Chapter 56 - JK Idol is busy (part 2)
Suzuki and Shino... Don't think about it.
While listening to Suzuki's story during self-study in the sixth lesson, I kept thinking about it.
Shino has been popular among boys since high school.
That's why when rumors of Shino having feelings for me spread, the news quickly reached my ears.
...Suzuki also has honest feelings, which is why he came to consult. Maybe because he's honest with his own feelings, he can say them to others.
I wonder if I can be that honest.
+×+×+×+
Today, when I went to the usual place after school, Sakurazaki looked strange.
"I'm sorry for making you wait for so long."
"No, it's okay."
She seemed somewhat fidgety more than usual.
"Sakurazaki, do you need to go to the restroom?"
"Huh? No, it's not that! Himahara-kun, you shouldn't ask something like that to a girl!"
"Then what's wrong? Your legs seem unsteady."
"T-That's... um..."
I felt something was wrong.
"Show me your foot for a moment."
"Kyah! Don't, Himahara-kun!"
I made Sakurazaki sit on the stone steps surrounding the gazebo and took off her shoes and socks.
When I looked at it, I saw that her ankle was very swollen and red.
Now I remember, she seemed to have been acting strangely since morning because of her foot.
"...What happened?"
"T-This is..."
"Since when?"
"Since yesterday... during dance class. I didn't want to trouble everyone, so I hid it."
"Seriously, that's not how you heal an injury like this."
"But! ... The concert is just one month away, and I can't rest!"
"Sakurazaki, even if that's the case, you mustn't force yourself."
"But, Himahara-kun, you won't understand!"
... When she said it like that, I also didn't know how to respond.
Indeed, I have no right to say something like that to her.
But...
"..."
I turned around and averted my gaze from Sakurazaki.
"Ah, Himahara-kun... I'm sorry."
“I will carry you, but when we get to the station, you’ll have to walk a bit because carrying someone on my back like this will be conspicuous. But today, I’ll take you all the way home.”
“... Is that okay?”
“Do you think I would say, ‘Do whatever you want’ to you?”
Sakurazaki put on her shoes again and obediently positioned herself on my back.
With Sakurazaki’s bag and mine hanging over my shoulders, I carried her and began to walk.
“Himahara-kun, i’m sorry.”
"Why are you apologizing?"
"I spoke harshly to you even though you care so much about me."
"... Do you think I would get angry just because of that?"
"Huh?"
"You're working hard every day, dealing with various things. So, it's natural to feel stressed or pressured sometimes, right? I know that, so I won't get angry at you, no matter what you say."
"... Really?"
"Do you think if you get angry, argue, and fight, happiness will come from that?"
Sakurazaki softly replied, "I don't think so."
"I'll always be on your side. I want to be able to support you with all my heart, like this."
"... Himahara-kun is really gentle."
"Do you not like it?"
"No, I really love it..."
At the very least, if we're walking on a quiet street, carrying Sakurazaki on my back won't be too conspicuous, but she'll have to endure a bit until we get to the station.
Although she walked somewhat limping, Sakurazaki patiently held on until we reached the station where we got off the train.
"Now, I'll carry you again from here."
"Yeah."
Like this, I continued to carry Sakurazaki on my back, making me even more aware of how small her body was.
Despite her small frame, she exuded an incredible aura and always delivered her dreams through the television.
I know how difficult that is; I hear about it in our phone conversations every night.
Suddenly, Sakurazaki fell silent.
Did she fall asleep?
... Maybe just for a little while.
"Sakurazaki, you're really amazing. Don't you feel I'm not worthy to be by your side?"
"..."
"But if I can say something selfish, I want to keep supporting you like this..."
"..."
I turned my head and looked at Sakurazaki.
As it turned out, she had fallen asleep.
And that's when we arrived at Sakurazaki's house.
+×+×+×+
"Himahara-san, we're really sorry if our daughter has caused any trouble."
"You don't have to worry about it."
We were led into a tatami room and sat facing each other. Suddenly, Sakurazaki's mother tried to bow excessively, so I desperately tried to stop her.
"That girl, this isn't the first time for her."
"... Well, I thought so."
"She's stubborn, or rather, she still has a childlike mentality, so she can't accept what's happening to her. It's her bad habit."
Sakurazaki's mother said these words with a serious expression.
"Really, this is a big mistake."
"Please don't apologize."
"No, we should apologize. Himahara-kun, I'm really sorry."
Suddenly, Kazunari-san, wearing a bathrobe, burst into the room and opened the door loudly.
"Himahara-kun, can you accompany me for a moment?"
"Huh?"
"Let's get in the bath and talk."
Eh?
Somehow, I was invited by Kazunari-san to get in the bath.
Translator: Janaka