CH 49

”Um, Otsuka. I need to stop by the convenience store to use the restroom…”

”Nah, you just went to the store earlier. Hmm, I might consider it if you called me Karen.”

I think this is… a serious problem. This is exactly what I mean when I say I’ve lost my way. To be honest, I thought I could escape easily somehow, but isn’t this a little too much… right? I guess I have to run away from this.

Anyway, I know again that I shouldn’t do this, but I can’t help thinking about it persistently. If I don’t do something, I’m really going to… do the things so afraid of. The image of Karen at that time, I’ve seen it over and over again…

But I’m sure she told me earlier that she wanted me to come to her house as Sota Kazama…

I can’t… I don’t know what’s going on anymore.

At that time, I was Todo, and I shouldn’t have done anything. But now I’m the real ‘me’, right?　No, of course, I’m not in a position to be in a relationship with her, and she’s not in a position to be in a relationship with me.

Oh, this isn’t good. I’m so confused.

Is there such a thing? Todo and I are completely different from each other in type and everything. So why is this happening to me? Could it be that she’s trying to…

No, but Karen’s not the kind of girl who would do something like that… Oh, no. I’m really going crazy.

To be honest, Karen’s not only good-looking, but she’s also good-natured. In short, I think she’s perfect.

That’s why I really don’t know what to do. What should I do? I mean, there’s only one answer. Then why am I so worried? Really, why.

Anyway, I’m on my way to her house right now.

”I remember this feeling when I hold your hand. I’m sure of it. Hm, even if other people couldn’t understand it, I could.”

And, while holding hands in public like this.

I can see the scene reflected in the window glass of the convenience store I just passed.

There is the image of Karen peering at me with an innocent smile that I used to see in those days.

The only difference, by far, is that I’m standing next to her, not ‘him’.

”Hey, this is not a good idea in public, is it? Even from your modelling career’s point of view.”

Anyway, it’s a bad idea. I passed some students wearing our uniforms here and there, though I didn’t know them. So either way, you’d better step away.

”Why?　If I do say so myself, I’m a charismatic girl among the JKs. I’ve said it before. Wouldn’t it be worse if I didn’t have a boyfriend? So no problem. I’d rather everyone see me.”

(Joshi Kosei, meaning High School Girl)

”Hey, that’s the park. It’s been a long time. Remember?”

That’s the park…?

Uh, no, that park…

That is…

How can I not remember.

That’s where Karen and I first…

My first kiss…

”Hey, let’s go by. Sota.”　

No, no, that’s…

”Oh, what is Kazama, a festival committee member, doing here instead of attending an important committee meeting?”

?

A voice from behind… huh?　

Yes, and this voice is…

And this black car…