Volume 1 - CH 29

Imai-san’s story continues.

“After parting with the two of them, I also went to Himekawa-san’s home to talk to the man. Well, he said it was an internal investigation as the personnel department.”

Apparently, Himekawa’s father was involved in a factional fight within the company and forged accounting documents, leading to this report.

A man who we met at Himekawa’s apartment was also involved, and it appears that he had entered the home in an attempt to fabricate further evidence.

And the documents that were initially seized turned out to be forged.

It seems that the documents were fabricated without Himekawa’s father’s knowledge, and after these two days of interrogation, it was decided that there was insufficient evidence.

Yeah, it’s just too complicated for me.

I’m sure Imai-san tried to talk to me in a way that I could understand, but there were so many unintelligible explanations that I couldn’t understand everything.

I was thinking that the adult world is also a difficult one, but when I looked at Himekawa, I saw that she was smiling a little as if she was relieved.

“So, Himekawa’s father is back at home, and his life is the same as before. Himekawa has given his consent, so she can continue to stay at the boarding house. Is that what you are saying?”

“Well, that’s about it. You can rest assured about that.”

I took a sip of tea and processed what was said all at once in my mind.

The boarding house can continue, and Himekawa’s father is back. Yeah, there’s no problem, right?

She’s starting to spend time at school the way she used to, and that’s good, isn’t it?

“You can also call Yuzo, so please contact him later. We’ve already talked about what happened today, and I’ve told him that Anri will be in touch with you.”

“I understand. I will try to contact him later. Well, thank you for everything.”

“Oh, yeah, Anri-san. Even people in the human resources department don’t have the authority to kick people out of their homes if they live there, okay?”

“Oh, is that so?”

“Well, it just so happens that it might have been more dangerous for you to have remained in your home in light of this incident.”

“……I was deceived by that man?”

“Well, it’s very tough to say, but yes.”

“Oh, I see…”

Everyone drank tea in silence for a while and took a break.

“Is that so……”

I think there might have been some danger to Himekawa,” he said. She wasn’t hurt, so let’s take that as a positive.”

I tell Himekawa a few words. I said it as a follow-up, but I wondered if it was the right line.

If she had not been deceived, she could have stayed at home and met with Imai-san afterward.

But if she had stayed, that man might have done something to her.

Considering that, wouldn’t it have been safer for her to leave?

I was also reluctant to talk about the question that I did not know which was the right answer.

“In the end, it’s probably for the best, isn’t it?”

My father spoke up for the first time.

He had been seriously eating the tsukemono earlier, but the only tsukemono he had placed in front of my father was cleanly gone.

The tea was almost empty.

“That’s right, Anri-san can go back to her home, or she can stay here. I heard that Yuzo-san will be away from home a lot from now on, so I personally think it would be better for you to stay at the boarding house.

“Himekawa can decide, whether it’s at home or at a boarding house. I don’t care which. Himekawa can make her own choice.”

Himekawa takes a sip of tea and closes her eyes.

In a sense, Himekawa is at a turning point in her life.

When I decided to live here alone, I probably felt the same way as Himekawa does now.

Would I keep my existing environment or move to a new one?

I am used to the environment I have been living in, and there are many aspects of it that make me feel at ease. Many people would give the answer of keeping the current environment.

But I chose to live alone and go to high school.

I talked to my father about it, and he agreed, and here I am.

What would have happened if I had stayed at home? I am sure nothing would have changed.

You only live once. There are many things you want to do, and you have dreams for the future.

If I don’t act on my own, nothing will change in the environment that nurtures me.

I refuse to walk on the rails laid out by my parents, by others, or by anyone other than myself.

I have to take care of myself. When I grow up, that will surely help me as my own strength.

That’s what I believe and that’s why I am here now.

What will Himekawa choose?

If she chooses to return to the tower, will I accept it willingly?

I ask myself.

What do I want Himekawa to become? Do I want her to go back to the tower?

Do I want her to stay here? At first, I thought she was an experimental subject, but do I still feel the same way?

Are you lying to yourself?　How do you feel about yourself?

Aah!　What a bother!

I told Himekawa, “I don’t care either way. Himekawa can make her own choice.” but you know what?

—Kachan.

The cup Himekawa was holding touches the saucer and the sound echoes.

Taking a breath, Himekawa opens her big eyes and looks at me.

I know those eyes. They are the eyes of a person who has made a big decision.

The look in her eyes when she has made up her mind to do something, without wavering.

That’s how it looks to me. And Himekawa smiles at me.

“I—”

―Dokin

My heart is aching…

What is wrong with my heart? Why is it beating so fast?

Maybe I’m sick without even knowing it…