Chapter 3 - The Sudden Visitor
(1)
I was having dinner at home with my family and Kanna.
Why is Kanna here?
Even I, who just came down from my room, don't know.
"Why is Kanna here?"
I tried asking Mother.
Mother explains.
First, Kanna came to the house to play.
When I said I was sleeping, Kanna tried to go home, but Mother stopped her.
Mother asked if she would like some tea in the living room until I woke up, and Kanna nodded.
I didn't wake up for quite a while. Since it was mealtime, Mother asked if she would like to have dinner with us.
And so, we arrived at the present.
"Even so, Kanna-chan has changed quite a bit. I wonder if she changed after going to the city?"
Father, who had already opened a can of beer.
"That's not true. I still have a long way to go."
"No, you've become cute enough to be unrecognizable."
"Oh stop, that's embarrassing."
Kanna looked as if she didn't mind it at all.
"What did you come here for?"
When I brought it up, Mother cut in.
"Now, now, it's fine to do that after eating. After that, you two can talk slowly in your room. I'm sure you have a lot to catch up on."
In my room!?
Seeing me stunned, Mother made a puzzled face.
"What's wrong? When Airi-chan comes, you normally end up alone in your room."
"Is that so?"
When Mother said something unnecessary, Kanna immediately asked back.
"That's right, studying together every night. Airi-chan is good at studying."
Hearing that, I immediately looked at the clock.
It was about to point to 19:00.
This is bad! It's about the time Airi arrives.
"Isn't it about time she arrives?"
For now, I clear away the meal.
Ding-dong.
The sound of the doorbell.
She's here.
"Looks like she's here."
Saying that, Mother heads toward the entrance.
This is bad! How do I get through this situation?
"Maya-san, good evening. Excuse me for disturbing you."
"Thank you as always, Airi-chan. Oh, a friend has also come over today."
Why does she keep saying unnecessary things?
"A friend?"
"Yes, yes, a friend from elementary school."
"Should I go home tonight?"
"No, no! Come on, come up."
Saying that, she is led into the living room...
"Ah! If I remember correctly, from the same class!"
"Otonashi-san!?"
Airi let out a surprised voice.
And the look in her eyes toward me is cold.
The food won't go down my throat.
"Thanks for the meal! Now, you two, let's go to the room!"
That's how I push the two of them into the room.
"Wa-wait a minute."
"What? I haven't finished eating yet!!"
I block out what the two of them are saying.
Once inside the room, I took a breath.
"What is the meaning of this, explain it to me."
"So, Airi-san, was it? What is the relationship between you two?"
"Let's both calm down. First, regarding Kanna's matter..."
Regarding Kanna, I simply conveyed the things I heard from Mother.
Airi looked sullen, but she seemed to accept it.
Next, I have to explain to Kanna.
"I heard you two study together every night? At this time?"
"Actually..."
I confessed to Kanna that Airi and I are dating.
Airi's gaze did not permit any choice other than doing so.
"Heh~ you're dating. Toya is popular! With such a cute girl, too."
"Otonashi-san, what is your relationship with Toya-kun?"
"Eh? We're just friends?"
"Do just friends meet alone at this time?"
Not just two... I corrected in my heart.
"No, it's just the old vibe. I didn't know he had a girlfriend. Sorry, sorry. I caused a misunderstanding."
Saying that, Kanna stands up.
"Well then! The third wheel will head home. Toya, see you tomorrow!"
Saying that, Kanna leaves the room.
"Wait, hold on."
I tried to stop her, but Airi's gaze did not permit it.
"Oh, Kanna-chan, are you leaving already?"
"Yes, my business is finished."
"Since you're here, you should have studied together."
"I'm bad at studying, and it would be bad if I got in the way."
"I see... sorry about that. Stop by again."
"Yes, until next time."
Batan.
It seems she has gone home.
I started to feel somewhat bad.
However, being glared at by Airi now, there's nothing I can do.
"So, what's the deal?"
"Eh?"
"Don't 'eh' me! What's going on with that girl?"
"I told you! We're just friends."
"If that's the case, it's fine. But she had such a lonely look on her face..."
Saying that, Airi makes an anxious face.
She noticed even that.
"It'll be fine! Come on, let's do it."
"Y-yeah..."
Airi has a gloomy face.
It's too late to worry about it now.
Neither of us could focus on the study that day.
(2)
After about two or three hours, we finished studying.
Maybe it got a bit late.
"I'll walk you home."
Saying that, we leave the house.
Even though saying I'll walk her home means it's the house two doors down.
I walk her to the entrance, and we part by waving hands.
That's how it usually was, but...
Airi grips the sleeve of my clothes and won't let go.
"What's wrong..."
"..."
She says nothing.
I don't know what to do.
Then, perhaps unable to bear the atmosphere, Airi starts to move.
My face is grabbed, and then...
I didn't know how to express it.
What I feel on my lips is a soft sensation.
A mere few seconds felt very long.
"Because I love you, Toya-kun."
Saying that, she hurriedly disappeared into her house.
I stood there dazed for a while.
And then, coming back to my senses, I returned home.
The way back was only two houses away.
Despite that, I don't remember the way back well.
My mind was blank.
(3)
"Toya. Sit there for a moment."
On my way back home, as I was returning to my room, I was stopped by Mother.
I sit on the living room sofa as told.
"About Kanna-chan, it seems her parents divorced."
Eh?
"And Kanna-chan was taken in by her mother and returned to her hometown. It seems she's working until late at night."
She didn't say a single word about...
"Even though this was her hometown, she hasn't been here for nearly three years, right? She had few friends to begin with, so she's lonely."
Why didn't she say anything?
"So, even if it's just for a little while, please be a bit kinder to her. Ah! I have to tell Airi-chan too."
Saying that, Mother reaches for her smartphone.
"It's fine, I'll tell her directly tomorrow."
"Is that so? I'm counting on you."
Saying that, I was released.
Returning to my room, I sprawl out on the bed.
A change unimaginable from the her of the past.
Becoming a single-parent household and going astray.
She shouldn't have been that kind of person.
I feel like she's still hiding something.
Will the day come when she confides that to me?
Before I knew it, I had forgotten the sensation of Airi's lips that remained.