Volume 2 - CH 1.2

Chapter 1 - Reunion (Part 2)

"────And this is how we are now."

I can explain all the way to the end.

I put my hand on my own chest to make sure my heart was working normally.

I ...... was fine. I'm not hopeless. It's useless to talk about it if my mentality was already broken before I met Hoshimiya. So I should at least overcome that.

Unless something unexpected happens in the future, I'll be able to face Hoshimiya head on.

"...... sssst......nnn."

"Eh────"

I heard a muffled sob and looked up. Kana was staring at her toes and biting her lip in frustration. Her hands, which were on her knees, were clenched tightly.

"No, you can't do that, you can't ...... nn, nn, nn ......! No, that's a terrible ...... story!"

"Kana......."

Anger, frustration, sadness ...... all sorts of emotions swirled inside Kana.

Her trembling voice conveyed her feelings of reluctance.

The light that had been in Kana's eyes slowly began to fade.

"Here, handkerchief."

"I'm not crying!"

Without accepting my handkerchief, Kana roughly wiped away her tears with her own hand.

This act of wiping may have triggered the dam, and her tears began to flow more and more.

"Mm ...... I'll go to the bathroom first..."

Kana stood up quickly and left her seat. She quickly disappeared into the next carriage.

I was left alone and mumbled to myself as I looked out the window.

"Isn't there a bathroom on this train?"

Kana obviously didn't want to be seen crying. I think she's as competitive as she looks.

And she's also a very good-hearted girl.

***

I spend my time alone.

After Kana left, the train stopped at a station and is now running again without incident. She didn't come back for a while, so let's look for her now.

Just as this thought crossed my mind, I felt the presence of someone right next to me. It was Kana.

"Sorry. I'm back."

Kana's eyes had a slight reddish tint. There were no other noticeable changes, so she seemed to have calmed down. Once again, Kana was sitting in front of me.

With a strong tone of voice, she said, "I've already made up my mind.

"I will cooperate with Riku."

"Cooperate?"

"Yes. Riku will do her best for Ayana ...... and I will support you."

"Kana......"

"I will be your collaborator. I'll help you no matter what. I will do my best. Riku and Ayana are people who should be happy."

I thought "collaborator" was a bit much ...... but there was no doubt that these words expressed Kana's thoughts and determination. I was also glad that there were people who understood the situation and were willing to support me.

Besides, I didn't think things would be peaceful when I confronted Hoshimiya this time.

Considering Hoshimiya's character, she would definitely continue to blame himself.

She would feel guilty and even reject my kindness.

In this situation, it was comforting to know that Kana, Hoshimiya's best friend, was there to help.

"I heard Riku's story and I'm curious about something. ......Can I ask?"

"Sure. Use this opportunity to ask me something."

"Does Riku still like Harukaze?"

--- "Of course, I still like her."

I tried to say it, but I couldn't.

It wasn't because of Hoshimiya's worries. I just felt uncomfortable.

After I decided to see Hoshimiya and break up with Yono, I felt strangely relieved.

My head was clearer. I felt as if I had removed the heavy armor from my body. I could clearly understand the reality in front of me.

It was the same with my inner self.

My love for Hoshimiya and my love for Yono. There was something intrinsically different between the two.

I never cared about what I said or did until now.

Looking back, I understand────

"I'm sorry, Riku. It's okay. I asked an unnecessary question."

Seeing me think about it, Kana looked regretful.

I stopped thinking as well and closed my mouth. I shouldn't worry about anything else but Hoshimiya right now.

"You know, I let you do all the talking, right? I won't apologize for that, but I'll tell you my story too. ...... It doesn't require as much courage as Riku's story. It's just an embarrassing episode in my dark history."

"Heh, I'm curious. Did you just step in dog poop?"

"Don't mention dog poop, you idiot!"

After that, Kana started telling the story. It seemed like a good way to pass the time until we arrived at our destination.

"I was in the eighth grade. I started to get interested in love under the influence of my friends."

"So Kana might be interested in love too, huh?"

"Yeah, I guess so. ...... Wait, did you just make fun of me?"

"N-No, really. ...."

She looked at me with a sharp look and I immediately apologized to her.

I didn't have a romantic image of Kana, because her eyes were frightening and her atmosphere was mixed with stinginess. Of course, I didn't talk about such things directly and just listened to what Kana said in silence.

"One year older than me, there was a senior who was very popular with the girls, and even from my point of view, he was handsome. He was tall and smart and had a good reputation with everyone."

"So Kana likes him too?"

"I don't think so... I just like him because everyone is interested in him. I think if I were to go out with someone, I'd want it to be someone like him."

"Kind of normal, yeah."

"Well, yeah. I'm just a normal girl."

"............"

"I'm a normal girl, okay?"

"Please continue the story."

"I don't know what to tell you, but one day I was staring at a senior ............. and after school that day, I found a letter from him in my shoebox."

"It was a very sudden turn of events. I'm not sure if it was love at first sight or not."

Though her eyes may be frightening, Kana's face is well defined. No wonder she is so popular.

But when I asked her, she laughed dryly and continued her story.

"The note said to come to the back of the school building, so I went there. Oh yeah, I imagined things, you know? I wondered if she would confess her feelings for me? I don't really like her, but I thought it would be fun to go out with her. I was so excited that I went to the back of the school building right away."

"Hoo."

"When I got to the back of the school building, I saw a serious-looking senior. When he saw me, he knelt down."

"............Eh."

"He begged my forgiveness and said he would give me money."

"What? Why?"

"Because of the rumors."

Kana shifted her gaze from my face to the window. Her eyes were sad and her gaze distant.

"I've been boxing since elementary school. And I've gotten pretty good results. ......I don't know if it's because of that or the look in my eyes. ..... Maybe it's the way I look at people, but ............ before I knew it, I was labeled a brat."

"Hoo......"

"Don't get into a fight with a woman named Kana, or she'll kill you!" "The man who was stared at with that cold look was found floating in Tokyo Bay the next day!" like that......."

Kana, who mentioned the rumor in a frightening tone, finally said, "He really is an idiot.

"If you don't already know, violence against that person────"

"I never beat them up. I've never been in a fight. But I have debated."

"Oh......."

"I saw my senior kneeling and thought I'm not ready for my first love, and I won't be able to fall in love for the rest of my life. I'm a person who is not compatible with love."

"............"

"This evil eye I inherited from my father. It's the source of everything ...... and that's why I decided ...... that I would only appreciate friends who treat me regardless of my appearance."

When Kana finished speaking, she looked somewhat satisfied and leaned her weight on the backrest.

I also understood a little more about Kana thanks to what she told me.

The incident with her senior was probably part of the reason why she was so worried about Hoshimiya and wanted to help us.

"Kana will definitely ...... get a good boyfriend."

"Huh? Are you flattering me?"

"It's not flattery. You have a good personality that really wishes happiness for others, I'm sure you will definitely get a good boyfriend."

I said what was on my mind.

Kana looked at me as if she wanted to know my true feelings, but she seemed to have decided that I wasn't lying and relaxed her mouth.

"......Fufun. Well, Riku, you're on a pretty good track. You give the impression that you're going to be popular."

"Pffft. But please don't fall in love with me ..... for fear of getting burned."

"Huh? I really don't want to. Your popularity is now minus 100 million. I'm more interested in the dung beetles lying around."

"Stop criticizing at the level of elementary school children..."

"Huh? Are you indirectly calling me stupid? You want me to hit you, huh?"

Kana raised her hands like a fighting stance. That's scary....

I'm sure it was just a joke, but it's rare for a guy to like a dangerous girl like that.

After revising our respective attractiveness ratings, we watched the scenery from the window in silence until we arrived at our destination station.