Chapter 50: [Past] Ichinose Honami
Ichinose Honami often thinks of herself as the luckiest person in the world.
Otherwise, why would fate arrange for Miyano Makoto to be by her side?
Although looking back, the scene of their first meeting was a bit strange...
"We'll be neighbors from now on. By the way, I don't know your name yet. My name is Miyano Makoto, what's yours?"
With the support of his parents, the awkward boy plucked up the courage to talk to the eldest daughter of the neighbor who had just moved in.
"Nice to meet you, my name is Ichinose Honami. I hope we can become good friends in the future."
The girl extended her right hand gracefully. This has always been her courtesy. Shaking hands is the most basic way to communicate with others.
Unexpectedly, the boy in front of her seemed to be stuck and stood there in a daze. He waited for a long time before saying:
"You just said your name is Ichinose Honami?"
"Yeah, what's wrong with the name?"
The girl tilted her head, confusion evident on her chubby cheeks.
"It's okay... I'll take a look..."
The boy's remaining courage gradually melted like ice and snow in the morning sun, and he fled shamefully.
"…What a weirdo."
Ichinose Honami's little head couldn't understand the strange words and actions of the boy in front of her; she just thought he was a weirdo.
"Mom! Let me help you!"
After resolving the negotiation with the neighbor's child, Ichinose Honami sensibly helped her mother with things within her ability at home.
Like taking out family members' tooth cups and toothbrushes from the bag and putting them in the bathroom, or putting the folded clothes into the old wardrobe.
For her studies, her mother, younger sister, and she had just moved here.
She hopes her mother will feel more relaxed with her help.
…
Time flies, and the somewhat awkward scene of their first meeting did not leave much impression in Ichinose Honami's mind at that time.
Because she was a very sensible child, unlike most of her peers who were still quarreling over some toys, she had already deeply understood her mother's difficulties.
So she did her best to play the role of "someone else's child."
"Look at that kid from the Ichinose family. Why is she so obedient? Look at you now!"
People often yelled at their children.
"Because others don't have fathers."
Children always speak without restraint. Upon hearing this, the mother had to cover the child's mouth and looked in the direction of Ichinose Honami with some guilt, fearing that the other party had heard what was just said.
Ichinose Honami had actually heard it, and although her expression remained unchanged, a bitterness welled up in her heart.
If possible, she would also like to act like a normal child and be spoiled by her parents, but she understood the hardships of life too early and could not do that like her sister.
Her younger sister had already given her mother enough headaches; she couldn't add to her mother's burden.
She has been playing the false role conscientiously.
Didn't someone say that if you wear a fake mask for a long time, the fake will become real?
She thought to herself with a self-deprecating tone.
"My parents liked the sachet yesterday very much. Can you make a few more?"
The sudden voice caught Ichinose Honami's ears, and she turned to look in the direction of the speaker in confusion.
It was Miyano Makoto, and he was speaking to her with a smile that Ichinose Honami was very familiar with.
Why does it look so familiar?
During the days when she practiced in front of the mirror, she often saw this smile in the reflection.
It was an absolutely fake smile, but now she has been able to perfectly control this face, and no one would ever see any flaws.
Unlike the boy in front of her, who is still so young and easy to understand.
"Okay, I can give it to you tomorrow."
Ichinose Honami gave a perfect response, a gesture that was not appropriate for someone her age.
However, things are unpredictable, and she is no longer the child who could enjoy the love and care from her parents with peace of mind.
"Thank you. I will give you corresponding compensation."
Miyano Makoto had made some money recently. He had performed well in many competitions, including elementary school swimming and table tennis competitions, and his parents had received a large amount of bonus money. He decided to do something with the bonus money.
"Huh?"
Ichinose Honami was stunned. This was the first time someone mentioned offering to pay her in exchange for her things.
"No, no, I don't need your money, I just want to..."
She subconsciously wanted to refuse.
"But...my parents really like you...we would feel bad if we didn't pay you."
Miyano Makoto finished speaking these words haltingly, and for some reason, his social phobia symptoms became slightly worse.
Seeing the boy's blushing face and his slightly trembling legs trying not to run away, Ichinose Honami pursed her lips and agreed:
"…OK."
It's hard to describe what a complicated feeling it was, but she did feel a warmth rising from the bottom of her heart.
So there are such people in the world, she thought to herself.
The next day, Ichinose Honami received money far exceeding the value of the sachet.
Holding the still-warm copy of Fukuzawa Yukichi in her hand, she stood there in a daze.
"It's too expensive. How can I accept this? My things are not worth this at all."
Ichinose Honami said seriously that although she was very poor and her mother had to work three jobs to support the family, she was not poor in spirit, and she firmly believed that everything would be fine with her own efforts.
"Ichinose-san's kindness is definitely not something that can be measured by money! Mom and Dad think this is the reward you deserve. Oh, and that's what they asked me to tell you."
Miyano Makoto scratched his head a little embarrassedly. Actually, this was his own idea.
His parents don't have such great kindness, and their indifference to people outside their own family seems to be ingrained into the bones of the people of this country.
The mainstream tone is to stand aside and watch.
"…Thanks."
Thousands of words came to her mouth, but only these few words came out, and Ichinose Honami sincerely thanked the boy for his kindness.
She smiled from the bottom of her heart for the first time in a long time.
"By the way, I'm going to participate in a chess tournament in a while. My parents won't be free at that time. Can you accompany me?"
Miyano Makoto took the opportunity to send out an invitation.
"Of course, there is a reward."
"Eh? Me?"
Ichinose Honami pointed at herself with a puzzled look on her face.
She is just a child; how can she help?
"Because it's boring on the road, there's no one of my age to talk to."
Miyano Makoto patiently explained,
"So if Ichinose can accompany me, I think I will be very happy."
He spoke fluently without pause, and the results of last night's practice were clearly evident.
"Okay…Okay."
Ichinose Honami agreed without knowing why.
She told her mother about this with trepidation.
"Is it the child of the Miyano family? I've often heard people mention that person recently. It is said that he is a child prodigy."
The mother spoke to herself, squatting down and looking at her daughter:
"I agree, but if I find that you've regressed in the midterm exam after you come back..."
"I will never let my mother down!"
Ichinose Honami believed that her hard work would never be in vain, and she would not stop studying even when she asked for leave to accompany Miyano Makoto out.
…
"My mom said you are a child prodigy. Are you really that good?"
On the way, there was a gleam of curiosity in Ichinose Honami's eyes. She really wanted to know what was so special about the child prodigy. He looked no different from others.
Maybe he's just a little autistic?
Thinking back on Miyano Makoto's daily behavior, she came up with an answer that seemed unreliable.
"…Really? I'm not that strong…They just made it up."
Miyano Makoto was a little concerned about this news, and he decided to restrain his academic ability in the future to avoid being forced to skip a grade by accident.
Once something like that happened, his interactions with Ichinose Honami would decrease, and more importantly, he didn't want to miss such an important event in the future of Tokyo Metropolitan Advanced Nurturing High School.
"Well, Miyano-san doesn't look like a child prodigy."
Ichinose Honami chuckled.
The other person's silly look is so cute!
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