CH 11

Chapter 11 – One Phone Call is a Big Job for a Loner

I tapped the number on the letter, held the phone to my ear, and a ringing tone could be heard.

My heart began to race.

Ringing~ Ringing~

I took a deep breath to reduce my tension.

The Lamaze method is a breathing method used during childbirth, but it is also effective for reducing tension (self-examination).

“Y-Yes! T-This is…Urushi~bawa!”

Hmm? This is Urushibara-san, right?

“U-Um, my name is Moriyama. This is Urushibara-san’s phone number, correct?”

“T-That’s right! This is Uwu~shiba~wa!”

“Um… you don’t seem to be well, are you all right? Shall I call you back?”

I don’t know why, but Urushibara-san seems quite shaken up.

Once I realized that, I started to calm down.

“I-I-I-I’m…fine!”

“I see. Sorry to bother you at this time of night. So I’ve called you about your letter.”

“Yes! I’m really sorry about yesterday! I really didn’t mean to kick Moriyama-kun, I meant to fight off the pervert! And yet I kicked Moriyama-kun, who was trying to help me, and even though he should have been injured, he took me home but I let him leave without giving him any treatment, so I’m sorry for everything! And thank you for trying to help me! A-Also! Moriyama-kun, you looked really cool last night! Ah, hey, Mama, I’m still talking, ahhh~~~”

Urushibara-san, you’re talking too fast this time, I can’t hear you.

“Hello? Is this Moriyama-kun? I’m Himeka’s mother. Himeka is too nervous and not in her right mind right now, so I’ll talk to you.”

“What? Urushibara-san’s mother?”

“Yes. I’m really sorry for the trouble Himeka caused you yesterday. I’d like to go to Moriyama-kun’s parents to apologize, but I don’t have his contact details or address, so I was wondering if you could tell me?”

Oh my God!

Even Urushibara-san’s mother has made an appearance!

If this happens, we won’t be able to have a pretend friendship, and I won’t have a plan to escape later!

Calm down. I need to calm down.

Let’s be calm and say no, there’s no need for them to come to my house to apologize.

“Well, you don’t have to go that far. I didn’t tell my parents what happened yesterday, and I don’t think it should be a big deal, so just your feelings are enough.’

“But I can’t allow that. Moriyama-kun, you’re really injured, aren’t you? Himeka is a karate expert with a black belt. It’s unthinkable that you could take Himeka’s kicks seriously and not be injured.”

“Y-Yes, I was in a lot of pain last night, but it’s gone now and I’m fine.”

“Listen, Moriyama-kun, it may not be a big deal to you, but to your parents it’s a big deal that their precious child was injured. I, too, have to fulfill my responsibility as a parent when my daughter injures someone else.”

“Hah~…”

I’m starting to get lectured…

“So, I know I’m being selfish. But please let me come to you once to apologize.”

“I understand…”

I gave my address and home telephone number verbally.

They said, “We can do it tomorrow,” but I wanted to have time to explain the situation to my parents, so I agreed to contact them to arrange a date.

“Then I’ll hand it back to Himeka.”

“U-Um… I’m sorry Mama was so unreasonable…”

“No… What your mother said is perfectly normal.”

“S-So… Um…about what I wrote in the letter… Well…”

“Ah, about us being friends?”

“Hiya!”

If Urushibara-san’s mother appears and comes to my house to apologize, I can’t run away anymore. If it comes to this, I should cancel the operation, tell her honestly about me, and ask her to stop being so conspicuous at school.

“Um… If you’re okay with me, then… I’ll be in your care.”

“Eh!? Really!? Are you really going to be my friend?”

“Ah, um, well… Yes.”

“Thank you!!!”

“But I’d like to ask you one favor. I don’t want to stand out at school, so we’ll just be friends outside of school.”

“By that you mean…”

“If someone talks to me in the classroom like this morning, everyone will pay attention to me, and it’s really scary.”

“I-I see… That’s why you’re always alone…”

“Yes . I’m ashamed to say it, but I just couldn’t help but be afraid of the way people were looking at me.”

“So I was bothering Moriyama-kun again this morning… I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine…”

Ugh…

The air has become heavy.

“Ah! But it’s okay if it’s not at school, right?”

“Well, I guess.”

“Then why don’t you come and visit us sometime? I’d like to apologize for the trouble I’ve caused you!”

“WHAT!? Visit Urushibara-san’s house? That’s a bit…”

“Is that no good…?”

Ughh~~~

I can picture Urushibara-san’s tearful, sad expression like when I saw her this morning.

“I-I understand… Then I’ll do that.”

“Really!? It’s a promise, okay!!!”

“Yes…”

Have all the requirements been done now?

But I don’t know when to terminate the call.

“So, Moriyama-kun, do you have any favorite food?”

“Eh? My favorite food? What would you do if you knew that?”

“Well, I was thinking that when I invite you over to my house, I’d like to treat you to a meal.”

“You don’t have to bother so much.”

“I see…”

She lost her energy again… Hah~.

“My favorite food is thick-sliced bacon and soft noodles.”

“Thick slices of bacon and soft noodles, yes! I got it! Thank you!”

“No, it’s not something you should be thanking me for.”

“Ah, it’s already so late! Thanks for calling me today! Please take care of me from here on out! Good night!”

“Me too. Good night.”

The call finally ended.

At any rate, I was absurdly tired.