After a full morning of classes, it was time to go to school. After finishing our activities in the science club, Saito, Shindo, and I walked across the school grounds to the school gate.\n
In front of the main gate, we saw a certain person as usual.\n\n
“Here you are at last.”\n
Naturally, it was Enami-san. Lately, the ambushes have become less frequent. Especially on the days when I participate in club activities, she often leaves quickly.\n
So I thought it was a bit unusual.\n
Saito and Shindo left me behind as usual and went on their way.\n
Only Enami-san and I were left there.\n
I didn’t feel like resisting anymore. It was becoming a matter of course. Even if I say we’re going home together, it’s only a short walk to the T-junction at most. There was no reason to refuse.\n\n
Still, I said.\n
“Why are you here, ……?”\n
Enami-san replies without a trace of guilt.\n
“Don’t worry about the details. Let’s just go home.”\n
I gave a small nod and followed her.\n
A few days ago, I asked Enami-san about the results of her test. It seems that she avoided getting red marks in all subjects, just like she promised me. On the contrary. I heard that she got more than 50 points in math, which I taught her diligently. I’m sure the teachers were very surprised. When I think about it, I can’t help but laugh.\n
Enami-san was holding her bag behind her back, and her brown hair was shaking. I walked out of the main gate and to the left, heading down the hill. I can see the orange sun approaching the horizon.\n\n
“The science club, right? What are you doing until this late? Experiments?”\n
She was walking in front of me and suddenly turned to look at me. I shook my head.\n
“We’ve never done anything like that till now.”\n
“But you’re working in Lab 1, aren’t you?”\n
“─ Ah, ……. Well. Sure, we use the first lab.”\n\n
But there is no way the science club does science. Most of these club activities are just playing games, and some of them even bring in their own computers to play gal games.\n
I can’t say this out loud, though.\n\n
“Hmmm. Maybe I’ll take a look at the science club next time.”\n
“Don’t do that!”\n
She laughed at me when I shouted out in panic.\n
“You’re so desperate. Your face is all red.”\n
“Shut up!”\n\n
This kind of exchange is now an everyday occurrence.\n
I still don’t know the exact reason why she wants to go home with me, but I found myself taking it for granted that we walk together like this.\n\n
Enami-san is a strange person.\n
She has both a cold expression and a cheerful expression like now.\n
I was approached by Enami-san, who had gone several steps ahead of me.\n\n
“What are you doing? Let’s go quickly.”\n
I nodded and ran down the slope.\n
But my legs hurt so much that I stopped immediately. I held my right leg and huddled there.\n
“I’m sorry, hasn’t it healed yet?”\n
Then Enami-san came back to me. I stopped her with my hand.\n
“No, it’s just a little sore. I’m fine.”\n\n
I quickly got up. Really, it’s no big deal. I tried to run, but it was downhill and I put my foot down in a weird way.\n
“Fufu.”\n
For some reason, Enami-san laughed. I asked her, “What’s wrong?\n
“It’s nothing.”\n
What is it? I’m pretty sure something was going on. Curious, I looked down at my figure and noticed that the zipper between my legs was slightly open. I had stopped by the bathroom once on my way out, so I guess I hadn’t closed it tight enough then.\n
“Damn …….”\n
I zipped it up quickly. It would have been nice if she had told me right away, but what a bad character.\n\n
“Hey.”\n
Enami-san asked me as I caught up to her.\n
“What happened to the people who injured you?”\n
“Ah.”\n
I recalled what had happened after that.\n\n
＊ ＊ ＊\n\n
After all, the delinquents in question seemed to have stopped retaliating against me. I met with Yamazaki once and asked him to check on the situation. That’s when he told me.\n
(He said he’d never get involved with a small fry like you again.)\n
I replied, “I see,” and patted my chest.\n
It seemed to have worked out. After all, it was the physical aspect that he was concerned about. He had beaten me, so he didn’t need to worry about me anymore.\n
(Looks like you got beat up pretty badly.)\n
Yamazaki looked at me and commented. I nodded.\n
(I’m not the same person anymore. I won’t make a mistake for the sake of my own pride.)\n
(I see.)\n
I told Sayaka not to go home alone for a while. Fortunately, she seemed to have a friend who shared the same train station, so they’ve been going home together lately.\n
(I understand that you’re doing your best. Don’t give me any more trouble.)\n
I apologized honestly.\n
(I’m sorry. Thank you for your help this time.)\n
Yamazaki laughed.\n
(You are talking to me like a big shot. Just keep it up.)\n
(I know.)\n
Then I said it again.\n
(I’ll never lose sight of the people I love again.)\n
(I Know)\n\n
＊ ＊ ＊\n\n
\n\n
“No problem. It’s already taken care of.”\n
“Hmmm. I hope so.”\n
No more violence, no more agitation. I’ve come back to the right place. I’ll keep my vow to protect this comfortable place.\n
At that moment, Enami-san’s words came back to my mind.\n
(But that’s not all. I wondered if there were new things that would become important in my life from now on.)\n
Somehow, I thought.\n
I wonder if my precious things will ever increase, too.\n
I don’t know why I suddenly thought of that. I just felt again the weight of the words “never lose sight of your loved ones”.\n
“……”\n
Enami-san was looking at me.\n
She was silent. I couldn’t read the emotion in her eyes. What? I asked, and Enami-san laughed again.\n
“You zipped it up, didn’t you?”\n
“……”\n
“Aren’t you glad, it was noticed”\n
I let out a deep breath. I don’t know why Enami-san treats me like a child.\n
I ignored her and started walking away.\n
“Oh, are you mad?”\n
“No, I’m not.”\n
“You’re angry.”\n
“No, I’m not.”\n
As we continue to talk, we slowly move forward. Enami-san and I walked side by side.\n\n\n\n＜Volume 1, Complete.>\n\n
<hr class="wp-block-separator is-style-wide">\nTN: Well folkes, that’s the end of volume 1. I am not sure when I will start on volume 2. I’ll probably get around to it.. Eventually.. \n\nYou can show your support for this work in Ko-fi 😉\n\n