Although there was a bit of trouble in the morning, the rest of the day passed by in a flash without any further incidents.
“Well then, Kadokura-san. Shall we go?”
“Y-Yeah.”
Just like yesterday, I thought Kanade would invite me to go somewhere on the way home, but as promised this morning, she left the classroom with Kadokura-san.
It seems that by the second day, she has already judged that I don't have enough value to hang out with after school.
Well, even if that was the case, I wasn't particularly shocked.
In the first place, Kanade and I had been gradually drifting apart right before she was hospitalized in the early years of elementary school.
No matter how much… as Kanade says, we had a fateful reunion, I knew without even thinking that we would eventually follow the same path as before.
“I’ll go to the library.”
The classroom was still noisy with several classmates remaining.
Staying there to study would be quite difficult.
So, I quickly packed my things and headed for the library.
Currently, I’m thinking about studying abroad after graduating from high school.
However, I’m not attending a cram school yet.
“Studying abroad is expensive enough as it is; there's no way we have the money to send you to a cram school too.”
To state the reason simply, my parents told me I could either study abroad or join a cram school, but not both.
In terms of required funds, studying abroad and attending a cram school aren't even comparable… well, I suppose that was my parents' way of showing sincerity toward their son who has high aspirations.
“Well, no matter how good you are at studying, there's no way you can study abroad. Your father and I were both terrible at studying! Gyahaha!”
…Sincerity, I suppose.
Anyway, to dedicate myself to my studies, I made my way toward the library.
“Excuse me.”
…Perhaps due to the current wave of digital media popularity, the library after school was practically deserted.
Well, as someone looking for a quiet place to study, I couldn't be more grateful.
I sat down in a corner seat that was as out of sight as possible and took my study materials out of my bag.
“Oh, studying today too?”
Alright. Time to start studying.
Just as I thought that, a girl called out to me.
“I am, but I want to concentrate, so please don't bother me, Takagaki-san.”
Her name is Takagaki Ayaka.
“Of course. I came here to study too, after all.”
…She is one of my few friends at this school.
“…”
“…”
“…………”
“…………”
Describing the relationship between her and me… doesn't require a long time, nor is there any complex mechanism behind it.
“…How’s it going? Do you think you’ll get a good score on the final exams?”
She and I are what you might call study buddies.
We met about a month before the first-term midterm exams.
I was looking for a quiet place to study for the tests when I found this library… but as the tests got closer, even the library started getting crowded.
‘Excuse me. Is it okay if I sit next to you?’
I had started studying in the seat next to Takagaki-san.
Since then, Takagaki-san told me we were in the same class and that her parents couldn't afford cram school fees either, and we hit it off.
We don't really talk in the classroom, but when we go to the library like this, we've developed a relationship where we often engage in small talk.
…I’d appreciate it if you didn't point out that I should at least remember the faces of students in my own class.
After all, when Takagaki-san first talked to me, I tilted my head as if to say ‘Who?’, and I’ve already been hit with that exact criticism.
Well, as you can see from this series of interactions, Takagaki-san is basically a very tolerant person.
“…I guess I'm doing alright.”
“Tch. Look at the top of the grade getting all cocky.”
…However, she must not have much composure when it comes to studying, because her tone immediately turns sour.
“You’re the one who asked, that’s a hell of a response.”
“…”
Ignored.
…Well, whatever.
I should get back to my studies too.
The library remained empty of anyone else.
Only the sound of my and Takagaki-san’s mechanical pencils moving echoed quietly.
…From the direction of the school grounds, the boisterous voices of the soccer club and the sound of them kicking the ball echoed from time to time.
From the school building, I could hear the melodies played by the brass band club.
“…Hagiwara-kun.”
In the quiet library, Takagaki-san spoke to me.
“Are you dating Ichinose-san?”
That was… a repeat of the question I was asked this morning.
“I’m not. There’s no way we’d be dating.”
“…I see. That must be tough.”
Despite asking, Takagaki-san didn't seem particularly interested.
“…Well. It doesn't really matter anyway.”
Saying that usually means it actually does matter, you know?
“Since we managed to become friends, I wish you would’ve told me.”
“…About what?”
“That you had such a cute childhood friend.”
I looked down.
…There was no way I could have told her, right?
Every single one of my stories involving Kanade… is a pathetic tale.
As you can tell from the fact that I’m working so hard because I never want to taste that misery born from helplessness again, my past memories are… something like a trauma to me.
“…I’m heading home now.”
“Mm.”
“…See ya.”
I roughly packed my study tools into my bag.
“…Hagiwara-kun.”
“…”
“See you tomorrow.”
“…See you tomorrow.”
I walked quickly on my way home.
The school route.
The station.
I boarded the train, sat in a seat, and opened my reference book again… but my eyes just slid over the text, and the content wouldn't enter my head.
I gazed at the sunset from the train window.
In the sky where the crimson sun was beginning to set, the boundary between red and black was clearly visible.
…By the time I arrived at my home station, it was already pitch black outside.
I debated whether to buy something at a convenience store… but my parents should be home by now.
I decided to eat dinner at home.
Upon arriving home, I headed straight for the living room.
Even before taking off my uniform… I wanted to head toward the savory aroma and fill my stomach.
“Welcome back.”
“I’m home… wait, what?”
In the living room, there were my parents already gathered around the dining table.
…And Kanade was there too.
“Did your studying in the library go well, Ak-kun?”
For some reason, she knew exactly where I had been studying until now.