Episode 129 – Imagination

I was on my way to Hashimoto’s house with Nanase. Her house was about two stops away by train, and there were a few people who glanced at Nanase on the way. It was interesting to see how they reacted when they saw me walking next to her.

Some gave me jealous glances, others lost interest and instantly dropped their gazes. It used to be just unpleasant, but now I’ve managed to make room for acceptance and enjoyment.

(Well, I guess the fact that they are not students of our school is a big part of it.)

Fortunately, the sight of Nanase and I walking next to each other was not often seen by students from the same school. Perhaps it was a good thing that I got home halfway through the day so I was able to avoid becoming the subject of gossip tomorrow.

“Senpai, by the way, how is your sister?　Even though we are in the same high school, we rarely see each other when we are in different grades.”

“She’s full of energy. She even whines at me while studying.”

“Ahaha, you two are as close as ever.”

While talking about such trivial things, we get off at the destination station and pass through the ticket gate. And again, under Nanase’s guidance, we head to Hashimoto’s house. Apparently, she lives not far from this station.

“By the way, Senpai, what would you do if you were turned away at the entrance? I heard that her parents won’t let us see her.”

“Well, there are several ways to do it.”

“Oh, as expected of you, Senpai. What are the several ways?”

“You could buy or rent a suit and call yourself a psychologist.”

“Isn’t that just a scam artist?”

It is a last resort, but in fact, we should consider taking such aggressive measures. I don’t know if her parents will be home at the time, but the more assumptions I make, the more options I have for action. And above all, I want to meet her as soon as possible to hear what she has to say.

“Senpai, is this really okay?”

“Don’t look so worried when you’re about to meet someone who’s in trouble.”

“That’s true, but.”

Nanase, who took my story seriously, looked somewhat worried. It seems that she is worried about her mental burden because she is a friend after all. However, if you stand at the other person’s entrance with such a face, they will be worried instead.

“Listen, why are we doing this in the first place?”

“Well, to help Hashimoto san.”

“You’re half right. But that is not the ultimate goal.”

The other goal is to destroy Shinya who would have driven Hashimoto into a corner, but there is no point in saying that. But there is another unknown that cannot be avoided.

“Even if Hashimoto were able to solve the problem she was facing, would she even try to go to school?”

“Um, is that wrong?”

“It’s obvious. The only one who has changed is Hashimoto, and nothing has changed around her.”

“Oh……”

Nanase seemed to think so too. Even if Hashimoto gets back on her feet, what will people think of her returning? As I recall, she had been suspended from school for slutty behavior. After such a humiliation, would they think positively about her returning to school?

“Even if you and her classmates welcomed her warmly, what about the others? No, even among her classmates who should be close to her, there may be some who leave a lump in her heart.”

“That’s for sure.”

“And above all, Hashimoto is the student council member. No matter how much the student council president protects her, the other student council members will probably be skeptical. Wondering if she really didn’t do anything wrong.”

“Then Hashimoto san’s place……”

Nanase begins to think about what Hashimoto should do to have a peaceful school life from now on, but I have already come to a conclusion.

–It’s already impossible for Hashimoto to live her school life as she has up until now.

The treatment she is receiving now may possibly be worse than what I once received. Not only has she been deprived of her place, but her honor has been disgraced, and it is no wonder that she is afraid to step out into society.

(Because I’m really worried about the eyes around me)

I myself, from the beginning of my high school life until now, have always been concerned about the eyes of those around me. On the contrary, it is because of this that I’m able to remain vigilant on a daily basis, but she doesn’t need such things.

“Senpai, what on earth can I do?”

“Now that you say it…..”

I try to match Nanase’s story appropriately, but to be honest, there is nothing that she can do. No, no matter who you are, you can’t avoid hurting Hashimoto. That’s probably why her parents are kicking away students who were about to check her condition.

“For now, can’t we think about it after we meet?”

I lied to Nanase. If I don’t give her some faint hope in an untenable situation, she won’t follow me.

“…You’re right. I’m going to have to check first to see if she’s okay.”

I turned away from Nanase and began to think again about how to get in touch with Hashimoto.

・Get in from the front and says I’m a friend

・Pretend to be a school employee.

・Pose as a courier.

・Or I could try to act like a scammer.

Ideas come and go, and more and more ideas are lost. I’m at a loss. It’s been so long since I’ve tried to help people, so I can only come up with childish methods. No, I used to be a childish guy.

And that’s when I came up with my 34th idea.

“Hey, do you have a minute?”

“Eh…….”

I stopped in my tracks as I was suddenly approached from behind. Nanase also looks back with me in surprise. Then there was a man with a gentle smile.

“I’d like to ask you for directions, is the station over here?”

“No, it’s the other way. To get to the station, go straight this way…..”

The man seemed to have wanted to ask for directions to the station, and Nanase, who immediately recognized the question, began to politely give him directions. The man was also listening to Nanase earnestly.

(What’s with that guy?)

I didn’t notice his approach until he was at this distance. He looked so thin and unhealthy that I was under the illusion that he was about to collapse at any moment. And yet, his clean suit and smile give him a somewhat eerie air.

“Oh, well, thank you. Thanks to you, I won’t get lost.”

“Yes.”

Apparently the explanation of the road is over, and Nanase comes back here. Then the man shifted his gaze from Nanase to me.

“I’m sorry to take up so much of your time. Were you on a date?”

“N-no ! Senpai and I are not that kind of…..”

“Ahaha, I see. I’m sorry I said that.”

The man scratches his head with his hand jokingly saying so. For some reason I can’t take my eyes off this guy.

“Hmm, what’s wrong?”

“Ah, no. Nothing.”

Saying that, I closed my eyes and shook my head to show that it was nothing. No, in fact, nothing in particular, but for some reason I wanted to make that appeal, even if it was blatant.

“Hm, have we met somewhere before?”

“No, not that I recall.”

“I see, if you don’t remember, then surely I must be imagining thing.”

“? Yes, I suppose so.”

After the exchange, the man turned around, waved his hand to me, said, [Well, thank you] and left the place.

“He was a strange man, wasn’t he?”

“Yeah, I guess so. But don’t lose sight of your purpose.”

“Y-yes, sir.”

We were unexpectedly stopped, but we hurriedly headed for Hashimoto’s house. But my mind was still cluttered with an indescribable feeling of discomfort and uneasiness.

——

“See you later, Kanata kun.”

The words disappeared along with the wind.