Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16817330665542028014/episodes/16817330668903655705
Kaho Chikujitsu. It is derived from a legendary Chinese tale of a father who, thirsting after the sun, drank water from the Yellow River and the Isui River, but it was not enough, and he died of thirst on his way to seek more water. The meaning of the word “thirst” is to be reckless and to have aspirations far beyond one’s ability.
It is a four-character phrase that is rarely heard in daily life. In fact, Wada, who was pale before for a moment, is now pouting, not understanding what is going on. He recovered quickly.
“Being told to know your place…..aren’t those words too harsh for a childhood friend you met again after more than ten years?”
“When we first met, you said, [Do you remember?] Do you think that is an appropriate word to say to someone who asks you that? Or rather, do you understand what I’m saying…?”
Kanna closes her mouth, puts her hand on her chin and makes a thoughtful face. The classroom is bustling with chatter among those nearby, but no noise is coming into my ears. I just sat there and waited nervously for her next words.
“A-are you, by any chance…..Jinpei kun?”
After what should have been less than a minute, but seemed like an eternity, she uttered my name with a slight tremor in her voice.
“I’m glad you remember me, Kanna.”
“Are you really, really, that Jinpei kun !? Are you the same Itsuki Jinpei kun who used to play with me a little over ten years ago !?”
Kanna keeps getting closer to her body, speaking with a strong tone and snorting. When I was a child, I didn’t know about it, but when I was approached by a childhood friend who has grown up to be super cute, my heart beats faster in a different way, whether I like it or not.
“Yeah, that’s right. I’m Itsuki Jinpei, the guy you used to play with a long time ago.”
I was about to say again, [It’s been a long time] when Kanna squeezes my hand with both of hers. Her soft, white-fish-like hands were trembling slightly.
“You’re lying……I can’t believe it,…..I’m glad to see you again, Jinpei kun. Have you been doing well since I left?”
A smile she forced herself to make. There was a film covering her big eyes, and the glittering stones looked like they were about to fall.
“I’m just getting by. I was helping my grandfather and doing reasonably well.”
“When you say you were helping your grandfather, do you mean hunting? Isn’t it dangerous?”
“It would be dangerous if I let my guard down, but Grandpa taught me a lot about that, so I’ll be fine. Kanna, can I ask you one thing?”
“Hm? What is it?”
Kanna tilts her head slightly with a shocked expression. It was a gesture I had seen many times in the past, but its destructive power was on a whole other level. After I cleared my throat,
“Erm….isn’t it about time you took your hands off me……”
“—! !?? S-s-s-sorry ! !”
Kanna hurriedly let go of my hand as if she was about to fall over, and at the same time she distanced herself from me. In addition, her face was so red that it looked like steam was coming out. We used to hold hands a lot, but this was the first time for us to be so confident in front of a large group of people. As expected, I’m embarrassed too.
“No, there’s nothing to apologize for……”
“W-we have a lot to talk about, but I’m going to go back to my seat for now ! I think the teacher will be here soon !”
[Well then] Kanna said as she turned into the wind and returned to her original place As soon as she took her seat, she plopped down on her desk. I’m worried about how she’s feeling.
[He had a conversation with Hanazono Kanna…..?]
[I mean, wasn’t he awfully close to him? Wasn’t the distance between them strange !?]
[Don’t tell me that’s he’s the special student I’ve heard so much about?]
The classroom was buzzing in a different way, but I didn’t care and took my seat. Wada, who was sitting in front of me, looked at me and muttered to himself.
“I see why Itsuki wanted to know about Hanazono Kanna.”
“I’ve known Kanna since childhood. It’s been a while since we met like this.”
“It’s no wonder you were able to have such a good conversation. That’s amazing, Itsuki.”
“It’s nothing sort of……”
It’s itchy, or rather creepy. However, I just had a normal conversation with a childhood friend I had reunited with.
I was filled with anticipation and anxiety about what would happen in the future in many ways, when the classroom door swung open. The person who came in was a young woman who was about the same age as Katsuragi sensei, or maybe a little younger. Behind her was an elderly man who seemed calm and kind. Apparently these two are the homeroom teacher and assistant homeroom teacher for this class.
“Congratulations on your enrollment, everyone ! I’m Misuta Yurina, and I’ll be your homeroom teacher for this class ! Let me introduce myself right away ! Oh, by the way, the grandpa over here is the assistant homeroom teacher, Matsuyama Daisaku ! Please get along with him !”
Misuta sensei smiles with a lively smile as she says so. I felt a sense of déjà vu at this free and unrestrained atmosphere, but at the same time, I was confident that it would be a fun year.
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