“Hehehe, talent? No way. What was I doing? Sulking like a child, spinning my wheels, and being dismissive of my worried friends…”
“Ah, we’re still just children. We’ll make plenty of mistakes.”
Sasami slowly stood up.
I was worried about Sasami’s legs and tried to lend a hand, but Sasami shook her head with an exasperated smile.
“I’m really okay this time. Senpai, I’ve always wanted to apologize. I’m sorry for being so stupid…”
Sasami bowed deeply. There was no lightness in the atmosphere. Her heart was in it.
A warmth flowed through me. Come to think of it, I had been very close to Sasami… I hadn’t really thought about it, but it’s a little embarrassing.
“No problem. Are you hurt?”
Sasami looked up and said cheerfully to me.
“Nope! I’m fine. I… want to think about various things as I walk. About the track team, my class, and the future… I bet if I had an older brother, he’d be like you, Senpai. Senpai… thank you. I’ll do my best in my own way!”
I was overwhelmed by Sasami’s energy. There was no pretense in it.
The atmosphere had changed, as if she had become a different person.
I see, Sasami was truly a lovely girl. Sasami started walking on her own. I didn’t lend a hand. Her pace was slow, but she was looking ahead. Her figure was beautiful. I see, there are moments when you can see the beauty in people.
We boarded the train and made it to Toyosu Station. …I didn’t really need to be there, but for some reason I wanted to go with her. Making sure she got home safely was part of the training.
As we exited the ticket gate, Sasami’s expression changed.
“S-Senpai, you came all this way, but I’m fine now! Thank you for seeing me off.”
“Hmm, I just wanted to escort you. I was also worried about your legs.”
Sasami seemed to want to say something to me. She kept opening and closing her mouth.
Suddenly, I felt a gaze. At the end of the gaze stood a woman who looked just like Sasami.
“Ah, Mom…”
When Sasami noticed the woman, an expression I had never seen before appeared on her face. What kind of emotion was this? I didn’t know. It felt like I was seeing something incredibly dazzling.
The woman noticed Sasami and her face lit up. The sight of it resonated deeply in my heart.
That’s right, each person has a life of their own. Sasami has a precious family.
It’s an incredibly wonderful thing.
“Oh my, a date? He’s not a bad-looking guy at all. Oh dear, I didn’t even greet you. I’m Sasami’s mother.”
““Oh, mom! No, no, no… No!
“A-Ah, I’m Toudou Tsuyoshi.”
“Oh, Toudou-kun, Sasami has told me a lot about you. Ah, Sasami, we’re having sukiyaki tonight! Heheh, something good happened today, you see. I got a job at an old friend of your father’s company. A full-time position! Ah, Toudou-kun, would you like to join us for dinner? I’ll tell you stories of Sasami when she was little!”
“M-Mom, that’s so embarrassing!”
“No, I’ll pass for today. I think you two should celebrate together.”
“Oh, is that so? Then please come visit anytime! Both Sasami and I will be thrilled to have you!”
Sasami was looking down shyly, but her mother was gazing at her with a joyful expression. Sasami was unaware of it. The mother noticed the change in Sasami. That’s right, parents can understand their children.
“Toudou-kun, thank you for… Sasami.”
“No, I didn’t do anything special.”
“Even so, yes.”
“Mom, let’s go! Ah, Senpai, sorry for the commotion…”
“No, I was able to see something wonderful. Well then, I’ll be heading home. Mrs. Sasami, excuse me.”
The mother waved at me with a smile. It seems like they’ll have a wonderful dinner.
“Ah, Senpai… goodbye.”
I approached the anxious-looking Sasami. I firmly grasped her hands with both of my own. This way, the feelings can be conveyed. I’ve experienced it, so I know.
“Sasami, let’s run together again.”
The repressed emotions were conveyed through Sasami’s hands. The emotions Sasami had been suppressing were now showing on her face.
The words Sasami had wanted to say. Somehow, I knew what they were.
“Eh? Why… I’m not sad, but… I’m happy, but…”
Sasami couldn’t hold back her tears anymore. She gripped my hands tightly. The feelings were conveyed.
Sasami released her hands from mine. With tears and mucus streaming down her face, a strong will could be felt.
The mother embraced Sasami’s shoulders and nodded. Then the two of them slowly walked towards the streets of Toyosu.
I watched Sasami off, not boarding the underground train but going out to by the surface. And then I started running.
I don’t know why, but I suddenly felt the urge to run. When I looked at Sasami and her mother, I felt a warm, happy feeling… but also a little lonely… I don’t have a family. Eri is… different.
I’m glad you had a good mother, Sasami.
When I tried to suppress the lonely feeling, my speed just kept increasing. Gradually, the loneliness faded away.
That’s because I have important people. So I’m not lonely.
The faces of everyone I care about appeared in my mind. I felt like I had grown a little. It wasn’t just my imagination. I had truly grasped something.
I noticed a vending machine. I stopped there and bought a canned coffee.
“…It’s a little bitter. But–“
The coffee tasted much more delicious than usual.
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT GADGETIZEDPANDA.COM
A few days had passed since that day with my senpai.
My physical condition wasn’t great. My feet hurt and I couldn’t walk well. I couldn’t practice. But my heart felt light.
I was still alone in the classroom as usual, but I didn’t mind much. I could look at myself from an outside perspective.
“Eh? Sasami, did you change your hairstyle?”
It was Nakajima-san from the track team. She really cares about me. I didn’t realize that before.
“Hehe, I made it simpler.”
“Ah, there’s something different about you! That looks way better!”
“Ah, thank you.”
Nakajima-san must be good at reading the atmosphere. She probably wanted to help me, who was so isolated in the classroom. Her intentions were pure. She seems like a rare student…
Unlike me, who’s lived a calculating life.
“…Sasami, I was hesitating about this… but I carefully cleaned it, even though it’s a little cracked.”
Nakajima-san pulled my lunchbox out of her bag. The one I had thrown away.
“Ah…”
“You said that lunchbox has a lot of memories from club activities, right?”
I took the lunchbox. The lid was a little cracked, but it had been stuck back together with glue.
“Hehe, let’s have lunch together again.”
I see, I really wasn’t as simple as I thought. That lunchbox has memories with my mother. I carefully put it in my bag, and properly faced Nakajima-san.
“Thank you… not just for the lunchbox, but for everything…”
“Don’t be silly, Sasami! That’s not true at all! I know you’re really cute, fast at running, and a kind person.”
Nakajima-san is the truly kind one.
“Hehe, because we’re friends. Ah, the teacher’s here! Talk to you later!”
“Yeah, see you later.”
Those words, “see you later,” made me really happy. Nakajima-san went back to her seat.
During homeroom, our teacher Ms. Nakamura was the usual stern-faced young woman. She’s very capable, but a little scary.
Behind her was a male student in a perfect school uniform.
The students started whispering.
“Who’s that?”
“A transfer student at this time of year? And his hair is so long you can’t even see his face.”
“Looks like an otaku.”
“As long as it’s a guy, I don’t care. If it was a girl with long hair that’d be better.”
“Yeah, true.”
When Ms. Nakamura looked around with a cold gaze, the students became quiet. She had an unusually tired expression, almost like resignation. She slowly opened her mouth.
“…Well, a late transfer student. He’ll be your classmate from now on. Shimafuji Toru-kun. Hey, introduce yourself.”
Shimafuji, huh… I feel like I’ve seen him somewhere before…
He gave a neat bow, straightening his back, and looked up. His face was hidden by his long hair.
“I am Shimafuji Toru. My rank is… Ah, that’s not necessary here. Forget it. My hobbies are observing cats and reading manga. Please take care of me.”
“I see. Your seat will be… next to Sasami, since that’s empty. If you have any questions, ask the person sitting nearby.”
“Got it.”
“…You should use polite language.”
“Yes, understood.”
“…Well, whatever. Your hair is annoying, so tie it back.”
The tired-looking teacher gestured for Shimafuji to sit down. Shimafuji walked smoothly, even though his long hair was covering his face.
Ah–
Samejima-kun in the front row was suppressing a mocking smile and trying to stick out his foot.
It was probably just a thoughtless joke to him, with no malice. But I still felt an unpleasant feeling spreading in the depths of my heart.
Shimafuji’s appearance clearly gives an otaku vibe. He might get teased from now on. I don’t like that…
I unconsciously stood up and was about to go to Shimafuji, when–
Shimafuji stopped in front of Samejima-kun.
“Well, my hair was a nuisance. It got torn in this morning’s mission and I forgot. –Anyway…”
He pulled a rubber band from his pocket and tied his hair back, looking at the male student.
All the students’ eyes in the classroom turned towards Shimafuji. It was mainly the female students who were gazing at him intently. Some students were even letting out gasps. He’s not really my type, but I have to admit he’s incredibly handsome. Though Toudou-senpai is still cooler in my opinion. Wait, have I seen that person before?
“……Nothing has changed, huh. This must be the rite of passage. I can trample all over them, but this isn’t the place for that. I learned that from reading school life manga. After this, I’ll probably be called out to the back of the school building and get into a fight, right? That’s how a delinquent’s youth is supposed to go, I understand.”
“N-no, I wasn’t trying to…calm you down or anything…H-hey, you’re the weird one here!?”
“Hmm, so it’s different from manga, is it? But what if I had stepped on his foot? Wouldn’t that have caused a big commotion? Listen, you need to have awareness and insight. What you do will come back to you. I’m not as kind and gentle as Toudou.”
Shimafuji’s aura changes. Somehow, he reminds me of Toudou-senpai…Ah, this person, I know him! He’s a bad guy!
“Hey, you’re that weird guy who approached me in front of the school! Hey, you can’t bully Samejima-kun! Come sit over here!”
“You’re……”
My body moved on its own. I grabbed the hem of Shimafuji’s uniform and forcibly made him sit down.
“School is a place where everyone should get along. Hey, Samejima-kun, apologize, and Shimafuji-kun, be good and listen to the teacher’s lecture.”
“Uh, got it.”
“Ah, I was just joking, sorry about that……”
Shimafuji’s face is red. I wonder why? He’s acting really strangely.
“Alright, it seems he’s fine. Okay, Sasami will be in charge of Shimafuji’s education. That’s it for homeroom. Make sure you study properly. Don’t cause any trouble, got it?”
Huh? Why?!
The tired-looking teacher just said that and left.
“Seriously?”
“Uh, please take care of me…”
Shimafuji is now curled up, a complete contrast to before. Oh well, he’s probably not a bad person. There are all kinds of people. If we talk, we can probably understand each other.
Right, senpai?
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