I realize that I’m a bit late, sorry about that. I had some stuff to deal with, so I didn’t have much time. This led me to thinking, what if something like this happened again and I didn’t have time to post. I ended up deciding that if that ended up happening, which I hope it doesn’t, but on the off chance that it does, then I would either post the day after or just post two chapters on the next scheduled day. So either way, you’d still get all the chapters for that week. This is just an advanced warning in case it does happen, which it shouldn’t, but who knows, life happens.
Anyways, this chapter is fairly long, so I’m sure you’ll be happy about that, so do enjoy it.
Author Note:
Thank you for reading.
In accordance to what was pointed out on March 23rd, I changed the status levels and the text a little (I increased it by several lines).
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The hero, Satou Tsukasa, and I, as well as Akira, had always been in the same class since kindergarten.
I noticed this when I was in elementary sixth year, and at that time, I just thought that I always happened to see the same faces.
But, still, for us to be together for over ten years, it must’ve been some kind of curse.
For some reason, Satou was hostile towards Akira, and Akira was indifferent towards those around him, so I wasn’t sure if he noticed it or not.
What were the chances, it was the same even in high school, as expected, I couldn’t stop the chills, but I just thought of it as some sort of fate.
And, the first time Akira and I talked was after we entered high school as well.
Akira and I, who didn’t have an appearance that stood out in particular like Satou, did not talk to our classmates when we were in the classroom, we slept and read books, each of us passed the time by ourselves.
During that time, I found out about Akira’s secret, if I remember correctly, was it the summer vacation of our first year?
「…Oda Akira?」
「Nn? …geh, kendo club’s, uu-m….」
「Aah, it’s Asahina Kyousuke.」
Our high school did not prohibit part-time jobs.
It wasn’t recommended either, but if family circumstances were used as a reason for the permit, it seems that they would give it to you quite readily.
In addition to your grades.
However, Akira was definitely the only one who would really work a part-time job.
And, Akira did not want to anyone know that.
However, of all things, I came across the scene of Akira working and sweating.
On that day, we parted after that.
Akira was in the middle of his part-time job as well.
However, as expected, he didn’t remember my name, huh.
We were, more or less, together for more than ten years though.
The next day, when I went into the classroom, came right in front of me.
「During the lunch break, if you have the time, the library.」
「…」
Me feeling relieved that it wasn’t behind the gymnasium was a secret only I knew.
It certainly couldn’t be said that the look in Akira’s eyes was good by any standards, because a part of the student body was even circulating the rumor that he was a gentleman from that side.
Anyway, I nodded and sat in my seat.
My heart was thumping loudly.
Although I knew that it was impossible, what should I do if he demanded money, and other such words that showed signs of cowardice were going through my mind.
If I thought about it properly, if he wanted to keep it a secret, I would be the one who would receive money, but the confused me didn’t even think of that.
During the lunch break, I ate my lunch like usual, after that, I would usually pass the time by sleeping, but I left my seat and headed towards the library.
As soon as fourth period ended, Akira rushed out and did not return.
Perhaps, he had departed for the front line in the war to buy the school store’s bread.
It was swarmed with male high school students who were not full with just a bento, he’s quite the courageous fellow, to go to that place that was literally a battlefield by himself.
Our school’s library was behind the entryway, the librarian obasan was always standing there.
It was open all day long, it was even possible to go there on all your free periods, but it was the first time I’ve come here, with the exception of Modern Japanese class.
It was pretty unexpected for Akira to choose the library, as he seemed indifferent towards the library.
「My bad, for calling you out.」
When I came to the library and the first thing that he did was apologize, I almost unintentionally apologized as well, but I endured it with my poker face.
I limited it to just a nod and I sat in the seat across from Akira.
「Well, I’ll get straight to the point, it’s about yesterday.」
「Aah, it should be fine if I don’t tell anyone, right?」
When I said this, Akira’s face was shining.
It was definitely because, I faced my own expressionless face in the mirror every day, that I saw the change.
「I want to ask you one thing though, why are you going so far to keep it a secret? It shouldn’t be prohibited though.」
「Aah, that, huh.」
Then, Akira unexpectedly turned away shyly and scratched his cheeks.
「…something like, it being similar to how it’s uncool to show off by yourself?」
「Ha?」
「Liike I said, doing something like emphasizing that I’m working hard for my family would, conversely, be uncool. That kind of thing contradicts my aesthetics.」
「I don’t understand why it is wrong for you to do your best for your family though.」
「That’s wrong. I, hate letting other people know that I’m putting in the effort.」
I see, if that’s the case, then I felt like I understood.
Even for me, I don’t tell anyone anything, and even when club activities were over, I practice swinging my sword and do long training runs, I also didn’t want that to be seen.
Come to think of it, I was also in the middle of running when I met Akira.
「That’s why, you definitely can not tell other people, ok? Especially, not my younger sister.」
「Younger sister? ..you also have a younger sister?」
「Aah, she’s a year younger though…’also’?」
I showed him the purikura that my younger sister took with a friend, on my cell phone.
It was just my intuition, but this katana was definitely one that formed a pair with another sword.
Even so, I was almost certain I was correct.
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That this katana, would not only let me meet up with Akira, it would also be useful.
Until then, I will get stronger until I can stand next to Akira.