Chapter 4 - The Next Morning
(1)
I was regretting it on top of my bed.
Even if it was in the heat of the moment, I had taken quite a bold action.
And on the street, no less.
Toya-kun had been stunned.
"Because I love you, Toya-kun."
It was something I had said many times.
The first time I made my Confession was on the last Valentine's Day of Elementary School.
When I went to give him chocolates in the rain, I had included a note.
I caught a cold the next day, but he came to visit me.
"The note... did you read it?"
Toya-kun nodded.
"And?"
"Yeah."
And so, we started dating.
We were supposed to be dating.
He didn't seem to dislike it, and he told me he loved me too.
I have no intention of being stolen away by a childhood friend who appeared now of all times.
Those feelings welled up inside me, and that's why I did that.
I wonder if he sees me as a loose woman.
What kind of face should I make when I see him tomorrow?
Normal... normal is best, right?
I'll just forget about it!
Thinking that, I decided to go to sleep.
(2)
"Good morning, Toya-kun!"
It was a morning just like any other.
The only difference was that it was 30 minutes earlier than usual.
"I told you to wake me up early, didn't I?"
He remembered well.
Airi's demeanor was the same as always.
As if yesterday's events had never happened.
Conversely, I was the one feeling nervous.
"I'm going to change, so wait downstairs."
"Oka~y."
Saying that, she left the Room.
Should I sleep a bit more?
I thought about it, but since she'd likely come back, I hurried to change, get ready, and leave the Room.
In the dining area, Father was sipping coffee while reading the newspaper.
"Oh, Toya. You're unusually early today."
"I was woken up."
I answered while sitting in my usual seat.
"So you can wake up if you intend to."
I always wonder, does she not think anything of a girl entering my Room, a boy's Room, without permission?
If she were just a childhood friend it would be one thing, but she's my girlfriend.
With no way of knowing my doubts, Mother prepared Breakfast.
Airi sat next to me.
She seemed to be in a better mood than usual.
Ah, I have to talk about the thing Mother asked me yesterday.
"Airi, about that—"
"Shouldn't you finish getting ready first?"
Startled, I looked at the clock.
The clock pointed to 7:45.
I hurriedly ate my meal and got ready.
In the end, I left the House at the same Time as always.
"It's good you were able to eat Breakfast."
Airi spoke nonchalantly.
I brought up the subject.
"There's something I want to talk about."
"What is it?"
"Actually, I heard it from Mother yesterday, but about Kanna... Otonashi-san."
The moment I uttered Kanna's name, she made a displeased face.
Still, I continued.
"Actually..."
I told Airi what I had heard from Mother.
As for her reaction...
"Hmm, and?"
"What do you mean 'and'..."
"What does Toya-kun want to do? What should I do?"
"That's... for now, I want you to try and get along with Kanna."
"Ah, so that's it. I don't mind, really."
Her reaction was subtly cold.
"Are you in a bad mood?"
I asked timidly.
"Not really? I just have to become Friends, right?"
Airi answered simply.
But as I thought, her demeanor was different from usual.
"Do you hate Kanna?"
"That's not it. I felt that she seemed somewhat lonely. More than that..."
More than that...?
"It's just that you've been talking about Otonashi-san since this morning!"
Is she jealous?
"Well, I was surprised when I heard it from Mother yesterday. To think there were such circumstances."
"Well, I guess so."
Then, Airi seemed to be thinking about something.
And she said this to me.
"It's fine to be kind, but half-hearted kindness will only make Otonashi-san suffer more."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Exactly what it means. Ah, we've arrived at school."
And with that, the conversation ended.
Because it was a story I didn't want other people to hear.
After arriving at school, Airi was normal.
She gave cheerful Greetings to her Friends.
Airi's seat was the very last one.
Two seats in front of that was my seat.
The seat to my right was Kanna's, but...
Kanna had not come to school.