The Love of My Childhood Friend, Who Has Overcome a Terminally Ill Diagnosis, Is Overwhelming
“Meeting Kanade chan made me realize something. I was living in such a narrow world.”
Just before the morning homeroom session began, Kadokura was making comments among her friends praising Kanade.
Yesterday morning, at the very least, Kadokura had clearly shown a sense of rivalry toward Kanade.
If that weren’t the case, she wouldn’t have gone out of her way to drag me into it and make disparaging remarks about her in front of our classmates.
…And yet, look at how much she’s changed in just one day.
What on earth did that Kanade girl put into Kadokura’s head…?
“Hey, Kanade.”
During lunch break, curious, I spoke to Kanade.
It was the first time since starting high school that I’d voluntarily spoken to someone in this classroom.
“What? A-kun.”
“……Um…”
“This is the first time you’ve ever spoken to me in class, A-kun.”
I was taken aback.
That was certainly true… but why would she say something like that, even interrupting our conversation?
“Hehe. Today’s a special day—the first time you’ve ever talked to me in class.”
……What is she talking about?
“Kanade chan! Let’s go get lunch!”
“Oh, okay.”
While I was still confused, Kanade was called away by Kadokura and the others.
“……Akkun.”
As she was leaving, Kanade whispered in my ear.
“We’ll talk later, when we have some time… just the two of us, okay?”
Kanade’s whisper sounded just a little seductive.
For the time being, I ate lunch.
But maybe because of the strange thing Kanade had said in my ear, my thoughts wouldn’t flow smoothly.
…At times like this, the best way to clear my mind is to study.
With that in mind, I headed to the library.
“Good afternoon.”
As usual, I sat down next to Takagaki-san.
“Mm.”
Takagaki-san must have been focused on her studies; she gave me a half-hearted reply.
“……”
“……”
For a while, we studied hard, blocking out the noise of the school building.
“……Hmm—”
About ten minutes before lunch break ended, Takagaki-san stretched her back.
……Should I bring this up, or not?
Takagaki-san doesn’t seem to realize it, but she’s got quite the killer look.
In other words, I don’t know where to look.
“……Hagiwara-kun,”
I was scribbling away with my mechanical pencil.
“……Are you dating Ichinose?”
……I gripped the mechanical pencil too tightly, and the lead snapped.
“Didn’t Kadokura ask Kanade that very question yesterday?”
In other words, Takagaki must already know the answer without even needing to ask.
“Don’t answer a question with another question.”
“……We’re not dating.”
I pressed the button on the mechanical pencil twice.
“We don’t look like we’re dating, do we?”
“……No, actually, you do look like it.”
……I’d snapped the lead on the mechanical pencil again.
“……Haa.”
“Ugh, such an obvious sigh. Annoying.”
“……What exactly did you see in us that made you think we were dating?”
“The way you two are close.”
“That’s only natural since we’ve known each other for a long time.”
“Even for old friends, I think you two are way too close.”
“Hahaha. Takagaki-san, you say the funniest things.”
“……He’s basically smart, but he’s got some gaps in his brain here and there, doesn’t he?”
Takagaki-san held her head in exasperation.
“…Well, I get it now—you two aren’t dating. If that’s what he says, then that’s how it is.”
“That’s right.”
“But, Ichinose san. What does she think of you?”
“What do you mean…?”
…It had been two days since I’d reunited with Kanade.
Since then, I’d been spending a moderate amount of time with her, but… how does she feel about me?
“……She said she’s grateful.”
A few years ago, Kanade suffered from a serious illness and hovered between life and death.
The illness couldn’t be cured in Japan, so she went overseas for treatment.
……It goes without saying that she lived on the very edge of life and death.
And that fact……was something I myself had felt when I sent her words of encouragement.
I resented and hated my former, helpless self with a passion.
But Kanade said that my very existence had encouraged her.
That’s why, when she clung to life and we were reunited, she offered me her thanks.
“……That’s good. That she’s grateful to you.”
“……It’s not good.”
Because, as I’ve said many times… in the end, all I could do was offer encouragement.
When Kanade was in trouble… I couldn’t do a single thing to help.
“Leaving aside your stoic nature, when I look at Ichinose-san objectively, it seems like she is really taking his side.”
As if to say that the main point was coming up, Takagaki-san continued.
“……The way Kadokura-san changed her mind just like that, from one day to the next, is exactly that. What was that? It’s really scary.”
“Well, you’re right.”
I was a little taken aback by Kadokura-san’s transformation.
“……I mean, if it were anyone else, fine, but for someone as strong-willed as Kadokura-san to turn out like that… You’re a terrifying person, Ichinose-san.”
“Haha. Well, I guess there is a side to her that’s unfathomable.”
“Seriously, how can you even laugh about this?”
Takagaki looked completely taken aback.
“……Well, you do seem like the type with a bit of a self-destructive streak.”
“That’s not true.”
“Then why don’t you try enjoying school life a little more?”
……Kanade said something similar to me, too.
Do I really look like I’m suffering so much at school?
“……I’ll think about it.”
I don’t realize it myself.
But if my two few friends at this school are saying that, I suppose I should reconsider a bit.
……Still, even if I say I’ll reconsider, how exactly do I make school life fun?
I’ve never even tried to enjoy school life before… so I don’t know.
“Hey, Takagaki. How am I supposed to enjoy school life?”
“I don’t know. I’m too busy studying.”
“How irresponsible.”
“……Tch. It’s easy for you, Mr. Top of the Class. You’ve got the luxury of trying to enjoy school life.”
“Weren’t you the one who told me to enjoy it…?”
“Ah. Ah. I don’t know, I don’t know. Why don’t you ask your cute, cute childhood friend, Ichinose-san?”
“Did you just call my name?”
“Pigyaah!”
Takagaki-san jumped in the air at Kanade, who had appeared out of nowhere.
“Ufufu. Did you just call my name?”
“Auuu…”
……For some reason, Takagaki-san was on the verge of tears.
Maiasa