Chapter 33: A frozen heart, a small palm

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Translator: Soafp

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The gymnasium, bathed in the setting sun, was still filled with the heat of the game.

Cold winter air flowed in from the open door, but the warmth inside hadn't yet dissipated, leaving behind the lingering echoes of cheers and applause.

Kagura, having finished the game, waved at the spectators while wiping off her sweat.

The students, still visibly excited, showered her with unwavering praise.

“That was amazing…!”

I absentmindedly nodded while watching Marin’s profile as she murmured beside me.

“Yeah, it really was amazing.”

Aoi showcased the skill worthy of being the ace of the basketball club, and Kagura, not to be outdone, scored points with swift movements.

Their performance was like a clash between light and shadow.

We left the gym to wait for them to finish changing.

Outside, the sunset painted the winter sky with warm hues, and a cold breeze brushed against my cheek.

The sun was sinking toward the horizon, and the shadow of the school building stretched long.

As I was about to head toward where Aoi and the others should be, I suddenly felt an odd sensation.

What I heard was a low, urgent voice.

Without thinking, my feet stopped, and I turned toward the source of the voice.

Before I knew it, I was at the back of the gymnasium.

When I looked, standing there was—

“…Godai?”

And in front of him was—Miyabi.

My feet froze instinctively. Without realizing it, I clenched my fists.

Marin must have noticed my change in demeanor, as she worriedly peered at me.

“Hajime, are you okay?”

“…Sorry, I'll be right back.”

As soon as I finished speaking, I started following the two of them.

The back of the gym was deserted and quiet.

The setting sun cast long shadows, and leaves danced in the wind.

Godai stood before Miyabi, bowing deeply.

“What happened the other day at the park was a misunderstanding, Miyabi-chan. So, please, give me another chance…!”

His voice was desperate.

Miyabi looked at him, her expression one of confusion, yet her eyes held a certain resolve as she stared at Godai.

Her lips parted as if about to speak, but there was a quiet determination in her gaze. She was hesitating for just a moment, as if organizing her thoughts before speaking.

I couldn't tell what that feeling was… but I knew.

That Godai had deceived Miyabi.

“Are you still seeing someone like him?!”

I shouted, unable to hold it in.

Godai and Miyabi both turned toward me in surprise.

Godai's face was clearly flustered, his expression asking why I was here.

“Hajime…?!”

Miyabi's eyes widened.

Godai's face twisted with panic.

“Why… are you here…?”

Seeing his face, I realized.

Godai was clearly rattled.

It was obvious that my presence was inconvenient for him.

To prove it, Godai glanced nervously at Miyabi and seemed to be about to say something.

Then, Marin, with a worried expression, stepped closer to me, intertwining her arm with mine.

Miyabi's expression stiffened slightly, and she froze for a moment, eyes wide open.

Then, seeing Marin beside me, she instinctively clenched her fist and turned her gaze away.

“It… it has nothing to do with you, Hajime!”

I immediately retorted to her words.

“It matters! You can be with whoever you want, Miyabi… but if it’s truly for your benefit, I won't say anything. But Godai is different! He tried to deceive you!”

Miyabi’s expression wavered, her lips trembling slightly.

“Why… why do you have to say such things, Hajime?! It has nothing to do with you who I'm with!”

Her voice was tense, almost as if she was trying to convince herself, desperately pretending to be strong.

—Those words pierced deeply into my chest.

A cold wind blew through, and I felt a shiver run down my spine.

“Well…whatever….. just do you want…”

The words that escaped from my mouth sounded unexpectedly dry, even to myself.

Miyabi’s eyes wavered for a moment.

Then, her eyes widened in shock.

“What's that supposed to mean? Are you saying you've already found two new people to be with, so you don't care what happens to me anymore? You’ve really become something else, Hajime!”

Miyabi’s voice trembled with anger. Marin, who had remained silent until now, stepped forward, locking her intense gaze on Miyabi.

“Why… why can you say such cruel things to Hajime?”

Miyabi shot back a glare at Marin and, with an angry tone, began speaking forcefully.

“Who are you? Some kind of actress? You're just clinging to him without even knowing what kind of person he is? Well, let me tell you! Hajime is someone who can't even keep promises! He's someone who's been betraying both me and Aoi for a long time!”

Miyabi finished her harsh words, breathing heavily, her fists clenched as she tried to steady her breathing.

Marin, not backing down, fired back.

“Hajime would never do that! He would never! He's such a kind and considerate person, and that's why I, and even Kagura, want to be with him! You just don't understand! Hajime is—”

As Marin's words began to grow more passionate, I quietly raised a hand to calm her. Looking at her, I gently spoke.

“Thank you… Marin…”

Marin, hearing her name called, blinked in surprise for a moment, then her cheeks flushed a deep red, and she looked away.

Seeing this, Miyabi's face twisted further in frustration.

Then, she tightly grasped Godai's hand, who had been standing frozen in astonishment.

“Let's go, Godai-senpai!”

Miyabi passed by me and, in a strong tone, spoke out.

For a moment, Godai seemed hesitant, but he quickly smirked and nodded, as if finding the situation amusing.

“…Y-yeah.”

His casual attitude made me feel even more irritated.

As Miyabi's footsteps passed by me, my hand was subconsciously clenched.

The trembling in my fingers suddenly stopped. When I looked up, I found myself saying something from the depths of my chest.

“…I hope you'll be happy, Miyabi. And—goodbye.”

The voice that came out was surprisingly quiet.

Yet, it felt like it echoed far beyond.

Miyabi's steps faltered. It was as if time froze. She turned around in place, her expression filled with surprise and confusion.

Her lips trembled slightly, as if she wanted to say something, but the words didn't come.

A sharp pain pierced my chest, but it wasn't as bad as before. And I no longer wavered.

The warmth of a small hand pulling me gently brought me back to reality.

It was Marin.

Her warmth was the only comfort for my heart, which was on the verge of freezing.

Miyabi stood there, staring at me in a daze.

The setting sun illuminated her face, and in her eyes, confusion and hesitation flickered.

Godai, standing beside her, chuckled lightly and urged her.

“Let's go.”

But Miyabi couldn't move right away.

I closed my eyes quietly and exhaled deeply.

“…Let's go, Marin.”

I whispered, and slowly began walking.

As the winter wind brushed against my cheek and the shadows grew long, we moved forward.