Chapter 45: Distance in Hearts and Lunch Break

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Translator: Soafp

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The morning classes ended, and the bell signaling the start of lunch rang throughout the classroom. The buzz of conversation immediately became livelier, and students began moving around, chatting happily with their friends. By the windows, some opened their lunchboxes while soaking up the sunlight, others rushed to the school shop, and the sound of cheerful laughter filled the air.

The moment I took my lunch out of my bag and placed it on the desk…

“Is it okay if we join you?”

Startled by the sudden voice, I looked up. In front of me stood Miyabi and Aoi, both slightly embarrassed.

For a moment, I was surprised, but I quickly masked my expression to avoid showing it and, despite feeling a little flustered, responded.

“O-of course.”

Hearing my reply, Miyabi and Aoi smiled with relief and brought their chairs over to join me. We gathered around the desk, each of us opening our lunchboxes. Before long, the surrounding noise seemed to fade away, and it felt like we were in a world of our own.

“It feels like it’s been a while since the three of us ate together like this.”

Aoi said with a cheerful laugh. The moment I heard those words, memories from my elementary school days resurfaced in my mind.

Back then, we were in the same group, and during lunch break, we would naturally push our desks together and eat school lunch together.

We spent those times laughing at silly stories and swapping food. It was so much fun.

And now, looking back, it feels like those days have become distant memories. But now, as we sit together once again, I feel the same sense of comfort as I did back then.

“Fufu, Aoi, you've been saying ‘it's nostalgic' all day.”

Miyabi said with a small laugh. I couldn't help but smile at her words.

“Eh? R-really?”

Aoi turned her eyes away slightly, embarrassed, and scratched her cheek. Her gesture was exactly the same as it used to be, and it made me feel happy.

I quietly smiled, holding my chopsticks and slowly bringing my lunch to my mouth, filled with nostalgia.

“…Haha.”

My laughter helped break the slight tension between the three of us. But at the same time, whispers from around the room reached my ears.

“Are those three close?”

“That's an unusual combination, isn't it?”

“I heard they all walked to school together this morning.”

“Aizawa's so lucky…”

I pretended not to hear them, but inside, I couldn’t help but let out a bitter laugh. Then, to shake off the awkwardness, I muttered.

“It's kind of hard to eat, huh?”

Miyabi shrugged lightly without showing any sign of concern and said,

“Let people say what they want. Besides, there's nothing to hide about what we're doing.”

“Yeah, exactly,” Aoi agreed, laughing lightly.

Their natural attitude helped me finally relax. Their words made sense, and maybe I didn't need to worry about it any longer.

“…Yeah, you're right.”

I took a deep breath and continued eating, watching the two of them interact.

Miyabi said something with a bit of a proud grin, and Aoi laughed, lightly teasing her.

Their back-and-forth was endearing, and I couldn't help but smile. The conversation itself was trivial, but those little moments felt so comforting.

However, amidst this peaceful moment, Miyabi suddenly looked around. It seemed like she was checking if anyone was eavesdropping on our conversation in the bustling classroom. Then, lowering her voice slightly, she asked me.

“Hajime, how did you feel when you heard your novel was being adapted into a movie?”

The sudden question made me pause, my chopsticks frozen in midair. I lowered my gaze, thinking for a while, before finally speaking.

“At first, it didn't feel real. When I first heard that the movie was happening, it didn't feel like something that could actually happen.”

“So, you weren't that happy about it?”

Aoi leaned forward, curious.

I shook my head, then expressed my thoughts.

“No, I was happy. But at first, it didn't feel real, so I was more confused than anything. But…”

“But…?”

Miyabi urged, her gaze inviting me to continue.

“The movie adaptation brought new encounters and made me realize things I hadn't noticed before.”

As I spoke, I could feel the emotions quietly spreading inside me.

“Marin Kousaka and Kagura Shinomiya…?”

When Aoi spoke the names of the two, I couldn't help but laugh awkwardly.

“Yeah… Both of them told me they were really moved after reading my novel. They said that my story helped them through tough times.”

As I said this, I once again felt that something I had written had become a source of support for someone. A warmth spread in the depths of my heart.

“Is that something that makes you happy?”

Miyabi leaned forward slightly and gently asked.

“Yeah… If something I wrote has had an impact on someone’s life and helped them even a little, there's nothing more fulfilling than that. I'm really grateful.”

As I spoke, a smile naturally spread across my face. Miyabi quietly nodded while continuing to gaze at me.

“That sounds like you”

Aoi smiled.

“That’s why, I want to give it my all to make sure this movie is a success. Marin and Kagura really value my work, and I want it to be something that doesn't make them ashamed. Even though I'm not the one making the movie, as the original author, I want to do everything I can to make it a work they can be proud of.”

When I said this, Miyabi's gaze lowered slightly.

“I also… want to help you, Hajime… But I'm not sure what I can do…”

“Eh?”

I asked back without thinking, and Miyabi lowered her gaze, biting her lip a little.

“Until now, I've always prioritized my own feelings… I feel like I haven't really thought about what's truly important for you. So, this time… if there's anything I can do, I want to be of help.”

Hearing her words, Aoi's expression darkened slightly.

“Miyabi…”

Aoi looked at Miyabi with concern.

“You don't need to worry so much. Just being able to spend time like this with you two again makes me really happy.”

“It makes me happy to hear you say that, but… I want to support you in my own way, Hajime. Just like Marin and Kagura.”

Miyabi's words carried a strong determination.

Aoi opened her mouth as if to say something, but she closed it again.

Seeing the two of them, I felt a faint sense of unease in my chest.

–The lunch break passed quietly.