Chapter 30: CH 30

Chapter 29: Central Park

“Yes, I’ll go with you.” (Haruka)

“I’m just going to see if the field is usable for practice. I don’t think there’s anything interesting there, okay?” (Hiroto)

“I don’t have anything to do today, so I’ll be fine. I just wanted to see what people do on the field.” (Haruka)

Well, that’s okay. I wanted to ask her something while I was there, but I’ll do it when the time is right.

“Okay. Shall we go then?” (Hiroto)

“Yes!” (Haruka)

At the park, there were many adults and children running and talking on benches. I walked through the park with Aizawa-san. [TLN: I probably messed up this sentence.]

“Are we going to the field?” (Haruka)

“Well, I’d like to throw a few balls if I can.” (Hiroto)

“I’ll watch then.”

“I don’t think it would be fun to watch… I remember you asking me to teach you baseball.”

“Do you want to try, Aizawa-san?”

“I’ve never thrown before. I’m not that good at sports…”

“It’s easy. I’ll teach you.”

“Okay! I’ll give it a try.”

I know you said you’d watch, but I want you to have a little fun.

“Keep your right foot where it is, and you don’t have to lift your left foot, but when you throw, put your left foot forward and try throwing the ball.” (Hiroto)

Aizawa-san kept repeating herself while practicing.

“Like this?” (Haruka)

“… you’re so cute.”

“Hm? What did you say?”

I think I said it out loud… I’m glad she didn’t hear me.

“I didn’t say anything.” (Hiroto)

“I don’t think so. I’m sure I heard something…” (Haruka)

“It’s just your imagination…”

I took a glove out of the bag, put it on my hand, and readied it.

“Get ready! I’m going to throw it!”

She’s too cute… Aizawa’s ball took off with a nice trajectory and landed in the glove I was holding.

“It landed! I did it!” (Haruka)

She was happy, smiling and jumping up and down in little bouncy steps. Seeing her like that, all I could think was how cute she was.  After that, I received the ball thrown by Aizawa-san several times.

“Whew! Yoshizumi-kun! That was a lot of fun.”

“I’m glad you had fun. Shall we take a little break on the bench?”

She sat down on the bench and drank something she had bought from a vending machine.

“I was surprised at how expressive you are, Aizawa-san. I’ve always thought of you as a quiet girl.” (Hiroto)

“Eh…?” (Haruka)

Did I say something weird? I thought back on what I said but couldn’t think of anything. Meanwhile, Aizawa-san seemed to remember and had a variety of expressions on her face.

“Um… I seem to have gotten carried away.” (Haruka)

“Well, I’m glad you enjoyed it.” (Hiroto)

“I’m really sorry! I’m not usually like this…”

“I don’t know why you’re apologizing…you don’t have to worry about it. I thought you were pretty cute.”

I felt as if I said something weird… Aizawa-san is looking down and her face is turning red. I need to change the subject…

“Oh…no… I mean I’m glad you enjoyed it! I wanted to ask you… do you want anything for your birthday?”

Somehow, I managed to change the subject. I got a cake on the day I left the hospital, and I wanted to give her something in return, but I didn’t know what she wanted.

“Birthday..? Why…?”

“You got me a  cake, didn’t you?” Your grandmother said it was in October, and I wanted to return the favor, so I thought I’d ask.”

I’ve only given a girl something for her birthday when I was in elementary school, so I don’t know what to get her.

“I didn’t mean to get anything in return when I give you the cake, okay? Besides, I thought we agreed that I should thank you for what you did the other day.” (Haruka)

“I know, but I don’t feel comfortable not returning the gift I received… do you really not want anything?” (Hiroto)

“Well…I don’t have anything I want… but I’ll be fine with whatever you pick out for me, Yoshizumi-kun.”

“Okay, don’t get mad if I give you something weird…”

“I wouldn’t get mad at you for that.”

I’ll have to look for something at the mall next time.

“I’m fine with anything you pick out. I had fun today.”

“I’ll do that. I’m banned from club activities right now, so I’ll send you a message when I’m going to the hospital.”

We exchanged contact information, but I don’t remember ever contacting her. But still, she enjoyed learning about baseball today.

“Shall we head home now?” (Hiroto)

I put the gloves and ball in my bag and headed for the station. A good amount of time had passed, and the setting sun was shining down on us.

“I’m going this way, Yoshizumi, so bye-bye. Contact me when you’re ready.”

“I’ll do that. See you later.”

Aizawa-san was waving her hand in the same gesture as when I met her at the ticket gate before. I knew she was a girl with a lot of emotions. I got on the train and went home. The first thing I did when I got home was to greet my family. I thought it was a good opportunity and decided to ask him.

“Hiroto-kun. Welcome home.” (Toru)

“I’m home, Toru-san. Is this a good time? I need to talk to you.” (Hiroto)

“It’s a good time. What is it?”

“Yes, it’s about my mother.  I was wondering if it’s okay if I ask you about the past.”

“The past? I haven’t been able to ask her much either. What do you want to know?”

“I want to ask you about my childhood friend who lived next door. I haven’t been able to contact her since I came to Saijo… and I really want to see her.”

Toru-san thought about it for a while.

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TLN: I really don’t have any excuses this time. I’m not dropping this series yet but if anyone wants to pick it up then you can find me in our discord.