Episode 42: About Me

「How was that? I don’t think I had any particularly special traits, though.」

「That’s not true. I’m happy I got to hear all sorts of things about you that I didn’t know, Senpai. I wanted to hear about your daily life, so “traits” don’t really matter.」

Yeah, being able to hear all sorts of things about Senpai that I didn’t know or had just glossed over until now was huge.

And… I ended up holding hands with Senpai… actually, I still haven’t let go, what do I do…

Just as I was thinking that, Senpai slowly let go of my hand and straightened her posture.

「Is there anything else you’d like to hear? Even if it’s not right now, please ask me whenever you have anything in the future.」

It’s not that there isn’t, but it’s mostly just curiosity, so I can just ask whenever I’m curious again.

「Then, it’s my turn next. That said, I really don’t have much to tell. Actually, it might be faster if Sara-senpai just asked whatever she’s curious about.」

「Fufu… in that case, please tell me what your daily life is usually like.」

I talked about my daily life… even so, at home it’s mostly just games, manga, and the internet.

I said my parents are back at my family home, and I’m living alone due to family circumstances.

As for school, I kept it at just the fact that things aren’t going well in my class.

I’d said that much before, anyway.

Regarding housework, I told her I handle the bare minimum… or at least, I think I do.

That’s just how a guy living alone is, right?

I almost accidentally said that my meals are almost entirely instant food, eating out, or convenience stores.

「Your relative comes over, don’t they?」

When she said that first, I remembered that was the setting I’d established.

No, it’s my life, so I don’t really have to hide it, but…

Then, before the next question, I saw Senpai’s expression change to something a bit more serious.

「If you don’t want to talk about this, I won’t force you. How about… your time in middle school?」

I figured she’d be curious about that. I’d only given a half-baked explanation before.

But… to be honest, I have a reason for not wanting to say… especially to a woman like Senpai.

I really don’t care about Yuzuha anymore, but I don’t want Senpai to feel bad… we’re finally having a good time.

I wonder if I can explain just the gist of it well…

「Senpai… sorry, I can’t talk in detail about what happened back then because it involves someone else’s circumstances besides mine.」

「Ah, then please don’t force yourself. I…」

「But… is it okay if it’s just what I can share?」

「…Is that alright?」

「Yes, just a brief summary… but.」

「I have a childhood friend. I think we were close until elementary school, but we drifted apart a bit in middle school. Well, I’d looked after her since we were little, so I was still worried and kept an eye on her. But she kept changing, influenced by the people around her. Both her looks and her behavior honestly became the type I hate. But that was her choice, so I had no right to say anything.」

Senpai listened in silence.

I continued.

「During that time, I happened to find out about something she was involved in that I couldn’t overlook. I got angry and punched the person responsible. Because of that, all sorts of things happened, I got ostracized by everyone, and that’s how I spent the rest of my middle school life.」

In reality, Yuzuha’s lie made everyone treat me like a criminal and I was blamed by the whole class…

But I don’t need to go that far.

He’s probably avoiding the things he can’t talk about, so there’s no doubt that the reality was much more complicated.

He’s told me this much, even though it’s painful…

I’ll stop bringing up this story from now on.

If a time comes when Takanashi-san eventually tells me everything, I will accept it, no matter what it is…

However, there is just one thing that bothers me… only this.

「…There is just one thing I’m curious about. While Takanashi-san was in that situation, what was your childhood friend doing?」

「Ah, she probably thought she’d been inconvenienced because of me. The whole punching thing was somewhat related to her. After that, we had a huge falling out, and in the end, I was just ignored.」

Judging by the story, Takanashi-san likely got angry because something happened regarding his childhood friend.

I don’t know the specific reason, but for the kind Takanashi-san to punch someone, it must have been something extreme.

Didn’t the childhood friend even think that far…?

But as a matter of fact, she even joined the side that was blaming him…

「I see… I’m sorry, I can’t say anything careless since I don’t know the details… but I can say this. I am on Takanashi-san’s side. I wanted to tell you that clearly.」

I thought she’d say that.

Even after such a vague explanation, hearing Senpai say those words made me happy.

The truth is, I don’t think I was wrong.

If there’s such a thing as「deserving to be punched,」I actually believe it was something that couldn’t be settled by just a punch.

「……I… wouldn’t be able to get along with that childhood friend…」

Senpai muttered something in a low, expressionless voice…