CH 128

“Kenichi, here.”

After school, when the class was empty, I handed Kenichi a few sheets of paper.

Kenichi took them and looked them over.

Then, in his usual light tone, he said, “Sankyu~”.

“Are these okay? I don’t remember that much, so I’m not gonna tell them apart or anything…”

“It’s all right. I know what I’m doing, that’s good enough!”

“Really? Well, that’s good.”

“Plus, even though Towa wrote the incomprehensible note, if I drop it and someone picks it up, they won’t be able to understand what it says, will they?”

“Oh, I see.”

“Haha. That’s what I’m talking about! Keep it up!”

“Yeah, I’ll take care of it.”

Kenichi chuckled as I said that and put the papers he had received from me away in a file.

Although he only looked at it for a moment, he must have it in his head.

…He’s got a great memory, as good as Rin’s.

“So, should we go home now?”

“Hey Kenichi…”

“Hmm?”

“Is there anything else I can do?”

“Hmm? I’m fine with the way things are. I’m not going to ask you to do anything more. I don’t want you to collapse from overwork.”

“But, Kenichi…”

“No, no, don’t overdo it, okay? Besides, Towa’s job is not that particular part… I don’t understand your impatience, though.”

“…………”

“I’ll be fine. Wakamiya is not that weak and Kotone is with her. Besides, “A little work goes a long way”, right?”

“Oh… that’s right.”

“Let’s take it one step at a time. It’s not something that can be changed immediately.”

Kenichi said to me as if he was trying to calm me down.

Kenichi has a good point, but … I was in no condition to stay quiet and calm right now.

◇◇◇

It was on the way back to the classroom to pick up something I had forgotten.

In the middle of it, I heard, ‘Wakamiya, can I have a word?’ And I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but … happened to hear it.

“What is it, Nakamaru-san? Something about the executive committee perhaps?”

The voice was colder than the familiar Rin voice, with no intonation at all.

Her voice sounded like the one I’d heard when we first met, and I stopped in my tracks.

“No, it’s not committee work. That’s something we both have no problem doing.”

“As I recall, it was Nakamaru-san’s job to handle the lending of equipment from the department. I know it was hard work, thank you for all your efforts.”

“Hmmm. Kato helped me, so I didn’t do all the work. I’m not very good at negotiating, unfortunately…”

“I see. But didn’t you run for president?”

“Haa… Wakamiya, you know what you are saying. I only did so because Kato told me to.”

“Was that so?”

“He’s outstanding. I have a lot to learn from him too… No, that’s not the main point. What’s hard for me to understand is that the best people recognize those who aren’t so … Unless there’s something worth seeing, but…”

“… What are you trying to say?”

“Why are you with Tokiwagi and not Kato?”

“Is there a problem?”

“There’s nothing but problems. You should stop it.”

“… Why should I stop. May I ask you to explain?”

“No, I don’t know the truth of the rumors about childhood friends or a rotten relationship. I know it’s rude to put it this way, but … being involved with that guy will lower Wakamiya’s evaluation.”

“Evaluation? I’m not interested in that.”

“You know, Wakamiya. I don’t know what you’re getting into, but I’m sure you’ve heard that he’s a terrible person, right? It’s a waste of time to get involved with a guy like that.

“… Waste of time?”

“Yes. If you feel vulnerable and threatened…”

“I’d like to ask, with all due respect, is ‘your assessment’ an emotional assessment or a subjective one? Is that an imposition of subjectivity?”

“No, it’s not. It’s an objective fact that has been around since the day you entered the school.”

“You all say the same thing…”

“It’s natural, that’s it.”

“You don’t know much about … Towa-kun. Someone who is so judgmental … please don’t talk about him!!”

“Eh…”

“It is extremely unpleasant. Please excuse me…”

◇◇◇

I overheard this conversation … just the other day.

Rin’s attitude like that, I am sure that what she said to Nakamaru was not just a one-off time thing.

When I think about it, I honestly can’t … stay calm.

When was the last time I saw Rin get angry and raise her voice?

The scene at that time is still stuck in my head.

The image of Rin with tears in her eyes as she walked away…

I am not so rotten that I would stand still after being shown something like this.

I’m not so chicken that I can’t stand still.

“Then, Kenichi. Shall we go again today after all? Let’s go to the baseball team next time.”

“I’m glad my best friend is motivated, but I don’t want anything reckless.”

“I’ll be fine. No problem.”

“Haa…, I don’t want to protect you, here. Let’s go then.”

Kenichi sighed and cowered his shoulders.

–I have no choice but to try.

I can’t just keep being told what to do.

Even if it’s a slow walk, even if it’s a tortoise-like speed – I have to take one step at a time.

That’s the only thing I can do.