Chapter 24: CH 24

“The school opening ceremony is finally over! But it doesn’t feel like I’ve been out of school for that long…” (Aya)

“That’s because you were here for club activities over summer break…” (Haruka)

“But summer break isn’t the same as the school year!” (Aya)

“Heyo! Aya, Haruka, long time no see!”

“Yui-chan. It’s been a while.”

Her name is Yamada Yui. She’s in the class next to mine, but she’s a friend of Aya and often hangs out with us.

“I wanted to see you guys before I went to my club!” (Yui)

“I’ve got a track meet coming up, so I’ve got club activities! Why are you doing club activities, Yui?” (Aya)

“The handicraft club is having a display at the school festival and I’m having a hard time making it. Wait… where’s Haruka?” (Yui)

“I’m going to stop by the club room and do some errands and then I’ll be heading home.” (Haruka)

I went to the club room of the orchestra club I belong to and finished my errands. It took longer than I expected, but I finished before the two of them, so I was walking to the main gate to leave.

“Oh! Aizawa-san! Are you going home? We’re going out to play, do you want to come with us?”

“I’m sorry… I have to get home for something.” (Haruka)

“I see. I’ll invite you next time. You should definitely come someday!”

I don’t know why he would invite me if we’ve never talked before. It’s not fun to be with someone you don’t know, and it’s not fun to play with someone you don’t talk to…

When I was almost at Saijo Station, a strange blonde-haired man approached me.

“Are you from Toko University? Do you want to hang out for a bit?”

“Sorry… I’m just trying to go home.” (Haruka)

“Why so early? It’s only noon, right?”

“I’m sorry… I have to go…” (Haruka)

“It’s okay if you’re a little late!”

Even though I refused and walked away, they kept following me and wouldn’t leave.

“I’m sorry I’m late…” (???)

I was looking down and thinking, “Someone’s here again,” but then I heard a voice say, “It’s okay,” and I turned my head.

It was Yoshizumi-kun. I only knew him as an acquaintance, but he was wearing the uniform of Saijo High School. He told me that he was on his way to the hospital.

I remembered that I had my Grandma’s luggage with me and decided to head to the hospital with him.

I took the luggage to her room and looked around to see if I forgot anything, and found myself looking at the empty bed where Yoshizumi-kun had been until recently.

I remembered that I hadn’t thanked him for his help, so I waited at the entrance where I would see him when he leaves, hoping he hadn’t already left.

Yoshizumi-kun had a surprised expression on his face. “You already thanked me, there’s no need.” he said.

The cake wasn’t meant to be…

He invited me to eat with him, and since I hadn’t eaten lunch either, I accepted. We headed to the shopping mall in front of the station. I was glad Aya and the others weren’t there. I couldn’t talk to boys around them because I don’t know what they’d say if they saw me with a boy… and one from another school at that.

When I was preparing to pay, Yoshizumi-kun paid for me as well…even though I was going to pay for him as thanks.

I wondered if I made him feel uncomfortable by being so insistent… Then he suggested, “How about we stop using honorifics?”

He told me that I could call him “Yoshizumi” or “Hiroto” if I’d like.

Except “Hiroto” was a no-no because that was reserved for a special person…

He surprised me by telling me about how he was the one who got injured at the baseball game.

I never asked him about school or baseball, so it’s no wonder I didn’t realize it sooner.

But I’m glad… I was worried about him at that time.

We went to a sports store together and headed to the rehab and baseball section while looking around.

I had never seen anything like this before, and Yoshizumi-kun laughed at me when I looked around a lot.

I look when I’m interested, I laugh when I’m happy, I cry when I’m sad, okay? Hmph.

Yoshizumi-kun seemed to be having a great time as he talked about baseball. He was usually calm and collected, but now he was smiling so much that I felt like I was seeing a new person.

The first time I met him, I saw him crying, the time he helped me, the time he smiled happily, and the time I gave him a troubled look, he would always be there.

Yoshizumi-kun” and “Hiroto-kun” are different. I know it’s not right to compare them, and I know it’s rude, but I enjoy being with Yoshizumi-kun.

But…

I thought I had it all sorted out…

When I see the ball in front of me, I remember.

I miss Hiroto-kun.

I want to see him…

But when I’m with Yoshizumi-kun…

Hiroto-kun is…

I feel like he’s going to disappear…

Ah!

I think I said something weird while I was holding the ball.

“I also have some memories that I enjoyed, and some that still make me sad when I think about them. So don’t worry about it.” (Hiroto)

Even though I said something strange, Yoshizumi-kun was kind. And he had sad memories too… but I guess Yoshizumi-kun got over it… I want to be strong too…

I opened my phone on my bed and looked at where it showed “Hiroto Yoshizumi,” the first boy who I exchanged numbers with, and I thought about what happened today.

I don’t know what to do…

I don’t know how I feel about it…