Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818622172789075625/episodes/16818792437328805623
When I got home, my mother started laughing.
“So, how did the test go? I heard the results were being announced today, so I hurried home to celebrate.”
“What if I failed? Why would you do that?”
What would she do if I had failed the test miserably?
I might have lost to Takagi and come home crying.
When I said that with a glum look on my face, my mother poked my cheek in annoyance.
“I said it because I could tell from your face. So?”
“…I got first place. And I also got a recommendation spot. But I’m still undecided about my target school. I’ll keep aiming for the general entrance exam.”
“Huh, okay. …I see.”
“Hey. Don’t look so worried. I’m the one who encouraged you, right?”
“I’m not worried. I’m just scared.”
“Huh?”
At my voice, my mother started walking briskly.
Then she sat down on the tatami mat floor, hugged herself, and trembled.
“You’ve really grown into an amazing person.”
“Don’t talk about it like it’s someone else’s business. You raised me, didn’t you?”
“What are you talking about? I never once told you to aim to become a doctor.”
“Still, you’re my mom.”
“…..This is a fair evaluation. Accept it properly. I never said anything to you, but you’ve achieved this through your own efforts. It’s your own achievement, not your parents’.”
“I see.”
Before I knew it, my mother had calmed down.
The earlier joke was gone, and she spoke in a quiet tone.
That made me emotional, and tears welled up in my eyes.
Come to think of it, I didn’t have many opportunities to have conversations like this with my mother.
I had shut myself off in my own world and studied all the time.
I might not have been able to interact with my family, let alone my friends.
I had lived my life prioritizing studying over talking.
“You know, I really wanted to spend more time with Dad. Play games together, hang out with friends. …..I probably wanted to be closer to Kako too.”
Looking back now, maybe Kako turned out the way she did because of my attitude.
I suddenly became obsessed with studying, and the time I spent playing with Kako decreased.
Maybe she grew tired of me because I became so distant.
I was always at a loss for words, and we never really worked on our relationship.
Even if that were the case, my behavior was unforgivable, but thinking about it now, I realize I had my own issues too.
I just couldn’t see what was going on around me.
Thinking that she might have been hurt too makes me feel a little complicated.
If I hadn’t aimed to become a doctor, maybe our relationship wouldn’t have gotten this strained.
But the experiences I’ve gained aren’t just negative ones.
They’re not all bad.
“But you know, since I became a bookworm, I’ve been able to experience all sorts of things.”
The fact that I became friends with Reisa and Nagisa is because I was a bookworm.
The cultural festival the other day was a great memory.
The two house retreats at Reisa’s house were also fun.
“I want to save patients like my father. Then, above all, there will be fewer children like me who feel lonely. …So, I’ll keep trying.”
Until now, I’ve been fixated on my father, but in the end, maybe I started aiming to become a doctor because I wanted to be selfish.
I’ve suffered from the circumstances of losing my parents.
My mother was there, but I was always lonely.
I was simply lonely and miserable.
That’s why I’ve clung to this dream so tightly.
My mother smiles at my words.
“Well, then. I think aiming for Kaiho University is the best choice. If you have that much determination, you shouldn’t compromise.”
“Yeah.”
“I’ll support you. …Besides, we have some savings, so don’t worry.”
“Huh? But…”
“Have you ever wondered why, even though I’m a single parent, I have a decent job, but our standard of living hasn’t improved much?”
“Well, um…”
Actually, I had.
To be honest, I had wondered why we were so struggling financially even though my mother was working so hard.
But I figured raising a high school student was expensive, and there were probably other reasons, so I didn’t bring it up.
Besides, even though I’m not a dependent, I know it’s not appropriate to mention my parents’ income.
As I blinked in surprise, my mother smiled playfully.
“You’re silly. I’ve been putting a decent amount…no, a significant amount in the bank account to make sure I can support you no matter which path you choose.”
“So…”
“Yes. It should cover a certain amount of tuition.”
“Mom…”
I don’t blame her for not telling me.
I’m glad she didn’t.
If she had, I probably wouldn’t have been able to push myself this hard.
Well, that aside, I did wonder a bit what all that stress was for.
As we were talking, the intercom rang.
I opened my eyes wide in surprise.
I had been ignoring it because I had left, but I was still in the middle of talking to him.
Perhaps because of my conversation with Kako and my mother’s encouragement, my emotions were running high, and I had forgotten to contact him.
Before I could stop my mother from going to the front door, I heard a familiar voice from the other side.
It was a cute voice with a strong foreign accent.
I hurriedly showed my face, and there was indeed Reisa.
She was flustered in front of my mother.
“Good evening.”
“Good evening. …Are you Tsukushi’s girlfriend?”
“No, no, n o! There’s no way we’re dating !”
“That’s quite a denial. Did I say something bad?”
“Never mind. I’ll just go now.”
Damn, my mother’s weird act ruined the atmosphere.
I had been reevaluating her recently because of our serious conversation, but I forgot.
My mother is quite non-conventional.
As expected of my parent, it seems that the weird parts are genetic.
However, it’s embarrassing to be with the three of us, so I decide to change the location for now.
I take Reisa, whose already pale face is now even paler, and leave the house.
◇
“I wanted to talk a little more, but was I bothering you?”
“No, it’s okay. …Actually, I’m sorry about my mother.”
“So that’s Mother-in-law.”
I felt like there was something in her intonation, but maybe it was just my imagination.
Well, never mind.
I faced Reisa and tilted my head.
Then she immediately got to the point.
“I’ve decided to apply to Kaiho University.”
“…Huh?”
“So let’s study together from now on.”
“Huh !?”
I thought about it.
Given Reisa’s current grades, it was definitely within her reach.
At first, I couldn’t quite grasp it because of her initial bad reputation, but now it was a level of school that wasn’t impossible for her to aim for.
Besides, I wasn’t the only one applying; Nagisa was too.
It was a realistic goal.
“Don’t your parents say anything? You’re a lady, so maybe you should go to a university overseas?”
“My dad is lenient with me, so it’s okay. So, as you wish, I’ll support you throughout the exam period and after you enter university.”
“…Just do what you want to do.”
“But that’s what I want to do !”
“Oh, I see.”
When she put it that way, there was no reason to stop her.
I would be happy if we could go to the same university.
Going to university with Reisa and Nagisa…a dream campus life.
I’m serious about studying medicine, so I won’t be able to play around that much, but it would still be nice to see them from time to time.
But wait a minute.
It’s good that my relationship with Reisa has progressed, but there’s also Nagisa.
I know she wants to be with me, and with the three of us—Reisa, Nagisa, and me—I wonder how we should interact from now on.
In a situation where I have to be careful about human relationships, will we be spending the next seven years together, including college?
“The three of us are just getting started.”
“Yeah, that’s right…hahaha.”
Before I knew it, I was surrounded.
I was just supposed to be studying hard at my desk, but somehow…
I, a useless bookworm who was betrayed by my childhood friend, was in despair, but before I knew it, I was surrounded by some of the most popular and beautiful girls in the school.
—The End—
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What?? This is the end? So frustrating..