Chapter 35: Long Time No See

Reading Settings

Translator: Soafp

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Our home was just as relaxing as ever after a week away.

As I lounged on the living-room sofa and stretched, the stiffness throughout my body gradually melted away. I guess I'd been tense the whole time, one way or another.

“Here you go, Subaru. Some tea.”

“Thanks, Mom.”

“The squid crackers you brought back are delicious. You can really taste the ingredients.”

Mom… those are octopus crackers.

Well, if she's enjoying them, I guess it doesn't matter.

“Still, the sea is nice. Maybe we should all go during summer vacation this year?”

“If it's the place where I stayed, I can show you around.”

“Ara, that sounds nice. Don't you think so, Hiroshi?”

“…Hmm.”

My father let out a low grunt, then murmured without looking away from his book.

“Subaru. During the time you were absent from school, did you properly accomplish what you needed to?”

“Yes… Things didn't go exactly the way I wanted, but I think I learned a lot.”

“I see. Then that is fine. Make sure you catch up on the studies you fell behind on. That is the proper way for you to make amends to us for this.”

“Of course.”

Now then, what should I do from here…?

This wasn't something I particularly wanted to ask, but I should at least confirm it.

“…Dad, um, are you still in contact with Miko's parents?”

My father's hand stopped in the middle of turning a page. He fixed his sharp gaze on me.

“Yes. I'm still in touch with them.”

“I see.”

“Why do you ask?”

“No, I was just curious.”

“You asked because you want to contact them, didn't you?”

“…It's not exactly that.”

Even I hadn't sorted out why I needed to think about Miko again. I only vaguely felt that way after spending time with the girls in that seaside town.

“I'm sorry for asking something strange.”

My father closed his book and set it on the table.

“Mika.”

“What is it?”

“Could you make some coffee? Grind the beans, and take your time brewing it carefully.”

“Oh, that's a lot of work.”

“I feel like having some with just you.”

“Honestly… I suppose I can't say no.”

Although she spoke as if it were a bother, Mom headed for the kitchen in high spirits.

Alone with me in the living room, my father spoke reflectively.

“Before I met Mika at university, I had various experiences in my youth as well. There were people I was close with, and people I dated.”

“Uh-huh.”

I tilted my head at my father's suddenly launched account of his romantic history.

Why bring this up now?

“Romance is difficult. Especially when you're young and tend to focus only on getting your feelings across. I made many mistakes too. It would be hard to say that every breakup ended amicably.”

“Um… what is this about?”

“Just listen. Have you ever seen the scar on my back? I tell Mika it was an injury from childhood, but in truth, someone who confessed to me long ago gave it to me.”

What exactly was I listening to?

Leaning back in his chair, my father stared into the distance for a moment.

“I am happy that I met Mika. Even so, there are moments when I wonder whether things could have gone better if I had acted differently back then. Perhaps a life without regrets does not exist. Even so, I will tell you this, Subaru: struggle with everything you have, and live without regret.”

“…That's contradictory.”

“That is what it means to be a parent. Convenient words, aren't they?”

My father gave a small smile.

“A novelist once said that love is not only about looking at each other; sometimes, it means looking in the same direction. Think for yourself and act accordingly. If you ever have something you want to ask me again, don't hesitate.”

“Yes.”

In the end, what had my father wanted to say?

Apparently satisfied with his roundabout advice, he resumed reading the magazine with Salami-chan, a Bernese Mountain Dog, on the cover.

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The next day, back at school for the first time in a while, I sat at my desk lost in thought.

My feelings for Miko, my childhood friend.

To be honest, that was already over for me.

I resisted digging it all up again and doing something about it.

As I was thinking along those lines, someone lightly tapped me on the shoulder.

“…Good morning, Hatsukade-kun.”

“Morning, Nakina.”

“…Hmph.”

For some reason, Nakina puffed out one cheek in displeasure, gave me a reproachful look, and went to her seat as soon as she arrived.

Why did she look like that so early in the morning?

She messaged me last night, so I dutifully sent her a whole bunch of photos from our trip—an enormous collection of incredibly cute Fujimaru pictures.

When I happened to look up, Masaki, seated in front of me, was staring at me with wide eyes.

“What?”

“Ah, no, it's nothing…”

“I see.”

Actually, the other students had similar expressions.

Was there something on my face?

I lightly touched it, but there was nothing unusual.

While I was doing that, Shinonome came into the classroom and edged toward me.

“Hey, Hatsukade. I forgot to say this yesterday, but apparently you've been messaging Nakina. Why am I the only one being left out?”

“You never asked.”

“H-Hmph. Then… then I'll let you add me too.”

And just like that, Shinonome skillfully maneuvered me into exchanging contact information with her.

I watched her leave with a suspicious little “fufufu” smile on her face.

The classroom somehow felt even more humid, and I could distinctly sense a strange tension in the air.

“Morning, Subaru! Sakura-chan has safely returned! I mean, spending the whole week together was fun, but seeing each other in class just feels the most natural, right!?”

The moment she arrived, Sakura shouted loudly enough for the whole classroom to hear.

The classroom erupted into commotion.

Masaki's face twitched.

And the boys in our class glared at me as if they were about to punch me.

Then one boy, so flustered that he could barely speak clearly, said something to me.

“Y-You… w-what is going on here!?”

“Huh?”

What was he talking about?

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TL: So, where is his handkerchief?