Chapter 8.10: Hirai’s Secret X

Chapter 8.10: Hirai’s Secret X

Onlyimereiseconds after she closed her eyes.

Wheniher eyelids fluttered open once more, Ayame, as she had called herself, was no longer present.

Heriexpression reverted to her usual soft one. At this instant, the original Hirai was back to her true self.

Ah! Iifelt like I had a great sleep. Huh? Hakamada?

H-Hi Hirai!?

Withieyesiwide open and arms outstretched above her head, Hirai was indisputably Hirai. Her voice, tone, and every other aspect were reminiscent of Hirai. Notwithstanding the flaws in her Japanese, she was indeediHirai.

Startlediyet relieved to have her revert to her former self, I stood still, my mouth agape, while she grinned atime.

Whatsiwrong?

No, thisiwas not a matter of what was wrong

I-I-I-Iiam sorry!!

Regardlessiof me being possessed, I tightened her neck drastically. Had that person not manifested, Hirai truly would have perished. Whenever the faint handprint of mine that lingered on the nape of her neck came into view, my heart ached deep inimy chest.

Dont mind it, itiwill fade away soon. Ahaha, we both landed ourselves into a messy predicament, didnt we?

Iiamitruly sorry

Dontibe that downcastwere both in one piece, you know.

Asimyishoulders slumped, Hirai told me to get my spirits up (?) and patted me on the back, ah I knew it, this person was undoubtedly different from the person I had just spoken with earlier.

Iishould confirm that at least for now, nevertheless.

Um, Hirai. Thisimay sound crazy, but who is Ayame?

Theianswer was immediate when I inquired aboutiit.

Huh? Oh! Thats my maman[i].

M-Ma

Maman.

Maman?

Thatiwouldimean

Yourimother!?

Youiwere speaking to her, right? Earlier.

Whatiexactly isigoing on?

Holdion, holdion, Hirais mother, Hirais mother, earlier she

Clutchingia small cat food can, I muttered to her, and she gave a subtle headshake in response.

No. Its notia bad thing, because even though that feeling of yours wasnt accepted, I think its a tiny act of kindness on your part.

Couldibe.

Iiam sure that the cat is pleased that Hakamada was the only one who tried to make a memorial service for it.

Although its only a small detail, that feeling has been acknowledged.

Thatiwas what Hirai told me.

If thatiwas the case, I hope so

Somehow, its tough, isnt it? Everythings so muchimore complicated here.

Yeah.3edc

Doiyouiwant to resign?

No, Iiwill carryion.

Isithat so? Thatsigreat!

Itsitough, and thingsilike this may occur again, but I enjoy being with these people, so I dont feel like quitting just yet.

Besides, Iistill had reasons to stay.

Finally, theishift ended. Hirai and I parted ways and made our way home.

Withitheimorning sun streaming down on my back, Iilet out a big yawn. Perhapsidue to being possessed, Iifelt twice as exhausted as usual, so I got on my bike, drained.

Neitheritomorrow nor the day after, I had no part-time job, and if I just went home and slept, I might be able to sleep for the next two full days.

WhileiIiwas mulling over this, I reached that tunnel. Unexpectedly, I stepped on the brake and brought the bike to a halt.

Thatimottled patterned cat was in front of the tunnels entrance. The same mottled patterned cat, which had often presented itself in front of me, was basking in the light the same way Iiwas, lookingiat me with an expression as if it wanted to say something. Yet, the cat didnt wear a resentful expression on its face likeibefore.

Iidismounted from my bike, approached the cat, and placed the contents of the cat food can a short distance away from it.

Withime taking several steps backward, the cat, seemingly starving, sprang for the can and began to eat it, noisily.

I amisorry I could only do this, I said to the cat, which occasionally licked its tongue. Try not to get run over.

Stayialive for that cat.

Nah-oh.e3dfv

Asiif to say, I understand, the cat turned to me and purred.

Afteriwaiting for the cat to finish its meal, I made sure it disappeared into the copse and it never looked back before I mounted my bike andistarted it up again.

T/N:

[i] Its another way of saying mother in Japanese. Though, I will be using the literal word since the depicted Hirai uses strange Japanese