Source
https://ncode.syosetu.com/n5612jg/55/
“Here, water.”
“……Thank you.”
After running away from the strange woman, I took Kenshiro to the infirmary.
The teacher was not there, but the door was unlocked, so I let Kenshiro rest for the time being.
Kenshiro’s hands were shaking and he looked pale.
I had never seen my brother so weak.
“Are you all right? Have you calmed down?”
A voice of concern came out of a mouth that usually only uttered curses out of embarrassment.
If I was always this honest, Kenshirou wouldn’t be surprised.
“I’m really sorry, I’m so distraught.”
Kenshiro, who had calmed down a little, was forcing himself to make a facial expression.
“I don’t mind, but who is that woman? What can I say, uh…”
She was very weird and creepy.
It was as if my body was shriveling up just by being looked at.
“…She’s not someone you have to deal with.”
“Do you think that’s gonna convince me?”
Kenshiro was not in his usual state when he was in front of that woman.
His voice was trembling and he didn’t move like a statue, and even though Kenshiro usually seemed to have the composure to look at things from above, he was being played by that woman.
Like a child.
“….It’s almost time for the interview, right? I’ll be fine, so get going. We can’t keep Hitomi san waiting.”
Fifteen minutes had already passed since we entered the infirmary.
In a few minutes, my interview would begin.
I was worried, but there was nothing I could do if I stayed here, so I left the infirmary.
As I was about to head to the classroom, I saw Hananoi.
She notices me, too, and our eyes meet.
“……Um, where’s Ken?”
As I approach, she speaks to me weakly.
Her usual imposing demeanor was nowhere to be found.
“He’s a little out of shape and in the infirmary.”
“I see…sorry.”
Hananoi walked toward the infirmary saying that.
“For what?
I tilted my head, not understanding the meaning of the word.
After the parent-teacher conference was over, I was returning to the infirmary when I saw the woman from earlier descending the stairs.
“I’m sorry, Mom ! Go to the infirmary first !”
“Hey ! Ayaka !”
I hurried after her.
I went down to the shoebox, but the woman was already gone, and I was about to give up when I saw her walking toward the gate.
I ran out without changing my shoes.
“U-um !”
She stopped moving and looked back at me.
“Oh my? You’re from earlier…..what is it?”
She looked so calm that I couldn’t believe she was that strange woman.
I was surprised by that, but I spun the words around.
(This time, it’s my turn !)
Now is the time to return the favor to my brother who saved me.
“After meeting you, Kenshiro…my brother has been acting strangely, so I don’t know what kind of relationship he has with you, but I was wondering if you could stay out of his life from now on…”
To someone who did not know what was going on, this was too one-sided a request, but the woman in front of me radiated a horror that made me feel compelled to say so.
In fact, Kenshiro was in a weakened state.
I don’t know her, but she must be someone that Kenshiro doesn’t like.
If Kenshiro can’t say anything, I will.
Because I’m not involved, I can speak up without thinking.
I gathered up my courage and released my words, then I looked up and froze like Kenshiro did a moment ago.
The woman who had been told something nasty by a complete stranger was laughing.
She was looking at me as if she were looking at something lovely.
“You’re good.”
As soon as the woman began to speak, the air around her changed.
Even to me, who knew nothing about her, she transformed from a kind person to a crazy, insane person.
“For the sake of your beloved brother, you had the courage to advise me, a stranger, even though you are afraid. That’s very brave of you. But…you lack confidence. Your eyes are wavering.”
Saying this, the woman approaches me.
I couldn’t move, I just looked into her eyes.
She stopped right in front of me and traced my cheek.
“You’re not confident in yourself, are you? You’re just like the old me. I don’t hate your eyes.”
She took another step toward me, and I finally backed away.
“I’m not happy that you like me !”
Once I was able to move, I managed to speak up.
But the woman was unmoved.
“What the hell are you to Kenshiro !?”
The woman’s smile deepened.
“I’m his—”
“Ayaka !”
Just as the woman was about to speak, I heard a voice from behind.
When I turned around, I saw Kenshiro gasping for air.
He must have come in a hurry, for he was sweating as well.
Behind him were Hananoi and my mom, who didn’t seem to understand what was going on.
“Kenshiro !? How’s your body? Are you all right?”
“Well. How about you?”
He seemed unusually genuinely concerned.
Normally, I would have been pleased, but to be honest, relief prevailed as I was freed from fear.
“…Hitomi san, please take Ayaka and go home first.”
“But I still have an interview with Kenshiro kun–“
“I’ll tell the homeroom teacher. Ayaka seems very tired.”
“R-really? Then I will do so.”
I was going to stay, but perhaps I was more nervous and tired than I had imagined, I didn’t have much strength to resist, so I changed into the outdoor shoes that Hananoi had brought and left the place.
The back of Kenshiro I saw as I left looked a lot like the dependable back of the stepfather I had seen a year or so earlier supporting Mom.
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