I Risked My Life To Save The Cheeky Girl, And As A Result, I Lost My Right Arm. - Chapter 6.1: Classmate (Part 3)

Classmate (Part 3)

I took a deep breath to calm myself and somehow managed to write the formula on the blackboard.

The teacher and Kurasaki-san were concerned, but I reassured them, saying, “I’m fine now,” and asked Kurasaki-san to return to her seat and the teacher to resume the lesson.

Honestly, I couldn’t bear the situation. To be reduced to tears because I couldn’t write… and in front of the entire class.

“Hang in there, Nakamura-kun.”

“You’re almost there. Just a little more, and it’ll be over soon.”

Kurasaki-san’s words still echoed in my ears.

Of course, I appreciated her kindness. She was genuinely cheering me on. I knew there was no malice in her words.

But the moment I heard them, an indescribable feeling of shame welled up from deep within me.

Hearing “hang in there” made me incredibly sad.

After all, it was just writing. It’s something everyone can do without a second thought, without breaking a sweat, but here I was, struggling to get it done.

Being told to “try hard” just to write—it was unbearably frustrating, the very situation itself made me feel so helpless.

I’d like to tell myself that it couldn’t be helped, considering I’d lost my dominant hand… but my emotions couldn’t catch up with that thought yet.

Perhaps this is some form of phantom limb pain.

The chime signaling the end of fourth period rang, marking the beginning of the lunch break.

Despite the trouble, I sighed in relief at making it through the morning.

(Now, time for lunch.)

I headed toward the lockers at the back of the classroom, took my lunchbox from my bag, and left the room.

Climbing to the top of the stairs, I opened the door to the rooftop, and a gentle breeze flowed in.

Whoooo…

When I stepped outside, the clear blue sky stretched endlessly above. No matter how hard I looked, the blue sky seemed to go on forever.

“Senpai.”

I turned around and saw Hasegawa, holding a lunchbox.

“Oh, Hasegawa. You came too?”

“Sorry I’m late…”

“It’s fine, it’s fine. I just got here too. Let’s eat.”

Hasegawa and I sat on the rooftop floor, our backs to the railing.

(It’s been a while since I ate lunch at school. I wonder what’s for today? Maybe fried chicken? Or meatballs?)

With a bit of excitement, I opened the lunchbox to find three rice balls and three sandwiches inside.

“Eh? Rice balls and sandwiches?”

For a moment, I was taken aback by the contents, feeling like it was more suited for a picnic. But then, I quickly understood the reasoning behind this choice.

(I see, Mom… She made something I can eat without using chopsticks.)

Considering how unfamiliar I still was with using chopsticks with my left hand, Mom had thoughtfully prepared a lunch that didn’t require them.

“…Itadakimasu.”

Thinking of my mother as I closed my eyes for a moment, I took a bite of the rice ball. It tasted softer than usual.

“…Um, senpai?”

Hasegawa, sitting next to me, spoke up. She hadn’t even opened her lunchbox yet, let alone touched her chopsticks.

“What’s up, Hasegawa?”

“Well, how was the morning… was there anything that troubled you?”

“…………”

Troubled, huh? To be honest, I did cry earlier because I couldn’t write the math formula…

But, I didn’t want to burden her with such details. It would be awkward to say something like that. I decided to keep a calm face.

“Hm, I don’t think there was anything.”

“…Really?”

“Yeah, it wasn’t as bad as I thought. Even without my arm, it wasn’t that big of a deal, haha.”

With that, I finished my first rice ball. As I chewed, I scratched behind my left ear with my hand.

“…………”

Hasegawa kept staring at me. Her gaze felt like it was trying to see through me, and I started to feel uneasy.

I swallowed the rice ball and, trying to act casual, said, “W-what’s with you, Hasegawa? Are you suspicious of me?”

“You’re a suspicious one, huh~. There really was nothing, trust me.”

“…Senpai, you have a habit.”

“A habit?”

“When you lie, you scratch behind your ear.”

“Eh!? R-really!?”

My heart skipped a beat at Hasegawa’s words.

Crap! I really did just touch behind my ear, didn’t I? How could she notice that… Hasegawa’s powers of observation are insane!

“…So, it was a lie after all. There was something that troubled you.”

“N-no, it’s just that writing was a bit… difficult. I just had a little trouble with that! But other than that, everything else was fine, really, really!”

“…………”

Hasegawa furrowed her brows in distress and looked at her lunchbox, softly saying, “I’m sorry.”

“When you were troubled, I… I couldn’t do anything to help.”

“Hasegawa…”

“Like this, no matter how much time passes… I don’t think I’ll ever be able to get your mom and dad’s forgiveness.”

“…Don’t be so hard on yourself. You’ve done plenty for me already.”

“…………”

“When I was in the hospital, you visited me every day, didn’t you? And even now, you’re spending your lunch break with me. You could’ve been eating lunch with your friends, but you’re putting that aside to be here with me, right?”

“…………”

“It’s okay. I’m sure my mom and dad will recognize what you’ve done for me someday. Now, let’s eat, okay? When we’re feeling down, the best thing to do is eat.”

“…………”

At that, Hasegawa finally opened her lunchbox. Inside were white rice, cherry tomatoes, cabbage, and the main dish: stuffed green peppers.

This was something my mom had made for Hasegawa. At first, Hasegawa had insisted on making her own lunch, but my mom decided it would be more efficient to prepare all the lunches at once, so she made one for Hasegawa as well.

Hasegawa began eating her lunch with chopsticks, taking small bites. Then, in a voice so faint it was almost drowned out by the wind, she whispered, “I don’t have any friends.”

“Don’t have any friends? What do you mean?”

“People like me… the only one who’s ever bothered with me is probably just you, senpai.”

“…Hasegawa…”

She paused, putting down her chopsticks, and turned to face me. With a wistful smile, she said, “Your mom’s lunch is really delicious.”

***

…The lunch break ended, and the afternoon classes began.

Unlike the morning, there were no moving classrooms or physical education, so we stayed in the same classroom for lectures. It was relatively more comfortable compared to the morning.

However, I was still slow at writing, so whenever the teacher tried to erase what was written on the blackboard, there were many occasions where I had to say, “Sorry, please wait a little longer.”

In just one day, how many people did I inconvenience? It was already difficult to count. My chest was filled with a sense of apology and frustration.

Would I be able to make it from here on? That anxiety clung to my mind throughout.

Ding-dong-ding-dong

The chime signaling the end of the school day echoed, marking the time to head home.

I slung my bag over my shoulder and, just like in the morning, walked down the hallway, blending into the crowd.

I was supposed to meet Hasegawa in front of the main gate. To avoid making her wait, I quickened my pace.

When I reached the shoe locker, I took off my indoor shoes and switched to my outdoor shoes.

And just as I was about to head toward the main gate…

“Nakamura-kun…”

I heard a voice from behind. When I turned around, it was Kurasaki-san.

“Kurasaki-san, what’s up? Did you need something from me?”

“Nakamura-kun, is your bag heavy? If you’d like, I can carry it for you.”

“Huh? Oh, no, it’s fine. I can manage it.”

“Really? Don’t push yourself too hard.”

“Yeah, thanks.”

Kurasaki-san walked beside me, and we continued walking together.

“Is your house far, Nakamura-kun?”

“Mm, it’s not that far. It takes about 20 minutes by bus.”

“Ah, I see. But 20 minutes is still a decent amount of time. Which bus stop do you usually get on at?”

“You know, there’s a convenience store just a bit down from the school, right? The bus stop in front of it.”

“Ah, got it. Yeah, I think there’s a bus stop there.”

“Yeah, that’s the one.”

“Then, Nakamura-kun… if it’s okay with you…”

Just as Kurasaki-san was about to say something, someone called out to me, “Senpai.”

It was Hasegawa. While I was talking to Kurasaki-san, we had somehow already arrived at the meeting spot in front of the main gate.

“Ah, Hasegawa. Sorry, did I keep you waiting?”

“No, it’s okay. I just got here a moment ago too.”

When Kurasaki-san saw this exchange between Hasegawa and me, she suddenly bowed her head and apologized.

“What’s wrong, Kurasaki-san?”

“I didn’t realize… Nakamura-kun, you have someone you’re seeing. I might’ve misread the situation…”

“Oh, no, no. Hasegawa isn’t my girlfriend.”

“Huh?”

“Well… for reasons, we’re living together. That’s why we’re meeting up like this.”

“Huh? Eh? You’re living together? What do you mean? Are you siblings?”

“Ah, well, it’s not like that… Hasegawa is a junior of mine, but… well…”

As I struggled to explain, Kurasaki-san suddenly said, “Ah,” and looked at my face as she replied.

“Could it be… the junior you helped, is it her?”

“Ah… well, um…”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Hasegawa answered in my place. She looked directly at Kurasaki-san and said, “Yuzu was saved by Nakamura-senpai.”

“Wow… I see. So it was you.”

“My name is Hasegawa Yuzu. Sorry for the late introduction.”

“Oh, no, I’m sorry for being late. I’m Kurasaki Momoka. Nice to meet you.”

“…Um, how do you know Nakamura-senpai?”

“Well, we’re… classmates…”

She started to say, but then stopped. For a brief moment, she glanced at me.

What was that? Before I could think, she shifted her gaze back to Hasegawa.

“Friends, I guess.”

“Friends?”

“Yeah, Nakamura-kun’s friend.”

“………………”

“Why… why are you living with Nakamura-kun?” Kurasaki-san asked Hasegawa.

“…It’s to atone.”

“Atonement?”

“………………”

“Ah, I see. Could it be…?”

Kurasaki-san, with her sharp intuition, stared at Hasegawa and responded.

“Is it that, as atonement for your arm, Hasegawa-chan is helping take care of Nakamura-kun’s needs?”

“…Yes.”

“Mm-hmm, I can understand that. If I were in Hasegawa-chan’s position, I might do the same.”

“………………”

“I see, then… I guess I don’t need to be here.”

Kurasaki-san said this with a somewhat awkward smile. I was confused about what she meant, so I asked, “What’s wrong?”

“Well, if Nakamura-kun had to walk a little to the bus stop, I was thinking I could walk with you. It might be better to have someone nearby to help carry your things if you get tired along the way. But since Hasegawa-chan is with you… I guess there’s no need for me.”

“Kurasaki-san, you really thought about that for me? I’m sorry, and thank you. Just your thoughts make me happy.”

“Yeah, I’m glad. Well then, Nakamura-kun, I’ll see you tomorrow. Please take care on your way home.”

With that, Kurasaki-san waved and left.

“Today was a day where I made everyone worry about me… I feel bad about it.”

“…Senpai.”

“Hmm?”

“Did you… prefer that person?”

“Huh?”

Hasegawa was staring at me intently. In her eyes, I could see both anxiety and fear.

“Did you want… that person to accompany you, instead of me?”

“Huh? No, that’s not it…”

“Are you sure? You’re not forcing yourself?”

“Really, it’s fine. Look, I didn’t even scratch behind my ear this time.”

“………………”

“To be honest, I feel bad about needing someone to accompany me. If I could, I’d prefer not to make anyone worry and be alone. So, whether it’s Hasegawa or Kurasaki-san, there’s no hierarchy like that.”

“…I understand. Sorry for asking such annoying questions.”

Hasegawa clutched the hem of her skirt and, in a hesitant tone, said to me.

“Actually… I kind of thought, maybe Senpai… you know, might like that person… like, in a romantic way.”

“Me, liking Kurasaki-san?”

“Yes. So, I thought maybe I shouldn’t interfere with that.”

“Ah, I see. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to make you think about that.”

“No… it’s not like that.”

“Yeah, Kurasaki-san is a cute person, so I guess it’s natural for you to think that way. But it’s okay, really. I don’t feel that way right now. You don’t have to worry about it. Well, not right now, I mean…”

“………………”

“I’ve decided that I won’t date anyone anymore.”

“…Huh?”

“Well, because of this arm, you know. Anyone who dates me would… probably have a hard time, right? So, I decided to give up on that. That’s why, really, you don’t need to worry about anything like that.”

“………………”

“Well, I mean, even though I gave up on it, I’ve never even dated anyone in the first place. I’ve never been popular, haha!”

“………………”

“…………Ah, hah, Hasegawa.”

“………………”

“Sorry, right… if I say something like this, you’ll probably… feel even more responsible.”

“………………”

“I’m sorry, I was thoughtless. I didn’t think about how you might feel.”

“………………”

“I really am sorry. I’ll treat you to something on the way back. So… so…”

Please, don’t cry.