Volume 2 - CH 6

―Kari―kari―kari

All of them are studying silently.

Even Takayama is studying diligently.

They occasionally open their reference books and write in their notebooks, but no one is talking.

Each person is studying freely, so the desks are littered with textbooks and reference books from each department, and the tables are small…

But the room is hot. Four people in this closed room are getting hotter and hotter, even with the air conditioner on.

Is it just me? I thought and looked up.

I could see a bit of sweat on Anri’s cheeks.

Takayama and Sugimoto were also starting to have a bit of sweat on their faces.

I know, it’s not just me.

“It’s hot…”

I finally took off my uniform jacket.

“It’s hot after all. I was feeling hot too!

Takayama also boldly took off the jacket he was wearing.

“The air conditioner is on, right?”

Sugimoto picked up the remote control and looked at the temperature display.

“Who is it? I turned on the heat at…”

As I recall, it was Takayama who turned on the air conditioner.

No wonder it was so hot. It must have been hot in this closed room, and the heating was on. Is there going to be an endurance contest?

We’ve switched to air-conditioning, so it’ll cool down straight away.”

That helps. But even so, it will remain hot for a while.

Suddenly, Anri also takes off the uniform jacket she was wearing.

“Saa, it’s hot indeed…”

The first thing that comes to mind is the fact that the girls are wearing white shirts and a vest.

While boys have only shirts, vests are standard equipment for girls.

In such a situation, Sugimoto did not want to take off her jacket. Well, to each their own, I guess.

“Why don’t we take a short break? I think it will take about ten minutes for the room to cool down.”

I guess so. Let’s do that.

“Well, I’m going to get a drink.”

Not having a drink is a bit hard.

I’ll make sure to buy one beforehand next time.

“Oh, I’ll go with you.”

“Then, let’s go together. Do you want something Sugimoto-san and Himekawa-san? I’ll go get them together.”

Since Takayama and I are going together, I should go and buy something for the other two.

“Please. Um, the same as Tendo-san’s is fine.”

“I’ll have something other than soda, please.”　

“Okay, I’m going out for a while.”

Anri asked for the same thing as me, and Sugimoto-san asked for something other than soda.

I went to the vending machine in front of the store with Takayama.

Well, what shall I drink?…

While I was having some trouble in front of the vending machine, Takayama called out to me.

Tendo, I’ll buy you a drink this time. Choose whatever you like.”

“That’s unusual. Why?”

You got me miso soup for lunch, didn’t you? I’m giving you something in return.

Come to think of it, such a thing did happen.

Well, I’ll be glad if you buy me a drink.

“Here you go.”

I chose the royal milk tea, which was one grade higher than the others.

Inevitably, Anri had to have the same one. By the way, would Sugimoto-san like this one, too?

“You don’t have any reserve…”

“There’s no reserve between us, is there? Right, Takayama?”

“Well, that’s true.”

Boss paid for all of us. As expected of the boss, he has a warm heart.

I returned to the study room with two in my hand and two in Takayama’s hand, one for each of us.

“I’m going to borrow some reference books, will you go back first? I’ll be right back.”

And there are four drinks in my hand.

Oh, they’re hard to carry…

I managed to get to the door of the study room, but my hands are full, so I can’t knock or even open the door.

I should put it on the floor. While I was struggling to get to the door of the study room, I heard voices coming from inside.

“Ayane, do you remember anything about the past?”

“Long time ago? Well, I don’t remember that much.”

“When is your earliest memory?”

“The earliest memory? I think I remember well the early elementary school years. Kindergarten is a little fuzzy.”

It seems that they are talking about the past inside.

Come to think of it, Anri said she also has memories of when she was little but is Sugimoto-san in the camp of not remembering?

“Well, what do you remember about when you were three or four years old?”

“Around that time, I guess I was about a year younger.  I have pictures, but I don’t remember much. Do you remember Anri?”

“To a certain extent…I see, so you don’t remember…”

“Oh, but not at all? I remember a little, just a little…”

“Well, what does that mean?”

“What does that mean? Well… I’m friends with a boy. I’m friends with a boy, but for some reason, he disappeared. I think that’s my earliest memory.”

“I see… a boy… Hey, can I show you something?”

Am I allowed in the room with this atmosphere?

There’s something about the atmosphere that makes it very difficult to enter… If it were Takayama, he’d probably just say “I’m back!” and I’m going to go in.

Can I come in in this case, Sensei? Or should I wait until things calm down?…

Which is the correct answer?

“I’m not sure. What?”

“Is this Ayane?”

“Oh, this is me. Why is Anri holding my picture? It’s been a long time since I’ve seen it. But it’s a picture of me alone. Is there someone else in the picture next to me, or is it cut off?”

“Oh, let’s see… I took the picture with my phone, but there was a weird reflection in half of it, so I cut it out. Don’t worry about that.”

“I see. But it’s a very old photo. It is true that this is me, but why Anri?”

“An acquaintance of mine has a picture of you and you look like Ayane, so I thought it might be her, so I just asked her. I don’t have any deep meaning.”

“I see. I don’t know who it is, but they still have the old photo.

“Yes, that’s right. I’m happy to know that it’s Ayane.”

“Good, Anri also cares about strange things.”

“I don’t know about that. Well, it’s important to me…”

“I’m glad to hear that. I care about Anri, too.”

I heard their conversation.

It was inevitable that I heard it at this time, but I know what it was about.

Anri showed Sugimoto a picture she had seen at my house.

And from a girl with the same name, it was confirmed to be her.

But Sugimoto doesn’t remember me, right?

While I was standing in front of the door, I heard footsteps behind me.

“Tendo, what are you doing? Do you have a stomach ache?”

No, I don’t have a stomach ache. Just a tingle in my chest.

“No, it’s nothing. Let’s get back to it.”

Without knocking or saying a word, Takayama suddenly opens the door.

Oh, he’s a brave man. I admire that response, just for now.

“I’m back! I got my drink and my reference book!”

It’s much cooler inside than before, making it easier to spend time.

Well, I’ve heard a lot about it, but let’s do our best to study…