CH#295
#295
In the unchanging daily life, in the repetitive days at the school.
Most students understand this in their heads, but unconsciously push that thought to the back of their minds. Even if itâs a routine and unchanging daily life, it is a unique daily life.
Yesterday will never come again. Even if you do the same thing today as you did tomorrow, it will be completely different.
It seems the same, and thatâs why the routine appears to continue endlessly, creating an illusion.
People, students, shouldnât they cherish this seemingly ordinary daily life? When it comes to an end, without regrets or things left undone.
I pondered in the classroom where only Shizuku and I were present.
The calendar reflecting in the corner of my vision had a circle on February 1st, indicating that today finally entered February.
And on the dates of the next month, a flower was marked on the fourth.
The graduation ceremony, the day when Hiiragi Akane departs from this school.
Thatâs why, probably.
I was struggling to think about things I wouldnât usually consider, trying to find answers.
Is it okay to say that unless I come up with my own answer, I wonât be able to clear up the confusion in my heart?
Perhaps having sensed it from my expression, Shizuku, who had taken a seat where Kirasaka usually sat, looked at me and spoke.
âYouâre thinking about something difficult again, Minato-kun.â
â⌠Itâs not particularly difficult, though.â
âBut when Minato-kun is thinking, these little wrinkles appear.â
As she said that, Shizuku put her finger on her own forehead, murmuring a small âhmmâ while frowning slightly. When I put my hand on my forehead as suggested, I did notice that there were more wrinkles, transforming my usual unfriendly expression into an even more grumpy one.
Letting out a breath as if exhaling along with the mist that had accumulated inside, I stretched out the wrinkles, conscious of returning to my usual self. Seeing Shizuku return to her usual expression, I nodded once. She then brought her desk close to mine, swaying her legs and humming, turning her gaze back to the front.
âŚShe seems unusually cheerful. Is it because Kirasaka is outside the classroom, teaching Miura the finishing touches of making sweets?
Even if Kirasaka is not here, I canât imagine that Shizuku would be in such a good mood.
âYouâre unusually cheerful todayâŚâ
I directed my gaze at her and Shizuku opened her mouth with an overflowing smile.
âItâs been a while since I had time alone with Minato-kun!â
âIs that so?â
âYes!â
The answer was so unexpected that I couldnât help but ask her again, and she answered right away.
I wonderâŚ
Reflecting on my memories, I had mostly spent time with Shizuku, Kirasaka, Yuuto, the Student Council members, and the others. I felt like there were times when it was just Shizuku and me, but since she said so, it must be true.
Now, there are only Shizuku and me in the classroom.
Genuinely alone time.
Thinking about it, I unintentionally spilled out words about the changes that had occurred in less than a year.
âIâve changed quite a bit in a year⌠until last year, it was mostly just Shizuku or Yuuto around me.â
ââŚDo you dislike the current environment?â
I thought about it, and while there were many things I found troublesome, there wasnât much that I hated.
If it werenât for them, my answer would have been different. In the end, I liked everyone, and Iâve managed to build a good friendship.
âI donât dislike it⌠Well, if I did, Iâd say it honestly and keep my distance.â
âI see⌠Minato-kun is honest about those things.â
With a slightly relieved, somewhat sad expression, Shizuku smiled. In truth, she might have wanted to see me getting along with more people.
Perhaps she didnât want to see me being disliked or talked about behind my back.
Itâs all speculation, and I have no confidence in correctly grasping her feelings.
But, maybe thatâs the case.
Even if I apologized there, itâs easy to say sorry. However, apologizing would mean admitting that my actions so far were wrong.
Until now and in the future, Iâve believed that the choices Iâve made were the best in the given situations. Even if others dislike me, I moved forward in the direction I believed in.
And thatâs why Shizuku doesnât say anything because she acknowledges my choices and actions.
A moment of silence fell between us, but it was soon broken by a single remark from Shizuku.
âAfter Valentineâs Day, thereâs only the graduation ceremony, right?â
âYeah⌠just one more month.â
Thereâs one more month until the graduation ceremony. And a few days after the graduation ceremony, the second-year closing ceremony will be held, marking the beginning of spring break.
After the short break, we, as the highest grade, will continue attending this school. The classes will be reorganized based on job aspirations, further education preferences, and the chosen department, so itâs possible that we wonât all be together.
The current life, as well as the future, may seem normal and unchanging, but the end is drawing nearer every moment.
Perhaps thatâs why, unconsciously, I was stringing words together.
âIâll miss herâŚâ
âEhâŚ?â
Shizuku looked unusually surprised and stared at me. Her eyes widened, and her mouth, slightly open, seemed to tremble as if she were about to say something, but no words came out.
At that moment, my smartphone, tucked into my uniform, vibrated several times. It must be a message from Kirasaka informing me that the prototype was ready.
Having heard that she would notify me in advance, I understood the meaning without opening the screen. I stood up, grabbed my belongings, and Shizuku, understanding that we were heading to the home economics room, hurriedly prepared herself.
During the short time it took for her to get ready, I pondered about the upcoming school life.
Letâs assume, for example, that I wonât be in the same class as Shizuku, Kirasaka, or Yuuto.
The class would be noisy, but Iâd spend my time alone, looking out of the window while thinking itâs too noisy.
Without the sudden heart-throbbing pranks from the side, without the jealousy-filled glares from other boys at the casual skinship with my childhood friend, without friends approaching during break times to chat about uninteresting topics, and without the forcibly recruited senpai in the student council looking at me with disappointment after every student council activity.
Everything would remain the same, just a few lingering connections from the second year.
No big deal, as Iâve spent my entire high school life in this environment.
But the more I imagined it, the more I couldnât shake off the feeling of loneliness and the sharp pain in my chest. I will never forget the sensations Iâve never felt before in my lifetime.