A Twisted Introvert loner Like Me, Mentally Wrecked One-Sidedly due to Love, Throws Away the Love Letter Sent by the foremost School's Beauty, Leading to an Unwanted Romantic Comedy - v2 Chapter 20: Under the pretence of giving back the handkerchief.

Chapter 20: Under the pretence of giving back the handkerchief.

“I heard from a classmate of Sayo’s. It seems she’s absent due to illness.”

Upon receiving Hiiragi’s report, I let out a sigh silently in a way no one sees it.

It’s not entirely impossible that she is genuinely sick. But I can’t just take it at face value.

She was heartbroken and chose to retreat and isolate herself.

If I were to weigh the two options, the latter would tip the scale more. Accepting her absence as illness would just be too convenient on my part.

It’s too late, huh… No, don’t just give up. If Katase’s heart isn’t completely broken and if there’s still a chance for conversation, then there’s still hope.

I just have to find a way and meet her somehow.

But with no reply from Katase nor no return call, how can I arrange to meeting with her given her current state of silence?

…Do I have no choice but to storm into Katase’s house?

Showing up unannounced goes against my policy, but I can’t afford to be leisurely. I can’t afford to, but… where was her house again?

I’ve been there only once, when I dropped off Katase’s grandma. But that was already over a year ago, and so I only vaguely remembrance about the route and the appearance of the house.

Ah! Let’s ask Hiiragi-san for help! Yeap let’s do that!

I mentally stamped my approval and made the light bulb above my head ‘ping!’ brighter. Of course, all in my mind.

“Where’s Katase’s house again?”

“I was also planning on visiting her after school. How about we go together?”

It seems Hiiragi also plans to visit Katase’s house. She’s probably worried about her close friend… but I’d prefer to go alone.

” Wouldn’t you hate it a hundred times more than being suspected of having an in-company affair with me? Then you don’t have to push it. Just give me her address and that’ll be fine.”

“Are you perhaps, secretly hurt by that?”

“Of course not. Besides, my heart is already full of scars, so don’t worry about it. Ah, and if possible, I’d like to talk to Katase alone. So, can you please let me have it today?”

“Got it. Here’s the address.”

I was sent the address from Hiiragi.

I replied “Thanks.” and put away my smartphone.

There’s still time until after school. Till that time, I need to anticipate every possible outcome and move, be flexible in ‘negotiation’ and decipher how Katase would react to it all.

“…Hey, did you hear? Katase’s absent apparently.”

“Tch. Seriously, has she given up already…”

For me to dive into my thoughts, my neighbours are way too loud.

I put on my earphones, turned up the volume more than usual, and buried my face in my desk.

—————————————————.

“…Is this it? Ah~, come to think of it, it did look like kind of like this house.”

Even the guidance could only lead me till here. From the address I received from Hiiragi — this must be Katase’s house. Given the nameplate reads ‘Katase,’ so there should be no mistaking it.

No car in the parking lot. If her parents aren’t home and she’s the only one here, she might pretend not to be at home taking safety measure. I hope it doesn’t come to that though.

Whoever is it in her family, please respond. Or so, I prayed silently as I rang the doorbell.

“—Yes?”

I immediately recognized the voice coming through the intercom as Katase’s grandma. For the time being, I’m a bit relieved.

“Uh, it’s Kazari. I came to visit Sayo-san.”

“Kazari-san, is it? I’ll come in a minute, so please wait a little outside.”

Almost immediately, Katase’s grandma appeared out the door.

Having Katase grandmother politely bow towards me with ‘thank you’, and I slightly bowed and said the same in return.

“I’m sorry for the sudden visit.”

“No, no, it’s completely fine.”

“Um, how is Sayo’s condition?”

“Well about that, I haven’t seen Sayo at all today…”

“Is she confined to her room?”

“Yes, that’s about right.”

Nodding slowly Katase’s grandma then added, “But…” with a hint of hesitation.

“Maybe, the reason for Sayo-chan not attending, might not only be because of feeling well. Since Sayo-chan hasn’t seemed herself lately.”

It’s tough to deceive family members whom you see every day. I realized that fact again.

However, if Katase’s grandma is aware of her to that extent, then things will be easier. Now I might not be politely refused saying a visit to her may risk the fear of spreading her cold to me.

“…I also think so. That’s why I came to see her today.”

“I see… Please, come in.”

“Excuse me in.”

Katase’s grandma didn’t inquire about the situation. Whether she judged it better not to know, or realized there was nothing she could do even if she knew, all in all, it’s relieving that I don’t have to explain it… but it’s also a complex feeling.

Coming in, I was guided into the house and then to Sayo’s room. Despite the short time, it felt unusually long, probably because Katase’s grandma remained silent.

“…Is this her place?”

“Yes.”

Katase’s grandma stopped in front of the door with a plate hanging, reading ‘SAYO.’

“I can’t intrude both of you here, so I’ll be downstairs.”

“I’m sorry and thank you.”

Nodding softly and with a gently smile, Katase’s grandma descended to the first floor.

Somehow, my desire to do something about this situation has increased even more than before.

…Calm down, be composed. Just behave as I usually do.

I took some deep breath in front of the door and knocked.

“Katase—It’s me, Kazari.”

“……”

No response. But I know now that she’s in there.

“My handkerchief — can you return that back already.”