CH 20

Two weeks have passed since I stayed at the Shinjo house.

It may sound a bit indecent, but that day has been imprinted in my mind as an unforgettable experience.

Well, it’s impossible for me to forget that time. It always pops up every now and then.

“This isn’t good…”

I shook my head and managed to shake off those thoughts.

I’m in class right now, I have to concentrate and not think about weird things… but no matter how hard I try, I still can’t get rid of the thought of those girls. [Girls as in everyone, including Sakuna](E/N: it should be “only” Sakuna.)

To be honest, I said that two weeks have passed since then, but nothing has actually changed on the surface, but behind the scenes, big changes have been happening around me. Nothing is known to anyone but me, and the changes have been slow and gradual, creeping up on me.

“So that much is for the day.”

“Yes, sir. Everyone, stand up, bow.”

While I was having these thoughts, class ended and it was lunchtime.

I went to the cafeteria with my friends as usual. Unlike them, I didn’t order anything, because I already had a lunch box in my hand, which Is something I shouldn’t have, at least normally.

“Hey Hayato, that lunch looks really good.”

“I’m so jealous of you… just tell us who makes it for you.”

“Ahaha… well, someone who cares for me.”

My friends stared at the lunch box I opened.

Nutrition was well thought out, with a well-balanced array of meats and vegetables. Yes, one of the first changes I mentioned earlier was this lunch box.

The surprise Aina told me that day was this lunch box.

“We’ll be making Hayato-kun’s lunch from now on. I make my own, you don’t need to be shy, okay?”

“Yes, what she said. So please eat it and let me know what you think.”

At that time, I was given a lunch box on the spur of the moment, but that actually continued for the past two weeks or so. Of course I’m grateful for their concern, but I’m more apologetic than ever.

However, I was spoiled by the fact that these girls did not make me feel burdened at all.

“… To be honest, this is delicious.

The warmth that you normally can’t experience from eating school cafeteria food is contained in this lunch box, and every time I eat it, my cheeks almost relax at its deliciousness.

It seems that Sakuna-san sometimes joins them on cooking, and the three of them make lunch boxes for me on different days, but on this particular day, I could mysteriously recognize… who made it for me. I don’t know why, but my brain might have already learned the three people’s individual tastes.

“But really, you seem to be having a lot of fun lately, Hayato.”

“Is that so?”

I stopped eating and turned to my friend.

Fun, if you ask me, that may be indeed be the case. Aside from the usual school stuff, I can say that the days I spend with my friends are definitely enjoyable. And although they are not part of that circle, Arisa, Aina, and Sakuna-san, who are good to me in private, are probably a big part of it.

“Yeah, I guess… that could be true.”

“See, you never laughed like that before, did you?”

“… Why are you looking at me like crazy?”

“Of course I would. You’re my friend and I care about you.”

“My mom even told me to see if you’re lonely.”

These guys… make me so happy that I think I’ll cry.

Friends who smiled at me and tapped me on the shoulder. They were the ones who cared about me when I was empty ever since my mother passed away. The existence of friends, I can say with certainty that it was quite a big help for me.

“… Thank you guys.”

“Oh, Hayato’s embarrassed~”

“What a cutie.” [TLN- Excuse me, Mr. Friend, what? Kawaii dechu~ne???](E/N: It’s what you call teasing devy *facepalms*)

“… I take back what I said before, you idiots!”

If a person honestly says thank you, this is what they get.

But of course there was no fighting and we just laughed at each other. We finished lunch like that and went back to the classroom, but on the way we found Arisa and Aina walking with their friends.

When the girls found me and walked over to me.

“Yahho, Hayato-kun.”

“Are you done with lunch?”

“Yeah. Just now.”

Little by little, these girls were starting to get involved with me at school. I was able to get to know them slowly and naturally so as not to make them feel uncomfortable. Thanks to this, I didn’t get scorned by any boys who had feelings for them when we talked like this.

“Then Hayato, we’re off to the restroom.”

“Okay!”

“See you later!”

My friends headed to the restroom and it was just me and the two girls left here.

Although their friend looked at me with interest, I didn’t feel uncomfortable about it.

“Fufu, so this is how it fleets to talk with Hayato-kun without hiding♪”

“I know right. It’s not always possible to get together in an empty classroom.”

I was certainly glad to be able to talk to them at school like this. And…

…I looked at Aina.

“Thank you. Your lunch was delicious again today.”

“Hehehe♪ You’re welcome.”

I knew it was Aina who made it for me today.

The same can be said for Aina, who cooked for me today, and for Arisa and Sakuna-san, they really have my tastes in check. I had never talked to them about such things, but I was a bit surprised to see that they were using my favorite flavors while keeping a good balance.

“I can’t thank you enough. Thank you so much.”

“It’s okay. It’s what we like to do.”

“That’s right, Hayato-kun. You don’t have to worry about anything.”

It’s the same as always, I can’t say anything when such smiles are directed at me from both of them.

In actuality, I had refused their request before because I was feeling sorry to make extra work for me.

At that time the person I refused was Arisa… her panic at that time was tremendous to deal with.

“No… I don’t want to… because I want to be useful? You don’t need me… anymore?”

Why was she looking at me so desperately at that time? That’s what I thought. Arisa, at that time, looked so dismayed that I thought that if I took my eyes off her, she would disappear. So, I couldn’t help but ask her to continue

…I honestly wondered why she was that dismayed. But I didn’t want to see Arisa like that again so I relented, and I’ve continued to take advantage of their generosity ever since.

“It’s okay, Hayato-kun.”

“It’s okay to be spoiled, Hayato-kun.”

They both reached out and each gently squeezed my hand.

Whenever I’m insecure about the present, these girls act as if they can read my mind and reassure me in this way. I’m relieved by that, and there’s a part of me that thinks I should be more lenient.

“…Thank you, both of you. Really.”

I got to know these girls after what happened, and there’s no doubt about it. I’ve helped them, and they’re counting on me for emotional support as much as I do. That was the answer I could come up with no matter what logic I tried.

Then we parted and I went back to the classroom to spend the time as usual.

After school, I walked back to my house. On the way, I naturally passed by the Shinjo house, and there I saw Arisa, who had changed into her casual clothes.

“Right on time. Shall we go then?”

“Aah.”

I nodded at Arisa’s words and started walking again.

The place we were headed was my house.

“Come on in.”

“Sorry to bother you.”

The second change, the one I mentioned in the morning, is that these girls are now coming to my house like this. This is probably the biggest change of all. They started coming over to my house to cook dinner.

The first thing Arisa did when she entered the house with me was to go to the Buddhist altar.

Whenever Arisa as well as Aina come to my house, they always greet my father and mother. Even if they can’t see each other, they really want to say hello to my parents.

“I’m sorry to bother you today. Father, Mother.”

What is she thinking, closing her eyes and praying?

I don’t know that because I can’t read their minds. But when I have a chance to look at them like this, I can think calmly.

These girls definitely depend on me. And it’s the same for me too..

What should we do in this case?

I wish there was some kind of consultation center that I could turn to in times like these… I thought.