Episode 9 – Friends

Finally, the chime that marks the end of today’s classes rings, and I experience a sense of relief that I can finally go home.

……I just want to get the hell out of here.

My body feels strangely tired and my senses feel dull.

Then last homeroom. I don’t remember what my homeroom teacher was talking about.

In a daze, I was greeted with after-school hours.

“Ha~, finally a long day is over!”

Take stretches out widely as if chewing on a sense of freedom.
I also take a deep breath in and out.
A light and pleasant feeling of weakness enveloped me, and it was a bit of a refreshing change of pace.

“Towa, let’s stop somewhere!”
“No, I’m just going home for the day.”

After school, I often linger at a family restaurant or go to a game center, but today I was not in the mood.

At my response, Take raises his shapely eyebrows slightly.

“……, you don’t look so good, what’s wrong with you?”
“Uh, well, …… something like that.”

I wasn’t in bad shape, but let me take advantage of his concern here.

Take stands up and stares down at me.

“…… is there anything you’re not telling me?”
“There’s nothing….”
“…..”

Did I fool him well?

Take stared at me doubtfully for a moment, then turned his head to face Yoshida and Runa, who were leaving the classroom.

“Hey, Sachi, Naruse! I’m buying you a drink and we’re going to a family restaurant now!”
“Eh, really!?”
“Yeah, it’s on me, which is rare, so eat a lot.”
“Hey, hey, Runa! Take said we can eat anything we want! I wonder if we’re going to have an accident now or if it’s going to rain heavily!”
“Yes, yes, you’re happy because it’s that rare. Calm down, Sachi, don’t jump.”
“That’s rude, hey!”
“Wait, Take……”

I rush to speak to Take who says so even though I thought I had declined his invitation earlier.

“Don’t be shy. When you’re feeling down, it’s dinner, dinner, dinner! Besides, I have to eat out today anyway, and eating alone is so lonely, isn’t it? That’s why I want to eat with you guys. Please be patient with my selfishness.”

Without taking offense, he smiled with a toothy grin.
It was probably a sign of his own concern.
I couldn’t refuse him if he did this to me.

“….Okay”
“Okay, then let’s go”

Lifting his bag easily, Take started to walk ahead of me. I followed at a leisurely pace.

◆◇

(Arika POV)

It was after school and the area near the shoeboxes was filled with students.
I focus on one group in particular.

“Dinner! Dinner!”
“Hey, don’t turn me around, Take!”

A smiling boy with his arm around Towa’s shoulder. I think it was Towa’s friend, Aoba kun. Behind him are Runa and her friend Yoshida san.

Everyone seems to be having fun.

Aoba kun laughs and everyone laughs. They all laugh, making eye contact with each other.

Towa, too, is thinking, “Oh dear,” but his mouth is smiling.

The sight of them makes me feel warm and peaceful from the bottom of my heart.

On the other hand – I can’t see that face in front of me anymore.
I can’t talk to him like I used to.
I can only watch from afar.

What should I do……

“Haaaa ……I ate”

I pat my full belly.
Even at the family restaurant, Take casually took care of me by talking about topics with which I could keep up with him to the extent of a phase.

He looks crass, but he is surprisingly witty. That’s probably why he is so popular.

“I guess this is where we say goodbye.”

I was walking with Runa and before I knew it, I was at home.

I look up at my house seriously.　

“Towa?”

If I go back to this house, my sisters will come back too.
That’s….

“What’s wrong with you, Towa?”

A tap on the shoulder and a worried look into my face.

“…… hey Runa.”
“Hmmm? What is it”
“Can I stay at your house today?”