Chapter 40: See, you stepped on a mine.

Translator: Soafp

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“But you don’t have to suddenly throw everything away. …… If you do that, won’t everything you’ve done so far be for nothing?”

　The young lady was frightened by Kusunoki’s sternness, but she was still not convinced.

“I’m going to stop someday anyway, so it’s either sooner or later. Besides, I’ve already seen my limits and I’ve lost the purpose of continuing. Isn’t this the right time to quit?”　

　It may be inappropriate, but for Kusunoki, the death of her parents must have been an opportunity to quit. It seems that she couldn’t stop.

　When you have been doing something for a long time, you lose sight of the time to stop. For example, when you play shadow games for a long time, you can’t stop. Even if you are getting bored, it feels like a waste of time when you think about the time you’ve put into it, and even more so if you’ve paid for it.

　Some people just quit, thinking that it’s just a game, while others may suddenly cool down and quit, even though they were passionate about it.

　Some people think that if they quit, all the time and effort they have put into the game will be wasted, while others think that it is more wasteful to keep playing. In the end, it all comes down to how the person feels.

“It can’t be… They expected a lot of you at school…”

“Well, those expectations were a pain in the a*s, to be honest.”

　People expect things of their own accord, and when they don’t deliver, they are disappointed. This is even the case with professional athletes. When they produce results, they are genuinely praised at first, but then they are expected to keep producing results and are criticized for not producing results.

　They don’t know how you feel or how much effort you’ve put in.

　In the end, it’s all a matter of who’s point of view you take.

　If someone suddenly throws away something that you admire, yearn for, and set your sights on, you will be bewildered, disappointed, and even angry.

　You may want to quit if your efforts don’t produce results, if you lose your purpose, or if you are satisfied.

　There is no point in arguing about which is right. Each person feels differently about one thing, and there is no limit to how much one’s opinion can change by changing one’s perspective. Therefore, I think it is good for each of them to consider carefully and do what they think is right. I just don’t think it’s right to force it on others.

　That’s what I think as I watch the two people still arguing. After all, the world is a series of choices. We don’t know which is the right one, and there may be no right answer among the choices. Even so, when you have to make a choice, why don’t you make it without regret? No matter which one you choose, though, you are likely to regret it.

“Why don’t you just leave it at that? If you don’t change your opinions, we’ll probably always be on the same side of the fence, so why don’t we just settle down?”

　As I was lamenting the impermanence of the world, Hoshimiya stopped them, as if she could not bear to see them still arguing. I’m not sure why she didn’t go home. Are you bored?

“It’s not that I missed an opportunity, or that it was difficult to leave. I didn’t think it would be right for me to just leave. I’ve been keeping quiet about it because I’m an outsider, but I think it’s time to stop.”

　I wouldn’t have minded if she had left. However, I’m grateful that you stopped them.

“…… You’re right. I’m going to cool down.”

“…… Sorry for the commotion. Who are you, by the way?”

“My name is Nanase Hoshimiya. I’m close friend with Kusunoki-san.”

“close…? Oh, my name is Kasumi Otsuki.”

　It seems that the word “Close friend” was not understood by the young lady. She tilted her head. I also finally learned the girl’s name.

“Close friend… We met for the first time last night, right?”

”Oh no, we were on the same side when we tried to overthrow Tsukiyomi-san together, weren’t we?

“What are you talking about? And didn’t you betray me in the middle?”

“I don’t remember.”

　This girl has a very convenient head.

“Uhm, how did you end up staying at Kusunoki’s house?”

“I felt uncomfortable at home, so I was looking for a place to stay, and Tsukiyomi-san introduced me to her. Kusunoki-san was kind enough to let me stay there.”

“Why is it so hard for you to stay at home?”

“Because my mother was bringing a man into the house.”

　It was the same with me, but why do you say it so straightforwardly? It’s like you’re asking me to misunderstand you.

“What’s that? How dare she leave her child alone and bring a man into the house! Do you not feel sorry for your husband!”

　As expected, the young lady is in a rage. If you take it literally, that’s what it means, but don’t say anything unnecessary. If you get involved in family affairs, you’ll end up in trouble.

“She is a single-mother, so she doesn’t have a husband.”

“Even more so! Unmarried and scavenging for men is unholy!”

“You don’t know anything about me, so don’t tell me what to do.”

　See, you’ve stepped on a mine.

“Do you have any idea how hard it is to raise a child with only one woman? It’s hard enough for a couple to raise a child on their own, but to work, do housework and raise a child on your own is quite a challenge. My mother made a good living, did as much housework as she could, and participated in many school events. She probably had very little time for herself. But now my mother has found someone she loves. I support her, and there is no way I can stand in her way. I’m sure the guy doesn’t want to be with a bump, so I took the liberty of leaving the house so that the two of them could be alone. I want my mother to be happy for all the hard work she has done. Please don’t say anything bad about my mother.”

“I-I’m sorry…”

　The young lady was flabbergasted by the rush. That’s what happens when you say things without knowing what’s going on. It’s not uncommon for you and the other person to think differently even when looking at the same thing.

　There is no way that even you can know exactly how someone feels.

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