Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16817330652677973473/episodes/16817330653353957631
“I really don’t see how this can happen…….”
Inside the apartment where he lives alone.
Looking at the screen of yesterday’s call recorded on his phone, Yuuto let out a sigh.
Yesterday, during a break from his part-time job at a café, his father suddenly called him.
[Oh, Yuuto, are you free at this time?]
It started with those words–
[Do you remember? The three sisters who used to live together?]
[Of course I remember. What about them?]
[I’m sorry to bother you, but I heard they’re going to the same university as you, so I need your help until they get used to it.]
And then, [I’ll let you know if I hear anything from them again].
Of course I’m happy to help. That’s why I asked so many things.
The name of the three sisters.
Which department did they attend.
And how did my father know about them.
As soon as he told me the names of the three sisters, I immediately went [Ah !] and remembered.
He said he would tell me about the faculty they attend as soon as he heard from them.
Finally, when I asked him how he knew about them, he said that my former-stepmother had contacted him that way.
[The only way you can communicate with them after divorce is to contact them when you want to see your step-siblings or if something happens to them.]
[Children’s involvement is to communicate without past troubles.]
Apparently, these two things were promised at the time of the divorce, and thanks to the promises being kept, this kind of talk has come about.
“……That’s amazing, really. I have to become a person who can understand things like those two…”
The relationship must have been strained since they are divorced, but they have been talking things through after the exchange.
Although it is a promise, this is something that not everyone can do.
Yuuto, with a renewed sense of respect, put his phone in his pocket and prepared to head off to the university.
The time was 8:53.
There were only seven minutes left until the beginning of the first period.
“Uh〜. Uuuu~……”
“Yeah?”
When Yuuto entered the campus through the university’s entrance, he saw something reflected in his eyes.
The girl with pigtails, who looked and looked like an elementary school student, was walking right and left, glancing around the campus.
That girl was tracing a map of the university with her finger, tilting her head the more she traced it.
(E-erm……that’s not an elementary school student who wandered into the university, is it? I mean, there are less than 10 minutes left for the lecture, but by the looks of it, it’s definitely not good……)
She looked like she didn’t understand anything from the information map and was checking her watch repeatedly as if she was in a hurry.
Yuuto isn’t very good at talking to people he’s just met, but if he doesn’t do anything, she’ll be late for the lecture.
Once he saw her, pretending not to know was no longer an option.
This was probably partly because the college student in front of him looked like a child.
“U-um…….”
“Uh!?”
I gathered my courage and called out to her, the girl looked back at me, shaking her shoulders up and down.
She has beautifully black pigtails all the way down and round blue eyes. Her eyebrows are thin and well-shaped, and she has a young face.
She was a mysterious girl who was all cute and somewhat unreliable, but somehow had an air of maturity about her.
“I’m sorry if I’m wrong, but are you looking for a classroom or something?”
“Ah, yes ! I couldn’t get to the C23 classroom……!”
She was waiting for help and came closer to me.
“C? If you’re in C, you’re on that side. This is the A side.”
“I-Is that so !?”
“Yes. I need you to head over there first…… Do you know where Class 23 is?”
“……..”
She must have understood that the time was approaching, her big eyes blinked as if she was stuck in words, and she narrowed her eyes with a troubled expression.
It is probably because of her young appearance that she looks like she is about to cry.
“Ahaha, I’ll show you to that classroom then. Follow me.”
“Is it really okay !?”
“I’m totally fine. I was just having some free time.”
“Thank you very much !”
After being bowed politely, I started leading the way with a step that was smaller than I expected.
“The campus here is very large and complicated, so you will probably get lost. I had a hard time in the beginning myself.”
“That’s right. I couldn’t get there at all even though I looked at the guide map…… I was wandering around for 20 to 30 minutes.”
“Eh, that long !?”
“Y-yes…… It’s quite difficult to talk to people you don’t know…”
“Ahaha, it’s the same for me.”
I smiled back at the girl who shrugged her small shoulders while looking up at me.
I’m sure I’ll be able to overcome it soon because I’m able to have such a smooth conversation with someone I’ve never met before.
“Oh, and there’s a bump here, so be careful.”
“Thank you. …..You are really kind, including the fact that you were helping me out.”
“No, no, that’s not true.”
When was the last time a girl had complimented me like this?
I was struck with embarrassment and waved my hand to deny it.
“It’s strange to say this, but this may be the first time I’ve met someone who is so easy to talk to.”
“I’m actually thinking that myself. It should be our first meeting, but it doesn’t feel like it’s the first time we’ve met, does it?”
“Fufu, I agree with you.”
We looked at each other and smiled. To those around us, it seems as if we are in a relationship.
The two never thought they would be able to communicate so intimately, and they arrive at their destination without any interruption in their conversation.
“We’re here. You can see the C23 classroom over there.”
“Wow〜, thank you so much.”
“You’re welcome. Good luck with your class.”
“Yes ! I would like to thank you for your help this time, may I ask your name–“
And then, with bad timing, the chime rings, a chime bell rang as if overshadowing her voice.
“–!”
The sound made Yuuto’s heart beat faster.
He guided her with the reason [I just had some free time], but he had a lecture from the first period as well.
“L-look, more importantly, hurry up and go to your classroom before they take your attendance.”
“Eh, ah, yes….”
“Well then, I’ll be excusing myself.”
“Oh……”
Whether or not she thanked me or not, I should’ve heard her name.
The reason why I couldn’t make that decision was because I was attacked by an event that made me lose my mind, [I’m late].
Yuuto, who said goodbye quickly, walked first, and then ran when he reached the corner.
[I made you late because I made you give me directions.]
[I stole your time because I let you guide me.]
He walked to symbolize that he was not in a hurry, but he was about to miss his class and he wasn’t sure what to do.
As Mashiro reached out to stop him, he saw and heard the footsteps of a man who was on the verge of running.
She could tell why he was in a hurry and why he was acting like he was walking, because he showed her a lot of kindness.
(I wish I could know your name…… I really wish I’d heard it……)
I lowered my eyes regretfully and headed to the classroom with that thought.
(I have to tell Miyu and Kokono about today…….)
It was a wonderful time, that’s what Mashiro thinks.
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Cute moment I guess?