The case where I was gradually getting buried in the heavy love of my childhood friend who had miraculously recovered from their illness was perfect! - Chapter 23 : Violence is not always the Best Choice

“Alright, then we’ll head home first!”

“Thanks for inviting us!”

“Yeah, see you tomorrow.”

Akihiro and Takeshi waved their hands and soon left.

After the closing ceremony following the entrance ceremony, we had lunch at a family restaurant, inviting some close acquaintances.

To put it briefly, the group members hadn’t changed much. It was me, Rion, Asumi-san, Akihiro, and Takeshi.

“They don’t seem to change much even in high school.”

“Well, isn’t that natural? Those two have been together since middle school, so it’s actually nice not to feel much change.”

“That’s true. Of course, I’m not worried about Nagi-kun’s friends.”

Especially Rion, and even Asumi-san to some extent, were quite kind to Akihiro and Takeshi. Perhaps it’s because Rion has positive feelings towards them through me.

“Oh, by the way. Akina sent a message saying she wants to hang out regularly even though we’re in different high schools.”

“Let’s definitely do that. Even if we go to different high schools after entering, the bonds that connect us are precious.”

“Yeah!”

Akina’s name is familiar to me, and she was a good friend of Rion and Asumi-san in middle school.

‘Even if we’re apart, the friendship will continue to endure… It kinda reminds me of my past life.’

Elementary school to middle school, going to the same place for high school is almost unheard of. Bonds might be severed to some extent, but I remember exchanging contact information and inviting each other to hang out on holidays. Ah, those good old times.

“…Well, I have some connections like that in this world too.”

“What are you talking about?”

“What’s up?”

“Oh, it’s nothing.”

“So, Akihiro and Takeshi have left, but what about us?”

“I actually wanted to do some shopping with Rion.”

“Yes. So I’d like Nagi-kun to stay with us.”

“That’s fine, I guess.”

Is it actually better this way? Walking behind the two girls might make me look suspicious, but as long as we don’t get reported as potential criminals…

“Why do you seem anxious?”

“If it’s about Nagi-kun, then it’s probably just unfounded anxiety.”

“Unfounded… Well, maybe I’m just overthinking it.”

“…Speak up. What’s bothering you?”

“It’s not really me; it’s probably more about Rion.”

Asumi-san chuckled at my comment, but Rion turned her head away, saying it’s nothing. Still, she occasionally glanced at us, looking cute. Rion and Asumi-san nodded at each other knowingly.

“…It’s not very interesting, is it?”

“Sorry, sorry! Come on, let’s go shopping quickly!”

And so, we headed to the nearby shopping mall. I had expected to walk behind the two girls, but since Rion was generally walking next to me, I felt relieved. Now, I leisurely watched them enjoy browsing through the clothes shops.

“…It feels like a typical high school girl thing.”

Watching those two, I couldn’t help but think that. Our new school life had started with a significant role for me and Rion, but thinking about it, it was fortunate that there were no major conflicts. Some people seemed a bit unhappy, but we’d deal with that later.

“Phew…”

Maybe I should take a break on a bench or something… That’s what I was thinking when I heard my name.

“Hmm? Rokudo?”

“Huh?”

I turned around at the mention of my last name. It was a familiar voice, and as I suspected, it was the person I thought.

“Oh, it’s Oikawa-sensei after all.”

“Hey, it is Rokudo!”

He flashed a grin. Oikawa-sensei, the somewhat chubby man, was my homeroom teacher when I was in second year of middle school. He moved to another school when I entered my third year, but I never expected to meet him again like this.

“Oikawa-sensei… Have you gained weight again?”

“Hey, that’s rude especially when you meet someone right off the bat!”

“Sorry.”

“This guy, I swear…”

Even though we had a relatively close relationship, this kind of casual banter was unusual. Especially for me, Oikawa-sensei was like a mentor or someone who had always cheered me up. As he approached, smiling, he suddenly changed his expression.

“Rokudo! I’ve been hearing a lot of things — how’s Tohsaka?”

The name that came out of Oikawa-sensei’s mouth was Rion’s. I didn’t know where he was working now, but it seemed he had been keeping tabs on Rion, who had always been fragile. Perhaps he knew about her hospitalization during her third year.

“Rion is doing fine. Look, over there.”

Rion and Asumi-san hadn’t noticed Oikawa-sensei. When he saw them, he visibly sighed in relief.

“Seems like you’re doing well… I’m relieved.”

“No need to worry about Rion anymore. She’s lively like that… Oh, we’re attending Jouho High School.”

“Oh! You guys went to an impressive place, huh?”

“Yeah, and I’m the class’s vice president, while Rion became the class president.”

“Wow! Did Asumi push you into that?”

Wow, as expected of our previous class teacher, Oikawa-san. He is quite sharp and intuitive.

Oikawa-sensei seemed deeply moved as he watched Rion from a distance. He probably wants to know the details of what happened, but it seems like he’s being considerate not to pry further.

“…Oikawa-sensei, we really appreciate the help you did for us at that time.”

“Don’t call that help. I just protected my students in the class.”

“Still, I was the one who resorted to violence.”

“You’ve reflected on it, right? And clearly, the fault was on the other side. Rokudo, you don’t have to worry about it anymore.”

“…Yeah.”

Oikawa-san is referring to the incident involving that senior who caused trouble and eventually disappeared after a few days from the school.

I haven’t been in many fights. Ironically, despite my frustration, I’m not that great at fighting. Plus, I dislike violence.

“Ah, here they are.”

Finally noticing the extra presence beside me as I didn’t return back to them, the two of them rushed over to where I was.

“Oh, Oikawa-sensei!”

“Long time no see, Oikawa-sensei.”

“Oh, it’s been a while for both of you. I’m glad to see you well.”

The reunion with Oikawa-sensei was pleasant for Rion and Asumi, and the conversation flowed easily.

‘Despite being teased by delinquents due to appearance, he didn’t seem to be bothered at all… This person is really mentally strong.’

After chatting for a while, Oikawa-sensei left soon, mentioning that he’s keeping his wife waiting.

“It was nostalgic, wasn’t it?”

“Yeah… Oh, right. Oikawa-sensei’s wife is apparently really beautiful. Why don’t we follow him and take a look at her?”

“That would be intrusive; let’s not do it.”

“Just kidding, just kidding.”

“Why do you seem so dissatisfied?”

“What are you talking about?”

Her reactions were so obvious that Rion and I couldn’t help but chuckle.

After a while, we wandered around and parted ways with Asumi.

“How was it?”

“It seems enjoyable enough. No one seemed to oppose it, so I’m satisfied.”

“Who would dare oppose my cute and adorable Rion…?”

“Hehe~!”

For now, Rion seems content that no one opposed her throughout the day.

☆☆☆☆☆☆

It’s not something to be proud of, but I rarely get genuinely angry.

I dislike fights in the first place, and violence is something I detest even more… but there was one time when I willingly resorted to violence.

It was about that senior who has been mentioned before in the conversation with Oikawa-sensei.

“Don’t interfere, you piece of trash. I said I’d play with Tohsaka. You should be grateful, you know? I’m willing to take in a disabled person with defects.”

Originally, I had taken a hit unexpectedly to my stomach and was crouched down. But the moment I heard that statement, I forgot the pain and threw a punch at the senior.

It didn’t escalate to something epic, but it was definitely a fight intense enough for the teacher to intervene… At that time, the one who stood by me until the end was Oikawa-sensei.

“Sensei… I know violence is wrong. I believe protecting is more honorable than hitting someone.”

“That’s right… violence is wrong.”

“But… I couldn’t back down at that time. I couldn’t forgive what that guy said about Rion… And I lost all control.”

There are moments when a man can’t escape… I thought that at that moment, there are times when you have to confront. But in the end, it didn’t change the fact that I resorted to violence.

However, Oikawa-sensei said these words to me, “I said it earlier, violence is wrong. But, what you did to Rokudo was commendable. Normally, as a teacher, I shouldn’t approve of such actions… but I am proud that you are my student—well done.”

At that moment… I truly think I troubled him as he would have definitely faced some repercussions.

If anyone else knew about this conversation, Oikawa-sensei would have been scolded instead. However, he took care of all the aftermath of the fight.

In the end, the senior transferred out soon after, leaving all of us in shock… Well, this is how things went at that time.

☆☆☆☆☆☆

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TL : Zenon#4120