Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818093089220129356/episodes/16818093091543820932
(*Mikan viewpoint)
“Mouu, …… Ikun, where did you go?’
Lunch break is over and the afternoon session is about to start.
Despite this, Ikkun went away, saying something like, ‘My father seems to be here, so I’m going to kick him out.’
Indeed, the first event of the afternoon session was a cheer competition.
I know it’s not his event, so he can take his time, but…
(…..I put a lot of energy into it because you said you wanted to see my cheer competition clothes.]
I put up with a bit of embarrassment and put on my cheerleader outfit. Not many people wear cheerleader outfits for the cheerleading competition. It’s optional.
Well, Hiiya-chan and Raika-chan both started changing their cheerleader outfits as soon as I told them that Ikkun likes cheerleader outfits.
I want to find him quickly and have him look at it first.
(Because he’s the only one who can see me now. ……)
With that in mind, I was looking for Ikun, but…
(L-lies…… about Ikkun and my parents…… why?!)
Near the school gate.
There, I found Ikkun and my parentstalking about something.
I quickly hid in the shadows nearby. …… I don’t understand it myself.
Was it because I was uncomfortable seeing them, or was it because I was curiousmabout what they were talking about?
I don’t know, but…
[I don’t know what you heard from Mikan, but things are different over here.]
[…………]
[I’m sorry for Mikan, but she’s not a child either, so I hope you can understand the adult situation.]
…… I thought that’s what the story was about.
Ikkun tries to keep my parents and they refuse to stay.
(It’s hard because Ikkun can see through everything.)
I wondered how he knew. I wondered if my face showed it.
The same is true for Raika chan, but Ikkun is also unfair.
I can’t hide it even if I want to.
……Yeah, but you know.
But still…
(……After all, it’s no good.)
I squat there and hold my knees to hide my face.
(What am I doing?)
I knew that my parents had to go home for work.
It’s normal that work takes priority over my events, and I should have ended it with ‘it can’t be helped’ in my mind.
Inevitably, it makes me sad to hear it again.
(Probably the last ……)
It’s the three of us, and it’s supposed to be the last time we make memories together.
It’s because I’ve realised that that’s the case that I can’t help but feel bitter in my heart.
(Let’s go back ……)
I don’t know what kind of face I should make if I intervene now.
At the very least, I should change my mind so that I can smile as usual in front of Ikkun.
I’ll get worried again. Raika-chan will also be concerned about me.
Thinking that, I sat up and…
[Please, …… just for today, will you please listen to Ayase’s request until the end?]
When I was about to do that, for some reason, Ikkun lowered his head.
(I-Ikkun…?)
Various questions were popping up in my head.
Why did he bow his head?
Why did he say that?
Because it’s none of your business. It’s a problem in my house, it’s a problem with my feelings.
There is no need for Ikkun to go out of his way to bow to a stranger in a public place.
(…… I need to make him raise it.)
I mustn’t let Ikkun bow down to my problems.
And yet…]
[Ayase is a kind girl in everyone’s eyes.’
I couldn’t sit up.
“〜〜〜!?”
For some reason, Ikkun’s words made my body freeze.
[She has a bright and uninhibited side, but I think she is a more sensitive girl than others.]
The waist that was about to be raised did not move.
On the contrary, I slumped down on the spot once more.
(…… Eh?)
Why does Ikkun say this?
…… I can tell even from a distance.
He said he couldn’t back down, trying to appeal for something.
He is very serious and tells my parents
[…… I am very aware that I have no right to tell you both what kind of situation you are in and what kind of problems you are having, no matter what I know.]
I know
I know that Ikkun is saying this for my sake.
So …… really, I think I’m the worst.
[I’m on Ayase’s side more than the two of you.]
Because I can’t help it, my heart is beating so hard.
[Because if Ayase, who doesn’t usually say things that would really get someone in trouble, has asked the two of you to do this, …… I think there’s a good reason for it.]
No, no.
At least now, I shouldn’t be thinking this.
(Ikkun ……)
Tears are spilling from my eyes on their own.
However, despite my feelings, my body doesn’t listen to me at all.
I’m about to go out in front of everyone, but tears are coming out, and my heart is pounding loudly while Ikkun is bowing down for me.
[I know you might think, ‘Really, what is a stranger saying ……]
But there’s a part of me that thinks it can’t be helped.
Because…
[Please don’t do something that will make someone I care about sad.]
Because you’re saying this kind of thing for me, thinking of me …….
(I can’t help it,……I really, I can’t help it,……!)
I can’t stop my face from burning.
My heart is really noisy, and I can’t even hear my children’s conversations anymore.
I don’t know what people passing by are thinking when they see me crouching and holding my knees.
Even so, I can’t move.
Tears are streaming down from my moist eyes
Only a little, I think.
I had buried my face in my knees, just a little bit inside myself.
It should have been…
“Why is Ayase here?”
─ ─ ─ For some reason, Ikkun was beside me.
I should be used to seeing his face.
His gentle eyes, looking at me with concern.
The moment I raised my face, they filled my field of vision,
(ah ……)
Really, it can’t be helped.
I can’t help it.
“Hey, Ikkun…”
“Hm?”
“Can I kiss you, ……?”
“…………Why?”
Because you said that kind of thing for me, …… I can’t help it.
(Really, …… I–)
I love you so much that I can’t help it.
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