CH 48

”Why don’t we study at my place now?”

No, your house.

And what? Her sweet voice and the way she looked at me…It’s exactly how she used to show me back then, the way she used to show Renya Todo only.

Even though there were not many people around, it was still a public place.

And no matter how much she thought I had switched places with him. The man Karen fell in love with was Renya Todo. That’s the guy.

So why are you looking at me, Sota Kazama, like that?

I don’t understand. No, I mustn’t understand… It’s just a misunderstanding.

I’m Sota Kazama. A man who had nothing to do with her. She’s just messing with me.

”No, no. I have to go home.”

”Why? I knew it, after all… you don’t like me anymore?”

Anymore? I don’t have an answer to that question. I, Sota Kazama, should neither like nor dislike her. I shouldn’t care if she looks sad, which is unlike the usual Karen…

And her house is really no good.

I remember going to her house once back then. That was after we came here, just like today…

And for the first time in my life, I see a woman’s bー

It was a very close call. In all my life, I have yet to remember a time when I was so close to running out of control.

I think about the sight of her uniform and skirt on the bed… I can’t help but think of the scene again.

Of course, I didn’t do anything at that time. I was the one who should never do anything to her, so I managed to endure. I managed to bite my tongue out.

But if it happened again, would I…

No, I would still have to endure it, but would I be able to endure it? To be honest, if I encounter the same situation again, it’s gonna be hard…

I wonder what it is. Why did she look at me with such a blush on her cheeks and an embarrassed but firm and penetrating gaze at Sota Kazama as she did at that time…

”I know I’m saying crazy things too. But I really liked Renya back then. It was the happiest time of my life. But then I realized that he suddenly disappeared from my life.”

And she in front of me turned her even more serious, big, beautiful eyes to me.

”I was really saddened by that… this me.”

”No… Todo hasn’t disappeared and has gone to school every day. I’m sure.”

Without a doubt.

”No, he was there, but he wasn’t. Sota knows that better than anyone. Don’t make me sad anymore. I finally found ‘him’.”

Then she gently takes my hand in hers. She also quietly intertwines her fingers with mine.

”Hey, so we’re going to my place now. Wanna come? And we’ll continue where we left off… I want to do it.”

No. That’s the one thing I can’t do.

My heartbeat. Stop. Just stop.

I really can’t…

”Hey, I’m serious. Therefore, come to my house as Sota Kazama…”