Chapter 10

Reading Settings

Translator: Soafp

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So I said I was going on a “journey of self-discovery,” but it wasn't anything that grand.

I was just planning to wander around the station-front shopping street where I usually go shopping.

I don't have the money to suddenly travel far on a whim…

I do have some savings from a part-time job I had in my first year of high school, but my allowance is usually small, so I can't afford to waste it. I want to keep it for emergencies.

Well, today's goal is basically just to get some fresh air and reset my thoughts, so it's not really a problem.

By the way, that convenience store job I had back then… I got fired after half a year.

I got dismissed for fighting with a troublesome customer.

When I told him to order cigarettes by number instead of brand, he spat on me for some reason, and I got so pissed off that I ended up hitting him.

Now that I think about it, it's a pretty pathetic story. Getting serious with some old guy like that…

Maybe I really am a hopeless piece of trash.

But if I can think of it as pathetic, doesn't that mean I still have room to improve…?

While I was thinking about that and walking aimlessly, something happened.

A man walking right in front of me casually threw an empty plastic bottle onto the ground.

It rolled over to my feet.

I pretended not to notice and tried to walk past it.

…but I stopped.

If it were the old me, I would have definitely picked it up and thrown it in a trash can.

I wouldn't have gone as far as scolding the guy who littered, but I also wouldn't have ignored it.

Even if I was in a hurry, even if I felt bad, I would have always done it.

— I should pick it up.

— No, the one who dropped it is at fault. It's not my problem. I should even kick it away.

The two versions of me started arguing inside my head.

The “corrupted me” and the “pure me from before.”

If I had to say which one is stronger, it would be the corrupted one.

Even though I've regained my memories, they're still just something from the distant past.

— It's too late now. I'm the kind of trash who deserves to live as a scumbag.

— No, I can still go back. Don't give up.

…I don't know. Which one is right?

Which one is the real me?

Just as I was thinking that—

“Hey, you there.”

A clear voice came from behind me.

When I turned around, I saw a familiar face, just as I expected.

“You are… Reita, right?”

The girl looked slightly surprised after seeing my face.

Long glossy black hair, red-framed glasses, a knitted cardigan—

Shizuno Aoi.

The last person I wanted to meet right now.

“…Littering in high school, huh. Still the same as ever.”

“No, I didn't throw it—”

“No excuses. Pick it up.”

Shizuno looked at me with an exasperated expression and ordered me to pick up the bottle.

…Yeah, I figured it would go like this.

This is exactly why I didn't want to run into her.

If you could sum up Shizuno Aoi in one word, it would be “justice.”

She strongly clings to her own sense of justice and tries to correct what she sees as irrationality or wrongdoing in others and society.

She's basically the complete opposite of me now.

That's why she's such a terrible match for me…

She always picks fights with me over everything. Even when I try to ignore her, she keeps pushing, and it's exhausting.

Well, I know it's my own behavior that causes this…

But at least this time, it's not my fault. I'm being falsely accused.

Today, I'm going to talk back properly.

“I'm not lying.”

“From the situation, it clearly looks like you did it.”

“You're accusing me without proof?”

“You're the type of person who's suspicious by default. It's your usual behavior.”

Tch… she's good. I'm actually getting pushed back in this argument.

“Then what if you're wrong? How will you take responsibility?”

“Even if I'm wrong, ignoring litter isn't acceptable.”

“Then say that to everyone around here. That's just forcing your justice on others.”

I quickly counter her.

Forcing values on others isn't right. Even if I saw it, ignoring it isn't a crime.

But is it really correct to demand that from unrelated people?

Now then, how will she respond?

“…You're not unrelated. You're my childhood friend.”

“….”

—I lost.

That one hit me clean.

It wasn't a full defeat logically, but it was enough to shut me up.

Why do they all still insist on treating me like a childhood friend…

“…So? What are you doing here?”

Shizuno asked while picking up the bottle.

“Just killing time.”

“Another girl you're going to hit on?”

“Stop treating me like I'm some chronic flirt.”

I immediately denied the baseless accusation.

I do have a bad reputation at school, but I haven't actually caused trouble with women.

I only tag along with Ryosuke when it comes to flirting.

At worst, I'm just associated with it.

“…Not sure I believe that.”

She clearly didn't trust me.

It stung a little, even though I expected it.

“Whatever.”

I said, and tried to leave.

“—Wait.”

Of course she stopped me again.

Another déjà vu moment.

Why do they always stop me?

“I'm not interested in being picked up.”

“I've decided to keep an eye on you.”

“…Huh?”

“I feel like you've been acting strange lately. Like you're constantly watching your surroundings…”

She adjusted her glasses and stared at me suspiciously.

Yeah… that's probably because my memory came back.

But I am not going to say that.

“I'm worried you might commit a crime. That's why I'm watching you.”

“What do you even think I am…”

Even before regaining my memories, I wasn't some guy casually committing crimes.

“I'm a perfectly healthy delinquent who's never even done underage drinking or riding double on a bike.”

“A delinquent is already not healthy.”

“Even so, surveillance is an invasion of privacy. For someone preaching justice, that's pretty ironic.”

I counterattack her argument.

She shouldn't be able to respond to that.

“…Then let's do this. Come with me from now on.”

“Huh?”

“We stay together. That way there's no problem, right?”

“…Me? With you?”

“Yes.”

Are you serious? We're like oil and fire right now.

“And if I refuse?”

“I'll report you.”

“For what crime?”

“As a suspicious person.”

That would probably get me hauled in, so I'll pass.

“Relax, I'm joking. Let's just talk. It's been a while.”

“Talk about what?”

“Anything. Small talk.”

“There's nothing to talk about between us.”

“There is. Even if you don't remember, we used to talk alone quite often.”

She said that with a faint smile.

…She really is hard to read.

Unlike Rin or Maaya, she doesn't seem too hung up on the past.

Maybe that's just how Shizuno is.

…Well, fine.

Today is my “self-discovery” day anyway. Wandering around aimlessly won't help much.

Talking to someone like her—someone who seems firmly grounded—might actually give me some insight.

I'll take her up on it.