A Story About a Girl Who Took Life for Granted and Fell in Love With a Kind and Introverted Boy - Chapter 24.1

…I was studying in my room again today.

Moment by moment, the exam drew closer, pressing down on me. With nervousness and anxiety tightening in my chest, I gripped my mechanical pencil and stared at my notebook and study guide.

(“The end of World War II was on September 2, 1945…This is the date of the San Francisco Peace Treaty…”)

Struggling with history, I racked my brain repeatedly. There are so many things to memorize, and too many similar events and terms that confuse me.

“Whew…”

After concentrating for about an hour, I closed my study guide for a break. I exhaled, letting some of the tension release.

At times like this, Kenji-san always comes to mind.

(He said that after tomorrow’s cultural festival, he’d help me study again.)

Just like before, I kept looking forward to the days when Kenji-san would teach me.

This time, I wanted to be with him for longer. Maybe we could meet in the morning? I’ll try to ask him next time.

“…Don’t tell me to just give up so easily…”

“……”

Suddenly, my sister’s words echoed in my mind.

That face she made, telling me this with a trembling voice.

Every time I thought about Kenji-san, memories of that time with my sister came rushing back, forcing their way in.

“……”

My grip on the mechanical pencil tightened without me realizing. The pencil lead snapped with a crack, leaving fragments scattered in the middle of my notebook.

“…Haah.”

I let out a small sigh as I threw the broken lead in the trash. Just then, there was a knock on my door.

“Yes?”

When I answered, my sister’s voice came from the other side of the door, “Miyuki, is now a good time?”

“…What? What do you want?”

I replied a little bluntly, and she responded, “I need to talk to you.”

“Talk to me?”

“…Yes.”

“About what?”

“To you.”

“……”

I had no idea what she wanted to talk about, but I decided to open the door for now.

Creak…

“……”

The moment I saw my sister standing outside my room, I was taken aback.

Her face looked so worn out.

She had dark circles under her eyes and no energy. And there were faint tear stains on her cheeks.

“What’s wrong?”

I was concerned and asked her, but she didn’t respond to my question at all. Instead, in a raspy voice, she asked, “Can I come in?”

“Uh, sure…that’s fine.”

I was overwhelmed by her mood, so I let her in. She sat on my bed and seemed to be deep in thought. I watched her from above, standing in silence.

“…Hey, Miyuki.”

She suddenly spoke up. I replied, “Yes?” Then, without lifting her gaze, she continued.

“I used to mess with you a lot, didn’t I?”

“……”

“I’d put caterpillars in your clothes, trip you up…”

“…Yes. So?”

“……”

…Once again, she fell silent. I was frustrated, not knowing what she wanted, but I decided to wait for her words.

“…Miyuki, you’re always much more responsible than me…”

“……”

“And…I think you’re kind.”

“Kind?”

“When you found out I was deceiving Kenji, you got so mad at me.”

“……”

“I’d never seen you hit anyone before, so…I was really shocked.”

“……”

“You’re much kinder than I am, Miyuki.”

Hearing those words pricked something deep in my chest.

Back then, when I hit my sister, I was angry on behalf of Kenji-san, but there was also a part of me that saw it as a chance to let out all the irritation and resentment I’d been harboring toward her.

So, it wasn’t entirely out of kindness. That thought left me with a guilty feeling.

“What’s this about, Sis? Why bring it up now?”

“……”

“Just tell me already. I don’t understand what you’re getting at.”

I was scared by my sister’s cryptic words, so I urged her for an answer.

She slowly raised her head and looked up at me.

“……”

That expression…I might never forget it for as long as I live.

Her face was full of anguish, and at the same time…it looked like she’d come to some kind of decision.

“Miyuki…”

She said in a trembling voice.

—

…October 15, Saturday.

Finally, the day we’d all been waiting for had arrived.

“Next up, we have Class 2-3’s production of ‘Night on the Galactic Railroad.’ Class 2-3, please get ready.”

As the announcement echoed in the gym, the art crew hurried onto the stage, placing props while the actors, dressed in costumes, took their positions.

I stretched lightly, trying to shake off the nervous tension building up.

“Whew…”

Standing next to me was Kenji.

He seemed even more nervous than I was, his hands sweaty, clenching and unclenching repeatedly.

He was breathing deeply, blinking constantly, unable to settle down.

“…It’s nerve-wracking, isn’t it, Saito?”

When I spoke, Kenji nodded quietly.

“Yeah, it’s finally showtime.”

“You’ll be fine, Saito. I’m sure it’ll go perfectly.”

“Do you think so?”

“Yes, I believe in you.”

“…Thank you.”

“Mm-hmm.”

“……”

“Hey, Saito.”

“What?”

“Will you have a little time after the play?”

“Time?”

“I want to talk to you.”

“Talk?”

“Yes.”

“After the play, right? Sure, that’s fine.”

“…Thank you, Saito.”

“Yeah.”

The announcement for the start of the play resounded throughout the gym.

“It is time to begin. Class 2-3 will now perform Night on the Galactic Railroad.”