Chapter 30

Reading Settings

Translator: Soafp

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After being examined by the nurse, it turned out that Shizuno was suffering from mild anemia.

She was diagnosed as having it caused by stress and lack of sleep.

For now, as long as she rested, she'd recover quickly.

It was a relief that it wasn't anything serious—but unless the root cause was resolved, it would likely happen again.

I was told to return to class, but I lied and said I was her boyfriend so I could stay by her side.

Then, sitting in the chair next to the bed where she was lying, I spoke to her.

“Are you okay?”

“…Yes. I just felt a little dizzy. I can go back soon.”

“Don't push yourself.”

“I'm really fine. You should go back.”

Shizuno tried to act tough again, but of course, I had no intention of leaving.

There was no way I could just leave her like this.

Besides, Maaya had entrusted her to me too.

“Hey. Don't you think it's about time you told me what's going on?”

“…I'm sorry.”

“Enough already. At least tell me what's happening—I can't just sit here calmly otherwise.”

“Even if you say that, I can't talk about something I can't talk about.”

With that, Shizuno pulled the blanket over her face.

Why was she being so stubborn about this?

“Just tell me what you can.”

“This has nothing to do with you.”

“You were the one who said childhood friends aren't unrelated.”

“…That's a different matter.”

No matter how many times I asked, she shut me down.

At this point, she was just being stubborn.

She clearly had no intention of talking.

…Fine. If that's how it is, I'll use my trump card.

She'd probably already figured it out anyway.

And timing-wise, this was just right.

“You were the same back then too—carrying everything on your own, Shizuno.”

I gently spoke her name as I said it.

“…So your memories really did come back.”

“You noticed.”

“Fufu, I can see right through you.”

Shizuno peeked out from under the blanket and smiled, as if she had known all along.

She probably didn't have complete certainty—but there was relief and something like happiness in her expression.

Still, now wasn't the time to dwell on that.

“Do you remember the promise we made as kids?”

“…What are you talking about?”

“That face says you remember.”

She tried to play dumb, but it was obvious.

I'd never seen her this easy to read before. She must've been really shaken.

“If you remember, then trust me and tell me.”

I looked straight into her eyes as I said it.

If this didn't work, I had nothing left.

If she remembered that promise, she should be able to rely on me—

“…I'm sorry.”

But Shizuno apologized and hid under the blanket again.

“So you can't trust me, huh…”

A sharp pain pricked my chest.

…Well, maybe that was only natural.

Things weren't like they used to be.

For four years, I hadn't built anything.

Even if my memories had returned, I was still someone who had only caused trouble for those around me.

There was no way she could rely on someone like that.

Just like she always said—it all comes down to how you've lived.

“…I'm not feeling well, so could you leave me alone?”

And just like that, Shizuno completely shut me out.

If I backed off now, I might not get another chance…

But I couldn't force someone who was sick.

She didn't seem like she'd say anything more anyway.

For now, I had no choice but to step back.

“…Alright. But if you need help, tell someone anytime. It doesn't have to be me. Maaya or Rin would definitely listen to you.”

With that final remark, I left the infirmary.