Chapter 7: Minimalism

Reading Settings

[Renya PoV]

　I finished reading the new book I bought at the bookstore and tried to put it on the shelf, but there was no space.

“Well, that’s a problem… I can’t fit it in my bookshelf anymore.”

　I looked around the room, but there was no space for a new bookshelf.

“It’s no use. I’ll just throw away the things I don’t need to make room.”

　I’ve always been a person who can’t throw things away and accumulate them, but I’ll take the plunge and throw away everything I don’t need or use anymore. It was time to part ways.

　I started to clean up my room.

[Ruri PoV]

“It’s been a while, Sakuya. I’m sorry to bother you.”

“It’s been a while, Ruri-san. Please come in.”

　Today is a holiday, but I wanted to have a proper talk with Renya, so I contacted Sakuya and barged into her house.

She used to be fond of me, but the way she looked at me after a long time seemed complicated.

(No wonder…)

　The person who had hurt her brother was right in front of her. I should have been condemned, but that was not the case.

“Are you not angry with me?”

“I’m just as guilty as you, so I don’t have the right to be angry…”

　I was curious and asked her about it, and that’s what she replied. Apparently, she had hurt her brother too.

　We continued to talk, both feeling uncomfortable, and after a while I cut to the chase.

“Is Renya here?”

“He’s here now. I heard noises in his room, as if he was working in the morning, and he seemed to have gone out a few times.”

I’m relieved that I didn’t end up coming here for nothing, and after saying sorry to Sakuya, I headed to Renya’s room. When I stood in front of the door, I felt hesitant, but I knocked.

“Come in.”

　I hear a voice that doesn’t seem to be thinking about anything, unlike my conflicting thoughts.

（A woman has guts!)

　I twist away my hesitation and open the door.

“Sorry to bother you, Renya.”

“Fujibayashi. What do you want?”

　I frowned at the fact that he called me by my last name instead of my first, but managed to speak up.

“I wanted to talk to you…”

“? Come on in.”

Renya tilts his head when I suddenly barg in and asked to talk to him, but he allows me into the room and sits down on a chair as he prompts me.

“So? What do you want to talk about?”

“Uhm…”

　When it came time to face him, I was at a loss for words and let my gaze wander to Renya’s room that I hadn’t been in for a while. The room has changed from the one I remember. The only things that are the same are the desk and bed, and the room is filled with books. There used to be soccer balls and uniforms in the room, medals from tournaments, and matching accessories bought by all of our childhood friends, but they’re gone.

“It’s been a while since I’ve been in your room, but you’ve changed a lot. What did you do with all the soccer equipment and accessories you had on display?”

　I was at a loss for words, so I just said it out loud. I was trying to make small talk before getting down to business. It was a conversation to ease my tension.

“Oh, I threw them all away because they were in the way for my new bookshelf.”

I was speechless.

TL: This man has his priorities I guess.

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