Volume 2 - CH 15

Posted on May 10, 2022by Soafp

Translator: Soafp

“Do you remember the last time I had a dispute with Yuuhi?”

How could I forget?

That incident was a big one for me. Although I got involved with Akazawa, thanks to that incident, I was able to smoothly integrate into the class after transferring to the new school. It is no exaggeration to say that it is thanks to Nekoda that I am now able to live a cheerful life.

Since then, Nekoda, who sits next to me, has been supporting me in various ways. Right after I transferred to the new school, when I was still unfamiliar with the school, she told me where to go to the transfer class and told me about the school’s events.

I’m now thinking about the seat change that will take place in the second semester, and I’m feeling a little anxious.

“Of course I remember that.”

“The cause of that was in junior high school, but I just remembered what happened then.”

“That’s–“

I remember that she said she had hurt someone important to Akazawa.

It seems that Nekoda’s discussion was about the topic at that time, so it is necessary to clarify who she was talking about.

“You’re talking about hurting Akazawa’s loved one, right?”

“Yes. It’s not that I did something terrible, it’s more like how I said it to person Yuuhi cares about. Anyway, there is no doubt that I was stupid.”

“…… By the way, who is this important person?”

“The childhood friend of Yuuhi.”

When I heard that, I was convinced. Her childhood friend is Renji Inuyama, who is also my best friend and a childhood friend of mine.

I could call myself Akazawa’s childhood friend, but she never told anyone about it in junior high school. So Nekoda must not have known that I was Akazawa’s childhood friend. In the first place, Nekoda never did anything to me. Rather than hurting her, she saved me.

In terms of childhood friends, Akazawa’s sister would also be a childhood friend, but given Nekoda’s tone I doubt it is Akazawa’s sister.

Therefore, by process of elimination, I confirmed that it was Renji.

Now I don’t have to worry about any misunderstandings.

“…… You mean the discussion reminded you of your past of hurting that childhood friend?”

“Yes.”

“But, you were forgiven by Akazawa for that matter, right?”

“I’ve been forgiven by Yuuhi, but I still haven’t apologized to that person yet. I haven’t apologized yet to his family, but I wondered if it was okay to live happily every day like this. When I think about it, I don’t enjoy what I do.”

In short, Nekoda wondered if it was okay for her to have a good time without apologizing to the man himself. What a earnest girl.

As I learned from the doodles on her graduation album, Nekoda is in love with Renji. I guess she’s emotionally messed up because of what she did to the person she’s in love with.

I don’t know what Nekoda did, but I don’t think it was violence or a crime. The person herself even stated, ‘It’s not that I did something terrible, it’s more like how I said it.’. It was more like she spoke out of anger or something along those lines.

I want to reassure her. She is not a narrow-minded person who hates a person just because of that. I know that better than anyone.

“……”

“Don’t look so gloomy. I’m sure–“

I was about to say.

“Ah, Nijitani-kun!”

Akazawa, with a smile on her face, comes running toward me.

“I’d be worried if you left on your own, you know.”

“I’m sorry. I was just talking.”

Akazawa noticed Nekoda sitting next to me.

“…… Huh, Hazuki-chan is here too…”

For a moment, Akazawa looked disappointed, but after a short pause to think, she sat down next to me for some reason.　　　　　　　

I don’t want to give away the details of our discussion without permission, so I’ll keep my mouth shut. I didn’t want to be accused of being the kind of guy who leaks information.

Nekoda opened her mouth, as if she had guessed what I was up to.

“I asked Nijitani for advice.”

“What do you mean?”

“About that time. About that person in junior high school.”

“—–Heh.”

Akazawa’s festive expression suddenly lost its color.

“I remember it now. I think in all likelihood, I was the one who was most at fault. Yuuhi has forgiven me, but I wondered if it was okay to continue to live happily.”

“……So, did you talk to Nijitani about it?”

“He said he’d talk to me about it.”

“Did you tell him about the past?　How much did you tell him?”

“I haven’t told him anything yet. He asked me who Yuuhi’s special someone was, and I told him it was Yuuhi’s childhood friend.”

“Did you give him a name or anything?”

“I haven’t. But it’s Mu—-“

“You don’t have to tell him!”

Nekoda was about to say something, when Akazawa put her on the spot with a look of bitterness.

What’s wrong?

It was a radical reaction. It’s about Renji anyway, ……, I see. Akazawa doesn’t want me to know that he and Renji are childhood friends. Childhood friends of different genders have a high possibility of developing into a love affair, and on top of that, they are now a god and a goddess.

From her point of view, I am a transfer student from the second year who doesn’t know anything about the situation. If she gives me any more information, she’ll never get any votes from me in this year’s contest in the second semester, so she’s desperate.

It’s hilarious.

It’s ironic that she’s trying to hide the fact that we’ve known each other since childhood, but I actually know everything. Well, let’s give her a little credit for her desperate efforts to hide her relationship with Renji.

Let’s put Akazawa aside for now.

“If you feel so bad, why don’t you apologize to him?”

“….I can’t. I can’t see him anymore”

Can’t see him, so it’s impossible.

It’s true, it’s impossible right now. It’s summer vacation.

So it will be after the second semester. Or maybe after she is ready. She said it happened when she was in middle school. The more time passes, the harder it is to apologize for these things. It must have been complicated until now.

I smiled at Nekoda, who was dismayed.

“I don’t think you need to worry about it too much.”

“Nijitani?”

“I don’t know the details of the situation, so I don’t want to sound unduly harsh, but I’m sure that person will forgive you.”

“……”

“He would definitely forgive you. If Nekoda looked gloomy, he might be a serious guy who would be concerned that Nekoda has lost energy because of him. That must be the case. So all Nekoda has to do is smile.”

That’s the type of girl she is. She’s the kind of saintly girl who would suffer too if the other person was suffering because of her

“But–“

“If he doesn’t forgive me, I’ll apologize with him. I’ll testify that Nekoda was very sorry and bow down to him.”

When I said this, Akazawa, who was standing next to me, shouted “Eeh” and her mouth was agape as if she was puzzled.

Why are you making such a face? Are you upset? I mean, you forgave Nekoda, didn’t you? Or are you saying it would be bad if I brought her and Renji together? Or did I say something funny?

“Why is …… Nijitani being so nice to me?”

“Isn’t it normal to save your friend’s life in a pinch?”

“…… It’s not normal. Nijitani is really a nice guy to be able to do that normally. If you’re this nice to me, I might fall in love with you.

Sh*t. Is this what Akazawa was upset about?

Surely apologizing together is a bit much. I guess I was being super lenient with Nekoda because I knew she saved my life.

Besides. I was just trying to be nice to a heartbroken girl in a perfect situation with fireworks going off, it would be like hitting on her.

“Hazuki-chan, aren’t you devoted to Renji-kun?!”

Akazawa interrupted, looking pissed.

You like Renji too, what are you doing?

No, this is it. If I compare Renji and myself, Renji is by far the superior. But despite that, she’s trying to stop her friend from dominating the lower-ranked one. Damn it, don’t do that in front of me, no matter how true it is. It’s irritating.

“I don’t think it’s a good idea to cheat on him. You should definitely stick to Renji-kun. Men don’t like girls who think with that kind of fluffy mindset. Don’t you think so too, Nijitani?”

It pains me to agree with her, but she is right. I don’t want to be dishonest and touch a girl who is in love with Renji.

I am not the hero of this world. Unlike me, I am a supporting character. So there’s no way I’m going to hit on a nice girl like Nekoda here.

“Yeah, I think it’s preferable to be single-minded. The other guy is a male god and has a lot of rivals, so you’d better get your head in the game and concentrate on being a male god.”

“……Y-yeah. I was just joking. I’m sorry.”

A joke?

That’s damaging to me, though.

In contrast, Nekoda’s expression brightened. Shortly after, she saw the fireworks that lit up the night sky and responded, “Beautiful,” as if she had finally realized how beautiful fireworks are.

“Thanks for listening to me. It cheered me up.”

“Are you okay now?”

“Yes, I am. I’m going to go with the energetic character, just as Nijitani said. I’ve decided to apologize to him when I meet him someday.”

“Ou, don’t worry about it. If there is a problem, I’m always here for you.”

The usual smile returned to Nekoda’s face.

“All right, then, we must enjoy today’s festival to the fullest. I’m going to meet up with everyone and visit the food stalls. I haven’t had any fun yet!”

She ran off. What a noisy girl.

As I stood up to join the others, I noticed that my clothes were being pulled on. I turn around and see Akazawa with a clouded look on her face.

“I have something to discuss with you too.”

What should I do, I don’t want to get on board.