Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818093093852050800/episodes/16818093094049214769
After school.
Hanamichi left the classroom and headed for the shoe box. He had no particular plans today and was going home as usual.
However, as he was walking down the hallway, he suddenly noticed a faint voice coming from the dimly lit space under the stairs.
“……Hey, Mikami san. Aren’t you being too carried away these days?”
(Hmm?)
Hanamichi looked toward the voice and saw Tsumugi surrounded by several girls.
The bottom of the stairs is usually not frequented by many people. At this time after school, it would be even more unlikely that anyone would be there.
Hanamichi observed the situation under his breath.
“Lately, you’ve been getting along well with Morita kun and the others, haven’t you?”
“Everyone says you’re flirting with the boys.”
“Don’t you think you’re getting too carried away just because you’re a little cute?”
The girls’ voices were cold.
Tumugi did not argue with them, but simply listened quietly.
“I’m not trying to be flirtatious. It’s just… it’s fun to be with Morita kun and the others.”
Tsumugi replied in her usual calm tone.
But Hanamichi could tell.
Her expression was different from usual.
(……You’re forcing yourself to smile.)
Normally, Tsumugi would be amused by what people say and do and immediately burst out laughing, but right now she was just smiling quietly.
It was also somewhat awkward. He could tell it was a laugh she was making.
“Hmmm? But isn’t it normal to hang out with girls?”
“Yeah, yeah, it’s kinda cool, isn’t it?”
“Well, there are girls like that…..but to be honest, they annoy me.”
Hearing those words, something popped in Hanamichi.
Because he realized that her smile was meant to endure.
(……Shit.)
Hanamichi silently pulled his phone out of his pocket.
He operated the screen and opened the music app.
He then turned the volume to maximum and started playing a song on the speakers.
What started playing was blaring rock music.
The girls were startled by the sudden loud volume and turned around.
“W-what !? It’s too loud ! !”
The girls twisted their faces and covered their ears.
They were so hypersensitive that they covered both their ears.
Hanamichi grabbed Tsumugi’s arm without saying anything.
“M-Morita kun !?”
The girls are surprised, but Hanamichi ignores them and starts to walk away.
The startled girls could not even hold him back.
She ran up the stairs and headed straight for the empty rooftop.
Fortunately, the door was unlocked.
“Eh, hey……what’s this? What’s going on?
Tsumugi asked in confusion as soon as they were on the rooftop.
Hanamichi stops the music on his phone and puts it away in his pocket.
“….. What, you were in a messy situation, so I helped you.”
“No, no, your way of helping is too messy !?”
Tsumugi laughs half-heartedly.
But there was a slight, moistened glint in his eyes.
“So? What did they say?”
Hanamichi asks, leaning against the rooftop fence.
“……Well, you heard most of it, didn’t you?”
“Fufu. Then there’s no need.”
Tsumugi let out a small breath while smiling bitterly.
“It’s nothing unusual. This has happened several times before.”
“Is that so?”
“Yeah. They kinda hate me.”
Tsumugi continued quietly, leaning against the rooftop fence.
“Besides……it’s not like there’s any particular place for me back home.”
“……”
“I don’t get along with my family, and I don’t enjoy being at home. So the time I spend talking to someone at school is the only thing I look forward to.”
“……I didn’t realize that.”
Hanamichi ponders a bit.
Tsumugi’s story was the complete opposite of her usual cheerful nature.
Hanamichi never thought that she, who is always smiling, was so lonely like this.
“But you know,…., have a lot of fun with Morita-kun.”
Tsumugi laughs a little shyly.
“I can laugh all the time. That’s why I wanna be with you.”
Hearing those words, Hanamichi took out his phone from his pocket.
“W-what?”
“You, look at this.”
Hanamichi showed Tsumugi the screen of his phone.
There, a [Comedy 5] group chat was open.
[Morita: I’ve got Mikami now.]
[Wakita: Huh? What are you doing?]
[Fujii: Are you doing something stupid again?]
[Yasui: Mikami san, are you okay?]
[Morita: Mikami is a little depressed, so I’m going to raise the tension now.]
[Wakita: Okay, then how about we cooperate too !?]
Tsumugi stared at the screen in amazement.
“……Everyone, you’re so kind.”
“Of course we are. We’re the ‘Comedy 5’, remember?”
Hanamichi grinned.
“So, Mikami. You’re not alone anymore. From now on, we’ll make you laugh all the time.”
“……!”
“Every day at school and after school, we’re gonna make you laugh so hard you’ll cry.”
Tsumugi’s eyes moisten and her cheeks loosen.
“Oh my God, really.”
Tsumugi looked down for a moment and then looked up again.
“Morita kun is….so interesting.”
It was the most heartfelt smile Hanamichi had ever seen.
“Well, maybe it’s my special skill?”
Hanamichi puffed out his chest, as if he was good at many things.
“Ahaha !? Be a little humble !”
As usual, Tsumugi was laughing at Hanamichi’s joke.
Seeing Tsumugi’s face, Hanamichi was somewhat relieved.
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