Episode 123: Life Without Sara-san

It’s been three days since Sara-san stopped coming over.

I wonder when I became this weak.

The phone calls I get every night are my only emotional support, and I feel pathetic for feeling so genuinely lonely. But I can’t help it; I’m lonely.

Actually, it all started because…

「I’m going to my father’s family home for about five days starting tomorrow…」

After finishing dinner as usual and cleaning up, Sara-san called me after she’d gone home.

Apparently, her busy father managed to take some summer vacation, and a sudden plan came up for them to visit his hometown.

Since she’d been asked to visit her grandparents’ graves, there was no way Sara-san could refuse.

「I am truly sorry…」

Even if it was over the phone, I feel like it was the first time I’d heard Sara-san sound so apologetic.

It’d be easy to say「It’s okay,」but that would be a lie.

When I think about how much Sara-san does for me, I couldn’t say I was okay even if my life depended on it.

So, as pathetic as it sounds, what I should say is…

「I understand. I’ll be lonely, but I’ll do my best to work hard so you can praise me when you get back.」

Something like that.

「Kazunari-san! Yes, I’ll make sure to call you every single day so you won’t feel lonely. And when I get back, I’ll give you lots of praise and “good boy” pats!」

It’s nice that she seemed more moved than I expected, but「good boy」pats?

I really feel like Sara-san treats me like a child at key moments.

I woke up… is it really this time already?

Of course, there’s no breakfast.

I just toasted some bread, and that was it.

For now, I’ll do some homework… but I’m not in the mood.

Maybe cleaning and laundry can wait.

What should I do?

Wait… how did I used to live before this?

Right, I have to think about what to do for lunch and dinner.

I just finished breakfast, and I’m already thinking about meals?

I was stunned.

What is this? How did I survive before I met Sara-san?

I remember I was living a rough life back then.

But I should’ve been able to live on my own.

I’m alone for a while starting today.

On the very first day, I realized just how much I’ve come to depend on Sara-san.

Isn’t it only natural that she treats me like a child?

I feel like I’m going to start hating myself…

「Hahaha, I see. Kazunari, you really might be leaning on Satsukawa-senpai a bit too much.」

Since I was bored and couldn’t think of anything to do, I called Hayato, and he came over to hang out.

In a way, it’s the first time I’ve ever had a guy friend over. Even Yuji has never been here.

「Yeah, I realized that on the very first day.」

「Well, if anything, Satsukawa-senpai is spoiling you too much. But since you’re the type who wants to be pampered, I think you’re a well-matched couple in that sense.」

So that’s how people see us after all.

「Still, I still can’t believe Kazunari managed to snag the Satsukawa-senpai. When I first met her and gave a greeting, she told me I was annoying and not to talk to her, you know?」

Ah, that’s probably because Sara-san might have recognized Hayato as a target for dislike based on his appearance.

I can’t tell him that, though.

「Satsukawa-senpai stands out no matter what, so the image the whole school has of her is 180 degrees different from how she acts with you. Once the second semester starts and word gets out that you’re dating, it’s gonna be a huge uproar.」

There’s definitely a high chance of that.

Since Sara-san basically doesn’t care what others think, I feel like she’ll do all sorts of things at school, which means the word will spread…

「But wouldn’t that mean fewer guys will approach Sara-san? The ones trying to confess will probably disappear, too.」

…Huh? Confess?

Maybe surprised by my blank expression, Hayato looked a bit exasperated.

「Wait… you didn’t notice? Seriously, you don’t actually know how popular Satsukawa-san is, do you? Lately, her expression has softened, so the guys who took that as a chance and confessed have actually increased. I’m sure you know why her expression softened, though.」

That’s, well… it’s probably because of what’s happening with me.

But now that he mentions it, it’s entirely possible. In other words, Sara-san might have been trying to make sure I didn’t notice.

(Well, I only noticed they were increasing because I saw it myself recently.)

「Satsukawa-san, I have something to talk to you about.」

「I have nothing to say to you.」

「Satsukawa-san, sorry for interrupting your conversation. Do you have a moment?」

I’ve walked into quite a scene.

That’s Yamagawa-senpai from the soccer club and… I forgot the other guy’s name, but I’m pretty sure he’s fairly popular.

「For now, just come with me…」

「Hey, I was talking to her first, so wait your turn.」

Have those guys not noticed that Satsukawa-senpai isn’t even in front of them anymore?

What a refreshingly perfect display of being completely ignored.

「Wait, hold on!」

「Satsukawa-san, I want to talk!」

「Since I have nothing to say, please feel free to have a nice chat between the two of you.」

「Just for a little bi—」

「If I say that you’re beyond annoying, will that count as turning you both down at once?」

「………」

「………」

Getting crushed simultaneously before they could even say their main point is actually kind of funny in a way.

Well, they probably weren’t reading the room since they were already rejected at the start, so they brought it on themselves.

「Oh, hello, Yokogawa-san.」

She noticed me. I guess I should be glad she’s at least willing to give a greeting.

「Hello, Satsukawa-senpai. Are you headed to the student council now?」

「Yes, because I have Kazunari-san’s lunch to take care of. Excuse me.」

Because she shows such a happy smile like that, the number of guys who mistakenly think they have a chance has been increasing again lately…

And you two over there, could you please stop glaring at me?

I’m not much different from you guys.

「Well, you should probably be fully aware of what kind of position your girlfriend holds at school.」

「Yeah. Including that stuff, I’ll try to broaden my perspective a bit from now on.」

Making sure other guys don’t hit on Sara-san, huh.