Episode 42 – This Is Because Of Love

Around 5:30 p.m. on the day of the dinner, I was walking near Yua’s apartment.

Yesterday, my relationship with Yua changed. When I dropped her off at her apartment after the dinner, she said to me as I was leaving,

[By the way, my mom is going to pick me up here tomorrow at six o’clock.]

Yua said.

Her tone was strangely firm, as if she had prepared to say it here. The awkwardness stood out even more because we had been talking awkwardly due to our embarrassment until just before.

But I was immediately struck by it. She wanted me to come and give her a pep talk. Even though our relationship had changed, she was still a bit of a spoiled brat.

–Well, I think she’s cute in that way, too.

“Just kidding…..!”

Embarrassed by my thought, I unintentionally said it out loud.

I turned  to the corner and headed toward the entrance of the apartment building.

I remembered the car parked in front of the entrance.

–Azuki san’s……, right?

I hid behind a bush and approached. I knew it was Azuki san’s car. It was already getting dark, so I couldn’t see the inside and didn’t know if she was in the car or not.

She’s supposed to come earlier, but it seems she came late. Has the schedule changed?

If so, she would be in a rush and it would be better to refrain from meeting in person. When I took my phone out of my pocket to at least send a message, I saw someone coming out of the entrance of the apartment.

It was Yua. She was wearing a black turtleneck and denim shorts. Her outfit consisted of a rider’s jacket and long boots.

It was a completely different fashion from yesterday’s girlish outfit, but that fashion of Yua was familiar to me.

Yua stopped once and walked toward a parked car as if she had made up her mind.

I heard the car door open. It seemed that Azuki san got out of the car. Yua stopped when she passed by me.

“What about the clothes I prepared for you?”

Azuki san asked. She didn’t look angry. She just looked surprised.

“T-today, I want to go with this….”

Yua’s voice was tense. She said it with her hands trembling.

“What happened all of a sudden?”

“……”

She opened her mouth, but no words came out.

Before I knew it, I was clenching my hand so tightly that it hurts.

–Go for it……, you can do it……!

Yua took a deep breath.

“I like this kind of thing……!”

She said while closing her eyes tightly.

“M-most of the time, it makes me feel good, it suits my feelings, o-or rather it fits me….. It looks like me, I think. –That’s why I want to go with this !”

“……”

“I’m sorry for being so selfish……”

Yua lowered her head.

Azuki san was silent for a while as if she was thinking, before long, she slowly reached her hands towards Yua.

Yua’s body was startled and shocked.

Azuki san stroked Yua’s head with her hands.

“I’m sorry too.”

“Eh……?”

“Ah～, I should’ve known more than anyone else how it feels to be stuffed with clothes you don’t like.”

And she looked up to the sky.

“I think I was comparing you to my own younger day, Yua. Even if we were mother and daughter, we both have different personalities.”

“You’re not, angry…..?”

“I’m not. I’m just a little sad and I’m also happy.”

Azuki san hugged Yua and patted her on the back of her head.

“Well, not a bad taste. As expected of my daughter.”

“Mom…..”

Yua buried her face in Azuki san’s shoulder. And then she cried all over her.

Azuki san hugged Yua even tighter.

“I’m sorry for making you feel lonely…..I’m really sorry….!”

Her voice was also trembling.

Tears and snot dripped from her eyes and nose. I can’t make a sound, so I couldn’t sob or sniffle, so I just let it drip down my nose.

Azuki san pulled her body away from Yua.

“Look, don’t cry anymore. We’re going to meet someone.”

She wiped Yua’s eyes with her fingertips.

“Yeah….”

“I have to stop at a convenience store. I need to cool my eyelids.”

Azuki san looked at her with a soft smile.

“By the way, why did you suddenly decide to do this? Could it be–.”

Her gentle smile turned mischievous.

“Did someone give you courage?”

“Eh !? Well, that’s, um…….”

“I wonder if he was someone I know～”

“! ! !”

Yua’s ears turned red.

“Ufufufu.”

Azuki san shook her shoulder and smiled.

“Then, let’s get out of here. Come on, get in.” 

“Yeah.”

Yua got into the passenger seat.

Azuki san put her hand on the door of the driver’s seat and turned around.

Then he said, “Thank you.

“Thank you, someone.”

“! ? ! ?”

–She knew……!

With the same mischievous smile as before, she hopped into her car.

The engine started and the car pulled away from the front of the apartment building. I got out from behind the bush.

–I’m no match for her……

I couldn’t help but let out a giggle. Maybe their DNA has a special effect on me.

I watched the car go out of my sight.