V1 - Chapter 17

Volume 1 - The Abandoned Kitten, Her, and Me.

Chapter 17

After leaving Kanade-san's condo in the evening, Minamino and I were once again on the train. There were many seated passengers, but it was much emptier compared to the usual weekday evenings. As we approached my stop, Minamino tried to start a conversation with me several times, but each time it stopped before fully forming. Somehow, I was also caught in that atmosphere, and my words became heavy. In silence, Minamino and I stood side by side, holding onto the handrails.

The weight that was in my right hand on the way there was now absent, and I definitely felt a slight sense of loneliness because of it.

"You know, today," Minamino finally managed to say, and I replied with a simple "Yeah."

"Kanade-san was nice, and it was really enjoyable, wasn't it?"

"Yeah, and not just today, but ever since we found Shiro, it's been fun."

Yes, it was fun.——That's why I feel lonely. But expressing the fun was the only enjoyable part. I had a feeling that if I put my loneliness into words, I would only feel more lonely.

"Um, also... I had fun too. So, Satou."

"Hm?"

As the train emitted a squeal and began braking, it slid into the platform. We still had two stops, and while we stopped slightly longer due to waiting for the limited express, during this pause, Minamino called my name again.

"I've been meaning to return this, and also because you've helped me a lot, so here."

With a hint of hesitation, Minamino took out a duplicate key and a neatly wrapped package from her bag and handed them to me.

"This is?"

Looking at what I received along with the key, I looked at Minamino.

"It's your duplicate key and, um, a sports towel. I wasn't sure what would be a good way to thank you, but I thought it might come in handy when you're playing basketball... Honestly, this is the first time I've given a gift to a guy, and I didn't have anyone to ask for advice. I'm not sure if you'll like it, but please accept it."

Observing her, I noticed her cheeks had turned a bit red as the evening light streamed in. Perhaps she had trouble finding a way to start the conversation to give me these things? THE Minamino? With that thought, a sensation of fullness welled up in me, and "Thank you" was the best I could muster.

And then, it happened. Just when I wished that I could end the day with this bittersweet feeling of both loneliness and happiness, a voice that I both longed to hear again and didn't want to hear echoed.

"Oh, if it isn't Satou?"

With his black hair and face that anyone would say is well-featured. Tall and with a good physique, his straight gaze at me carries a sense of confidence that's undeniable. He was holding a shoe box and a bag, probably on his way home from club activities. I knew him. Come to think of it, before I moved, his stop was also in this direction.

"Kanazaki, huh?"

"Long time no see. I never thought I'd run into you here of all places. And to think you're with such a cute girl, is she your girlfriend... though, I guess that's unlikely."

Comparing Minamino and me with his gaze, he smirked slightly. Yeah, he hadn't changed at all. I thought that as I glanced at him.

I wondered if he realized or didn't realize my thoughts, but Kanazaki was smiling brightly and speaking to Minamino with an air of familiarity.

"Hello, I'm Kanazaki, Satou's friend from middle school. Nice to meet you. I was surprised to see such a beautiful girl alongside someone I know. How do you two know each other?"

"...Err, nice to meet you."

Minamino looked at the guy, who was now addressing her with a casual tone, then glanced at me with a slight hesitation. She must have wanted to ensure that she didn't seem disrespectful if he was indeed a friend. However, truthfully, I wanted him gone as soon as possible. But the train was no place to escape.

The train doors closed as the train began moving, and it started to depart the platform.

"She's a friend from the same high school. Sorry, but we're in the middle of a conversation, so could you back off?"

With a hint of resignation, that's all I managed to say. Honestly, after what had happened, and given we hadn't stayed in touch, I couldn't understand why he would go out of his way to approach us. Maybe he saw Minamino and thought he'd get closer by talking about me. That was my guess, at least.

After that statement, and observing Minamino's demeanor before that, I couldn't decipher what Kanazaki had interpreted from our relationship. However, with a fresh and composed face, he plastered on a smile that seemed like he had thought of something and said the one thing I least wanted to hear. That was Kanazaki for you, and I knew it.

I knew it and yet couldn't stop it.

"After all these years, you're still saying such cold things. You know, I was really worried about you, losing your whole family and becoming an orphan. Seeing you now, I'm glad that the guy who had been living in solitude had finally experienced spring in his life."

My heart sank.

—How dare you say that, when not at least once did you reach out.

"Also, did you know? Back in middle school, he was even rumored to be a 'little sister-killer,' and he became a loner because of it."

My heart sank into a cold and dark abyss.

—A rumor, huh? But I only confided in you, so I wonder where did that rumor come from, huh?

"I don't know about high school, but seeing a girl like you with him means he's hiding it from you, right? Anyway, you're really beautiful, huh. How about you and I hang out sometime as friends? I'll give my contact info—"

Pouring out meaningless words that I couldn't understand, he exuded an endless air of freshness. That was Kanazaki for you, a guy who projected a serene atmosphere despite his words dripping with spite. I wanted to punch my past self for not noticing sooner.

Such a guy continued to talk to Minamino. 

Hey, cut the crap, I intended to call out, but all that came out of my mouth was a hoarse voice. I felt pathetic. To continue to be uncomfortable around someone like him, to not even be able to put up a front in front of Minamino.

But just then, a warm sensation enveloped the right hand of such a pathetic guy like me.

"...Sorry, but I really can't stand people who casually talk about a person's past and laugh about it in a place like this, especially a person who's important to me. It's just too much for me to handle. So, could you please not approach me again?"

A resolute voice echoed through my freezing heart.

"...Eh?"

Looking up, I saw Kanazaki's surprised expression. A guy who, back in middle school, with his impeccably composed face and voice, managed to win over the girls and make the atmosphere turn to his advantage. To see him with such a look on his face, and above all, to feel the strong grip of Minamino's hand holding onto my right hand... my brain experienced a momentary dysfunction.

Unbeknownst to me, the train had arrived at a familiar platform.

"Let's go, Hajime."

Saying that, Minamino pulled my right hand, guiding me close as she walked toward the exit. Even though her stop wasn't here, she continued toward the ticket gate. As if she were protecting me from the malevolence I'd just encountered.

　◇◆

"...Minamino."

"I'm not apologizing!"

"Eh?"

As Minamino continued to lead me along, my head was filled with confusion. I attempted to call out her name as a way to express my gratitude, but before I could, Minamino shouted out forcefully.

Trying to thank her, I turned to look at her face, but my words faded away as a question escaped my lips. Minamino was crying. While crying, she continued to walk ahead, holding onto my hand. Somehow, the path that Minamino and I walked together, carrying Shiro's litter box, had transformed into us walking hand in hand.

"...I somehow had the feeling that you had secrets, Satou. Like why you live alone in a house, why you've never brought up your family, why you work part-time, and why you've been avoiding too much social interaction. I've been curious about all that, and now I know!"

"..."

"I kept thinking that maybe that guy from earlier really was your friend. I kept thinking that maybe I've messed things up, that I was being too nosy. But seeing that expression on your face... I don't want anyone who would make you, who's precious to me, look like that, to be your friend!"

With her own right hand wiping away her tears while her left hand held onto my right hand with an unyielding grip, Minamino continued to walk.

I thought to myself, "Man..."

(This is impossible.)

My state of mind felt like I had raised the white flag of surrender. I knew it. Over the past month, little by little, I had come to understand far more than I needed to. However, I had hesitated to put words to that understanding, using Shiro as an excuse, using school and my position as justifications. I had held back from giving those feelings and that understanding a name in my heart.

Even without consulting a dictionary, the name for my emotions was clear. It was right there. Yet I pretended not to see it, despite knowing. Even though my feelings for this girl who cried and got angry on my behalf were clear, even though I understood. I understood, and yet I had been pretending not to see. I had been so overwhelmed that I couldn't even feign ignorance anymore.

"I'm sorry, Minamino."

"...It's not 'I'm sorry!'"

But the words that escaped my mouth were an apology, and even that was met with Minamino's anger.

"...Thank you."

After a moment of contemplation, I corrected myself.

"Hm-hmm, let's go home."

The next words I said were apparently a complete pass.

"Yeah."

"Let's go back to your house, Satou."

"Mm."

With our hands remained clasped, I walked back home with the girl who was strong and fragile, yet an unbelievably precious presence that had become indispensable in my life.

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[T/N: Thank you TTBanana for the generous tip! Also, sorry for the late post, I just woke up. Anyways, here are the 4 bonus chapters!]