10 years had passed since I started playing the game of sekkusu with my childhood friend. - Chapter 9: Going to school together

Chapter 9: Going to school together

One day, as I was about to head to school at my usual time, I ran into Haruhime, who also had just came out from her house. She was not wearing the jersey-wear she usually wore when going to morning practice, but was instead wearing her school uniform now.

“Oh, Tet-chan’s here as well.”

Seing my face, Haruhime waved her hand towards me. Kind of  rare to see her at this time of the day. As I start walking, Haruhime smiles at me.

“Good morning, aren’t you awfully early.”

“That’s quite rare. What happened to your daily morning practice?”

“We have the day off for today. …It’s been such awhile since going together at the same time as Tet-chan.”

“Now that you mention it, truly so. It ever since our elementary school, I guess”

Haruhime and I walked down the road to the station.

The signs of summer were already visible.

The sun was shining brightly through the reflections on the concrete paved road as well. When we reached the prefectural road and a large truck drove pass us, Haruhime’s checkered skirt fluttered as it passed by.

“How has it been for you lately?”

“So, so, just like usual. How about you, Haruhime?

“I guess even same normal for me as well. As usual, the practice is strict and tough and my time is not improving quite as well.”

Haruhime said with a downcast look on her face.

When I think about it, it’s been a long time since I’ve talked to Haruhime outside Wednesdays. Talking to her like this, while walking together, may not have taken place ever since we started attending high school.

“Tet-chan, don’t you do any club activities anymore?”

“I’ve learned my lesson. It’s easier for the residents of going-home after all.”

“I guess so as well, since you are always on good terms with Kurusu-kun as well.”

I never thought that Haruhime would get conscious about Fukuo to that degree by any chance. I’ll let him know next time. I’m sure he’ll be thrilled enough to cry about it, yep definitely.

“The train’s quite crowded, isn’t it?”

When we arrived at the station, Haruhime rolled her eyes at the number of people on the platform.

“Is there some sort of accident…”

The electronic message board displayed words: ‘Delayed.’ Apparently, the train had just restarted few minutes ago, and people who could not get on were being forced in.

People were still rushing to the train that had just arrived.

“We are really not in luck. But then, if I don’t get on this train, we won’t make it in time. ……”

“It can’t be helped. Let’s go!

The train was crowded like a bun in a barrel, and somehow Haruhime and I were able to hold onto the straps.

“But, it is such a waste of talent. Even though Tet-chan, you were so fast on the long distance run.”

“As if. It was always Haruhime who was the faster one of us both.”

“Un~unn, that’s not at all true. After all, Tecchan looked so cool when you ran with your all.”

Cool huh.

It had been years since I had heard such an honest compliment. I think it was my auntie who complimented me back then during the New Year’s holiday.

“What rubbish. I’m already on the bottom of the list when it comes to running you know.”

“Unn-unn, that’s not true at all. You’ve always been so cool, Tet-chan.”

Looking at Harunhim who earnestly shook her head while complimenting me, I felt embarrassed.

“The only person who compliments me is Haruhime only.”

“I wonder if that’s so. ……”

Even though I should not be embarrassed by such a thing now. This kind of thing is like Haruhime’s old habit, and it would have been just fine to take it half-jokingly.

And yet, why does it make my heart beat so fast. And simultaneously, the image of Haruhime panting under the blanket flashed through my mind. My worldy desires inevitably come back and haunt me.

“Tet……-ch~ahn.”

When I snapped back to my present self, I heard Haruhime calling out my name from sometime. As if we had being playing ‘that’ game, her face was flushed red.

“Haruhime?”

“t……te…….’

With a face that looked like she was about to start crying any moment now, Haruhime looked at me saying.

“Save me.”

When I shift my gaze behind her, I could see a middle-aged man in a suit reaching out his hand for Haruhime’s skirt.

He is a Molester.

“Hime-chan!”

I shouted her name at once and hugged her tightly with my whole body, trying to protect her.