I was a little shy, wondering if I was going to meet Yuuto and have to tell him everything. But it looked like he'd already gone.
"You didn't already leave?"
A voice from afar.
"Oh, Makabe-sensei!"
"Isn't it a little late to be leaving?"
"Yeah. I was just hanging out with my frie— classmates. Looks like Yuuto's gone home. We could have gone home together."
"Together."
"N-no, I mean… you live in the same neighborhood as Yuuto, that's why."
"Oh, I see. If you don't mind, I can drop you off."
"No, it's fine. It'll be trouble for you."
"No, it's okay. I was going to Yuuto's home anyway and you said you live nearby.
"Yuuto's home?! They don't look like brothers. Are they in that kind of relationship?"
What are you thinking with such a face?" He said smiling big.
"Nothing!"
"Okay then, let's go."
"Y-Yeah."I was surprised but agreed to accompany him. Makabe-sensei continued talking while driving without a break.
"By the way, what's your name?""It's Mio Harada."
"Mio. Mio. Oh! Aha, Mio!"
"?"
"Nothing. Your stop is here."
I did not know what had caused that kind of reaction from him.
Makabe smiled, eyes faraway as if he remembered something. Before us was a large garden—green lush grass all around—and under a giant tree, I observed two children playing.
"Oh, Yuu's attempting to climb the tree."I flinched when I noticed Yuu suddenly drop.
"Are you alright?" A small girl with black hair asked, her face etched with concern and a hint of fear as she looked at Yuuto.
"Yeah, I'm fine."
"B-but your nose is bleeding." The girl's eyes filled with tears as she continued, "You stay here. I'm going to get help. Don't move."
"Hm. Okay."The girl left to find someone older. As soon as she exited the park, Yuuto began to cry miserably.I exited the bush and approached him. Yuuto was not surprised. I believe he had already seen me.I picked Yu up in my arms, cradling him close to my chest but not holding him too tightly, in an attempt to soothe him.
"There, there, be quiet, Yu. The pain will soon pass." He did not cease crying. Tumbling on his head and face like that would have stung so badly.
"You know, Yu? You've grown strong."
"S-Strong?"
"Yes. You got hurt really badly, but you didn't cry in front of your sister so she wouldn't worry even more.
"Saying that made him calm down a bit, so I continued.
"When you get hurt really badly but don't display the hurt, it means you've become strong. So stop crying altogether before I regret it. Come on, let's go home after an ice cream.
"It was when Yu was a first-year middle school student. I returned home one day and rushed to Yu's room. I knocked on his door roughly and shouted, "Yuu!"
Yuu was sitting at his desk with his back to me—painting something. He was shocked and attempted to conceal his painting as I entered the room. "Hey Yuu, what's that?"
"N-Nothing." He stuttered."What's that in your hands?"
"N-Nothing. It's my painting."
"Let me see it."
"No!" he screamed and ran quickly out.Hmm. I didn't realize he could run so fast. Impressive. Although he didn't display the drawing, I could catch a glimpse of it. He's mature enough to have a crush on someone. The small look at the girl from the back and her name was distinct enough.
"Let's see how this goes."
The sun had set and Makabe was waiting for Yuuto on the couch.
"Isn't he home yet?"A strange voice appeared behind him.
"No. He hasn't."
It was night. The darkness was prevalent. A soft wind blew, sending shivers down my body. Somewhere in the middle of that night, Yuuto was reclining on the grass sipping something hot while the sounds of bugs were everywhere.Yuu, we're waiting for you.
Summer vacation was over, and my second year of high school had begun. Soft sunbeams penetrated the leaves of the trees, and chirping birds soaring around made my morning crisp. Now I was going to resume my high school days again—but this time, to befriend people for real.
Let's see… where is my class?
Oh, here it is. Class 2-2.
So this is my class, and that one is my desk. I wonder who will sit beside me.As I sat down, Aina came up.
"Good morning, Mio," she greeted me warmly and sat down before me.
"Good morning."A loud voice in the doorway greeted someone entering the class. The doors slid, and Shiori entered quietly as usual. So, including myself, there were three loners in here.
I sat on my seat trying to rest. Since the summer break had finished, I had been contemplating how to begin anew. I literally made sixty plans yesterday, but none of them were good. Now, I was just tired.
"Yeah!" An extremely loud voice coming from behind shocked me, almost causing me a heart attack. It was Haruki Takemura, the blonde with a super optimistic and energetic spirit.
"So we're in the same class," he stated with a confident smile and determination-filled eyes. I never thought of someone like him talking to her casually. Well, I guess I should try talking, too.
What do I do now? I wish to have a new beginning, but how? Doubts kept rushing into my mind. Every moment was increasing my anxiety, and not being able to find a solution, I thought of taking a walk. As I was walking out of the class, I saw the second chair from the end in the first row was empty. Perhaps a person had not yet arrived. Well, it's none of my business.The door behind me opened slowly. Just then, Yuuto entered. He walked at a slow and casual pace, thumbs out with hands in pockets.
What?!Yuuto's in my class? But how could he just walk past me without a word, as if I was air? I bunched up my fists, ready to give him a beatdown in my mind. My mood was ruined, so I cancelled plans for a walk and sat back down.
While doing nothing, I considered speaking to the girl in front of me, but I didn't because that was Shiori. Anytime I saw her, there was a dash of distance in her eyes, and she always had a don't come near me vibe. Although I didn't muster up the nerve to speak to her, I employed all the courage I had just to utter, "Good morning, Shiori," while attempting to smile.You may find me amusing or strange for making this sound like a struggle, but it is.There's my struggle against my isolated past and present. And I wish to win so my past and present won't be my future.
Damn, it was difficult. The difficult part wasn't pretending to have a cheerful face—I'm a master at that.I always was with Nanami and Hinako.It's partly my fault our friendship wasn't genuine.
"Good morning."
Huh?
Did Shiori really say good morning?
Perhaps I was overthinking. She might not look like it, but perhaps she's easy to speak with. I wanted to push our conversation forward, but before I could say her name, she put in her earphones and began reading a novel whilst listening to music. She was sending out that don't talk to mevibe again.
"Alright, alright," I breathed into the hair that was in my hands, my brain working overtime with overthinking again.
Haruki went up to Shiori and told her, "The last time you said you had no personal relationships with anyone, but this year, you won't be able to say that. I dedicate it." His eyes blazed with resolve.I had no idea what he was talking about.
"The class really gets hyped up." I said looking at them, my left hand on the table, my cheek on my arm.
"Yuuto Hirota."
"Yuuto Hirota."
"Here."
The teacher's voice was calm, and so was my response. I blinked and scanned the room, still half-awake in my chair. In some way, the day was already progressing, even though I wasn't ready yet. I rubbed my eyes and muttered to myself, "Let's see what this year brings."