CH 11

Title: Birthday Party With Just the Two of Us

“Actually, today’s my birthday.”

It was Friday. The sky was very cloudy, and, although it wasn’t raining at present, it was so humid that it could start raining any time.

“So, after school, my friends asked me to go to karaoke with them.”

“Oh, congratulations. You should’ve told me earlier. I would’ve made some preparations or something!”

It was morning. As the two of us waited for the train while continuing our still uncompleted shiritori contest, Mitsumine suddenly began to speak. In response, all I could do was smile and give a harmless reply.

(That means that we aren’t hanging out together after school right…..?)

Maybe Mitsumine telling me is her own way of expressing concern for me. But if there are people who are properly willing to celebrate her birthday, there’s nothing for me to worry about, and it isn’t my place to interfere. Plus, I couldn’t do anything for her birthday anyway. 

I had no cake and I had no present.

Despite that, I still wanted to hang out with her because it was the last day of the week, but I couldn’t bring myself to say anything.

Because I wasn’t sure where the line between Mitsumine and I should be drawn.

“Anyway, happy birthday, Mitsumine.”

“……Yeah. All of a sudden I’m 17 years old, I guess.”

“Why don’t you seem happy about that?”

“That means I’m one step closer to being an adult, you know? My responsibilities are going to increase, so what reason is there to be happy?”

“But aren’t there a bunch of positives too?”

“No, there are more negatives. Probably.”

Mitsumine heaved a sigh. Then, hearing the sounds of the train approaching in the distance, she snapped up from her chair.

Then, she brought out the white headphones which I hadn’t seen in a while and put them on before lining up in a different spot than usual.

“What are you listening to?”

“……..I’m not listening to anything, though—?”

Mitsumine briefly looked back at me, sticking out her tongue.

I wanted to ask her why she was lying, but the announcement of the train arriving interrupted me.

“Later.”

Mitsumine kept her headphones on as she walked over and boarded the train.

—I want to give Mitsumine a birthday present. It can be anything but I want to give her something today.

It was right after fourth period and during lunch break that I came to this conclusion.

I can’t spend time with her after school today. I realize that.

But I should at least give her some sort of small present. By this point we should have a relationship of that level…..Or at least that’s what I want to believe.

There’s probably a bunch of people who are going to celebrate Mitsumine’s birthday, but I’m the only one giving a gift knowing that she might die in a few days.

[TLN: I’m sorry. I will not elaborate cuz it’s 2am and I have school tomorrow. For those of you who read my other series, I promise its coming soon]