V1 - Chapter 21

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

Chapter 21

"That was the reason why I could live on my own until now. My living expenses are also covered by my uncle if things get tough, and I manage my finances according to the rules, like spending little or allotting how much I should spend. I also earn a bit of pocket money from making clips from live streams. Besides, my uncle advised me to learn how to earn money through physical work that requires adhering to a fixed schedule so as not to wear my body out, so I also work part-time at an izakaya. Through this kind of lifestyle, I ended up talking about basketball with a senior from work, and that's how I met Misaki-san and the others."

I had thought it might be a good place to end the story up to this point. However, Minamino's eyes indicated that my story wasn't over yet. And maybe, I also wanted to tell Minamino. What I was about to say was something I hadn't told my uncle. 

——Kanazaki really loves to mess things up. The biggest mistake in my relatively short life was getting involved with him.

"Actually, I think it'd be fine if I told you what happened before entering high school and meeting you. After all, you told me everything about you, Minamino, so, I want to tell you everything… everything about me, too. Will you… lend me your ear...?"

"Mm."

Minamino just nodded lightly. With that alone, I felt relieved.

◇◆

After the accident involving my family, I didn't have a chance to meet up with my friends during the summer vacation that followed. There had been messages from the club adviser about club activities, as well as some messages showing concern, but I was too preoccupied to respond. After that, I started living with my uncle, so my last summer vacation in middle school was spent in an uncharacteristic way for a middle school student.

That's why it was truly a coincidence.

"Oh, if it isn't Satou?"

I was out shopping alone when I heard a voice. It was Kanazaki, a guy who had a well-featured face, refreshing air, a good family background, and financial resources. It was unclear why he was in an ordinary public middle school with nothing particularly special to write about. And as a a matter of course, he was the most popular guy in middle school. At that time, although we were in the same basketball club, we were in different classes and different groups of friends, so our friendship wasn't particularly deep. However, I did admire how he enjoyed spending time with girls and having fun, and I didn't have any negative impressions of him at the time.

The only area I had advantage over Kanazaki was in basketball. I played as a point guard (PG), and Kanazaki was also in the same position. Our overall athletic ability aside, I had been familiar with basketball since my mini-basketball days, influenced by my uncle and father. Surprisingly, I had a knack for basketball from a young age. By my second year, I had become a regular player, while Kanazaki, although he was not originally a shooting guard (SG), he became one and held a regular position.

"Kanazaki, huh? It's been a while. Sorry about the club activities."

At that time, I was only looking at Kanazaki's refreshing appearance. That was my mistake.

"It's fine, but… seems like you've had it rough, huh? Are you okay? No need to worry about the club; Satou, just do what you need to do. If anything comes up, feel free to talk to me."

Back then, in a way, I was supported by people's kindness, which in turn prevented me from harboring suspicions about others. So, I ended up sharing something I had been struggling with at that time, something I couldn't even tell my uncle.

Yes, it was about the decision I made to remove my sister's respirator. There was no other choice. That's what I believed. It was inevitable, as the doctors had said, and I kept telling myself that.

However, after a little time had passed and I was sorting through my things, that small thorn within me, like a piece of debris, was seeking an outlet. Yes, I probably wanted someone to listen to my story. I couldn't tell my uncle, who blamed himself for not making it in time.

Even though I had good friends, I couldn't create opportunities to talk about something like this by calling or meeting up. Somehow, I felt like casually meeting someone I didn't usually interact with, like Kanazaki, might be a good way to vent.

"Actually..."

We had free time, and we sat down to talk. I was taken to a café by him. As he treated me to a drink, I somehow ended up talking about my parents' accident, my sister, and the things I was struggling with.

Kanazaki was good at drawing out the conversation.

　◇◆

"And then, as the summer vacation came to an end and the second semester began, rumors started circulating throughout the school about my parents' accident and the fact that I was a sister-killer."

"...Eh?"

Minamino exclaimed with a shocked expression.

"I swear, I haven't told anyone about that except for Kanazaki. Even though the teachers knew about my situation, I didn't think they would spread it around. Moreover, no one should have known about what had happened to Miho, my little sister... "

"Why... why would..."

"I thought the same thing and confronted Kanazaki about it. And after hearing his response, I kind of lost the will to argue back."

[I was worried about you, so I ended up telling everyone. I'm sorry the rumors spread in a strange way. I don't think the basketball team can continue like this, but I'll do my best in the final tournament in your stead, Satou.]

Kanazaki said that and laughed. 

I didn't understand what was so funny about those words, but hearing them and looking at Kanazaki again, I understood the ugliness behind the seemingly refreshing guy in front of me.

In the first place, was it something that he could just tell everyone?

Could the rumors really just easily twist into a way that only the part about me killing my sister be emphasized and spread? 

Did it bother him that much, to the point where he disliked the fact that someone like me might excel in an area he wasn't as good at?

In the class and in the basketball club, there were people who cared, but there were no friends who would go out of their way to help me against the social currents. That's how I ended up feeling tired. Not that I gave up or became indifferent, but I was just tired.

"...In a different way from Minamino, I was exhausted by the dynamics of the school. That's probably why I noticed that you were pushing yourself too hard with your act."

"But even so, thanks to my uncle and the fact that there's a community outside of school, I've managed to have a moderate time in high school. There are a few people who came from the same middle school, but none of them had any connection to Kanazaki. And above all, thanks to Satou-kun from Class D, I became the 'number two.' So, in that sense, I guess it helped."

"Heh... sorry for the lengthy story, but that's all of it. If I were to say it in Minamino-style, that's everyt—"

Mid-sentence, I felt a shock, along with a dizzying sweet fragrance and an indescribable softness that enveloped my head.

"Eh…? Minamino?"

"Idiot! You idiot! Satou, you idiot! Fool!"

Minamino was crying, holding onto me tightly and shouting "idiot" into my ear.

"Why? Why are you saying it while laughing with such a sad look on your face?! 'Sister-killer'!? There's no way they can call you that! You saved your sister from suffering! It's unthinkable that you have to endure being spoken to in that way! Aaaah! They are infuriating. Those people who made you look like that, who made you force a smile like that despite being the one who suffered the most! —Like myself, who couldn't even realize the pain you were going through all this time."

"Why are you crying, Minamino?"

"Throughout the whole time you were talking, you had this smile pasted on your face, looking like you were in pain, like you wanted to cry... But because you didn't cry, I'm crying in your stead!"

Minamino stood up, pulling my head against her chest and crying. She was crying for me.

I hadn't shed a tear ever since the accident. 

It wasn't that I had lost my emotions. I would laugh when watching a comedy show, and I would feel moved by a good novel. It's just that, despite having every reason to feel sad, I just couldn't cry.

"...Thank you, Minamino. For being there with someone like me..."

'Sorry,' didn't sound appropriate, so as I was in her embrace, I instead expressed my gratitude.

"No."

"Eh?"

Minamino denied my words and then, before I could react, she grabbed the collar of my shirt. 

Before my eyes, her tear-streaked, crumpled face came into view. My face was reflected in her large eyes.

"Satou... the Satou right in front of me... is kind, independent, and laughs like a child whenever he plays basketball. This Satou is definitely not a 'number two' or 'someone like me,' no matter what anyone says! —Uuu…"

And suddenly, my collar was pulled, and Minamino's face drew close...

"...!?"

Minamino and I were kissing. Pulled in forcefully, our teeth bumped into each other. But more than any pain, I was stunned by the softness and the fact that Minamino's face was so close.

And then, Minamino's face pulled away.

"...That was my first kiss! Got it? Remember, you are someone amazing, Satou! So amazing to the point that I wanted to have my first kiss with you!"

Breathing heavily, her face as red as a tomato, Minamino said that. I didn't understand what she was saying, but I understood that Minamino and I had kissed, and that Minamino was saying I was amazing.

"Minamino...?"

I had to say something. But my head was paralyzed, as if it had short-circuited, making it impossible for me to think clearly.

"—Sorry, I said I'd listen to your story, but I'm kind of overwhelmed today, so I'll go home first..."

Looking at me, Minamino said as such before quickly running to the front door. She didn't even let me escort her out.

"...But… I'll… come again…."

With reddened ears, Minamino left with only those words.

For a long time, I stood frozen in place, caught between the sensation of her lips and her lingering scent that filled the room.

——·——

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