“What’s wrong with you……. Don’t be so stiff, or you’ll just get treated worse. ……The bento box, I really didn’t do it on purpose, you know.”
Samejima mutters under his breath and walks away from me.
Whether it was on purpose or not, I don’t care.
“Samejima~ Do you like Sasami? Your taste is so creepy.”
“Huh, what? That can’t be right!? Didn’t this person used to like that senpai? That’s just too weird. I-I don’t really care or anything.”
Samejima began chatting with the girls in the track and field club. I could hear them laughing and using me as the butt of their jokes.
I curled up small on the floor, wiping it with a rag. It’s fine, it’s not a big deal. I don’t care about school at all. I should just get rid of all these distracting thoughts. I don’t need a place to belong.
……High school is where your relationships fall apart just by quitting a club.
Even though I’m not bothered by it, the voices of my classmates reach my ears.
“Looks like that one really fell, huh?”
“She used to be so cute.”
“She has a bad personality too.”
“Even when we invite her to hang out, she won’t come.”
“I never liked her fake, obsequious attitude.”
These fragmented comments were all I heard.
I wanted to cover my ears, but I kept listening to them.
Because, it hurts my heart. I feel like I’m being punished. For that brief moment, I thought I might be forgiven, even though I’m unforgivable.
I just got so fed up with everything. So, I…threw my broken lunchbox in the trash.
Then I collapsed face-first onto my desk.
Somehow, class had already started. Even though I should have been sleeping soundly, the fatigue in my body wouldn’t go away. The teacher scolded me. My classmates laughed at me again. All I could do was keep my head down.
During the break, for some reason Samejima started picking on me. I pretended to be asleep to avoid him. When the dismissal bell rang, I was the first one out of the classroom. It’s so I can practice earlier. I just want to run fast. If I run, I can forget everything.
As I hurried down the hallway, a voice called out from behind me.
“Sasami-chan! Wait up! Haa, haa–“
Nakajima-san had come running after me.
“Sasami-chan…you look so pale… Hey, let’s run together in the track club! Everyone’s waiting for you!”
That’s not true. No one needs me.
I don’t have enough discipline, so–
“I’m fine, really… Look, you’ll be late for the track practice. I’ve quit the track club and I’m enjoying myself! So please don’t worry.”
“That’s not it!”
“Huh?”
Nakajima-san’s loud voice made me let out a strange sound.
What’s wrong?
“S-Seeing you like this is so painful. …Quitting the club and…being alone and looking so distressed… Hey, let’s all run together, okay? Sasami-chan, you might just break down one day.”
I’m completely fine. I’m okay on my own. Normal people have to work hard to get ahead.
“–Thank you. But I have to get to practice.”
I really have to go to my part-time job today. I’ll run after work, because I can run anywhere. I have to practice, I have to…
Looking at Nakajima-san, my heart was starting to weaken. I had to suppress the urge to grab her hand.
I have to punish myself more to become stronger – be more disciplined –
If I don’t get faster, I won’t be able to face my senpai.
I changed into my loafers, kicking the shoebox aside.
“Ah, wait–“
Leaving Nakajima-san behind, I took off running.
At a speed close to my limit. I don’t know why I started running. But my heart just keeps sinking.
My uncoordinated body can’t move properly. I’m already out of breath.
The loafers don’t absorb the impact from the ground, and my feet hurt. Still, I keep running. I dash through the school gate and out onto the shopping district.
Everyone’s struggle is the same. I was just an unfair girl. I don’t deserve to go back to the track club. It’s my fault that Shimizu senpai got kicked out. That person was different at first too. Always worrying and doubting themselves. But after becoming the captain, Shimizu changed. Power changes people. For better or worse. I was just sucking up to that senpai.
It’s all my fault, all of it.
I lied to myself about my own feelings, and I badmouthed my Toudou senpai–
The morning practices with senpai come to mind.
Senpai was clumsy, but kind and reliable – it was a fun time being with senpai. A past that won’t return. My sin.
Tears started to come out. Even though I should have cried until my tears dried up.
I don’t deserve to be sad.
Because–ah.
I wasn’t watching where I was going. In the middle of the shopping district, I was running at full speed.
I crashed into something hard and large–
I fell to the ground.
“Hey, are you okay?”
Looking up, there was a large man in a tank top standing there. The thin man next to him had called out in concern. The people around us all had strange, muscular builds.
Like something out of a manga, these incredibly buff and intimidating-looking men. One was bald with numerous scars on his face.
Oh, I have to apologize–
I hurriedly tried to get up. –Ow!? My foot feels strange, did I possibly…twist it?
This realization filled me with panic.
I can’t be injured. I have to get faster, no matter what…
The large man crouched down to my eye level. His sharp gaze pierced through me. He had his hand extended, but I couldn’t comprehend what that meant. My fear froze my thoughts.
Scary, scary, so scary. My spine freezes. I need to apologize – but I’m too scared, I can’t speak, my legs are shaking, I can’t stand.
Suddenly, something warm is placed on my head –
A voice is heard from behind.
“Excuse me, it seems my disciple caused some trouble. I’m very sorry about that.”
“Huh?”
I didn’t think that was my own voice. I didn’t realize I was making a scared, crying sound. He lifts me up and helps me stand. Okay, I can stand.
He is looking directly at the big man, bowing his head.
Ah, I need to apologize too, My senpai doesn’t need to apologize –
“I-I’m sorry…”
I bow my head and apologize as well.
My heart is pounding. So many things are happening, I’m getting confused.
Guilt is gripping my chest. Because of me, My senpai is apologizing –
The big man snorts.
“Hmph – that’s just a kid’s doing. Doesn’t matter. …Make sure you take care of your disciple properly.”
“Understood, I will be more careful. We’ll be on our way-“
The big man is staring intently at Toudou.
“…Hold on. You’re not just an amateur, are you?”
“Pardon me, I don’t understand what you’re saying. I’m just a normal high school student.”
Suddenly, I feel the big man move. Somehow, My senpai is now pressed against the big man. I can’t make sense of the movements at all…
“This isn’t the kind of place for that.”
“…Ah, I see. My bad, I’ve been stressed with some tedious work. …I see, just a normal high school student. …Living that kind of life isn’t bad either. Sorry for the bother! You two young people, enjoy your youth, hahaha!”
The big man gives My senpai a slightly sorrowful look, lightly pats his shoulder, and gets into the parked car, speeding off.
The car drives away,
leaving just me and My senpai.
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT GADGETIZEDPANDA.COM
“Captain, what kind of kid was that?”
“Beats me. That was some kind of monster. Saw right through us. You guys wouldn’t stand a chance. I’d have to get serious to take him down.”
“Come on, he just looked like a normal, a little fit high school student.”
“Not just ‘a little’! You’re an idiot! I could probably beat him, but you can’t.”
“Seriously? I’m a pro, you know?”
“There are just some weird ones in this business, with abnormal physical abilities and special skills. You got your ass kicked by that shitty Shimafuji kid too, didn’t you? Go do your job, we’re keeping Shimafuji waiting. You’ll get scolded by Eri if you’re late. Hurry up.”
“Yes sir.”
“Geez, Shimafuji and those types…are they really just normal high school students?…But I guess that path is possible too…”
“Oh yeah, speaking of which, didn’t the master open up a Western food restaurant around here? Let’s stop by later!”
“…Are you an idiot? If I ran into them, it’d just make me feel awkward. He’s probably living happily with the kid he picked up back then. Let’s just leave them be.”
“Got it…”
“Their world is just different now.”
My mind goes blank. My scattered consciousness returns. I still haven’t accomplished anything.
I can’t get close to My senpai!
“S-senpai, t-thank you…I, I-“
When I try to move, a sharp pain shoots through my legs.
I have to get away from here before I burden My senpai.
Even if my legs get broken, it’s fine. I don’t need him to see my growth.
I try to force myself to run away.
I put all my strength into my legs and tried to run. …… I can’t move….But I can’t move.
My senpai has a grip on the back of my collar, like handling a cat.
“I’ll check on your legs. The park behind Kagurazaka will do. Get on my back.”
My senpai bends down, turning his back to me. I rack my brain. I can’t make the wrong choice here. I have to become stronger so I can properly face My senpai.
“N-no, I can’t. I’ll just cause trouble for My senpai…”
My senpai says “Hmm, then,” and stands up, lifting my body!?
My senpai’s hands are supporting my legs and back. This is like a princess carry!?
“Secure your arms and legs. We’re moving-“
My head is shorting out. I feel guilty towards My senpai, but the embarrassment is so overwhelming I’m about to lose it.
My skirt might be hiked up, my panties fully exposed. But My senpai definitely isn’t paying attention to that.
I can smell My senpai’s scent-
That scent brings back memories of our happy times together. It wasn’t just everyday life. Those were precious days.
My senpai who always practiced with me. Me teasing My senpai with jokes. I liked seeing My senpai’s slightly troubled expression. I remember my own sins. I shouldn’t be so spoiled.
Senpai – I wish you wouldn’t be so kind to me–
I don’t deserve that.
“–Sasami, I saw you running. You’ve gotten faster.”
Those sudden words completely shatter me–
I couldn’t suppress my sobs and ended up curling up and crying.
The poll is open again, please vote!!!
Also check out my friend Localizermeerkat for more LN translations!
BUY THE SOURCE MATERIAL TO SUPPORT THE AUTHOR !!!
Kindly click on the green button above and contribute to filling the green bar if you’re interested in having another LN from the request page translated. Also, every donation is being used to purchase the source material and to fund more English translations.
Please consider joining my Ko-Fi membership. By becoming a member, you’ll also gain access to 2-10 additional chapters of all of the novels from this site translated into English. Last but not least your support will also assist me in upholding the translation quality and speed. For more information, please follow the link.
Donation for faster release is always welcome
Additionally, I am now accepting translation requests.
