My Memories Came Back, But I'm Not Telling My Childhood Friends - Chapter 29-30

Chapter 29

After that, time passed without anything special happening.

Finally, the first test period since we became second-years arrived.

Before, I didn’t care about tests at all, but this time I studied like my life depended on it.

I completely caught up on everything I was behind on, and I was in pretty good shape.

This time I could actually aim for the top ranks. There was even a small chance I could be number one in the whole grade.

…Nah, that’s probably impossible.

For a second I saw a vision of it happening, but I forgot about Shizuno Soraka, the girl who kept taking first place in the grade last year.

She was the type who should have gone to a much better high school. Tests at Shirosaki Academy would be a piece of cake for her.

While thinking about that, I glanced over at her.

It was five minutes before the test, but Soraka was just sitting there spacing out and doing nothing.

We only ended up in the same class after four years, so I didn’t know, but was she always this relaxed?

In my head, I always pictured Soraka as someone who gave her all even on the easiest tests.

She really is still acting weird…

What the heck is holding her back?

What could possibly be more important to Soraka than her own stuff?

…Anyway, before I worry about other people, I need to focus on what I have to do.

Things are going well, but I could trip up at any time.

Depending on the test results, my motivation could drop suddenly.

If I fall apart, then everything else is pointless.

I decided to shut out everything around me and focus completely on the test.

◇ ◇ ◇

Another week passed after that.

The test period ended without any problems.

I did amazingly well, even if I do say so myself.

This time I definitely made it into the very top group.

Still, I probably couldn’t beat Soraka though.

Last year she got almost perfect scores in every subject on every test.

Even if I got full marks, we’d tie for first at best. And there’s no way I actually scored that high.

It stings a little, but it’s naive to think someone who slacked off for years could beat someone who went all out every single day.

I can just use this frustration as fuel and keep pushing.

That’s what I was thinking, but…

When I heard the test rankings were posted and went to look, the hallway was full of noise.

“Soraka-chan isn’t first…!?”

“No way~ She got full marks in every subject every time last year~?”

“And first place is Kawakami…?”

“Hey hey, this has to be a mistake.”

Somehow, I was in first place.

I stood out in a bad way. People were even saying it must be cheating.

My usual behavior wasn’t great, so I get why, but straight-up denying it without thinking is kinda much.

I wanted to say something about it, but more than that, I was shocked that Soraka wasn’t at the top.

She wasn’t even in second place. When I looked further down, Shizuno Soraka’s name was at number fourteen.

Is that even possible?

It’s possible I was just overestimating her.

But I couldn’t help connecting it to how weird she’s been acting lately.

Is she really okay…?

◇ ◇ ◇

Classes went back to normal after that.

And then, it finally happened.

“Alright, Shizuno. Can you solve this problem?”

The math teacher called on Soraka.

“Yes.”

Soraka stood up from her seat.

Right then—

She made a loud clatter and collapsed on the spot.

“W-what’s wrong, Shizuno!? Are you okay…!?”

“Eh, what what!?” “Soraka-chan collapsed!?”

The sudden event made the whole class noisy.

I couldn’t hide my surprise either.

I had never seen Soraka in bad health before.

She was supposed to be nearly perfect at taking care of herself, yet here she was breaking down like this…

“Everyone, calm down.”

The teacher soothed the noisy students and walked over to Soraka.

“Shizuno, are you alright?”

“…Yes. I just got a little dizzy, that’s all.”

Luckily, it didn’t seem too serious.

“Is there a health committee member?”

The teacher told a health committee member to go with her.

Normally a girl committee member would do it, but I stood up without hesitation.

The class got noisy again at my action, but I ignored them and went straight to Soraka.

“Can you stand?”

“Reita… I’m fine.”

Even at a time like this, Soraka tried to stand on her own as if to say not to worry.

She’s stubborn as always.

But this time I wasn’t backing down.

“Just shut up and let me help.”

I supported Soraka a bit forcefully and we left the classroom.

This would definitely start some weird rumors, but I couldn’t care about that anymore.

I’m gonna make you tell me what’s happening to you, whether you like it or not.

—

Chapter 30

The nurse checked Soraka and said it was mild anemia.

It came from stress and lack of sleep.

She just needed to rest quietly and it would get better soon.

It was a relief that it wasn’t anything serious, but the problem would probably keep happening unless it got fixed.

The teacher told me to go back to class, but I lied and said I was her boyfriend so I could stay with her.

I sit down on the chair next to the bed where she’s lying and talk to her.

“You okay?”

“…Yeah. I really just felt a little dizzy. I’ll be back soon.”

“Don’t push yourself.”

“I’m really fine. You should go back quickly.”

Soraka acts tough again, but of course I’m not leaving.

I can’t just leave her like this.

Plus Maya asked me to look out for her.

“Hey. It’s about time you tell me what happened.”

“…I’m sorry.”

“Come on, enough already. At least tell me what’s going on or I can’t calm down either.”

“Even if you say that, I can’t talk about things I can’t talk about.”

Soraka says that and hides her face under the blanket.

Why is she so stubborn about not telling me?

“Just tell me the parts you can.”

“It has nothing to do with you.”

“You’re”You’re the one who said we’re childhood friends so it does have to do with me.”

“…That’s different from this.”

No matter how many times܂

No matter stabilisation

No matter how many times I ask, she keeps pushing me away.

She’s being really stubborn now.

She’s dead set on not saying anything.

No choice then… time to use my last card.

She probably already noticed anyway, and this seems like the perfect timing.

“You used to bottle everything up by yourself like this back then too, Soraka.”

I say her name softly as I speak to her.

“…So your memories really came back.”

“You knew incur

flint

“You noticed?”

“Fufu, I can see right through you.”

Sack

Soraka peeks her face out from the blanket andimb and smiles like she knew from the start.

Shore.

She probably didn’t have full proof, but her expression shows relief and a bit of happiness.

lit.

But this isn’t theipped time to get emotional.

“Do you remember operator the promise we made as kids?”

max”…What are you talkingirk about?”

“That face saysTend, you remember.”

drop pressureoriaoses Soraka tries to play dumb, but it’s totally obvious.

This might be the first time I’ve seen her this easy to read. She must really be at her limit.

“If you remember, then trust me and tell me.”

I look straight into Soraka’s eyes as I say it.

If this doesn’t work, I have nothing left.

If she remembers that promise, she should be able to rely on me—

“…I’m sorry.”

But Soraka apologizes and hides under the blanket again.

“You can’t trust me…”

It stings in my chest.

…Well, I guess it makes sense.

It’s not like back then. I’m the guy who didn’t build up anything for four years.

Even if my memories came back, I was just a pain who caused trouble for everyone. No way she can rely on someone like that.

This is what Soraka always calls “the result of your usual behavior.”

“…I’m not feeling well, so can you leave me alone?”

Soraka completely shuts me out.

If I back down now, I probably won’t get another chance, but…

I can’t force a sick person.

She doesn’t seem like she’ll open up anymore anyway, so I have no choice but to pull back for now.

“…Got it. But if you’re in trouble, tell me anytime. It doesn’t have to be me. Maya or Rin would definitely listen.”

I leave those last words and walk out of the nurse’s office.