A Story About a Girl Who Took Life for Granted and Fell in Love With a Kind and Introverted Boy - Chapter 20.1

As autumn gradually arrived and the days began to shorten, our school started to get swept up in the mood of the upcoming cultural festival.

After classes, students stayed behind to work on projects or practice for their performances. Our class was putting on a play of Night on the Galactic Railroad. While there were roles for actors, lighting, and background music, I was in the art team.

The art team prepared costumes and props for the actors, so I was staying late with students from the art and literature clubs, working steadily on these items after school.

Although I wasn’t particularly skilled at drawing or especially crafty, I loved Night on the Galactic Railroad, and I wanted to bring my vision of the story to life.

“Saito, what should we do for the background in this scene? The part with the Scorpion’s Flame.”

Actually, I was the most knowledgeable about Night on the Galactic Railroad among the art team. My classmates had chosen it because of a recent TV drama based on the story, but few of them were familiar with the original work.

Because of this, my teammates often asked for my advice on the art design.

“That scene is quite symbolic, so could we make it big? And make the red of the flame bright enough for people in the back rows to see.”

“Got it.”

We worked silently in the art room, everyone busy making props, or painting a large banner of the universe. I was helping, dotting stars on a dark background with white paint, using a photo of the Milky Way as a guide.

“Hey, Saito.”

A voice called my name, and I turned to see Kana.

She was a popular girl in our class, and some friends had invited her to act, but she had turned them down to join the art team.

“What’s up, Tashiro?”

“Well, I ran out of things to do. Do you have any work I can help with? I’ll do anything.”

“Hmm… then, could you check the measurements for the actors’ costumes?”

“Sure! I’ll be right back!” she answered cheerfully and hurried off to the gym where the actors were rehearsing.

I watched her leave, then went back to painting.

“Hey, why did Tashiro join the art team anyway?”

I overheard people whispering nearby.

“She’s the type to enjoy attention, so I thought she’d be an actor.”

“Isn’t it Saito?”

“Saito?”

“I heard Saito and Tashiro are dating.”

“What?! Seriously?”

“Yeah, it’s kind of an odd match, don’t you think?”

“That explains why she always asks Saito for help with stuff.”

“It’s so obvious.”

Rumors about me and Kana had spread widely. Each time I heard them, a small ache pricked my chest. Yet, I had no intention of addressing the rumors. I just listened quietly.

* * *

One day, after school, we were back in the art room working. Our galaxy painting was nearly finished. Since the play was only a few days away, I wanted to wrap things up today or tomorrow.

“Sorry, but I’m heading home now,” one teammate said.

“Me too,” another added.

It was past seven in the evening, so people began leaving. I waved goodbye, focusing on the last details of the painting.

Kana stayed, sitting to my right, using the same canvas. Before I knew it, it was just the two of us. The only sound was the ticking of the clock on the wall.

“Whew…”

Kana seemed tired from hours of detailed work, rubbing her eyes with the back of her hand and letting out a deep sigh.

After glancing at her, I looked back at my work and spoke.

“Aren’t you heading home, Tashiro?”

“Huh?”

“It’s pretty dark outside.”

“Oh, yeah. But I’m… okay.”

“…I see.”

I washed my brush in the water jar as her voice reached my right ear.

“What about you, Saito? Are you okay staying?”

“Yeah, until about eight.”

“Alright, I’ll stay until then too.”

“…Okay.”

I felt uneasy with her staying so late, but since I wasn’t her boyfriend anymore, worrying would only be intrusive, so I said nothing more.

I didn’t know what to do. Honestly, I resented her. When I remembered the moment I found out she had lied to me, a painful feeling rose in my chest.

“Kenji! I… I’m serious now!”

“I really… care about you, Kenji! Even if it wasn’t like that at first…”

“No, please! Don’t leave! Don’t say we’re breaking up!”

(Having her nearby just keeps bringing those memories back.)

To stop the flashbacks, I put down my brush and took a deep breath.

(I should forget her. Every time she’s near, I get so shaken and can’t seem to move on.)

I didn’t know how she truly felt about me now, but the betrayal left a scar I couldn’t ignore. Ninety percent of me wanted to trust her again, yet five percent was filled with doubt and five percent with anger.

Trust is fragile; once broken, it’s hard to restore. Rather than cling to uncertainty, forgetting her seemed like the best option.

“Would you mind sharing an umbrella with me?”

(Lately… I feel like I’m getting closer to Miyuki.)

She was there when I felt down, always kind and serious, and we had a lot in common. If we dated, she’d never turn it into some cruel joke like “It was a punishment game!”

“…”

I glanced at Kana. She had paused to read a copy of Night on the Galactic Railroad, her lips slightly pursed, brows furrowed.

“…?”

She noticed my gaze, then stammered, “Oh, s-sorry,” and picked up her brush hurriedly.

“I-I didn’t mean to slack off. I just… got curious.”

“Don’t worry. We can take breaks.”

“Th-thanks…”

“…”

“So, Saito… you like Night on the Galactic Railroad, don’t you?”

“Huh? Yeah, I do…”

“I flipped through it a bit, but it seems difficult to read.”

That explained her earlier pout; she always did that when something puzzled her. She had done it during summer homework too. I used to find that expression of hers adorable.

“I know the plot from the script, but reading the book might be too much for me.”

“Well, it’s written in a unique style.”

“Why do you like it so much, Saito?”

“Hmm? Well… let’s see…”

“Because of the beautiful world it portrays?”

“That’s part of it, but… mostly, it’s Campanella.”

“Campanella?”

“Yeah.”

We continued drawing without ever looking at each other.