CH 24

“Hmmm, I’m tired…….”

The student council room after school. The time is already evening and the dazzling evening sun is shining inside the student council room. 

I’m in the middle of a detention because I have other materials to prepare apart from this project. When I told them that I could handle a computer a little, they forced me to work with other board members. I think that’s too much.

“Everyone is doing their best, but we haven’t had that many remarkable results.”

The new project had been discussed by Prez Haruka, and the teachers, and before I knew it, it had been decided. I thought it might have some effect, but it was exactly the same as last week. If things continue as they are, I’m going to lose a lot of time and money.

“After all, I don’t have the capacity to stand above others…….”

I had the nerve to join the student council, but I didn’t expect to be thrust into such a large role so soon after I started. In addition to that, there are a surprisingly large number of chores to be done and quite a few opportunities to go to the staff room to discuss things with the teachers.

Unfortunately, I have not been able to play an active role in the student council this past week. I wonder if I’m still not at a high enough level.

(Still, I can’t lose only to him at that time.)

I haven’t heard from him since that day. My former teacher, who had a bad experience in middle school and had never come since then. I realized after what happened that I knew nothing about him. It was only after everything was over that I realized I didn’t know his contact information or where he lived.

“Still, I don’t regret that choice.”

That guy was the root of all evil, who selfishly messed up the school and made the few friends I had made cry. I don’t regret my actions at the time, nor do I forgive him for what he did that day. If I had that guy in front of me, I would have beaten him up, no questions asked, and dragged him out in front of those kids at that time and made him apologize.

“…If it’s me right now.”

My muscles are slightly less strong, but I still have all the skills he taught me in those days, and I learned many new ones. Frankly, I wouldn’t want to use any of the techniques taught to me by a criminal, but I would give up my pride if it meant beating him.

“Opps, I have to focus.”

My gut still boils when I think back to the past, but I have to keep my focus. Right now, I’m using my computer to summarize submitted materials while typing at high speed, and multitasking to look through a completely different set of materials.

Separating brain processes, otherwise known as parallel thinking. This is not a talent I originally possessed, but one that was acquired by that guy.

It was a terrible thing to think about.

[All right ! First, practice thinking about something else in your brain while thinking about what’s in front of you. Then, do today’s homework with your right hand while aligning the Rubik’s Cube with your left hand, and play Shiritori with me at the same time…….]

[How Could I do it ! !]

And I’m a little scared of myself that I can finally do it. And that guy made a 3D model of Himeji Castle with tweezers while playing Shiritori with me, and as an added bonus, he was playing Tetris with his feet. I wondered how he could pile up so many blocks and make them chain together without looking at the screen. And with his feet.

And he was able to put together a Rubik’s Cube in less than 10 seconds, which I had been unable to solve for nearly an hour.…and with his feet.

I can’t tell you how much it broke my heart. That guy knows everything and can do anything.

“Alright, I’m done !”

I was thinking about that, and before I knew it, I had finished the work that needed to be done by the end of the day. Parallel thinking is useful at times like this. Well, I hate to admit it.

“I think I’ll go home for the time being.”

It would be a nuisance if I stayed at school any longer, and Prez Haruka, has already gone home. The sun was beginning to set.

I hurriedly stuffed my own computer into my bag and left the classroom. After locking it up and returning it to the office, I was already exhausted. Why are the office and the visitor’s entrance located at the end of the school building? It was too far from the student council office, even though it was a large school.

“Phew, I’ll go home early today and take a hot shower…….”

As I was thinking that, I suddenly saw a familiar figure. She was about to get on her bike and head home, but as soon as she noticed me, she got off her bike and ran over to me.

“Sakura, it’s been a while !”

“……You are indeed energetic until now…….Yuu.”

Her name is Kisaragi Yuu. I’ve been in the same class with her since the first grade, and she’s my best friend. In a sense, she’s an amazing girl who never loses her motivation and energy even after club activities are over.

Yuu would often say things that were incomprehensible to me and try to do outrageous things, but I was the one who quieted her down and held the reins. Thanks to that, when I was in the first grade, I was supposed to play the mysterious role of a play attendant in the class. Well, Yuu is not a bad kid and she’s like a little sister to me, so I couldn’t help but find her cute.

And above all……I felt at ease with her for some reason. It was as if I felt safe, as if I could be with someone I had developed a close friendship with over the years……

And so we found ourselves leaving school together. Yuu gets off her bike and matches my pace. I’m going to school by bus, so we’re going to the nearest bus stop together.

“It’s been a while since we’ve talked like this.”

“We are in different classes now, and I’ve joined the student council.”

“Mmm, you still can’t get rid of that honorific habit of yours?”

“Hahaha, it’s fine just to call it habits.”

I basically use honorifics for everyone.  I’ve stopped the habit once, but the person who pointed it out is now my enemy. There’s no reason to follow his instructions at that time.

“More importantly, what about you, after joining different classes? Are you causing any trouble?”

“Why are you assuming that I’m causing trouble !?”

“Pfft, I knew it, please pretend I didn’t ask you.”

I don’t even need to hear it, she’s definitely causing trouble. It was posted in the student council’s opinion box that Yuu (I assume) had done a lot of things. Surprisingly, it seems that Prez Haruka took care of it, but I trust Prez Haruka. I’m sure she would have given more appropriate guidance than I did.

“Of course….you’ve made friends.”

“Hmmm, I’ve already made friends with most of the class !”

“Fufu, what’s that……most of it?”

I almost missed it because she said that.

“Most of it, are there anyone you can’t get along with?”

Yuu doesn’t use ambiguous expressions. She’s the type of girl who can clearly say what needs to be said and is not afraid of anyone. That is why this was the first time I had heard Yuu express herself this way.

“Eh, ah…..ahaha, well, never mind, okay?”

“Sigh, if  you say so, Yuu.”

I’m a little nervous, but I’m sure that only Yuu would not fall behind in interpersonal relationships. I wonder if I care too much.

(There’s nothing I can advise her on interpersonal relationships.)

I feel like I shouldn’t get too deep into this matter. I’m getting the feeling that not only Yuu but even I’m going to be hurt. That’s it, mine warning. I’ve been through a lot of traumas too…….

“I’m sure you have lots of friends, don’t you? I made all my friends in a hurry in high school.”

“Oh, really?”

“I was a serious girl until middle school. I changed my image in a hurry.”

“……”

I secretly think that image change was a mistake, but I don’t want to say it. Let’s let Yuu keep it up. I don’t know what she’ll do if she explode.

“In that sense, the only people I’m really close with are Sakura and my new friend Ruri chan.”

“Ruri-chan, huh. That’s a cute name.”

“Isn’t it !  Even though she’s expressionless, when she gets a little annoyed, she raises the corners of her mouth, and it’s really cute.”

“…..You wouldn’t have bothered her just to see that, would you?”

“Of course…….of course not !”

“Did you avert your eyes?”

Well, now that I know, she’ll be fine. Yuu has a lot of silly parts, but once she experiences something, she learns from it. I have no choice but to trust her. Until then, do your best, Ruri chan too……

When we arrived at the time we were talking about that, we were at the bus stop at our destination. I’m supposed to stay here and Yuu is supposed to continue on her way home. Originally, it should be a distance to commute by train, but Yuu really works hard.

“Anyway, I’m doing my best, so good luck with the student council, Sakura !”

“…Of course. Thank you for your concern.”

“Fufufu, it’s been a long time since I talked to Sakura, and I’m feeling better. See you tomorrow.”

“Yes, see you tomorrow.”

With that, we parted. The bus arrived soon after, so I quickly held up my pass and got in. I like to sit near the driver’s seat.

“Whoa, I’m so tired today.”

I sit down and relax as usual. The moment I sit down on the bus is the most relaxing, and I had not expected to be so busy. I remember today’s class as I endure the exhaustion that surges through me. I decided to make good use of the time because it would be a waste to waste the bus time, and I found myself spending what little time I had here to review.

“……”

Maybe that’s why I didn’t notice. Or rather, he hadn’t taught me how not to get spotted in the first place.

Ever since Yuu started talking to me, I’ve been followed.

※

“……”

As I gazed at the town at night as the scenery changed one after another, I suddenly remembered what Yuu said.

[I’m sure you have lots of friends, don’t you? I made all my friends in a hurry in high school.]

“……”

(That’s not true.)

As much as I hate to admit it, he was definitely the reason I was able to change. Because of his influence, I was able to change. Friends? I’m afraid of such things.

(ugly, poor, ghost……and what was the rest?)

I don’t remember much more. I have been exposed to that many words since I was little.

(My bad, Kanata. I will be forever grateful for that time, but I will never forgive you.)

I remember the days of hellish trauma and the day when it suddenly changed and I learned the kindness of people. And that day when……hell was created again.