When I Thought I Was Reborn, My Family Turned Out to Be a Huge Landmine - Chapter 14: Confession

Chapter 14: Confession

“I heard various things today…”

As it was nearing evening, I said goodbye to Takuma and left his house. Arika hadn’t returned yet, but she’s probably still having fun with her friends.

“She doesn’t have feelings for Arisaka… huh?”

It was surprising to learn that the girl I met long ago was Arika, but what shocked me more was that Arika didn’t have any special feelings for Arisaka. In a way, it was a moment that completely reversed my impression of Arika up until now.

“Come to think of it, when I met Arika in high school, she used to come and talk to me quite often.” 

At the time of our enrollment, there was a buzz about an incredibly beautiful girl. Even I, upon seeing Arika for the first time, thought to myself how beautiful she was. I might have a resistance to beauty since my sister is around, but I remember being greatly surprised along with Kenichi and the others.

“Um, Kamisato-kun… right? I’m Arika Yumeno. Nice to meet you.”

Even though there were many other classmates around, why did she come to me first? It was always a mystery, but now it feels like I’ve finally figured it out. So, Arika had always remembered me. But I had completely forgotten her, and if it weren’t for Takuma telling me, I probably wouldn’t have realized that she was Arika.

“I wonder what Arika was feeling when she listened to Kenichi’s and my conversation that time.”

When I was once asked by a teacher to do a favor, I briefly mentioned it in a conversation with Kenichi. Arika didn’t press much on the matter, just showing a bit of interest… So, that’s it. I wonder what Arika was feeling when she heard Kenichi and my conversation at that time and later asked me about it.

“I do have someone I like. I’ve been interested since we met. He’s kind, handsome, and just talking to him a little makes my heart race.”

Then, when the conversation turned to the people we liked, Arika said this. If the person these words referred to wasn’t Arisaka… well, I can somewhat understand.

“…Anyway, standing here won’t do any good.”

Shaking my head, I started walking again. Not feeling like going straight home, I headed towards the arcade that Kenichi and I often visited. It was evening, yet the place was bustling, typical of an arcade’s lively atmosphere.

“Oh, is that…?”

Among the crowd, what caught my eye was a crane game. Among the prizes was a keychain that looked familiar. It was identical to the one I had given to Arika, a frog with an ugly face.

“My sister cherished that keychain… but Aki-nii threw it away. I don’t know if it was out of jealousy or he just didn’t like it…”

Well, since it’s so ugly, I can somewhat understand why someone would want to throw it away, but still, I think it’s a bit much for Arisaka to throw away a girl’s belongings without asking. 

Standing in front of the crane game, I inserted a coin and started it. I wasn’t sure if this small item could make up for what I had forgotten, and being a high school student, it might even be deemed unnecessary… But still, I wanted to give this keychain to Arika again.

“Alright, just like that… just like that…”

I managed to grab it skillfully and lift it up. It swayed dangerously but somehow stayed clutched as the arm moved back to my side. Holding the keychain that fell into the retrieval slot, I felt an indescribable sense of accomplishment.

“Maybe I’ll give it to her tomorrow.” 

To those who think that a more elaborate gift should be given to a high school girl, there’s something called the value of memories… But who am I lecturing to?

Just as I decided to head home, at that very moment, as if it was the perfect timing, I heard the voice of the person I’ve been wanting to see since talking to Takuma.

“Ah, Ren-kun? It is Ren-kun!”

“Arika?”

The one who called out to me was, of course, Arika. She came running over with a smile. There was a karaoke place nearby, so maybe she was just on her way back. We agreed to walk part of the way home together, chatting and laughing side by side.

And when it was time to part, I took it out of my pocket and handed it to Arika.

“Hey, I just won this, would you like to have it?”

“Eh? What do you mean…?”

Arika’s eyes widened in surprise as she saw the frog keychain I had just won. I smiled wryly at how her gaze kept shifting between my face and the keychain in my hand. Hesitantly, Arika reached out her hand, and I placed the keychain in her grasp, continuing my story.

“The girl I met back then was you, Arika. Your brother… Takuma told me.”

“Why do you know Takuma’s name…?”

“…Well, I actually ran into Takuma by chance. He invited me to his house, and we hung out there. That’s when I heard the story.”

“Ehhh! You mean at Takuma’s house, which is also my house… Did you, by any chance, see my room or―”

“No, no! I only visited Takuma’s room! And sorry for intruding without asking.”

“That’s okay… but I can’t believe this happened…!”

Relieved that Arika didn’t seem upset, my relief was short-lived as she suddenly crouched down, clutching her head.

“Hey… Are you okay, Arika!?”

Even though she reassured me she was fine, her unusual behavior made me instinctively reach for my phone to call an ambulance. Arika grabbed my hand firmly, stopping me. I was about to comment on her stubbornness when I swallowed my words.

“…Ah… Ah… It’s Ren-kun… Ren-kun is here…!!”

Arika was shedding tears. At first, I thought she was crying out of distress, but her expression was a bit different than I expected. Her tears seemed less about enduring pain and more about happiness. It was natural to be confused by the incongruity between her current expression and her earlier behavior.

“Arika…?”

“I’m okay… I’m really okay. But for now…”

Arika clutched the hand I had offered with both of hers, holding on as if it was something precious, as if she didn’t want to let go. I stayed by her side without moving until she calmed down. When she finally stood up, wiping her tears, her demeanor seemed to have changed a bit, although it might have been my imagination.

“Thank you, Ren-kun. Can I… really have this? You won’t take it back, right?”

“I intended to give it to you from the start, but… are you sure you’re okay?”

“Thank you… Yes, I’m fine. I was just moved, you know, feeling like we are ‘forever connected’.”

“Really…?”

“Fufu, thank you so much. I’ll treasure it.” 

Watching Arika hold the ugly frog keychain close to her chest, I felt truly glad I picked it up in the arcade.

Seeing her smile made me feel happy too. Just then, my phone received a message. It was from Nee-san, asking if I was still not home. I replied that I’d be home soon and put my phone back in my pocket.

“Arika, let’s call it a day and head home for now. Our families must be worried about us.”

It seemed like a good point to part ways, as we were at the fork leading to our respective homes. However, Arika looked reluctant to leave, her eyes downcast. Wondering what was wrong and how to address it, Arika closed her eyes for a moment and then nodded.

“Yeah, you’re right. We’ll see each other again tomorrow.” 

“We’re at the same school, after all. We can meet anytime.”

Arika smiled at my words.

Well, this really was goodbye for today. We waved to each other and exchanged a few words before turning our backs. After walking a bit, I heard the sound of hurried footsteps coming from behind.

“What’s up?”

“Oh, I forgot something.”

Arika said with a tongue out, took a deep breath, and then…

“I love you, Ren-kun. I’ve always, always, really loved you.”

The words that Arika conveyed didn’t immediately register in my brain. However, I was certain that something would change from tomorrow.