V2 - Chapter 7

Volume 2 - Me, Her, and that Feeling's Name

Chapter 7

"Chinatsu, come over here for a moment."

After confirming that Satou had opened the door and gone outside, Chinatsu approached at the call of Suzuka's voice.

"What is it? I mean, sure, I get that it wasn't a great idea to bring a boy over when Mom wasn't home, but Satou and I aren't like that—"

"It's not that. Well, I mean, that's what I originally wanted to talk about, but it's not that anymore."

Thinking it might be another lecture, Chinatsu got closer to Suzuka and realized.

Despite being weak enough to have collapsed and needing to be hospitalized, and despite having had little conversation with her since her father left and focusing solely on work, she had the sparkle of a young girl in her eyes. And she felt like she had seen those eyes recently. To be more specific, at the condo in Mitaka.

"I won't keep you waiting long and I'll only say this once... You did great, Chinatsu."

"...Huh?"

With the words coming out of Suzuka's mouth, Chinatsu was left wide-eyed in astonishment.

—If Hajime were here, he might have had the same reaction as her.

"Don't 'huh?' me. Listen, you should absolutely not let him slip away from you, got it? He's quite the catch... and there might never be another one like him, you know?"

"..."

 

"You know, when you're in high school or when you're young, you might only focus on appearances and things like that. But a guy like Hajime-kun, who's sincere, kind, has a proper sense of money, and naturally spends it for the sake of others, he's the type that will be snatched up and taken away by others in the blink of an eye once he goes to college or becomes a working adult!"

"..."

"Yes, if it's with him, I'll allow you, so feel free to bring him over as much as you want. ...Of course, it goes without saying that there should be some restraint, but I give my permission. Chinatsu, you were born and raised cute, so be proactive and do your best, okay?"

To the speechless Chinatsu, Suzuka threw out her words rapidly, as if she had forgotten that she was a patient.

—Well, it might also be due to the fever's effect. Most likely.

"...Mom?"

For the first time in her life, Minamino Chinatsu casted a scornful gaze upon her own mother.

　◇◆

After that, Chinatsu bought the things mentioned by Suzuka at the shop and handed them to the latter. And as if repeating what had happened earlier, Chinatsu found herself once again being encouraged about her relationship with the all-around boy, and she left the hospital room with an indescribable expression.

"Thanks for the hard work. They said it would be okay as long as your mother rests well, and it seemed like she'd been stressed with her work for a while. So, maybe it was actually good that she was able to take a break?"

"Yeah... Mom told me that her co-workers also said that she'd been working too much at the office and that since she still has paid leave, she should at least use it to the fullest. ...I'm really glad. Thank you, I wouldn't have been able to bring her to the hospital properly all by myself. And the taxi fare, temporary hospital costs, changing clothes, everything—"

"It's fine. Uncle also told me to learn how to use the money I earned wisely while I'm alive, and your mom said she'd pay me back properly. Seriously, I'm glad I could help Minamino... To be honest, I haven't been able to pay you back at all... Ah, wait a second, I'll catch a taxi. Since it's already late, I might as well share a ride to Minamino's place and head home from there."

As they talked, they headed outside the hospital, and Satou spoke as he walked ahead to the rotary.

Satou is kind.

Yes, Satou had always been kind.

When she was told that it was her scent that tipped him off about her disguise, she laughed before feeling embarrassed, and she realized that he knew her well enough to recognize her by her scent. But when she thought about it, it was kind of ticklish, and seeing Satou blush was cute.

Moreover, he not only paid for the crepes as a matter of course saying it's in lieu of the cost of the place, but the way he smiled gently as he said that also made Chinatsu see him as clever. Most importantly, she felt herself getting flustered, not because of his gestures or actions, but by her own feelings.

(If mom hadn't come back while we were in my room, that time would have been—)

[Feel free to bring him over as much as you want. You were born and raised cute, so be proactive and do your best!]

A voice that was unworthy of a mother—or rather, she didn't think her mother would say something like that—resounded in her ears.

No, no way, what do you mean 'bring him over as much as you want!?'

Chinatsu blushed, and kicked away Suzuka, who had suddenly turned into a matchmaker, out of her head. She expected to be scolded, so being given the green light to go full steam ahead was completely unexpected.

And, about what happened to Suzuka as well.

What's with Satou that made him so dependable in emergencies?

—Perhaps it's due to his experience of having to do everything alone.

Satou, who drove Suzuka in a taxi, accompanied them with the doctor's explanation, and even his greetings with Suzuka, was surprisingly mature. This was also true of his conversations with Kanade-san; Satou seemed to shine more as he stepped out of high school and into the outside world.

"Minamino, it seems the driver agreed, so come here... Hey, what's wrong? Your face looks a bit red."

Satou said as he came to call her over. 

Hm-mm, it's nothing, Chinatsu replied as she slid beside Satou, but with a bit closer of a distance than a month ago.

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(7/7)