The Love of My Childhood Friend, Who Has Overcome a Terminally Ill Diagnosis, Is Overwhelming
After that little spat with Kanade, I couldn’t bring myself to go back to sleep, so I went down to the living room.
“Oh, A-kun. You could have slept a little longer, you know?”
“Nope. I’m fine.”
“Hehe. I see.”
“…Is there anything I can help with?”
I asked Kanade, who was standing in the kitchen making my breakfast.
Come to think of it, I remembered that the other day, I’d suggested we split the housework to lighten her load.
“No, I’m fine. …Oh, sorry. Actually, there might be something I’d like you to do.”
“What?”
“Hehe. Say ‘Thank you, Kanade, for everything.’”
“Thank you, Kanade, for everything.”
“Ehehe. Ehehehehe.”
When I expressed my gratitude for her daily efforts, Kanade was clearly over the moon.
Hehe. It feels good to be thanked by someone, doesn’t it?
From now on, whenever someone does something helpful for me, I’ll make sure to thank them properly.
Then, since Kanade told me to wait in the living room, I sat on the sofa and stared blankly at the TV.
A few minutes later, Kanade came in with breakfast, bringing a delicious aroma with her.
“Here you go, Akkun.”
“Kanade, thanks as always.”
“Ehehe. Ehehehehe.”
Sure enough, saying thank you makes me feel good too.
“Well then, I’ll dig in.”
“Enjoy your meal.”
“Mmm. It’s delicious.”
“I’m really happy.”
“Kanade, thanks as always.”
“Ehehe. Ehehehehe.”
Kanade sat down next to me, wriggling her body back and forth.
“By the way, Akkun…”
Kanade, looking all giddy, spoke to me in a cheerful voice.
“Akkun. Are you feeling a little under the weather today?”
I was speechless as Kanade said this, still smiling.
“Huh? Does it look like it?”
“Yeah.”
Kanade didn’t let her smile falter.
“Why…?”
“Well, your voice is lower than usual. You’re walking slower than usual. And your smile isn’t as bright as usual.”
“What do you mean, ‘not as bright’…?”
“Most of all, you were tossing and turning in your sleep just a little while ago, weren’t you?”
…Is that so?
“…I wonder what happened? I’m here to listen to anything, you know?”
“…Really?”
“Yeah. We’re special, aren’t we?”
“I guess so.”
…That’s right.
Just as I think of Kanade as special, she must think of me as special to some extent, too.
And above all, among my few friends… Kanade is the person I trust the most.
“……Actually, I’ve been thinking about Takagaki-san.”
“Huuuuuuuuuuum.”
“Since yesterday… yeah. Ever since I was taking pictures of the plane, I’ve been worried about her the whole time…”
“Wooooooooooooooow.”
“…Kanade, I’m only telling you this because it’s you.”
“……”
“……”
“…………”
“…………”
“What? A-kun?”
I swallowed hard, facing Kanade, who was radiating a mysterious intensity.
“Have you heard anything about Takagaki-san’s younger brother?”
…Instantly, the pressure Kanade was giving off began to fade, and eventually, her eyes widened.
“…Huh? Does A-kun have that kind of hobby…?”
Kanade’s eyes welled up with tears as her cheeks flushed and her lips trembled.
“No way. Is that what you mean? Is that why you weren’t falling for me at all…?”
“Kanade.”
“…Waaah.”
“Kanade?”
“…Y-yes!”
For some reason, Kanade was flustered.
“……Well, I’ve been thinking about it ever since yesterday…”
“……I-is that so?”
“Yeah…… Maybe Takagaki-san’s younger brother…”
“……Gulp”
“…might be suffering from an illness.”
It felt like Kanade’s confused expression had changed again.
“Why do you think that?”
Kanade asked in a gentle tone.
“…Yesterday, Takagaki-san muttered something. She said she hoped he’d get well soon.”
“Uh-huh.”
“Given the timing, it seemed to me that it must be about her brother.”
“I see.”
“…If you really think about it, doesn’t it seem strange? If her brother was interested in the wrapped airplane, shouldn’t he have come to the airport yesterday too, not just Takagaki-san?”
“True, that way he could see the real thing and it would make for a better memory.”
“……Right? And that’s when it hit me.”
“That even if Ayaka’s brother was interested in the wrapped plane, there must have been some reason he just couldn’t make it there in person?”
I nodded.
“When I thought about what that reason might be… and heard her wistful murmur…”
I gave Kanade a look.
“I ended up thinking of you.”
…Kanade was smiling.
“…Yeah.”
…That’s right.
Thinking about Takagaki-san’s brother’s condition, and then I…
…ended up thinking of you, Kanade.
That’s why I had that nightmare earlier.
“…I see. I understand what you’re trying to say, A-kun.”
Kanade nodded, “Mm-hmm.”
“A-kun. So, can I share my thoughts?”
“Sure.”
“I think you’re probably right. Ayaka-chan’s brother is probably in the hospital or something… anyway, I don’t think he’s in good health.”
“……Yeah.”
“But……”
Kanade gently squeezed my hand.
“I think—though I’m not sure—it’s not as dire as you imagine.”
Her hand was…… warm.
“I don’t think he’s hovering between life and death like I am.”
……For a moment, distracted by the warmth of her hand, I shook my head.
“Why do you think that?”
“…Hmm. Well, I guess it’s just a rule of thumb.”
“A rule of thumb?”
Kanade tightened her grip on my hand just a little.
“…When a family member is in critical condition. Especially when a child is in that state. People just can’t joke around anymore.”
…Kanade gave a wry smile.
“Ayaka-chan didn’t seem that desperate around the time of the closing ceremony. Even yesterday. A relative… That doesn’t look like someone whose younger brother is about to die. That didn’t.”
“…I see.”
“Yeah. So… he’s probably in the hospital, but he’s not in mortal danger. Maybe it’s just an injury or something.”
…Maybe it was because Kanade, of all people, said it, but I felt a little calmer.
Maiasa