CH 41

Chapter 41 – The Two are One and the Same

As in the previous week, they sat side by side at the table, silently working on their problem sets.

In the heavy air, only the sound of mechanical pencils solving problem sets echoes.

Write, write, write.

After a while, Ichiro stopped and started talking.

“Urushibara-san, I was out of line earlier. I’m sorry.”

Having regained his composure by facing his studies, Ichiro reflected on his words and actions and expressed remorse and apologies.

“No! Anyone would be surprised if they were hugged in their sleep… I’m really sorry…”

Himeka also calmly reflected on the situation.

But today, Ichiro didn’t stop here.

That’s right, Ichiro is trying to change himself.

“Well, that’s not it. I did say that I was surprised and upset, but it’s not just that. Like I said yesterday, I want to change myself and I was trying to be proactive in getting involved with Urushibara-san. But it seems that I haven’t always been able to control my temperament, and I tend to meddle excessively… That’s why I spoke too strongly to Urushibara-san earlier.”

“Moriyama-kun, I didn’t think it was unnecessary meddling, you know? It’s true that you’re too much of an exaggerator! But Moriyama-kun is always exaggerating, and I could tell that he was angry because he was thinking of me.”

“I guess it’s because Urushibara-san says it like that that I get so worked up…”

“The day before yesterday, I talked to Haruko. I said I wanted to change myself. But I’m afraid of what other people will think of me if I do something, and I’m afraid they’ll say I can’t read the air or that I’ll push my kindness towards others.”

“Yes.”

“So Haruko gave me some advice. She said I didn’t have to go to others myself, but when someone came to me, I shouldn’t reject them. She also told me to be more proactive with Urushibara-san. I tried to do the same thing yesterday, but I couldn’t control myself and said too much.”

“There’s really nothing wrong with Moriyama-kun. I was very happy that Moriyama-kun greeted me in class yesterday morning. I was also very happy that he told me that he was thinking about changing himself. I felt like I was getting closer to Moriyama-kun. So I…got carried away.”

“Eh? Urushibara-san did?”

“Yes… I came over an hour earlier this morning, I went into Moriyama-kun’s room without permission to wake him up when he was sleeping, and I slept with him without waking him up… I got so carried away and made so many blunders that Moriyama-kun was understandably angry.”

“Well, Urushibara-san, you’ve always been like that. I originally thought you were like that by nature, so when I heard what you just said, I thought, ‘What’s the big deal now?’”

“EH!? Wait a minute! What do you mean!?”

“When you arrived earlier than the meeting time, instead of being annoyed, I was happy to see you. You wanted to hold hands and hug me, and you were very active in skinship, and when you were happy or excited, you hugged me. However, I couldn’t tolerate the idea of sleeping together in bed because of a sense of chastity, and I unintentionally got angry.”

“Y-Yes, if you ask me, that’s been the case until now… Why don’t we calm down a bit!?”

“I’m calm now, though?”

“W-Well, I’m not!”

Himeka then sat back down on her seat, bowed, closed her eyes and began to unify her mind.

This time it took about three minutes to open her eyes.

“I understand… Moriyama-kun and I are already destined to be together! We are one and the same!”

“Eh? What are you suddenly saying? Urushibara-san, did you properly unify your mind?”

“Mou~! Please hear me out!”

“Hah…, then please continue.”

“Moriyama-kun is actively trying to increase his involvement with me. I have been actively involved with Moriyama-kun for a long time. Since we both think the same way, there’s no need to be reserved or distant! There are no more obstacles between us! We are one in heart and soul! You could say that we share the same destiny!”

“Is that so?”

“That’s right! And thanks to your help with the student council, we’ll have more opportunities to work together at school from now on!”

“I think it’s an exaggeration to say that we are destined to be together, but I’m happy to be by your side and there is no one more reliable than Urushibara-san in the school. I look forward to working with you from now on.”

“I’m happy to be by your side…”

“Hmm? What’s wrong suddenly?”

“I’m happy to be by your side…”

“Are you okay? Are you tripping again?”

“I’m happy to be by your side…”

“Hah… The sudden clumsy mode again, huh…”

“Moriyama-kun! You said you were happy to be by my side just now, didn’t you!? Didn’t you!?”

“Yeah, I said it. I think it’s time to start studying again. The test starts on Monday.”

“Moriyama-kun! I’m happy as well!!!”

Himeka hugged Ichiro.

“WHAA!” Ichiro was surprised, but accepted it firmly.

In the corridor, Haruko listened and grinned.

They made up without incident, and any awkwardness between them was gone.

And Himeka said…

“There’s no need to be reserved or distant!”

The distance between them has certainly shortened now.

However, we must not forget that this is only the distance as a friend, and the romantic distance is another matter.