NOVEL NEXT Chapter 28
After being held tightly for a full 30 minutes…
With the unpacking of the trip luggage finished, Haruka and I shared a late dinner. There were no signs of cooking in the house, so she must have been relying on Rin-san’s hospitality. I’ll need to visit her soon to say thanks.
“The food’s really good.”
Simple praise is always the most gratifying.
“Thanks.”
“Where did you go on the trip?”
“Well, we went to a lot of places. Shimogamo Shrine was amazing. We didn’t have enough time to see everything, only two hours, but even just the Tadasu no Mori was worth an extra hour, and also…”
“Yeah, that’s enough. You’re too noisy.”
“…Didn’t you ask?”
“Let’s go together next time, after your exams are over.”
“…Okay, let’s do that.”
After the meal, freshly bathed, Haruka and I sat on the sofa, watching TV. It felt like a while since I last had this moment of relaxation. While watching a variety show, my smartphone notified me of a new message.
Opening the message app on the phone lying on the table, I saw…
“I’m home now! You must be home too, right? I’m tired today, so I’m going to sleep, but I’ll contact you again tomorrow!”
It was from Riko-san.
“Ninomiya-san?”
The only contacts in my phone are Haruka, my grandparents, and recently added Ninomiya-san. There are also contacts for delivery services and utilities, but they’re strictly business.
My connection with my grandparents is almost non-existent, and they only contact me when they need me as a guardian.
So, naturally, Haruka would assume this contact is Ninomiya-san, especially since she was the one who deleted Riko-san’s contact before…
And indeed, the sender was Riko-san.
“Ah, it’s… a friend I made during the school trip.”
I should have been honest, but my words were hesitant.
“Really? Let me see.”
“Uh…”
“Come on, show me.”
This feels like being caught cheating.
“Wait… This is a very important message from a friend…”
“What is it?”
Reluctantly, I handed my phone to Haruka.
After seeing the name on the message app, Haruka said,
“I see.”
Scary, scary, scary.
Did I just doom my life again?
Haruka knows about the school trip incident…
She didn’t snap my phone in half, instead gently placing it back on the table.
“…Eh?”
“You’re not mad?”
“Should I be?”
No, sorry. I’m not good at being scolded.
“…Sorry.”
I should have told Haruka first that I wanted to start over as friends with Riko-san. I didn’t want to add to her worries.
“Really, how much do you plan to worry me?”
I have no excuse.
“Did you talk?”
“Yes.”
“Are you getting back together?”
“…As friends. Really.”
This feels like an interrogation.
“…”
After a brief pause, Haruka pulled me into her arms.
“Haruka…?”
“…”
I couldn’t see her face from within her embrace, but I could feel her concern for me. Her arms trembled slightly.
“You’ve been hurt so much…”
“Yes.”
“I don’t want to see you hurt anymore. I don’t even want the possibility.”
“…I think…”
I gently held her trembling arms.
“I might still be weak. If the same thing happens again, I might not be able to recover.”
“…”
“But, even so… I might be foolish, but I’ve decided to move forward. Haruka has always been worried about me, Ninomiya-san has been taking care of me. It’s not about being dependent. I want to face it once more.”
“…”
“Is that wrong?”
Her grip tightened for a few minutes before she murmured softly.
“…I don’t accept it. But if that’s your decision, I won’t say anything now. I haven’t seen much of Adachi, and I’ll probably hit her if I see her talking with you.”
“Probably…”
“I don’t even want to meet her. But since it’s your choice…”
“…Thanks, Haruka.”
“But…”
“Yes?”
“I hate being called ‘Toru’, so please stop.”
…What would happen if she saw me calling Riko-san by her first name?