Chapter 44: Just 5 more minutes

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Translator: Soafp

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After stroking her head for a while, a now calmer Sora left the counseling room and began talking to the teachers.

The content was straightforward. She said that although she had spent her time since enrollment presenting as a boy, she wanted to live as a girl from now on. She didn't discuss the full circumstances there, but the teachers exchanged glances.

“So… in other words, Takagi wants to live as a girl?”

“Yes. I'm sorry for having done as I pleased until now.”

The homeroom teacher scratched his head awkwardly but had a gentle expression.

“Well, from the teachers' point of view, this actually reduces our trouble… Shiki mentioned that Takagi feels distressed living as a girl and we decided to make accommodations at school…but if Takagi is saying this herself, there's no problem. Right, Vice Principal?”

“Hmm, well… it should be fine. Have you gotten consent from your guardian?”

“I will tell my dad myself. I think I can prepare a written statement.”

Ginji watched from behind as Sora anxiously gripped her skirt, doing her best to answer.

“Takagi, who's been quiet and stayed behind Shiki since enrollment, speaking up like this means it's not a problem. It's hard for teachers to voice opinions about gender issues. We kind of left it to Shiki…but since Takagi said she doesn't want to call on Shiki anymore…”

The homeroom teacher gave Ginji a sharp look. Ginji nodded, and the teachers seemed to realize something.

“…Is there anything the teachers can do?”

“For now… it's fine.”

“I see. Director, Vice Principal, is that okay?”

“I'll leave it to the homeroom teacher.”

The vice principal said so, and the meeting broke up. They were told to expect confirmation documents for the guardian after school, and then left the staff room. There were still about fifteen minutes left until the end of the first period.

The two moved to the lounge near the cafeteria on campus. Sora bought orange juice from a vending machine and Ginji got coffee, then they sat down. Ginji raised his can toward Sora, who clinked hers in response.

“Good work.”

“Yeah, I'm tired. That was nerve-wracking.”

Sora slumped back in her chair, legs spread out carelessly—her habit of dressing as a boy still lingering.

“…Back when you enrolled.”

“Yeah.”

Sora spoke quietly.

“Aika-chan told the teachers at school that I was resisting being seen as a girl. I could only listen behind Aika-chan's back… Even though they prepared a girl's uniform for me. I ended up buying a new uniform and dressing like a boy. Aika-chan wrote all the confirmation documents for my dad…”

“…That's harsh.”

“No, it was true. Back then, if there was something that made me hate being a girl… I just went along with it myself…”

While Sora held her can with both hands, Ginji downed his coffee in one gulp.

“Sora, watch this.”

Ginji exaggeratedly swung his can in an arc and tossed it slowly toward the trash bin. The can slipped in with a clink, the clear sound echoing in the quiet lounge.

“…Nice shot.”

“Tell me what happened.”

Ginji placed his hand on Sora's mental barrier. If she was going to overcome it alone, then he didn't need to know—it would be fine for her to overcome it and tell him later when she felt ready. That's what he told himself to avoid burdening her.

But now it was different. To move forward together, he needed to know.

“I want to know everything about you, Sora.”

Turning to face her, Ginji spoke, bracing himself for the possibility that his question might hurt her—but he pushed forward anyway. Sora gazed back at him.

Ah, it felt a shame that tears blurred her vision.

I want to record every moment of you.

“…Ginji, are you free this weekend?”

“I'll clear my schedule.”

“Before, you said you wanted to see me draw, right?”

Sora chose her words carefully, wanting to honor Ginji's feelings.

“Yeah, I said that.”

“Right, so I want you to see me draw. Then I think I can talk.”

“…Got it. Phew, I'm starving from the nerves.”

Ginji flopped into his chair, and Sora rested her head against him, still holding her can with both hands.

“I'll give you some special sweets later. They're Japanese sweets that go well with tea.”

“Sounds good. I'm looking forward to it.”

There were five minutes left before the chime rang. Until then, it was just the two of them in this quiet place.

Not wanting to waste even this short time, they huddled close and talked quietly.