The Love of My Childhood Friend, Who Has Overcome a Terminally Ill Diagnosis, Is Overwhelming
It had been about an hour since I’d started studying alone when Kanade and my mom called me to say dinner was ready.
“So, you know, what do you think Atsushi said at that moment?”
“Huh? What did he say?”
“Well, you see… ‘Shut up, you idiot.’ He started throwing a tantrum, calling me an idiot, just like a little kid.”
“Aww, that’s cute.”
When I went into the living room, Kanade and Mom were chatting away, looking very close.
“…Do you think he’s cute?”
“Yes. Everything Atsushi does is cute.”
“Oh my…”
Watching the two of them get along so well, I realized there was a tiny spark of jealousy lurking deep in my heart.
…I shouldn’t feel jealous of Kanade, who stopped studying to cook for me, or of my mom, who works day and night and does housework all for my sake.
“…Oh, Atsushi. What are you doing just standing there by the door, spacing out?”
“Thanks for everything.”
“Oh my…”
I thanked her honestly, but Mom looked a little flustered.
Apparently, Dad’s work was going to run a little late today, so he’d sent a message to Mom’s phone asking us to go ahead and eat dinner.
“Well then, let’s eat.”
“Let’s eat.”
“Let’s eat!”
We gathered around the table and began our dinner.
“Are you both studying hard for your tests?”
“Of course.”
“Yes. A-kun has been helping me with my studies.”
“I see. Atsushi, you’ve gotten to the point where you can teach others now, haven’t you…”
“I’ve been getting first place on the academic tests since my first year of middle school, you know?”
For over three years, I’d consistently been at the top of my class.
Teaching others was a piece of cake.
“No, I mean in terms of communication skills.”
My optimistic thinking was cut right in half by my mother.
But, I see.
So, the thing my mom was worried about—whether I could teach others—wasn’t my academic ability, but my communication skills.
That’s pretty rude of me.
“Mom, I’m sorry. You’re right, I don’t think I could teach anyone.”
Really, failing to live up to my mom’s expectations—what a rude guy I am.
“You give up too easily.”
“That’s one of your good points, Akkun.”
“But from a parent’s perspective, I just wish my son would make a few more friends.”
“Having few friends is one of your good points too, isn’t it?”
Kana seems to be unusually supportive of me today.
Usually, she’s not this… supportive, is she?
“B-but still, Kanade. You’ve been eating dinner at our place all the time lately—aren’t your parents worried?”
My mom seemed to ask it without a second thought, but after she said it, she added, sounding a little flustered.
“No, it’s not that I don’t like you hanging out at our place all the time. On the contrary, I’m really grateful that you’re getting along with Atsushi, who doesn’t have many friends. Seriously.”
My mom really emphasized the “seriously” part.
“But… that’s just from our perspective. I was wondering how your parents feel about it.”
In other words, she was asking what Kanade’s parents thought about her hanging out at our house all the time.
Well… it’s definitely not going to happen, but if I were to hang out at Kanade’s house all the time, Mom would probably tell me not to take advantage of her parents’ kindness.
Constantly taking advantage of their kindness ends up being a strain on both the recipient and the giver, and I guess Mom just doesn’t like that.
“Auntie. I’m sorry for always bothering you.”
“No, I’m the one who’s sorry. You really don’t need to apologize…”
“But don’t worry. My parents actually seem happy that I’m going to your house.”
“Oh, really?”
“Yes. …When I first moved to France, I didn’t make many friends.”
I didn’t know that.
“So, partly because of my illness, I was feeling pretty down… but lately, I seem to be looking more cheerful, and she seems really happy about it.”
…Kanade’s smile was dazzling.
“I see. Well, that’s good to hear.”
My mother smiled happily too.
“Well then, we’d better make Atsushi take responsibility soon.”
……A cold sweat ran down my spine.
What on earth was Mom talking about?
“Oh? Aren’t you two dating?”
“Yes.”
Kanade answered immediately.
“We’re not dating yet!”
“I see. So you’re not dating yet.”
Today’s miso soup tastes a bit stronger than usual—it’s actually pretty good.
“Atsushi, I’m all set over here.”
“I can’t laugh at jokes like that, Mom.”
I let out a exasperated sigh.
“That’s something that depends on the other person, so you shouldn’t just blurt it out like that.”
“A-kun. I’m all set too, you know?”
“See, Kanade’s saying the same thing.”
Seriously, even as a joke, she says things that aren’t funny.
Maiasa