CH ss - 8

“Welcome!”

I heard his cheerful voice from the counter.

As I waited for my turn, I watched him absentmindedly.

When it was my turn, I took my donut …… as usual.

–Oh, my wallet …….

“Customer, please take your number tag and wait at your seat.”

He then handed me a number tag and came over to me when the other customers in line were gone.

He was wearing a hoodie over his uniform and had a tray of donuts and lemon tea in his hand.

“Here, donuts and lemon tea. You forgot your wallet anyway, didn’t you?”

“Ugh, ……. I’m sorry. I was in a daze.”

“Damn, Rin’s a little absent-minded sometimes.”

“Fufu. Maybe.”

I couldn’t help but smile at Towa-kun’s kindness, despite his troublesome attitude.

No matter how long it takes, this kindness never changes.

Yes, even that time.

◇◇◇

“That happens to be a good thing. Well, eat them anyway. If you don’t want them, I’m sorry, but I’d appreciate it if you threw them away. Okay.”

“Hey!”

The person who handed me the potatoes quickly walked away. He didn’t even look back at me, and I felt uncomfortable with the way he acted as if nothing had happened.

I followed his back with my eyes, and he disappeared into a nearby store.

–I wonder if he works there part-time?

“Guuuu …”

I guess the smell from the paper bag that was handed to me made me react…

My stomach was making pathetic noises again.

….. Ugh, my face is so hot.

I picked up one of the potatoes and put it straight into my mouth.

I ate it without a second thought, and then I huffed.

…… Why did I eat it?

I should be careful about what I get from people I’ve never been associated with…….

And since I ate it, I even owe him……

It’s also possible that he’s a “persistent guy” like he always is…….

“……. It’s not working today.”

I rested my back on the bench and looked up at the sky.

When I was walking somewhere to try to find somewhere to study for a change, I realized that I forgot my wallet, and when I tried to go home because I had no choice, I forgot my keys …….

And today, my parents are coming home late, and I’m hungry because I haven’t eaten since I left early for the regular test……

It’s a real struggle. It’s no exaggeration to say that this is the worst day of my life.

But–

“……Warm.”

The potatoes were still warm, and I couldn’t imagine that they were discarded. I’m sure he was trying to avoid making me feel guilty.

When I thought about it, my mouth naturally broke into a smile.

“Hmmm. That’s a pretty obvious lie.”

His expression suddenly popped up in my mind.

It was blunt, awkward and …… felt distant in some way. Yes, it was as if he was looking down on me.

I think his name was “Towa Tokiwagi”.

That’s what he was called at the entrance ceremony……

The dream-like story that my father told me came back to my mind.

I was intrigued by the story, wondering if there really was such a person, but I thought, “There must be an act or a backstory behind this. It’s a dramatized story. “

But – I never thought that I would be a part of it.

I lean my back against the bench and look up at the sky.

What should I do in a situation like this…….

Oh, Kato-san and Tokiwagi-san are acquaintances ……?　I believe they were.

If that’s the case, I might be able to find out by asking Kotone-chan…….

I hastily take out my phone and call her.

I hope she picks up right away.

“…… Rin, what’s up?”

“Hello Kotone-chan, what do you think of potatoes!”

“…… Isn’t it just a regular potato?”

What I heard from the phone was a disgusted voice.

I’ve done it…….

She was still upset about what had happened earlier.

“Rin ……?”

“I’m sorry ……. I was in too much of a hurry and lost the subject. ……Uh ……”

“….. Calm down for now. What’s going on?”

“Well, ……. I’ve done a lot of things. ……”

I went on to explain to Kotone-chan what had just happened.

She listened to me in silence until I finished telling her everything.

“–this is how it happened ……”

“……Huh. You’re such a klutz in so many weird ways.”

“Ugh……. I’m sorry.”

A sigh of dismay filled her voice.　

However, I could feel that she was worried about me.

“…… So, Rin. Sudden phone call means …… maybe the same feeling as usual?”

“Yes…… yes. Maybe …….”

“….. I don’t get it. Is there something that’s bothering you?”

“He didn’t say anything to me, so I …….”

“…… Sounds strange to say, but it’s unusual.”

“Yes, it’s …….”

When we live, it is natural that we will be indebted to someone.

It would be strange to say that there is no such thing.

However, while being indebted to someone is an act, the nuances and meanings are unfortunately different.

–It is an act of good will.

–By duty.

And then there are the malicious ones.

Ever since I was a child, I have often been approached by men.

I also understand that my looks are superior to my mother’s …….

Maybe that’s why I’ve always had trouble.

Nowadays, I have learned various defensive measures. But when I was a little girl, I was terrified of going outside because I had been almost kidnapped.

I have never forgotten that fear.

–Because of that, I am more sensitive to people’s bad intentions than most people.

They call out to me, they help me in some way.

Most of the time, I feel the evil eye from such men.

I guess those men were looking for a future relationship with this help as a stepping stone.

This story is not necessarily only about men.

Some people tried to get my contact information through girls in my class.

–Frankly, I’m sick of it.

The person who persistently asks for my contact information over and over again, and then makes a move on me is …….

So I’d like to think that’s what happened this time as well, but …….

I didn’t feel anything from him.

I don’t know …….

But because I don’t know…

“I’m not going to lend or borrow anything, because I want to cut off all future worries. I don’t want to get in trouble for owing someone a favor……”

“…… disciplined, or cautious, or ……. But he walked right away, didn’t he? So he might not really be looking for anything?”

“A little caution goes a long way ……. I think I should return the favor in some way.”

“…… Rin has a troublesome personality, doesn’t she? But I guess you can’t help it, considering what you’ve been through……”

“I guess so……”

When I think back on it, all I can think of is the bad things, and at the same time, I feel like I’m sighing.

I shook my head from side to side as if to drive out the unpleasant memories.

“So I think I’ll ask him after he finishes his part-time job.”

“……….. Okay. But if you’re in danger, call me right away.”

“Yes. Thank you for everything, Kotone-chan.”

“…… Don’t worry about it. So, who is it? But you don’t know him, do you?”

“No, I think it’s Tokiwagi-san from Class 1D. I’ve seen him a few times, and I also saw him at the entrance ceremony……”

“…… You’ve got a great memory, as usual. And ……? I think Tokiwagi was …….”

“Your acquaintance …… Oh, could it be related to Kato-san?”

“……  I’ve never talked to him that much, but Kenichi might have.”

I knew it …….

Thinking back, I do believe that he was friendly with Kato-san at the entrance ceremony.

If that’s the case—

“Just ask Kato-san a few questions…”

“He’s standing next to me here ……, so I already heard. “Seeing is believing.”

“I see…….. That’s how it is…….”

“… Since it’s Rin, even if she listens to Kenichi, she’ll decide based on her own thoughts, right? You won’t be convinced until you see it with your own eyes.”

“Yes…….”

Kotone is right…….

Even if I had heard Kato-san say, “He’s a good guy,” I would have acted unconvinced.

Knowing them, Kato-san’s words.

“Seeing is believing.”

It certainly wasn’t like me to rely on rumors and hearsay.

Maybe he was upset …… because he had become a part of the conversation.

“I’ve decided! I will wait for a while until he finishes his part-time job. I have a security buzzer in case something happens, and I’ll make sure the police can be contacted with one button.”

“…… You are very cautious.”

This is how my action to return the favor ……, no, to cut off the root of the misfortune, began.

I wanted to see what he was really like and see if he was the same …… person as before.

At this time, I was thinking, “It will be over soon as usual……”

◇◇◇

“Why doesn’t he do anything about it? ……”

I have been trying to contact him every day since that day.　

I go to his part-time job and try to show him an opportunity such as going home with him……

However, the security buzzer has not come out at all.

On the contrary.

“Every time you come ……. Wakamiya-san should be a little more objective about her existence. I don’t think it’s good that you keep doing this every time. Even if it’s easier to study here.”

He even cautioned me to be careful …….

And there is one thing I found out by observing him while he was working.

This is just one example…….

“Oh, the …… ink is running out. I have to go get some…….”

When I muttered something like that and was in trouble…

“Are you attached to any particular pen?”

“Not really, but ……”

“Well, you can use this one that we have in the store. It’s there for people to fill out questionnaires, so they won’t complain if you use it.”

“But……”

“Fill out a questionnaire on the way home, just for the sake of it. And don’t worry about it.”

I had an exchange with him…….

At that time, I thought, “Maybe he’s trying to get my attention. But even when I was not involved, his behavior was never stagnant and never changed.”

If someone was bothering the people around him in the store, he would often respond.

“Customer. Please don’t do that, you are disturbing the other customers.”

This is a situation that I would normally avoid and pretend not to see, but he firmly goes to speak up.

It didn’t matter how scary the person looked.

It was scary for me to watch.

He was not afraid of being hit. In fact, it was as if he thought it was okay to be hit.

Although the other party simply clicked their tongues and left this time, I never know when he might get into danger.

When I think about it, I start to worry.

Any other kid could have dropped everything right in front of him…

“Hey, I made too much of your brother by mistake. Can I have this one?”

Then, with a smile on his face, he offered the new product.

At first glance, it looked like an instruction by the manager, or in other words, a service ……. Afterwards, it seemed like they were paying for the item, so probably not.

–This was Tokiwagi-san, as I found out after watching him for a few days…….

Apparently, he thinks that what he is doing is natural, that the kindness he puts forth at the expense of others is natural.

He acts as naturally and without hesitation as if he were breathing.

…… In a sense, I would call it a “pathological spirit of self-sacrifice.”

I’ve noticed that.

–What a dangerous thing to do.

It’s as if he doesn’t care when he dies.

He doesn’t care if he disappears at any time.

That’s what he seemed to be saying to me, for some reason.

And I felt that was the true meaning of his not making any demands at all.

“If things had stayed the same, I wouldn’t have had to worry so much…….”

I’ve always believed that men have ulterior motives, that their actions have an ulterior motive.

This is just a kind of conclusion based on my own experience.

There may be some people who are not like that, but for me, it was just like an urban legend.

Such is the urban legend that has appeared.　

A mysterious person who is different from the previous cases.

I wanted to apply it to the same case, to be honest.

If I did, I would be able to convince myself that it was right…….

However, this is not the case at all.

In fact, I can sense that he is concerned about me to prevent bad rumors from starting.

If he was someone who was not interested in women, it would be easier to understand……. Hmmm.

I don’t know.

I really don’t know what kind of person he is.

I look up to the heavens and furrow my brow.

“I’m sick and tired of …… being bothered ……. This is not like me……”

It’s a good day to think about it……. Let’s check him out and see what he’s all about.

And if you know that, you may understand.

Why is he not making any demands?

I’m also feeling something that I’ve never felt before – a fuzzy feeling.

Let’s talk to him tomorrow at school.

It’s hard to talk to someone in the school building. …… Maybe it’s better to talk to him on the way home.

For example, maybe the bike shed…….?

What’s wrong with thinking about him all the time these days?

I decided to wait until after school, thinking about this.

◇◇◇

This is a piece of what happened between him and me.

I’m sure Towa-kun would say, “Did that ever happen?”

I open my notebook and look through my future plans.

I look at the section with the heart mark on it and chuckle “Hmmm…”