A Story About a Girl Who Took Life for Granted and Fell in Love With a Kind and Introverted Boy - Chapter 27

…I think, at this moment, I am the cutest I’ve ever been in my whole life.

With my hair down, instead of in my usual ponytail, and wearing a white dress that I used almost all of my allowance to buy just for today. I even practiced my makeup, watching tons of online tutorials…

(…Kenji)

Unable to control my pounding heart, I entered the school building where Kenji was.

The hallways and classrooms were bustling with people.

Today, Kenji’s school was having its culture festival. Just a while ago, I was in the gym, watching the play that Kenji’s class, 2-3, performed.

The play had just ended, and it was now lunchtime. This was when I planned to go to Kenji’s classroom.

“Kenji should be free in the afternoon.”

My sister’s words from yesterday floated back into my head.

“As soon as the play ends, it’ll be lunch break. Wait about 30 minutes and then head to his classroom. Kenji should be there, finishing up after the play. Then, you two can…enjoy the festival together.”

“…”

I never thought my sister would actually suggest that I invite Kenji on a date.

And I never expected her to say she’d never approach Kenji again…

It would be a lie to say I wasn’t affected by how sad she looked when she said that, her gaze cast down. Honestly, I felt quite shaken inside.

But even so, I wasn’t going to miss this chance.

“…Class 2-3…this is it.”

When I finally reached Kenji’s classroom, I took a deep breath to steady myself, opened the door, and spoke.

“Um…excuse me. Is Kenji Saito…here?”

Immediately, all of Kenji’s classmates turned to look at me. Though I flinched under their stares, I scanned the room for Kenji.

“Oh? Miyuki?”

But Kenji found me first. He stood up from his seat at the back of the room and jogged over to me.

“K-Kenji…hello.”

“Hello, Miyuki.”

“It’s…been a while, hasn’t it?”

“Yeah, it has. Did you change your hairstyle?”

“Yes. Do you like it?”

“Yes, I think it looks nice.”

Kenji smiled warmly, just as he always did.

Thank goodness…! He complimented my hairstyle! Changing it was worth it!

“So, what brings you here? Are you looking for Kana? Oh, are you here to pick her up?”

“N-No…it’s not about my sister…”

“Not Kana?”

“Yeah.”

“…”

I wished I could say something clever, but I froze up, unable to say a word.

My face felt hot, and I knew I was blushing—I could feel my cheeks practically burning.

“Uh…um…Kenji…”

I wanted to ask him to tour the festival with me…but even saying that one sentence took all my courage.

Ah, I wish I had arranged this beforehand. Why didn’t I think of that?

“Um, your play was…really good!”

What finally came out wasn’t a date invitation, just a safe topic.

“I never knew Night on the Galactic Railroad was such a story until I saw your play.”

“Oh, I’m glad you enjoyed it, Miyuki.”

“You really fit the role of Giovanni, Kenji. It felt just like…you.”

“Did it?” He scratched his head, looking a bit embarrassed.

“Thank you for coming to watch, Miyuki.”

“Y-yeah.”

“So, what are you going to do now? Are you heading home?”

“Uh, um…”

“Since you came all this way, you should check out the stalls. There are a lot of fun ones.”

“…”

“…Miyuki?”

“Um…if you’d like, maybe you could…show me around?”

“Show you around?”

“Well, it’s my first time at this school, so I don’t really know where everything is…and it would be scary if I got lost…”

“Oh, got it. I’ll show you around.”

“Thank you!”

Yes! Somehow, I managed to arrange a tour of the culture festival with Kenji!

Trying to contain my excitement, I started walking beside him.

“We have takoyaki! Who wants some?”

“Haunted House in Class 1-4! It’s super scary, don’t miss it!”

“Who wants some fried noodles? Special discount right now!”

When we stepped out into the courtyard, it was full of stalls, and the voices of people calling out filled the air.

People were packed tightly around the stalls, making it feel really hot.

“It’s really lively here,” I murmured.

Kenji replied shortly, “Yeah, it is.”

“Hey, Kenji.”

“Yeah?”

“Can I go buy a candied apple?”

“Oh, sure. Go ahead.”

“Thanks. Don’t you want one?”

“I’m good. I just had lunch.”

“Alright.”

I walked over to the candied apple stall and bought one.

“Here you go, a candied apple,” a girl around my sister’s age said, handing it to me.

I took the apple and returned to Kenji.

“Is the apple good, Miyuki?”

“Yes.”

“Glad to hear it.”

“Oh, Kenji, they have a shooting gallery over there.”

“Yeah, do you want to try it?”

“Maybe. Won’t you try too?”

“I’m fine. You go ahead, Miyuki.”

“…Okay.”

That’s how the day went. No matter how much I invited him, Kenji just kept saying, “I’m fine. Go enjoy yourself, Miyuki.” He wouldn’t spend any time together with me.

And he kept furrowing his brows, as if deep in thought.

(W-what’s going on? Does he…not enjoy being with me?)

Worried, I finally worked up the courage to ask Kenji.

“K-Kenji?”

“Yes?”

“Is something wrong?”

“What do you mean?”

“You seem…lost in thought.”

“…”

“Is something bothering you?”

“…”

“Is it…that you don’t want to be with me?”

“Oh, no, it’s not that! It’s just…”

Kenji stopped walking, so I did too.

Around us, people were still chattering loudly, but somehow, it felt strangely quiet.

“Kana didn’t feel well today.”

“Huh?”

“She left early…just a little while ago.”

“…”

“She couldn’t enjoy the culture festival, so…I felt like I shouldn’t either.”

“So that’s why…you wouldn’t buy anything or join in?”

“Yeah.”

“…”

“I’m sorry, Miyuki. Really, don’t worry about me. I’d like it if you enjoyed yourself…”

“…Do you still like her?”

“What?”

“Kenji…do you still like my sister?”

“…”

He looked down, avoiding my gaze for a moment, then looked back at me.

“Yes, I do.”

“…”

“I…I still love her.”

“But why? She hurt you, Kenji.”

“I know.”

“She lied to you, was selfish, and…”

“That’s right.”

“Then why can you still love me?”

“Because that’s how I really feel.”

“……”

“…I’m sorry. I made things awkward, didn’t I?”

“…Do you think I’m cute?”

“What?”

“Kenji, do you think I’m cute today?”

“……”

“This dress… I spent nearly all the money I had to buy it.”

“……”

“And this makeup… I studied hard and practiced a lot to get it right. Do you know why, Kenji?”

“Why…?”

“All of it… was because I wanted you to call me cute.”

Kenji’s eyes widened. Facing him, I declared clearly.

“I like you, Kenji.”

“……”

“This isn’t a lie. It’s not a dare or anything like that. These are my real feelings.”

“……”

“I would never lie to you, Kenji. I would never do anything to make you sad.”

“……”

“Kenji, I… I…”

I slowly reached out for his right hand. I grabbed onto his sleeve and looked straight into his eyes.

For a while, Kenji looked both shocked and confused, his eyes darting around nervously.

“……”

Then, pressing his lips into a tight line, he placed his hand over mine on his sleeve.

Gently, he loosened my grip on his sleeve.

“I’m sorry, Miyuki.”

“……”

“I’m really happy to hear how you feel. I never dreamed a cute girl like you would confess to me.”

“……”

“But… in my heart… Kana is already there. So… as much as I appreciate your feelings, I can’t…”

“……”

I didn’t have the courage to hear Kenji’s words to the end. I turned my back to him and ran away.

“Ah! M-Miyuki!”

I heard Kenji’s voice behind me, but I couldn’t stop anymore.

Oh… oh…!

Why? Why!?

Why is it always… her!

No matter how hard I try… am I destined never to be loved?

No matter how much effort I put in… will my life always go unrewarded?

Kenji! Kenji!

I love you this much! Why can’t you see me?

“Hah… hah…”

I cried as I ran.

The wind blew my tears back, scattering them behind me.

“Miyuki! Miyuki! Wait!”

Hearing Kenji’s voice getting farther behind me, I ran out of the school.

(I don’t care! I don’t care about anything anymore! Nothing matters anymore!)

I squeezed my eyes shut, pushing my legs to run even faster… And then—

“Miyuki! Watch out!”

With his shout, a strong impact hit my back.

My body was pushed forward, and I nearly stumbled.

When I opened my eyes, I realized I was standing in the middle of a crosswalk.

(Oh, I’m on a crosswalk right now.)

And in the next moment…

BAM!

An unbelievably loud noise sounded behind me.

I quickly turned to see what it was… and it was Kenji, hit by a car.

Kenji, who was struck from the side by a small car, was thrown a few meters by the force.

And he lay face down on the ground, not moving.

“Oh no! Oh, man!”

The driver of the small car rushed out and ran to Kenji’s side.

“Oh my goodness!”

An older woman nearby hurried over to check on him, too.

“……”

I couldn’t comprehend what was happening. I just stood there, frozen in shock.

“……”

Oh.

There’s blood.

There’s blood on my clothes.

A few drops have splattered near my stomach.

I bought this dress just for my date with Kenji.

It must’ve gotten on me during the accident.

“Um, excuse me.”

I called out to the older woman.

“What is it?”

The woman, startled by my voice, looked at me as I asked her a question.

“What detergent should I use to get blood out?”

“……”

She looked confused for a moment, then her face turned red with anger. She slapped my cheek, hard.

SLAP!

“You! What are you thinking about at a time like this?!”

“……”

“Call an ambulance! Call an ambulance, now! Hurry up!”

“……”

Rubbing my stinging cheek where the woman slapped me, I finally… finally started to understand.

Kenji… Kenji was in an accident.

Because of me.

Because of me.

Because of me.

Because of me.

“Ah…”

Kenji had an accident.

He’s still not moving.

There’s no response.

I don’t know what happened to him.

He’s not moving.

Kenji isn’t moving.

Not moving.

“Ah, ah… ahh…”

“Noooooooo!”

—

Just like that scorpion, for the happiness of everyone…

I wouldn’t mind if they burned my body a hundred times over.

— Giovanni’s line from Night on the Galactic Railroad