After a Heartbreak, My Bitter Childhood Friend is now Sweet Like Sugar - Chapter 2.12

Chapter 2.12- Persuasion After Confrontation

Kokoa’s mom, who was sitting on the sofa in the living room, first looked at her daughter and then at me with a sharp glare.

“This is a family matter. Outsiders need to leave.”

“Mom, this is rude even for a high school student. Is that the proper attitude of an adult?”

“It would be rude to change my attitude for a child. There is no need for me to be polite to someone rude.”

As expected of her mother, she had a sharp tongue just like her daughter.

Well, it’s fair to say that it’s rude to interfere in other people’s family affairs without hesitation.

“I don’t mean to be rude, but I can’t. I’m here to convince you to let her stay here.”

She twitched her eyebrows uncomfortably. 

“Why should I listen to you? It’s already been decided.”

Her mother dismissed me before I could retort.

“I have no intention of obeying you either. If you don’t want to pay for my living expenses, I’ll quit school and work.”

“There’s no way I’m going to let that happen… Guess, I’ll have to take you with me.”

“It’s not that I need your approval, I’ve already decided to do so.”

Hey, what are you saying?

Well, I had a hunch that she would say something like this. She’s just hot-headed in front of her mother.

Though she was probably serious when she said she’ll quit school and work. I don’t think a little refresher could change the situation anymore.

That’s why I decided to try to convince her instead.

I put both knees and my forehead on the floor. It’s called kneeling with utmost courtesy. (Dogeza)

“Yu! What are you doing?”

“Please… I know children can’t live on their own. Even so please allow her to stay in this house. And I don’t think her score will ever drop from now on.”

“… How can you be so sure?” Her mother looked momentarily puzzled, but quickly asked back.

“This time, Kokoa lost some marks because she helped me study for the exams. But next time, I’ll study on my own and I won’t ask her to teach me. So from now on, her grades won’t drop.”

“Wait, I told you it’s not your fault!”

“Come on, Kokoa. No matter how much you try to make it sound like it wasn’t, it is, and it’s more convenient for you to blame me here.”

“What do you mean, it’s convenient? You don’t have to bow in front of her.”

“Even so she’s your mother, she raised you. No matter what, we should apologize and ask for a favor. Do you know how hard it is to make money? If you don’t finish high school, finding a job would be more difficult.”

“That’s… true, but you were talking about a showdown, but all you do is apologize and ask for a favor.”

“It’s the least I should do. You know that.”

“…”

It’s not that I had a crazy idea. I thought hard over it.

She took care of her life until now, I had no choice but to sincerely ask for a favor.

No. Even if there was a different option, I’m not at that stage yet. If it’s someone you can talk to, you should talk to them first.

If her mother was the one who was in a disagreement with Kokoa, then it was also her mother who allowed her to stay in this house without interfering in her freedom. It would be better if these two could talk to each other sincerely.

“… Please, mom.”

Kokoa, who was quiet until now, agreed with me.

After a few moments of silence, her mother stared at us in silence, and then let out a big sigh. 

“Huh, this makes me look like a bad person. I was just worried about you, Kokoa.”

“I understand. That’s how much you care about Kokoa.”

“You think you know what are you saying?”

“If I were you, I’d be desperate.”

I don’t know what other people are going through, but I understand the pain of losing someone you care about, and I understand the feeling of wanting to cherish the memories of that person. You cherish them, interfere with them, and even tie them down too much.

And if it was a child, the fruit of her love for her partner, she would not want to leave her alone and go abroad.

Raising a child by herself is so difficult, but she had no choice but to do so, and at the same time, she cared for her… Though it was all just a guess.

That’s why I was confident that she would listen to me if I asked her politely.

“… Guess I was right, not like a bad guy.”

Her mother muttered something,

“There won’t be the next time.”

“… Huh?”

Her mother stood up and walked out of the living room.

“The next time your grades drop, I’m taking you away, no further questions. That’s all.”

“Where are you going?”

“I have some work to do, and after the meeting, I’m taking the bullet train. So don’t let your grades suffer.”

“That’s…”

“Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t forgive you. And you can’t make someone else’s child get down on their knees for you.”

Looks like she gave up.

It seems that my feelings have been understood.

“And… Yū-kun, you.”

Her mother looked at me.

Did she still remember my name?

“What is your relationship with her?”

“What? No, you know that I live next door…”

“The fact that you can be so desperate for this girl proves that you are close to her. You used to play with her when you were little… Are you guys dating now?”

“What are you saying, mom?”

Kokoa raised her voice.

No, it’s true, from the perspective of those around us, it’s not surprising that it looks that way. I know that people don’t usually meddle in other people’s family affairs.

“We get along very well, as neighbors, as classmates.”

“Hmm.”

And then, without further ado, her mother closed the door and walked out of the room without looking back.

.

.

.

“Well, it looks like it’s under control for now. I’m sorry, even though you told me not to blame myself for why your grades….”

“Really, what’s the matter with you? You don’t need to apologize in this situation. I’d rather apologize to you. No, in this case, it is a thank you. Thank you very much, Yū.”

“It’s okay. As I said before, I’m the one who’ll be in trouble if you disappear. More importantly, it’s kind of embarrassing to be seen on my knees in such an unattractive way.”

“…was cool.”

“… Huh?”

“I’m saying it was cool. It’s not fair, Yū.”

“What’s unfair?”

“It’s a secret.”

Normally, she would be in a bad mood before I learned what she meant.

But this time, she had a smile beaming on her face.

“Oh, and just to remind you again, it wasn’t your fault. Rather, it’s my fault for not being able to concentrate.”

“You couldn’t concentrate?”  

“Anyway, that’s about it! That’s all!”

“Oh, okay.”

I don’t know what she was thinking, but it made me happy, and I felt my heart skip a beat…

No, it’s different. I’m getting more maybe’s…

I don’t know. Maybe…

Maybe Kokoa, towards me…

But even if it’s true…　

I don’t know how I’m going to deal with her feelings.

Chapter 2 End