Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16817330665542028014/episodes/16817330669056067652
Amanohashidate Academy is a large school.
The grounds are so vast that all the school buildings, from the elementary to the high school, are housed on one site. Because of this, it is said that several students get lost every year because they do not know where they are. The teacher said with a laugh that everyone should be careful, but since they are not walking in the mountains, it is impossible for them to get lost on the school grounds.
“Well, since Jinpei kun has been friends with the mountains for a long time, even if he gets lost, I’m sure he’ll come to school with a depressed look on his face.”
“Is it my imagination that I sense malice in your words?”
Kanna ignored my words with an elegant smile. It’s true that my grandpa has taught me a lot about how to be prepared in the mountains and what to do in the event of an accident, so there’s no problem.
“Well, it’s a big place, but why is there a fountain in the school? It looks like something you would find in a royal family. I’m beyond amazed, I’m confused.”
As I change my shoes, I look outside.
Just outside the school building is a huge marble fountain. I don’t understand how something so opulent that you could light it up and put on a show can be located inside a school.
“I heard that the original plan was to install a Merlion that would rival the original. And there were three of them. . Well, I heard they were stopped for going too far.”
“Of course they would have stopped us. Or rather, they didn’t stop building the fountain itself. I have no idea what they are thinking.”
“They say there is a fine line between stupidity and genius. The headmaster is that kind of person. But the light-up show they put on every winter is very beautiful and famous !”
Let’s watch it together next time, Kanna says with a smile. I had no idea they were actually putting on a show. That’s unthinkable in the countryside where I was born and raised.
“Well, I guess I was taking it a little too easy. We need to hurry up a little !”
[The store is crowded at this time] Kanna said, checking the time on her smartphone. The destination is a hidden coffee shop tucked away in a back alley near the nearest station. Apparently, the omelet rice with fluffy eggs was delicious and recommended, but I was more focused on the strap attached to Kanna’s smartphone than on that topic.
“I see you still have that strap.”
It was a handmade strap that I gave to Kanna when she moved out. It was a simple, rugged object made of a beautiful stone I had picked up in the mountains, polished with the help of my grandpa, with a hole drilled and a string threaded through it. The string was unusual, but I was sure it was the one I had given to her as a [good-luck charm].
“I would never throw it away. Because this is a very precious treasure for me.”
Kanna was stroking the amulet with a loving expression on her face. I thought she would have thrown it away long ago, so I was surprised that she cherished it so much.
“I’ve moved here after leaving Jinpei kun, but maybe it’s because of my slightly strange way of speaking, but I haven’t been able to find anyone I can call a friend in a while…..”
[It’s not just slightly] I said, swallowing the rude comment. As Wada said, the sometimes difficult-to-understand words mixed in were also considered creepy.
“Because of that, I was often alone, but thanks to this amulet that Jinpei kun gave me, I was able to do my best.”
“Now that you mention it, Kanna is now the president. Isn’t that amazing?”
“Hehe, thank you very much. However, people around me still often say that they don’t know what I’m saying or what I was thinking.”
The sad look on Kanna’s face as she said that was probably not my imagination. I wonder how hard it must have been for her for more than ten years.
“What’s that? That’s nonsense. If they don’t know what you’re talking about, why don’t they just look it up or study it? Don’t put your own lack of self-confidence on the shelf.”
“Jinpei kun, you have grown taller than you used to be, but you haven’t changed at all on the inside. I’m relieved.”
“Is that a compliment? Or sarcastic.”
“Fufu. Now, which one?”
Kanna smiles happily. I felt like she was making fun of me, but this was a new exchange, and my mouth started to curl.
As we were walking side by side toward the school gate, we were having such a casual exchange, when suddenly an unseasonal spring storm blew. I heard a cute squeal from next door, and when I turned my head to look in that direction, I saw it fluttering in the air.
“……Did you see it?”
Kanna’s face turned bright red as she held the hem of her skirt while looking at me with steady eyes. It only lasted for a moment, but it was clearly etched into my eyelids: it was an emerald green fabric with floral embroidery.
“…I think it’s really cute.”
“Why are you answering the question so fast !? Normally, this is where you would be trying to exercise your right to remain silent or something !?”
Even though I answered the question properly, for some reason she stumbles on the ground.
“It’s true that I saw it, even if it was just a glimpse, so there’s no point in lying, right?”
“Okay. I’ll forgive you if you pay for the coffee shop in full, Jinpei kun, who’s so rude !”
“I know this is unreasonable even though it was a force majeure, but I will pay you the full amount as a way of apologizing and thanking you.”
“What do you mean by thanking me?”
Kanna cries out and pats me on the shoulder. I want it to stop because it hurts so bad. Or rather, the stares from those around me were starting to hurt. If things continue like this, it is likely that I will suffer severe mental and physical damage from the first day of school. Somebody, help me.
“Oh my God, my handkerchief…..”
“No matter what I do, I have no choice but to report it.”
My heart’s cry must have reached the heavens, because I heard two female students’ voices. Something must have happened. One was sitting with her hands on the edge of the fountain and the other was cowering at the sight of her. Kanna and I decided to head over to the girls to check on them.
“It seems like something happened, are you okay?”
Without hesitation, Kanna calls out to the two people who are hesitating in front of the fountain, a combination like a puppy and its owner.
“Eh…..Hanazono san? No, it’s nothing serious……”
The puppy girl who had been sitting on the floor was more and more bewildered by Kanna’s appearance. Judging by the fact that Kanna and her ribbons are the same color, it seems like they are classmates, including the student who is sighing next to her.
“This girl’s handkerchief was blown by the wind earlier and fell into the fountain. It’s really bad.”
The owner-like girl said in an astonished tone, and as she pointed, I saw an elegant handkerchief with a cherry blossom appliqué on a white background swaying in the fountain.
“…..I see. So that’s what you meant……”
Kanna, who was listening to the story with her hand on her chin, seemed to realize something and her expression changed. I just have a bad feeling.
“That’s why you can leave us alone. All I have to do is ask the teacher or the janitor to pick it up. So, what are you doing here?”
“Eh? Hanazono san, why are you taking off your shoes?”
Kanna takes off not only the leather shoes she had just changed into, but also her socks. It was no wonder that the duo was puzzled by her sudden behavior. It seems my hunch was right on target.
“There’s no need to call the teacher or the janitor. Leave it to me !”
“Wait, Hanazono san—-!?”
Ignoring the restraints, Kanna put her foot on the edge of the fountain and jumped into it without hesitation.
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