CH 33

Chapter 32: Truth

After talking with Toru-san, I waited for my mother to come home.

“I’m back! I’ll make you guys a meal soon.” (Mari)

“Mari-san, could we have a word?” (Toru)

“What’s the matter with you two?” (Mari)

She prepared drinks for the three of us and sat down in front of us.

“Mom… I want to know about Haruka…” (Hiroto)

“Haruka-chan…?” (Mari)

“I’ve been wanting to ask her ever since we moved. But I couldn’t ask. If you know, then please tell me.” (Hiroto)

“Hiroto… I’m sorry. Even now, you never ask me anything, so I thought it would be better if I didn’t talk about it either… It’s still hard for me to think about Renji. But now that you and Toru are here, I’m okay.” (Mari)

“Mom… I’m sorry…” (Hiroto)

“It’s about Haruka, isn’t it? I’m sorry Hiroto, I don’t remember. Around a year after we moved, I got a call from Haruka-chan’s mother, but I don’t remember what she told me…”

“Haruka-chan’s mother called?”

“Yes, that’s all I remember… Hiroto got together with Toru in the sixth grade, right? I called him to give him our current address at that time, but the line wasn’t in use and the call couldn’t get through.” (Mari) 

TLN: 6th grade is the last year of elementary school in Japan!

“So you don’t know where she is…?” (Hiroto)

“Yes… Hiroto never asked me, so I thought it would be best to not tell you…” (Mari)

Haruka-chan might have moved? No…it might be possible if only her number changed… If she’s moved, maybe she’s still in the neighborhood. I’m busy with club activities now… maybe it’s time to let go…

“It’s not your fault.  I didn’t have a choice at the time… I’ll try to go over there once before rehab is over. I’m going to look for Haruka. If she’s not there, then maybe there’s someone there who knows where she is.” (Hiroto)

“Yes… Hiroto still… cares about Haruka-chan…” (Mari)

“I’ve always wanted to meet her. I distracted myself by playing baseball, but I can’t move on unless I face it.”

“Yes… I understand. Do you want me to come with you?” (Mari)

“It’s okay, I’ll go by myself.”

She says she’s fine, but I’m worried about taking my mom to a place where there’s memories of Renji-san. When I do go, it’ll be after the school festival.

“Thank you, Mom. Toru-san, you too.” (Hiroto)

“Hiroto, I’m not sure if Haruka-chan will be there or not, but I hope you find her.” (Toru)

“Yeah…” (Hiroto)

The mood was getting somber, but then Toru-san dropped a bomb on me.

“More importantly, Hiroto-kun… you said you can’t move forward. Are you talking about Aizawa-san’s granddaughter?” (Toru)

“Eh?! What, no!” (Hiroto)

Toru-san grinned and said, “Hiroto, you’re popular with girls. That’s never happened to you before, has it?”

Mom must have understood what Toru-san was trying to do, because she said, “Hiroto! You didn’t tell your mother? You were getting along after all!” 

Toru-san was trying to lighten and change the atmosphere between Mom and me.

I’m really grateful to him…

“We’re on good terms… I just happened to run into her in front of the station!” (Hiroto)

“Hiroto-kun… she’s a cute girl, isn’t she?” (Toru)

“Hiroto! You should introduce her to your mother!” (Mari)

Toru-san… Thank you. My mother and I are fine now.

“I told you we just know each other! I’m going back to my room… call me when it’s time to eat.”

You’re taking it too far… Toru-san. What if my mother really ends up thinking it’s true!

I went back to my room and looked at my phone, there was a message from Yoichiro. It was about the schedule for the fall tournament. We were in the top four during the summer, so we were placed third and had to start our matches in the third round. Our first game was next Saturday.

I replied to Yoichiro and received an incoming call from him.

“Yoichiro, what’s up?”

“Ah, Hiroto. Can you come on Saturday? If you can, I want you to be on the bench. I’ve talked to the coach and have his permission.”

“What are you talking about? Don’t tell me… you aren’t able to play?”

“I need you to look at the pitchers, we have to play the game with three pitchers. I want Hiroto to observe them and tell the manager how they’re doing.”

“I can’t hang around without a number, can I? Well, I’m good to go. My rehabilitation visit is scheduled for noon, so I can make it to the game.” 

After hanging up the phone, I remembered that I had promised Aizawa-san that I would call her when I went to the hospital. I should send her a message…

‘Good evening. The rehabilitation day we talked about, I’ll be there next Saturday at noon. After that I’ll be free.’

I just finished typing the message and hit the send button. Is this okay? I didn’t write anything weird, did I? Am I nervous because Mom and Dad were saying weird things? I hear my mom saying that the food’s ready, so I send the message before heading down for dinner.

‘Saturday afternoon will be fine. My club activities will be over in the morning, so I’ll call you when I’m done.’

When I returned to my room and looked at my phone, I found a reply from Aizawa-san.

Come to think of it… what should I get for her birthday?