CH 48

Main Story 48

It started from when Sara-sama and Souju-sama first entered Mesei Academy’s elementary school department.

It was where Sara-sama made a friend of her own – not one introduced to her by her parents or other acquaintances – for the first time in her life.

Sara-sama was very much focused on her first friend. However, Sara-sama heard from the other kids around her that that friend only became Sara-sama’s friend because she was told to do so by her mother.

And when Sara-sama asked that friend if it was indeed true, she received a reply in the affirmative. She further divulged that although she was happy when her mother praised her for being the friend of someone from the Hongou family, for she had wanted to make connections with them, now that that mother has left their family, she no longer has any reason to remain with Sara-sama.

Still, Sara-sama did not shrink from the experience and made another attempt at friendship. But she realized that even if she did not put in any effort, the other party will come of their own accord, trying to be friends with her. Since then, she has always remained passive. This stance of hers, however, led to her friend letting the title of being Sara-sama’s friend get to  her head, and she started to act in high handed ways, even going so far as to bully others. In all this, Sara-sama was unconcerned. For to her, it was not her own actions and therefore was of no concern to her.

At last, the bullying became public. It was then that Sara-sama first found out that people were of the impression that the bullying was under her leadership. Sakurada Yuria claimed that she was threatened into doing it all by Sara-sama.

Sara-sama’s mother cried while scolding her. Sara-sama tried to defend herself, stating that she did nothing, but she was instead taught that she should not have turned a blind eye, taking no actions. That due to her massive influence, there are those who would use her for it. For this reason, she should conduct herself in a way that leaves no openings, becoming an example to others and admonishing her friends if they were to commit misconduct.

“I thought it was absurd that I should be responsible for such things. I was frightened and could not go to school for a while. Since then, Souju has always been with me.”

“I was never one to care for other people, even as a child. I did not often find myself in troubling situations either. But Sara, unlike me, likes people and is prone to feel lonely. It was since this incident that the two of us started to stick together.”

Sometime after, their mother passed away from an illness and the bond between the two of them only grew even stronger.

“I never minded much, so long as I have Souju with me. That’s why I never thought I needed friends.”

“And it’s a comfortable arrangement because we understand each other so well.”

It was under such circumstances that they met me.

“When we first met, I felt that something about you was different. With just one look, I figured that you were like me. And I so often heard about Kujouin Juuichirou-sama, even from a young age. He’s someone my beloved grandfather respects more than anyone else. And you are his grandchild! Do you not think it is fate?”

“I, too, am glad that we were able to become friends. Before that, I never had any friends and was always all alone. Sara-chan is kind, beautiful, adorable, and you smell good too-“

“Rei-chan, that’s enough!”

Oh, Sara-chan is getting shy. How adorable. I think she’s not showing enough of her tsun side. Not even near enough.

“I like Sara-chan, a lot. You’re my first friend, and you smell good too. But I also think that we should find out more about the world. I’m sure that when we go out into the real world, there will be people we won’t be able to get along with due to a difference in worldview. If it’s now, then we can get to know one another without such fences barring us.”

Sara-chan has on her thinking face.

“I have no need for such things. I only need those I am fond of.”

“Sou-kun, I do understand your feelings, but aren’t you someone who’s going to stand above others in the future? If you only surround yourself with those you’re fond of, then in time you will become the naked general… No, the naked king.”

Though if he becomes the naked general, I’ll offer him onigiri everyday.

“I can’t speak from such a high stance either. I’ve realized that without my realizing it, I have been inflicting discomfort upon others. To speak even further, there are even those to whom my existence itself is an unforgivable offence.”

“Rei-chan. To me, they’re all cumbersome. They are not able to get me. Everyone’s a fool. They annoy me.”

“Ufufu. Sou-kun sure is earnest. You can just think of other things. You’re also able to listen to several different conversations at once, aren’t you?”

Since Sou-kun has spoken honestly to me, I will also do the same for him.

“Ah, Rei-chan may often be daydreaming, but you do listen to what people are saying and actually understand it. Is that what it was?”

“Yes. While I do listen to what others are saying, most of the time I am thinking of something else. I mean, isn’t it dull? Sou-kun’s too earnest. You have always faced others straight on, more so than I do.”

Sou-kun seems to be falling into deeper thought.

“But when I’m playing the piano, I focus only on the piano. Sou-kun too, you focus when you’re hacking, don’t you?”

Sou-kun nods.

“Isn’t that fine? Sou-kun is not alone. At the very least, I am proud that I understand you.”

“Rei-chan!”

Sou-kun’s hugging me!

The IV drip!

Just when I thought of it, Sara-chan was already disentangling it.

“Souju! Please do refrain from hugging her so suddenly! Rei-chan is my friend, and you are but an extra! You’re always pestering her for onigiri, how greedy!”

“Sara, you’re being noisy. Onigiri’s delicious so I can’t help it.”

“What, are you saying? Are you an idiot?”

“You’re the idiot.”

Ah, they’re arguing with each other so fondly. How nice it must be to have siblings. Speaking of, don’t I have a sibling too? From what my father said, he and the landlady had a child between them.

I wonder what kind of past they have between them. I should ask Mossad Tanaka-san next time I see him.

“That’s right! Rei-chan, you should join the student council too! Next year, I will be the president and you the vice president!” (Sara)

“Hey, don’t just decide things on your own. I will be the president and Rei-chan the vice president. There will be a study trip too. Let’s go, Rei-chan.” (Souju)

“Since I am a scholarship student, I cannot partake in such activities.”

It is unheard of for a scholarship student to enter the student council. Though it was never explicitly stated, it’s something that cannot be.

“My, Takanashi Ryou was saying that he’s going to get that outside student into the student council. Hmm, as if I will let him!” (Sara)

My my, for her to say all this even though she hated the student council so much. Still, it is a good thing for Sara-chan and Sou-kun’s world to broaden. I, too, now have outside and scholarship student friends.

In the middle of us making a ruckus, we heard a voice calling out to us.

Ichijou Kiyoshiro-sensei was already there with us! And behind him are Madenokouji-sama and Katsuragi-sama. It seems that they knocked before coming in, but we were so engrossed in our conversation that we did not notice.

“Hongou twins, we heard that! Alright, from today on, you’re members of the student council!  Rei-chan will be my secretary!”

“Kaoru! There’s no such post as a secretary. And we cannot let them in the student council without first receiving the current members’ votes of confidence.”

It’s the usual scene of Katsuragi-sama being himself, with Madenokouji-sama keeping him in check.

“Kaoru-kun, be quiet. Now, you guys, I’m going to perform some examinations on Kujouin-san so please leave.”

For now, they are out of the room. Ichijou Kiyoshiro-sensei performs some examinations on me.

He then proceeds to inform me of the results of the blood test and takes my IV drip off.

“You may be discharged in two weeks time, but daily life with only one arm and one leg free must not be easy. As such, my father is saying that he wants you to stay until we can take your casts off. Ah, my father hasn’t been present since the day before yesterday due to a conference, but he’s actually the doctor in charge of you.”

“Are you allowing me to stay admitted until my casts are off?”

“No, he meant that he wants you to stay in the Ichijou house until then.”

Why would I be in the care of the Ichijou household?

“Um, I believe there is no reason for me to impose such a burden among you…”

Ichijou-sensei answers me with a smile.

“It’s because you are the granddaughter of Kujouin Juuichirou-sama. It is all thanks to him that this hospital is still standing now, and it is also thanks to him that my grandfather could go to study abroad in the USA after the war.”

There it is, the influence the Kujouin Juuichirou name asserts! My grandfather is truly amazing. But still, I do wish to refrain from imposing upon the Ichijou household.

“I am very grateful for your offer, but I will consider for myself how I will get by after being discharged. Please do not concern yourselves over it.  I believe I will be fine, one way or another.”

I don’t actually have any idea how I’ll get by, but well, it will be alright. Let’s say I’ll start living in the academy’s dormitory, then I can just hire a care taker. My father will be the one paying. I believe Lawyer Tamaru can somehow make that happen.

No, since I am now no longer a scholarship student owing to the prolonged absence this incident has brought about, I can no longer live in the dormitory either. In which case I have no option but to rent an apartment unit instead.

Though there is a mountain of things I need to do, I feel on top of the world now that I have hope.

Should.not.this.grude.be.avenged.

At the very least, I wish I have a cloak with me.