Chapter 15: After the holidays.

Translator: Soafp

---

　I knew it was different from junior high school.

　I thought that when I entered the classroom and heard my classmates sneaking around talking about me. Perhaps the reason I felt this way was because I hadn’t played with others in a while and my heart had become lighter.

　The cold stares I was feeling were more often tinged with suspicion than hostility.

　When I was in junior high school, I used to think that rumors of others were seventy-five days of nonsense, but now the air was somehow believable. If someone had coined the term ……If someone had coined the term, they would be pissed off that such a thing doesn’t fit into the rumor mill. ……

　Well, some people are extremely hostile. I don’t have to tell you …… that it is my childhood friend Sumika. That and the people around her have been looking at me like I’m a bad guy.

　After all, there is a group of people. I think that people in the same group must have heard even the most detailed stories from Sumika.

　Clear hostility from someone I used to be close to is painful. They call it a piercing stare, but it really feels like being stabbed in the chest. ……

　As I was thinking about this before I sat down in my seat, I suddenly wondered what kind of friendships Yuki had.

　…… In the classroom, he’s with me most of the time. I’m sure he has friends from club activities, but I don’t know anyone he gets along with within this class. …… I wonder if I’m the reason they’re not getting to know each other.

　…… I thought about that, but I’m still afraid to expand the relationship any further. I think my two friends now are a miracle. The wider the circle gets, the more I think that somewhere it will break off and everything will be ruined as it is.

　Haa, I am so self-centered. ……

---

“I’m going to the cafeteria today, do you want to go?”

“I see. Yes. I guess I will go ……. Ah, maybe Miyamoto-san will come here?”

“Oh, I see.”

“She may not come, though.”

　Miyamoto-san probably has other friends, and I don’t think she comes every day. But then again, we’ve become friends. I don’t want our paths to cross.

　Besides, we are in different classes, and since we don’t participate in club activities, I don’t have much time to spend with Miyamoto-san as a friend. ……I wonder if Miyamoto-san is active in any club activities.

“Hello. Ishikawa-kun. Abe-kun, too.”

“Oh, hello. Miyamoto-san. You’re here again today, huh?”

“Yeah! ……uhm, so …… can my friend join us today?”

“Eh, ah, sure. F-Fine by me…..”

　I couldn’t say I don’t like it for a second, so I agreed. Then, when I told her that I was planning to go to the cafeteria today, she said, “Well, we are standing in the hallway, let’s go,” and Miyamoto-san started walking away.

“Are you okay?”

“Uh, yeah. I’m fine.”

　I’m okay. I was just thinking that I should get more involved with the people around me. I’m more worried that Miyamoto-san’s friends might suffer some kind of negative consequences from my involvement.

　I walked along with Miyamoto-san, and ahead of me was a slightly petite girl with a short cut.

“Uhm, this is my friend Nanao.”

“I’m Obata Nanao ! Nice to meet you! Uhm, …… Mizuki, which is which?”

“Oh. I’m Yuki Abe and this is Shota Ishikawa. Nice to meet you. Obata-san.”

“Nice to meet you.”

“Yes. And you can call me by my first name. It’s easier that way.”

“Is that so? Well then, nice to meet you, Obata. You can call me by my first name, too.”

“Okay, Yuki!”

　Yuki replied. I was …… a little reluctant.

“I guess I’m a little resistant to people calling my first name. …… I don’t mind it though.”

“Well, either way is fine. But, nice to meet you. Ishikawa-kun”

“Yes. Obata-san.”

　I guess you would call it a face to face meeting ……, well, that’s how the meeting went.

　After that, the four of us went to a diner for dinner. Obata-san gave the impression of being a very energetic girl. Friendly and …… what can I say, she seems to make a lot of boys misunderstand her. …… I also thought that she often looked at me as if she was observing something. Maybe she was curious of me.

　Although the stares bothered me a little, it was an enjoyable lunch, partly because Obata-san was an energetic person.

　We ate leisurely and continued talking in the cafeteria, so by the time we left the cafeteria, there were less than 10 minutes left in the lunch break.

“See you later.”

“Ou.”

　Miyamoto-san and Yuki said so, and as we were about to part ways, Obata-san comes over to talk to me.

“Ishikawa, do you have a minute after this?”

“…… Sure.”

　After saying so, Obata-san goes with Miyamoto-san. Maybe she will come back later.

　I thought so, so I asked Yuki to leave first and waited for Obata-san. Obata-san came back rather soon.

“Ah, there you are!”

　Then Obata-san came over and said, “Let’s go over there for a minute,” and with a subtle smile on her face, she pointed to a less public place. I have a bad feeling about …….

　I follow her and when we reach our destination, Obata-san turns and looks serious.

“Ishikawa.”

“…… what?”

“If you do anything to hurt Mizuki, I won’t forgive you.”

“……”

　Oh, I knew it. Well, I knew she wouldn’t think well of me if she gave me such a probing look. I didn’t expect such clear, hostile intent.

　Well, I guess she was acting out of concern for her friend.

“……! Ah …… no, its ……”

“Don’t worry. It won’t happen …… I consider Miyamoto-san a friend, miraculously made.”

“I-I see ……”

“Well, are we done? …… classes are about to start, Obata-san, you’d better go back as soon as possible.”

“Oh…… that’s”

　I figured that would be the only thing she had to say, so I went back to my classroom.

---