A Case in Which My House Is a Gathering Place for Girls - Chapter 4: I Just Had a Conversation With My Childhood Friend

Kua Fu chasing the sun. This phrase originates from a Chinese myth about the legendary Kua Fu, who chased the sun. During his pursuit, he became thirsty and drank from the Yellow River and the Wei River, but his thirst was not quenched. In his continued search for water, he died from dehydration. The phrase symbolizes someone with ambitions far beyond their abilities or someone who is unaware of their limitations.

In everyday life, this is a rarely heard four-character idiom. In fact, just a moment ago, Wada had turned pale as he looked bewildered and lost. His recovery was quick.

“Telling me to know my place… Isn’t it too harsh to say to a childhood friend whom you haven’t seen in more than ten years?”

“I think it’s an appropriate response to someone who asks, ‘Do you remember me?’ upon meeting for the first time. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

Kanna closes her mouth, puts her hand on her chin and looks thoughtful. The classroom was filled with chatter from nearby students, but none of the noise reached my ears. I just waited nervously for the next word she would say.

“B-by any chance… Jinpei-kun?”

Though less than a minute had passed, but after a time that seemed eternal, Kanna said my name while trembling slightly.

“I’m glad you remembered me, Kanna.”

“Really, Is it really you, Jinpei-kun!? That Jinpei who used to play with me more than ten years ago!?”

Kanna keeps getting closer while her voice and breath are strong. If it were just like when we were kids, I might not have thought much of it. But now, with her grown into an incredibly beautiful young woman, her sudden closeness made my heart race for a completely different reason.

“Y-yes, it’s me. It’s Itsuki Jinpei who used to play with you a lot.”

I was about to say again that it’s been a long time, but Kanna grabbed my hand tightly with both her hands. Her soft and slender hands trembled lightly.

“I… I can’t believe it… I’m glad to see you again, Jinpei-kun. Have you been doing well since I left?”

She forced a smile. Her large eyes were covered and her tears seemed ready to fall at any moment.

“I have just been doing all right. I’ve been helping my grandfather and staying fairly healthy.”

“Does that mean helping your grandfather hunt? Isn’t that dangerous?”

“It’s dangerous if you’re careless, but it’s all right because my grandfather taught me well. Can I ask you something, Kanna?”

“Huh? What is it?”

Kanna tilted her head slightly with a puzzled expression. It was supposed to be a gesture I’ve seen many times in the past, it was a thousand times more powerful. I cleared my throat and asked,

“Um… Could you please let go of my hands…”

“—!!?? I-I-I-I’m sorry!!”

Kanna hurriedly let go of my hand as if she had almost stumbled and then kept her distance from me. She blushed so much that it seemed like steam might rise. We used to hold hands when we were kids, but it was the first time in front of many people. I couldn’t help but feel embarrassed too.

“No, you don’t have to apologize at all…”

“W-we have a lot to talk about, but I’ll go back to my seat now! I think sensei will be here soon!”

Then, with those words, Kanna returns to her seat like a wind. And as soon as she sat down, she fell down on her desk. I couldn’t help but worry about her emotional state.

“He actually had a conversation with Hanazono Kanna…!?”

“I mean, weren’t they very close? Wasn’t the distance strange?”

“Is he the rumored special student?”

The classroom buzzed with a different kind of chatter, but I ignored it and sat back down. Wada muttered to me while sitting in the front seat.

“I understand why Itsuki wanted to know about Hanazono Kanna.”

“Kanna and I are childhood friends. It’s been a long time since we met like this.”

“It makes sense now why you could talk to her so easily. That’s great, Itsuki.”

“There’s nothing particularly remarkable about it…”

I felt awkward, almost like I wanted to crawl out of my skin. But in the end, I had just had an ordinary conversation with my childhood friend after being reunited.

The door to the classroom suddenly creaked open as I pondered what the future might hold with a mix of excitement and anxiety. A young woman who seemed to be about the same age or maybe slightly younger than Katsuragi-sensei walked in. Behind her was a calm, kind-looking older man. It seemed like these two were the homeroom teacher and the assistant teacher for our class.

“Congratulations on entering the school everyone! I’m Misuta Yurina, who is in charge of this class! Let’s get started with some self-introductions right away! Oh, by the way, this man is our assistant homeroom teacher, Matsuyama Daisaku-sensei! Please get along with him!”

Misuta-sensei says that and laughs cheerfully. I feel that her free-spiritedness makes me feel like I’m already seeing it. At the same time, I felt sure that this would be a fun year.