Chapter 123: Answer

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Translator: Soafp

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“A ceiling I don’t recognize…”

I never thought the day would come when I’d actually say that line.

But really, I don’t recognize this ceiling.

Wait, what? (I’m starting to panic).

Where am I…?

More importantly, why am I here?

I look at my watch—it’s 4 PM.

“Hmm.”

I remember now.

After that dance, my head was spinning, and I couldn’t breathe, so I collapsed.

Let’s see… after that… I was brought here to the nurse’s office by a teacher, just as a precaution. I lay down for a bit.

I’d been awake since 3 AM, so I guess I just passed out. It was like drifting into heaven (almost died).

Good thing I didn’t actually die…!

“…Was it all a dream?”

As I stretch my back while still lying down, the bed creaks under me.

That applause…

Did it really come from my dancing?

“It wasn’t a dream, huh.”

Yeah, that was real.

There’s no way I could forget that sight. It’s burned into my brain.

With the help of the others… I made it this far without running away.

And I danced. All the way to the end.

…So now, I feel like I can finally face them——

“…Eh?”

Something feels off.

It's my leg… stretched out.

“Wait.”

At the foot of the bed——

“Grr…”

“To… Tomato…”

There were two people—one with blonde hair and the other with brown.

They had put two chairs together and fallen asleep with their upper bodies slumped over the bed.

Fast asleep.

“…Thank you.”

Just seeing that filled my chest with a warm feeling.

The others had said it.

I really was an idiot.

I kept worrying about everything around me, avoiding talking directly to the people who mattered.

If my friends had stopped being my friends, this scene wouldn't exist.

[——”Hey, you’re not coming?”——]

[——”Toumachi, there’s no way that’s all you’ve got☆”——]

That lunch break last Tuesday.

The answer had already been there.

“…Haa.”

I exhaled.

As I faced the reality of it all, I couldn't stop my vision from blurring.

Knowing that everything I'd worked so hard for—studying, dancing—wasn't for nothing, filled me with relief.

…In that moment, for the first time, I felt that maybe—just a little, but definitely——

“I've changed… haven't I?”

I whispered softly, careful not to wake the two——

“Icchi!!”

“Ah.”

Just then.

I heard the gentle sound of a curtain being drawn.

It was Hatsune.

She was still in her gym uniform, probably on a break from practice.

She's really seen me at my worst so many times.

I can't make any more excuses.

Not this time.

And honestly, I don't want to hold back anymore.

“I wanted to see you.”

I didn't bother wiping away the tears.

As she approached, the words slipped from my mouth naturally.

“Hmm—”

“!?”

Before I knew it, my vision went dark.

I realized a moment later that she had pulled me into an embrace.

I was wrapped in the sweet scent and softness of her touch.

“…I’m sorry. I didn't notice.”

“—”

‘I'm the one who didn't say anything’—I wanted to say, but in this situation…

“Ahaha, that tickles.”

Hatsune smiled as she held me, still wrapped in her embrace.

She didn't seem to care at all that her clothes were getting soaked from my tears.

It was embarrassing, but I felt calm.

A strange feeling.

Maybe it's because I've been alone for so long.

I found myself wanting more… wanting to stay like this.

Is this okay?

But she was the one who made the first move.

[——”Anything. It's okay.”——]

Because of that—those words she said—I couldn't stop myself anymore.

After all, she's the one who said it.

“I… Icchi?”

My hands, which had been idle, slowly moved forward.

I placed them on her back, touching her gym uniform.

“Huh? Ah—mm…”

I pulled her closer.

Just like that, for a few seconds.

Whatever had been frozen inside me had completely melted.

“…”

When I loosened my grip, her body easily drifted away.

I felt a pang of longing, but I had no choice.

“!”

“No, don't!”

But before my vision could clear—darkness enveloped me again.

Her warm hands covered my eyes.

“I've got to go back to practice…”

“Yeah. Thanks.”

“I'll text you later!”

As she removed her hands, Hatsune had already turned her back to me.

She hurried off after I responded.

I wonder what expression she had on her face.

And what kind of expression am I making right now?

…Well, no need to think about that for now.

Yeah, because——

“…I saw that☆ I saw that☆”

Hiiragi was watching me, her usual mischievous grin plastered across her face (doom).

“I think I'll go report to the teacher—”

“——Do you think I'll let you get away?”

“(Despair)”

It had been a while since I'd felt this way.

As I thought of excuses to give her, part of me strangely found this situation endearing.

Not that I'm a m*******t.

Right…? I'm not, right??

“I worried for nothing☆”

“Haha, I didn't expect the two of you to be here.”

“I wanted to talk to you as soon as possible.”

“Eh?”

“Though, when I saw your sleeping face, I ended up dozing off with Ichigo☆”

“I-I see.”

Why does she always say these things so casually?

…Maybe it was good I cried earlier.

If she'd seen me crying, it would've been a disaster.

“Hmm?”

“No, it's nothing (quickly).”

“Tell me☆”

“Eep…”

“Zzzz… (still sleeping soundly).”

And Yumesaki-san is still fast asleep.

Sleep helps you grow!! (I'm losing it).