Chapter 9- Part 6- “…if we are no longer friends”

 

The next day.

After taking a financial hit from buying the manga in bulk yesterday, I was reading a novel I bought at a second-hand bookstore.

 

But still, the fact I was able to kill 8 hours with three 300-yen books is quite an accomplishment.

 

Second-handed books may be a better way to pass time using less money.

 

Anyway, I wonder what happened to Tachibana.

 

 Susami had gone home last night so I hope she’s alright now.

 

As I was thinking, I heard the doorbell suddenly ring.

 

There’s only 1 person who rings the bell of the house these days.

 

“Hello”

 

 

 “…Good evening”

 

Tachibana was wearing the same Camille with a hoodie on top of it.

 

 Her hair was a little wet.

 

It seems she had just taken a bath.

 

She looked refreshed but she had a slight blush on her face.

 

 “Your fever?”

 

 

 “Yes, it’s gone down.”

 

“Will you be able to go to school tomorrow?”

 

“I’m planning to.”

 

“That’s good.”

 

She’s as serious as ever.

 

If it was me in that scenario, I’d probably take another day off, just to be on the safe side.

 

 “Also, I’m sorry again, I went into your room without your permission”.

 

“Ah, no! It’s ok…It’s because of that…I am…”

 

Tachibana’s eyes got a bit moist.

 

Somehow I sensed danger and decided to end the conversation.

 

“So, what do you want?”

 

 “Umm…no…nothing much…”

 

 Tachibana was reluctant to say anything.

 

It’s rare for the calm, composed and direct Tachibana to be this way.

 

Her cheeks were unusually red and she held the hem of her sleeves over her mouth and looked away.

 

“What happened? Is it hard to say?”

 

 

 “No…that’s not why…”

 

“…If there’s nothing, then it’s better if you return. You should get to bed early.”

 

“Ah! Kusuba-san!”

 

When I tried to close the door, Tachibana grabbed my hand.

 (TL- did he just try to close the door on her…)

 

I could feel the heat of Tachibana’s hand as she squeezed mine tightly.

 

…It was hot.

 

I’m not sure if she has a fever or not.

 

“Umm…Thank you…really…”

 

“No, it’s fine, Don’t worry too much.”

 

I was wondering what it was, but it was a normal thank you.

 

 I’m glad she feels thankful but she’s my friend so it’s only natural now.

 

Besides, it was mostly Susami who took care of her.

 

“…I really really appreciate it. It’s not the first time either. Kusuba-san has helped me over and over again…”

 

“I’m not the only one who’s helping. And you’re the one who said that, as friends, helping each other is natural

 

“…That’s right.”

 

Tachibana then fell silent.

 

But still, she didn’t try to end the conversation.

 

An awkward silence remained between us.

 

Tachibana clenched the hem of her pajamas and fidgeted with her cheeks dyed red.

 

I scratched my head and averted my gaze to another direction because I wasn’t able to see her like this for some reason.

 

“Then…”

 

“Hmm…?”

 

“…What will happen if we are no longer friends…?”

 

“That’s…”

 

What does she mean?

 

 

What does she mean by that? I couldn’t bring myself to ask that, so I kept quiet.

 

No longer friends

 

Does she mean we’ll become strangers again?

 

Or does she mean something else?

 

 

 Why am I unable to bring myself to ask her anything?

 

 Tachibana didn’t say anything more.

 

She bowed her head slightly and slowly walked away.

 

I closed my door finally and went back to my room.

 

 From the other side of the door, I heard the faint sound of Tachibana’s footsteps leaving, and then she moved away.

 

I felt so weak that I fell onto the bed.

 

In my mind, I couldn’t help but recall the exchange I had with Susami yesterday.

 

When a person rejects a confession, if it’s not because of that person, then what’s the reason.

 (TL- Basically- A confesses to B. If B rejected A but not because of anything related to A, then why would she do it?)

 

Yesterday, Susami didn’t tell me the answer.

 

 But even if she didn’t, I knew it.

 

It was just that clear, that obvious, that I couldn’t think of any other possibility.

 

Maybe Tachibana is special.

 

 Maybe she is and I can’t deny that.

 

But I’m sure she’s not. She’s straightforward and easy to understand.

 

Tachibana and I are friends.

 

It was strange how we became friends, but we are good friends who can forgive each other.

 

And I’m happy about that.

 

I’m also thankful to her for changing my way of thinking.

 

“Huh…”

 

But why don’t my feelings end here?

 

I’m still not satisfied.

 

“…Ah”

 

My hopes have become too high.

 

I’ve become too greedy.

 

But it’s scary.

 

I have never had a female friend before.

 

It’s not possible for me to do well.

 

Tachibana is cute.

 

But that’s not all she is, she is much better than that.

 

She’s a strange person who accepts me the way I am.

 

“Because there is someone else she likes…”

 

Is there any other reason she rejected Ichinose?

 

Is it because she isn’t interested in love?

 

Is it because it’s wrong to go out with someone you don’t like?

 

Is it because someone was taking a peek?

 

 

 Maybe.

 

 But I’m sure that’s not it.

 

 I was just pretending not to know anything.

 

 I just pretended not to notice anything.

 

 

 No, that was all I could do.

 

 

 That was the limit of me, a fool.

 

I couldn’t digest such complex thoughts by myself.

 

“Ah..shit…”

 

I sent a message on my smartphone without realizing it.

 

I’m really annoyed because it seems like she was right.

 

 I’m pissed that she’s the only one I can rely on now.

 

But even if there was someone else, I would’ve still chosen her.

 

 

 “I reluctantly need your help.”

 

 

 The message was immediately marked as read.

 

 And I don’t know why but that pissed me off too.

 

 

 “Leave it to me!”

 

 

 Leave what to you??

 

Ask me first, you idiot.