Name 6
When Souta headed to the art room, he heard the voice of Haruka and Haruki.
Why are they together?
While thinking that in mind, Akari and Haruki looked back at the same time.
Tears were quietly flowing down the cheek of Akari, who opened her eyes astonishingly.
The moment he saw it, he couldn't afford to process what was happening or what they were talking about, and immediately stepped into the art room.
He walked straight to Akari, took her hand and ran out of the art room.
[Really, I know...]
"Mochizuki-kun ..."
Akari called in an uneasy voice, but Souta continued down the corridor without saying a word.
Haruki and Akari are similar.
Both have an unusual sensibility, their talents, looking forward toward the future, and they are also chasing their dreams. That's why Akari would think,
"I can only be understood by Haruki."
It's only Haruki, not anyone elses' either.
[I know ...]
Souta bit his lips shallowly.
He couldn't show his face now and stayed facing forward.
Puzzling feeling came from her hand.
I felt like I knew somewhere in my mind when he decided to use the painting for a graduation movie.
From when he heard that the color of love was "gold", Haruki looked happy.
What Akari really needs is an understanding person, like Haruki, who sees and feels the same.
[Still ... I don’t want that! ]
I don't want to see Akari crying in front of anyone other than me.
I want me to be the one you confide the weak feelings to, not Haruki.
I want me to be the one Akari to talk to about what she was worried.
"Mochizuki-kun ...!"
Being called again, Souta finally stopped his foot. He noticed that he had come all the way to the entrance.
Looking back slowly, Akari's wet eyes are looking up steadily.
The tears on her cheeks, it has not dried yet.
The moment he saw her face, he suddenly felt cold.
"Sorry…"
That was the only word.
Souta released his hand from Akari.
He couldn't say any of the comforting words while taking out Akari who was crying.
On the contrary, it only made her look more uneasy.
"Sorry......"
Souta repeated himself with a faint voice again, and then turned to leave.
I didn't want to show my disappointing self to her any more than this.
* * + * +
He neither faced Haruki nor Akari.
At lunchtime the next day, he was afraid to be in the classroom, so Souta went to the rooftop.
The sky was overcast and he shook every time the wind blew.
Thanks to this, no students were on the roof.
[I guess I’ll stay here until the lunch break is over ...]
Souta talked to himself. It’s still cold. The temperature is likely to fall even if it is hail.
The door squeaked open when he was holding his arms.
"Mochita, are you here?"
It was Yuu who came out while saying so.
He saw Souta left the classroom shortly after the class, so he was worried and came to see him.
"... Isn't it cold? You’re going to catch a cold again!"
"Right… It's cold..."
"Well, then you should go back down... what happened?"
"Just... Many things happened..."
"Is it about Haruki?"
Souta nodded while holding his knees.
When he calmed down, it seemed to him that what he had done was really terrible.
[That's like ... whatever the excuse, it's just me being jealous of him...]
When he was looking down, he heard the voice of Haruki, "Mochita!"
The sound of the doors opening vigorously, Souta uncomfortably shook.
"Sorry. Haruki seems to have lost his temperament."
Yu shrugged and showed.
A grumpy wrinkle was carved in the eyebrows of Haruki who came straight in.
Souta stood up and turned around and tried to escape.
However, he is grabbed by the uniform collar and pulled back.
He wanted to talk. The eyes applied silence.
[That's right ...]
Just as Souta feared, Haruki stood with his hands on his hips.
"I’ll say it straight, Mochita. I'm not the one who made Hayasaka cry!"
"I know."
Haruki was not the one at fault. This is the subject of my feelings.
"To sum it up, you forgot to return Hayasaka’s painting... so I'm just giving it back!"
Souta remembered and said, "Ah!"
[That’s right!! Akarin's painting, we’ve not yet returned it to her.]
He was so full of his head with the novel submission that he had completely forgotten.
"...... Hayasaka was worried about taking the exam in various ways.”
"If I can manage it, I want to do something! But for her..." (Souta)
As soon as he put it into words, Souta is pained by his gentle words and secretly holds his fist.
"Akarin ... What she wanted to hear was from Haruki ... I wouldn't be able to understand Akarin's feelings unless I am Haruki." (Souta)
Haruki, who was silently listening to Souta, turned his gaze out of the fence.
"That's right ... Hayasaka and I may be similar, so I know."
[After all, ... Haruki ... also ...]
"I can always walk my way without hesitation because there’s someone who will be there with me any time ..."
Souta slowly raised his face to the words that Haruki said.
His voice was quiet and sounded more solitary than when talking to anyone.
"What I and someone like Hayasaka need is someone like that..."
When Haruki turned his gaze back, he laughed somewhat lonely, "Maybe it's like that ..."
"Haruki ..."
“Now you know, hurry, go to Hayasaka and talk to her!"
Haruki quickly returned to the school building after lightly pressed Souta's head.
"Let's go back. Mochita."
Yu smiled lightly, followed by Haruki.
"Um"
Souta nodded at a small distance and glanced out of the fence where Haruki stared.
He stared at the sky, which was only cloudy, and pulled his lips a little.
[Anytime… someone ...who will always stay by her unchanged ...]
* * + * +
“......I'm scared....... ''
The voice of Akari, which he heard from inside the art room, remained in his ear.
She always smiled, but only at that time she had a very dependable expression.
While remaining alone in the classroom, Souta recalled what happened in the art room yesterday.
Since six o'clock is near, there may be few students remaining in the school building.
He couldn't hear any voice or footsteps running down the hallway.
Unexpectedly, the fiery sunset sky spread out from the window and the classroom was dyed red.
Souta sat down and hands on his forehead.
"Am I not good enough..."
Such a tweet spilled from his mouth.
[I’ll listen to you... I’ll listen to any story you have.]
Listen to everything, whether it's what makes you sad or what worries you.
[I don't want you to cry. I want to make you smile.]
Not just a grinning smile. Not a smile that you use to hide your emotions.
[Really, I really want you to smile ...]
A shimmering smile like you showed on the day of the entrance ceremony.
I want you to laugh like that day.
"Hayasaka Akari..."
Souta's voice resounded in the classroom.
At the very least, what came to his mind was Akari.
Suddenly, when he looked sideways, there, she crouched and looked up strangely.
Her eyes were dyed the same color as dusk and glowed.
If he call her name, Akari would look like this.
"What is it?"
How will you answer?
[Akarin ...]
Souta unconsciously reached for her while staring at her.
Though she couldn't be here.
Souta wrapped her cheek, which is just a little cold, with his hand to warm it.
Whether you're laughing happily, looking a little annoyed, calling out my name, making a gesture of shaking your neck, worrying while choosing a cake, or thinking about your hair, the habit of winding with your fingers, I like everything about you.
[Just say your name, see...]
Souta gently smiling face reflected on her eyes, who looked strangely at him with her eyes.
"I'm in love with you once again."
It was self-reflecting.
Really, he didn't even think Akari was there.
When he turned to her, she opened her eyes as if surprised.
He looked at the palm of his hand that feels heat, his hand remained on the cheek of Akari.
"Uwaaaaaaaaa~~"
Astonished, Souta released his hand. The sound of the chair falling resounded loudly.
[When did she…! ? ]
"!?"
Akari was surprised and looked down as if she was weak.
[Eh, what, why is Akarin here!? Wh, what ridiculous thing did I just blurt out of my mouth ... what have I done!?]
"I....I....It's not like that!!!"
Souta was flustered and shook his head, showing both hands open.
"This is ... Th ... that ...!"
His head blanked, and no words came out.
Dokun, Dokun, his heart beat crazily.
Akari got up suddenly, and Souta was surprised.
She turned and ran towards the door.
"Ah"
Souta was standing up involuntarily.
"Hayasaka-san !!"
He shouted, but Akari did not look back.
She ran out of the classroom with her back turned.
As he heard the footsteps in the distant, Souta became dumb.
Even after the tranquility came back, he didn't move from that spot for a while.
** + * +
"Nothing changed..."
After school on the day of the closing ceremony, Souta was leaning against a wall alone in the dim space beside the steps.
The junior students went up the stairs, laughing innocently.
In that voice, Souta's tweet is lost together with his sigh.
Souta slowly lowered his hand, feeling nervous while looking at the juice he bought at the vending machine.
I like Akari, If I look at that figure, I will want to approach with my eyes, you are so near, that I want to touch you. Everything is the truth that I can't hide it.
If I find you at the same place with another boy, I will feel so jealous.
He’s thinking about Akari so much that he can't help it.
Even the answer of the confession is….
Recognizing the pain in his chest, Souta squatted down while leaning his back against the wall.
Exhale deeply and look up at the ceiling.
"Hey, Akarin, what should I do?"
As he was shocked, the back of Akari who left the classroom stayed in his head.
"... Mochizuki?"
Called shyly, Souta turned his face.
It was Miou who was looking out of the railing.
"Oh ... Aida-san ..."
Souta gets up in a hurry.
"Is Aida going home now? Oh, maybe with Natsuki, Aka ... "
Responding to the name I said, my chest felt pained and I closed my mouth.
Keeping his gaze at his feet. It was difficult to keep smiling.
"...... Hayasaka-san, are you looking for them?"
"No. There is an errand in the staff room."
Miou said, and went up the stairs to the side.
"What about Mochizuki?"
"... I just want to buy juice."
Souta shows her pack to Miou.
"Is it an errand for Akari?"
"Eh?! That's not the case ...”
Souta sighed as expected.
"... You seemed to be thinking about Hayasaka-san right?
"... Is it really that easy to see?"
Miou laughed while buying juice at the vending machine nearby.
When the pack was taken out of the opening, she lean on the wall next to Souta.
[I understand why Haruki likes Aida-san ...]
Miou always knows a lot and is quieter and more inclined.
[I'm convinced]
What kind of talk did they have when Haruki returning home side by side with Misakura every day?
When I imagine such a thing, Souta's mouth fell naturally.
However, I haven't seen them go home together for a long time.
Souta has noticed that the distance between Haruki and Misakura is becoming further.
Haruki doesn't want to be touched by that subject, so Souta hasn't heard what he thinks about Miou. He didn't even know what Miou thinks.
[I think Akarin also wanted to do something for them...]
That's the same feeling for Souta.
But this is their problem, others can’t interfere.
If you inadvertently do something extra, it's likely to break like a cracked glass. Maybe they are in that kind of situation now.
Haruki studies abroad as soon as he graduates. After that, what will happen to Haruki and Miou's love?
I don't want it to end there, but not all love ends with a happy ending.
Does Miou not feel painful?
Getting away from your loved one. No matter how much she thinks about him, he will go far out of reach. That kind of thing.
[It’s tough ... it's hard just to think of it...]
Just like Miou, the time left for Souta is also until spring.
It is the same for Miou and Souta that the future map cannot be drawn.
Akari seemed to go farther and farther, and the feelings of fading away kept on growing.
Even now, I'm really desperate. I want to chase and keep her by my side.
Is Miou really like that too?
Do you always hold that feeling in and smile with a blank face?
[Aida-san is amazing ...]
While he was thinking about such a thing vaguely, Miou opened her mouth, saying, "Akari-chan."
"She went to the art room yesterday and was painting with a very happy face. I feel like I haven’t seen that Akari-chan for a long time."
"... Wasn't she always like that?"
"Before, there was always something different but having fun ..."
Souta doesn't really know how Akari always drew in the art club.
Akari, who he saw when she asked him to model for a drawing, was drawing with a serious expression.
That’s why the story I heard from Miou was surprising.
"Akari-chan seems to have a problem. After she decided to take the art university, she worked a bit too hard, but seeing Akari-chan from yesterday ... I thought that she was having fun. ''
"I see‥‥"
[I wonder if something happened]
When remembering Akari's figure in the art room, Souta's eyes narrowed a little.
It’s much better than crying hard though.
When Miou left the wall, she turned to Souta.
"Isn't that because of Mochizuki-kun?"
"Eh ... me?"
"I think so."
Miou smiled and went to the staff room saying, "I’m going!"
After seeing her off, Souta made a fallen expression.
"I don't think so... Aida-san ..."
[I'm sure ...]
* * + * +
When he left school and reached the square in front of the station, a large street tree is decorated with lights.
The lights seemed to be lit from sunset, and it was a hot topic in the class.
The shops located along the arcade are decorated with Christmas decorations such as red, green, gold and white. Before that, Souta was walking down the street.
HIs foot stopped because he noticed a boy in the same school uniform.
In addition, the person is Souita Midori, a friend whom Souta knows well.
He snarled while pushing his face and hands into the glass of the shop window.
"Midori? What are you doing?"
Midori turned to this when she calls out.
"U, uaaa, mo, mo, mo, Mochita, what are you doing?"
[That's what I supposed to say though...]
Midori was strangely upset and receded.
[What was he looking at?]
When he looked at the shop window, Midori suddenly reduced the distance. Then, Souta's face was pinched with both hands.
"Wai-... what are you doing?"
"Mochita ... You are here! I am saved."
While saying so, Midori has crossed his shoulders side by side.
"Now, Are you free? You’re free, You’re free right? You have a free time aura on you!"
"No, I'm not! And I'm going home ... I'm going to see an overseas drama!"
"Oh, okay. I have spare time too. Okay, let's go."
"Go where!?"
"That's definitely it right? Shopping, shopping! Mochita also has something to buy right?"
"No, not.”
"Hah!? No!? That's why you’re so sorry. You'll give Hayasaka a cool present and show her a good one!"
Midori roared his chest, and Souta's throat made a strange noise.
"So ... what do you want to buy Midori? A present?"
The weight suddenly disappeared from his shoulders as if he wanted to divert attention.
Midori, who stepped back, whistled unnaturally.
[Would he give it to someone ... or to whom? Does Midori have someone he like? ]
Though Midori looks like this, he is quite popular. In particular, the number of fans seems to have increased even more since he performed as a member of the light music club at the Autumn Cultural Festival.
Judging from Souta, the Midori who sang on the stage was cold-hearted, and ten times cooler than he could ever imagine.
[Does he go out with someone? It could not be ......]
He has never heard of such rumor, and he does not show any such behavior.
[I didn't even hear Haruki said anything about it.]
"Oh, well, that’s... Christmas ... Look, that's it!"
Midori shouted and coughed while trying to lie.
"What is that?"
"Actually, Mochita...it's a story only here okay? Don’t tell anyone, absolutely!"
"Um, yeah ... what?"
Midori had a serious face, so Souta can also catch himself. His shoulders stiffened.
"Actually ... I'm really Santa Claus. My great-grandfather and my grandfather were all Santa. But, how old is it? I'm supposed to deliver love, hope and gifts. Oh, this is a secret, okay? "
"[Oh! really!] like I can say something like that!!!” (*TN: tsukkomi)
Midori laughs at me when I hit his chest with a touch.
"Oh, Mochita, Nice tsukkomi. Would you like to combine with me? Haruki, He’s going to the United States. So, it's harsh not to have him around."
"'Midori can do enough with alone, so I’ll be going then..."
When Souta was about to walk away, Midori pulled the muffler. Thanks to this, his neck is closed, and there is a sound that seems like something is crushed.
"Then, let’s go, Mochita."
“Ehhh! After all, this is what gonna happen! ? "
Souta was dragged by the smiling Midori as it was.
Then he was taken to places for about two hours?
Souta's legs were completely worn out, and Souta grabbed Midori's coat who was walking ahead.
"Hey ... Midori, let's get home soon or we’ll be late.”
He didn't know how many stores he had visited. It's about time to go home.
"We just ate takoyaki. I still haven’t buy anything so how can I go home!"
Midori entered the store one after another, as if he were half-hearted. However, he didn't seem to be able to find what he like, and they just went out of their way after just looking at them.
"So what are you looking for? It's no use walking around without knowing it."
"It’s just... I don’t know until I find it.”
Midori was about to enter the store again, so Souta was forced to follow.
This was all he can do until Midori is satisfied.
When he entered, there were many girls returning from school.
It's probably a store that sells clothes and accessories for girls. Among them, two boys going together were conspicuous, and it is slightly uncomfortable to be looked at by them.
"That ... Midori ... I’ll wait outside ..."
"This is it!"
When I heard him and looked, Midori had his eyes on a knit hat.
"Eh, it's cute, but ... Midori really gonna wear it?"
"Don’t be stupid. I'm not the one wearing it!"
"That's right, then-- who is it for?"
Midori would be too small to fit. And it looked like it’s for a girl.
"Oh, that's ... oh ... it’s for my mom!"
After turning his face back to the front, Midori replied with a straight face.
"Oh! Mom !?"
"Yeah, a gift for my mom...”
"But, Midori...the bear's ears ... is it fine?"
Souta looked at Midori and the hat alternately.
“She likes this stuff, animal prints ... She wears leopard print clothes at home. ''
"Eh... All right ..."
There may be some circumstances in Midori’s house. It seems better if I don’t go deeper.
"Hey, I'll go buy it.”
I was pushed away with his school bag and said: "Ah, okay".
Midori headed to the checkout counter and placed his knit hat on for a female clerk.
"As a gift!"
After saying so loudly, he added, "Well, cute wrapping ..." with an awkward face.
While Midori is having it wrapped, Souta went out of the store and waited.
As expected, when he got out of the store where the heating was ineffective, the cold of the air soaked into his skin.
"Cold…"
It will be snowing tonight or tomorrow. I look at the sky while thinking so.
[Christmas gift ...... huh ......? ]
Eventually, the shop door opened and a Midori with a paper bag came out.
"Thanks to Mochita for going with me like this. Thank you for sure!”
His back is hit by Midori’s good mood, and he staggers lightly.
Normally, he would inflate his cheeks with a "Mou!"
However, Midori had such a happy face that he didn't feel like doing that.
"I hope she will be pleased."
Souta said, Midori was laughing, showing his teeth, "Um!"
I don't know who Midori wants to give it to, she's probably an important person.
For such someone, he walked around, looked for it, found it, and gave a little bit of courage to have it wrapped into a cute gift wrapping.
He wanted to see the happy face of that person.
[Hee, great for him...]
A person that you want to make happy, I also...
Souta remembered his sadness and slightly shut his eyelids.
The smile that came to his mind has always been just one thing.
After parting with Midori, he walked slowly while watching the city light up.
The classic Christmas song was echoing in the sky filled with clouds.
I guess they are doing live on the street in the square.
As he passed by a show window, he suddenly saw a mannequin.
Decorated in a fluffy and warm white muffler.
[I think it looks good on Akarin]
Souta stops and stares at it.
If I give this to her, what kind of face will she have?
Will she be pleased?
Or does she have a problem with a gift from someone she doesn't like?
Just because it’s Christmas, it’s not like a miracle will happen.
I'm hoping for a beautiful happy end, like a movie or a novel.
However, if I can see her smile.
Souta opened the door and walked into the store.
A saleswoman called out, "Welcome!"
"I'm sorry, there's a muffler ... that I want!"
[I just need to do it ...]
* * + * +
"I'm home!"
Souta returned home and took off his shoes.
I wanted to get into the room right away, but the timing was bad and the living door opened.
It was my young sister who had jumped out.
"Souta! Welcome back!"
He was nervous at the energetic voice, and hid the gift wrap behind him in a hurry.
The younger sister who found it screamed and said, "Oh, oh!"
[That’s why I didn’t want them to know! ! ]
"What! It's a Christmas gift!? For whom?!"
"Well, no, nobody!"
"Hmm ... suspicious ..."
While saying so, my sister tried to call me a jerk.
[Well, somehow, I need to distract her...]
"Oh, that's right. My pudding was in the refrigerator! You can eat it!"
“Pudding!!!”
His sister's eyes glowed brightly, but that was just for a moment.
"If it’s that pudding. It’s gone!"
"Ehh! Why?"
"I thought Souta didn't need it, so you put it away. It’s in my stomach now!"
My little sister showed her thumbs up with a proud face.
"I see..."
Souta replied stubbornly.
[I thought that would be the case anyway...]
"Well, who's the gift for? No way ... girlfriend !?"
"What are you talking about!?"
When he answered with a rush, he heard a voice from the living room saying, "Eh, girlfriend?"
[Uwaa, sis is back! ! ]
In addition, She was in a state of "completely wasted" with a beer can in one hand.
"Take me home!"
[I don't know and don’t care!]
Souta turned around, trying to escape for now.
"Souta"
His sister who grab her waist and said to him.
"I told you to tell me when you have a girlfriend right!"
"That’s not it‥"
Souta finally denied strongly.
Then, lower his voice and repeat, "I think… that’s not it..."
“Not girlfriend…”
When he thought of Akari, he felt pain in his chest.
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