, you see…” Nishino began.

“Yeah?”

“I’m… leaving from here.”

“I see… Well, take care then…. Yeah, I’ll be rooting for you…”

Their conversation felt awkward. However, unlike usual, when Chiaki would cut off the conversation unilaterally, she didn’t do so this time. Nishino swallowed nervously, exuding a sense of tension… and continued speaking.

“Ah, thank you… Um, I wanted to apologize for all the terrible things I’ve said until now… I’m sorry…”

“I don’t mind…”

“I see…”

“…Yeah.”

“…Can I talk about one more thing?”

“…Sure.”

“…I… I like Chiaki… It was love at first sight… I’m going to go away from here, and we might not be able to see each other again. But still, let me say it. Because I like you, please… go out with me…”

“…”

In the empty library after school, Nishino spoke those words. I knew that it wasn’t something that could easily be done, confessing one’s feelings.

Chiaki could sense that too, and that’s why she was preparing herself to give a proper response.

I’m sure Chiaki will reject him here… That’s what I thought.

From the beginning, Nishino must have known. That his feelings wouldn’t reach her. Because of his past actions. His attitude, his lack of consideration, everything was wrong. It was the complete opposite of Chiaki’s preferences.

If Chiaki hadn’t been a child who couldn’t rely on her parents, if she had been an ordinary third daughter without any special powers, if she hadn’t been wounded in her heart, if she hadn’t been an unfortunate child… maybe the outcome would have been different.

I don’t know if there is a world in which there existed a Chiaki like that. Maybe there was such a possibility. But it doesn’t exist in here.

That much was clear.

So, there was no doubt that she would reject him. However, in the next moment, the atmosphere surrounding Chiaki, who was about to give her answer, changed completely.

It wasn’t a lively and carefree attitude, nor was it a slightly cautious and retreating demeanor.

Her voice and expression were so different that it made me doubt if she was really Chiaki.

“《《I’m sorry》》… 《《Nishino-kun》》…”

.

“…I… I,”

“…《《I can’t respond to your feelings》》.”

A complete rejection. But neither I nor Nishino could conceal our surprise at her demeanor.

“H-Hey… You’re not joking, right?”

“No… I don’t know if it’s right to say this is my true self…”

“I see… I didn’t know anything, did I?”

“Because… I didn’t… say it…”

“I see. Why did you reject me in such a way?”

“I felt that… I had to… give a proper answer to your feelings…”

Stillness and Motion. Yin and Yang. Those words seemed fitting. I had never seen Chiaki in this kind of atmosphere before.

No, that’s not true… This is how…. she used to be. Quiet, not speaking many words. Calm and composed.

“I see. Thank you…”

“…No…”

“Well then, see you… Thank you…”

“…Yes.”

Saying that, Nishino left the library. My impression of him had changed slightly after this resolution.

However, it might be insensitive, but right now, that didn’t matter. It didn’t matter to me. I was consumed with concern for my sister. I was preoccupied with Chiaki.

I couldn’t tell if her current self was her true self or something else.

Come to think of it, I hadn’t questioned it this far. Chiaki’s personality and behavior changed abruptly one day, as if drawing a clear line.

Because the other Chiaki had seamlessly blended into our everyday lives, I never had any doubts.

It’s natural not to understand when someone is changing. It was a conversation we had even before the change began. She had been different even before changing…

As I was lost in thought, Chiaki spoke up. It wasn’t the quiet demeanor from earlier. It was her usual cheerful and vibrant voice, albeit slightly lowered in volume due to us being in the library.

“You’re here, right, Chiharu?”

.

“…Sorry, I did have intentions of eavesdropping. I’m sorry.”

“Oh, so you really were here.”

“Eh?”

“I guessed that you were here because it’s you, Chiharu.”

“Ah, I see.”

With a smile on her face, Chiaki spoke those words. I mustered the courage to ask her about what happened earlier.

“Chiaki, about what happened earlier…”

“…It’s not a big deal, really. It’s just that… I felt nervous when he confessed, and I realized I had to give him a proper answer, so I ended up like that.” Chiaki said.

“I see…”

“Well, I used to be like that in the past too.”

“That right…”

Was she acting…? All this time, was she forcing herself?

“It’s not all an act, you know?” Chiaki said.

“Eh?”

“No, I can tell what you’re thinking by the look on your face.”

“Really?”

“Yeah… At first, it was an act, but… now I think this side of me is closer to being genuine. I feel more comfortable being myself. I actually prefer it.”

“What about the other side?”

“Well… um… I don’t hate the introverted me either, but… I think I prefer this side.”

“Why is that?”

“Um… well, because everyone laughs.” Chiaki said.

“…Can I ask for more details?”

“…Hmm, maybe next time.”

“Okay.”

I was aware of Chiaki’s other side, but I didn’t fully recognize it. As an older sister, it was my responsibility to take care of my younger sister and ensure she didn’t accumulate stress. Yet, it seemed like it was the other way around… I was the one who was being looked after…

“Alright! Let’s go home!”

“Yeah, let’s go.”

I walked alongside Chiaki and we left the library. As we made our way back to the classroom, Chiaki spoke to me in a low voice.

“Oh, by the way, let’s keep this between us and not tell Chinatsu and Chifuyu, okay?”

“…Yeah, I understand. But why?”

“Well… I don’t want them to think I’m forcing myself to be cheerful.”

“I get it.”

“Chiharu, I’m not forcing anything! Don’t worry about me!”

“…Yeah, I won’t worry.”

“You’re definitely worried… Ugh! I’ll give you a hug later, so stop worrying!”

“…Yeah, I can’t help but worry… Sorry. But please do give me a hug.”

Although Chiaki had said “later” she still wrapped her arms around me. She was gentle, adorable. As I immersed myself in Chiaki’s embrace, she whispered even softer words in my ear than before.

“Oh, and this, make sure you keep it a secret from Kaito, okay?” Chiaki said.

“Yeah, got it… But why?”

“《《Because it makes it harder for me to act spoiled around him》》.”

“Um… What do you mean?”

“Well… compared to my introverted side, my extroverted side finds it easier to be spoiled. Like sitting on Kaito’s lap or giving him hugs… I actually feel really embarrassed after doing those things… Especially lately, the level of embarrassment has been off the charts.”

Suddenly, Chiaki started blushing. How adorable.

“It’s just that my extroverted side acts on impulse… It’s like being laser-focused on your desires. My introverted side, on the other hand, probably gets too embarrassed before even doing anything…”

“I see.”

“Yeah. But during the school trip, when Kaito wasn’t there, I realized how lonely I felt. I strongly wanted to rely on him more. It’s not only with my sisters anymore; I feel like I can’t be satisfied without Kaito…”

It almost sounded like a confession, but I’m relieved that she doesn’t seem to have a conscious awareness of love yet…

“So, even though it’s embarrassing, I want to continue interacting like this…”

Although I can’t help but feel a twinge of envy for the person who brings out that blushing face from Chiaki, let’s put that aside for now.

“And also… I don’t want Kaito to think of me as just an introverted person.”

Chiaki, with her fingers playfully intertwined together, displayed a girlish charm. Adorable. And yet, I couldn’t help but feel envious of Oniisan. But as the endless loop of thoughts came to an end, let’s set that aside for now.

“Oniisan probably doesn’t pay much attention to that.”

“W-Well, maybe… But you know… I want him to see the good sides of me….”

“……I see”

“I mean… it’s embarrassing to be seen as an introvert…” Chiaki said.

“I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that.” 

“But I feel embarrassed! I don’t want Kaito to think I’m an introvert pretending to be an extrovert! I don’t want it to affect our closeness when I need his support!” 

“Ah, I see,”

She adamantly protested!! Chiaki’s resolute denial was evident in her appearance. She crossed her right and left arms, forming the letter “X” in the air, expressing her rejection of the idea.

For the time being, perhaps it’s best not to tell Oniisan? I don’t think Oniisan would mind, but… if it bothers Chiaki, then it can’t be helped.

Whether it’s the introverted Chiaki or the extroverted Chiaki, I believe Oniisan sees them both as incredible. Well, whatever I say to Chiaki right now probably won’t make a difference.

Discovering Chiaki’s new side made me realize my own shortcomings as an older sister. I need to strive harder and find other things I can do for her. If there aren’t any, then I’ll create them…

Yes, I strongly thought so.

*********************

TN: If Nishino actually matured like this while he is still in elementary school he’s gonna get all the girls later on.