Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818093087122434729/episodes/16818622176250745532
“Please proceed in line! This is the end of the line!”
It was like a battlefield.
The wide hall was filled with long tables, and the space was filled with doujinshi, creating a strange atmosphere.
The heat! The hall was so hot that it was like a sauna.
And then…
“Got it!? Only scalpers are allowed to shoot!”
“Yes! Got it!”
Their actions were too polished. The people in front of me were not the kind of people who would be mocked as otaku.
Their eyes burned with the flames of conviction and ambition.
Those who were prepared—no, they were already warriors. Yeah, let’s call them that.
“Thank you very much.”
For now, one book. One of the desired items had been obtained. Five more to go.
“Um, next is this one, I guess.”
Opening the catalog, I followed the flow of the person… no, the warrior.
“Still, it’s hot in here.”
“Yeah, you’re right.”
“No, really… Wait, who?”
What was supposed to be a soliloquy had somehow turned into a conversation.
Shuddering, I looked to my side.
There stood a familiar girl.
“Long time no see, Hayami-kun.”
It was her.
“Tsuzurisato? Why are you here?”
“That’s true… Um, we can’t even have a conversation here. Let’s meet up later. Ah, I’ll be patrolling the back area myself.”
“Oh, okay. Got it.”
“See you then.”
Tsuzurisato waved her hand and was swept away by the crowd.
“…What’s going on?”
For now, it didn’t seem like I could escape. I headed toward the next circle.
＊＊＊
“Huh… In the end, both are sold out.”
After walking around the venue for a while, I went outside.
I took a break in front of a vending machine. It was my first time buying oshiruko, but it was surprisingly delicious.
“Hey, wait a minute. Hayami-kun.”
After waiting for a while, I made eye contact with Tsuzurisato, who came out of the hall. She was carrying a paper bag in her hand.
“Tsuzurisato… Um, why are you here?”
I asked her again.
“Reinforcements. Shiramine-chan asked me to come and help.”
“Ah, I see.”
Why am I here now?
It’s because Nishimiya is still not feeling well. Her fever has gone down, but she’s still unsteady on her feet.
“…That’s part of it, but to be honest, I’m a little curious.”
Saying that, Tsuzurisato lifted the camera hanging around her neck.
“Well, I wanted to take some pictures. Of cosplayers.”
Tsuzurisato made a silly face. It was clear that she really loved taking pictures.
“How about it? You’ve been writing for the student council newspaper lately, right?”
I remembered seeing it posted on the bulletin board around last week.
“…Hayami-kun. Thank you so much.”
Tsuzurisato bowed her head.
“Don’t worry about it. The newspaper was interesting.”
It seems like she’s doing well. I’m relieved.
“I’m honored to hear you say that. Anyway, here, take this.”
“Oh, thank you.”
“Well, I’ll be going now. See you at school.”
“See you.”
My goal was achieved.
I should hurry home. I have to prepare dinner…
And so, I headed home.
It was the other day.
After finishing cleaning, I went to check on Nishimiya’s room.
“Hayami, do you have a girlfriend?”
Nishimiya, lying down with a blue cooling sheet on her forehead, suddenly asked me.
“No.”
“Really? You seem like the type who would be popular, so that’s surprising.”
“Is that so? That’s the first time anyone’s ever said that to me.”
She must be bored. I might as well talk to her for a bit. I pulled up a chair from the study desk and sat down.
“Hey, Nishimiya. What do you like about Aota?”
“!? What are you talking about all of a sudden?”
“You don’t have to hide it. I can tell just by looking at you.”
She made a face that looked somewhat resentful and turned away. However, she began to speak softly.
“…Because he showed interest in me.”
“Hmm? Tell me more.”
“I don’t have any friends, even though I look like I do.”
Well, I knew that. Still, I nodded without saying anything.
“So, I was happy that he showed interest in me.”
“…I think everyone is interested in Nishimiya, though?”
“No. It’s not about me, but about my striking appearance or my position… not the real me.”
In other words, it’s not about the outside, but the inside. I think she wanted someone to see her true self. I can kind of understand that.
“Hasegawa was the first person to take an interest in the things I like. He listened to me. Even though he probably knows nothing about anime or manga.”
“I see.”
“…And his smile is cute.”
Saying that, Nishimiya pulled the blanket up over her face and hid like a turtle in its shell.
Honestly, it’s fine to keep talking about harmless things like this. But there’s one thing I have to tell her.
“Hey, Nishimiya—not relying on others doesn’t mean you’re strong.”
“What? Why are you suddenly saying that?”
Nishimiya poked her head out from under the blanket and gave me a puzzled look. Well, anyone would look that way if they were spoken to like that.
“I… I think it’s really impressive that you’re going to high school, working part-time, and living on your own.”
“… ”
“But, you know? No matter how much we try to act like adults, we’re still kids. There are limits to what we can do.”
That’s why Nishimiya is now in this state of poor health.
“What are you trying to say?”
“Well, to put it simply…”
It was a little scary to say it. It felt like I was trespassing into a place I shouldn’t be.
But I think Nishimiya will keep pushing herself if things continue like this.
“It doesn’t have to be today. Tomorrow or the day after tomorrow is fine. But you should definitely have a proper conversation with your parents at least once.”
“Why do I have to listen to you say that? My parents… how much…”
“Ah. I don’t know. Of course. After all—I don’t even know my own real parents.”
“What!? Hayami… you…”
“When I was two and a half years old. They died in an accident. That’s what I heard.”
I hadn’t told anyone, not even Aota. It wasn’t something I felt like talking about, and I didn’t want people to feel sorry
“Getting back to the point, I don’t know what kind of people your parents are or what terrible things they did to Nishimiya. But before you cut them off, I think you should talk to them one more time.”
Nishimiya had dismissed her father’s calls as nuisance calls. But she didn’t want to change her phone number.
At first, I thought it was because it would cost money and there were various disadvantages.
But if she really wanted to cut off all ties and never see their faces again, that could be arranged. Nowadays, there’s social media for communication.
That’s why I couldn’t help but feel that Nishimiya was still holding onto a tiny bit of hope for her parents. It seemed like a fragile hope.
“But… I… I don’t know how to rely on others now…”
Nishimiya had probably been trying her best all along.
Alone, without relying on anyone else.
That’s why I wanted to help her.
“Then, why don’t you start by practicing relying on others?”
“Huh?”
I handed Nishimiya the catalog I had brought from the living room earlier.
“That’s the day after tomorrow, right? Given your condition, you can’t participate.”
“…That…”
“—What will you do, Nishimiya? I’m free the day after tomorrow.”
I smiled as if to say, “Come on, rely on me.”
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