[Past Arc] Ichinose Honami

Ichinose Honami often thought of herself as the luckiest person in the world.

Otherwise, how could heaven have arranged for Miyano Makoto to come into her life?

Although, looking back, the scene of their first meeting was a bit strange...

"We're neighbors from now on. Oh, right, I don't know your name yet. I'm Miyano Makoto, and you?"

The awkward boy, bolstered by his parents' encouragement, had gathered the courage to speak to the eldest daughter of the family that had just moved in next door.

"Nice to meet you. My name is Ichinose Honami. I hope we can become good friends in the future."

The girl extended her right hand with poise. This was her usual etiquette; when interacting with others, a handshake was the most basic gesture.

Who would have thought that the boy in front of her would freeze like a broken machine, only speaking after a long while:

"You just said... your name is Ichinose Honami?"

"Yes, is there something wrong with that name?"

The girl tilted her head, her chubby cheeks full of confusion.

"It's nothing... I'll check again..."

The boy's remaining courage melted away like snow under the morning sun, and he shamefully ran away.

"...What a weirdo."

Ichinose Honami's small head couldn't comprehend the strange words and actions of the boy before her; she simply dismissed him as a weirdo.

"Mom! Let me help you!"

Having finished her interaction with the neighbor's child, Ichinose Honami sensibly helped her mother handle whatever chores she could.

Like taking the family's toothbrushes and cups out of the bag to place in the bathroom, or putting folded clothes into the aged wardrobe.

For the sake of her education, her mother had just moved here with her younger sister and her.

She hoped that with her help, her mother could have an easier time.

Time flew by, and that somewhat awkward scene from their first meeting didn't leave much of an impression on Ichinose Honami at the time.

Because she was a very sensible child, unlike most of her peers who were still making a fuss over toys, she had already deeply understood her mother's hardships.

Therefore, she did her best to play the role of "someone else's child."

"Look at that child from the Ichinose family, why is she so obedient? Now look at you!"

People often scolded their own children like this.

"Because she doesn't have a dad."

Children were always blunt. Hearing this, the mother had to cover her child's mouth, glancing toward Ichinose Honami with a guilty conscience, terrified that she might have heard what was just said.

Ichinose Honami had actually heard it. Her expression didn't change, but a wave of bitterness surged in her heart.

If she could, she would also want to act spoiled toward her parents like a normal child, but having understood the hardships of life too early, she couldn't do it like her younger sister.

Her sister already gave her mother enough headaches; she couldn't add to her mother's burden.

She dutifully played her fake role.

Hadn't someone said it before? If you wear a fake mask for long enough, the fake can become real.

She thought to herself with a self-deprecating smile.

"My parents really liked the sachet from yesterday. Could you make a few more?"

A sudden voice broke into Ichinose Honami's ears. She turned her head toward the speaker in confusion.

It was Miyano Makoto, speaking to her with a smile that Ichinose Honami found very familiar.

Why was she so familiar with it?

In those days spent practicing in front of the mirror, she often saw such a smile in the reflection.

It was an absolutely fake smile. Now, she could perfectly control this expression, never letting anyone see a single flaw.

Unlike the boy in front of her, who was still so green and easy to read.

"Sure, I can give them to you tomorrow."

Ichinose Honami gave a perfect response, a posture that shouldn't have belonged to someone of her age.

However, the world is unpredictable; she was no longer the child who could safely enjoy the love provided by her parents.

"Thanks, I'll give you the corresponding payment."

Miyano Makoto had some extra money recently. He had shown off his skills in many events like elementary school swimming and table tennis competitions, and his parents had received a large sum of prize money as a result. He decided to do something with it.

"Eh?"

Ichinose Honami was stunned. This was the first time someone had offered payment in exchange for her things.

"No, no, I don't need your money. I was originally just doing it to..."

She instinctively wanted to refuse.

"But... my mom and dad really like it... if we don't give you any compensation... we'll feel terrible about it."

Miyano Makoto finished these words in a stumbling manner, and for some reason, his social anxiety symptoms flared up slightly.

Looking at the boy's blushing face and his legs, which were trembling as he forced himself not to run away, Ichinose Honami pursed her lips and agreed:

"...Alright."

It was hard to describe the complex feeling, but she truly felt a warmth rising from the bottom of her heart.

So there are still people like this in the world, she thought to herself.

The next day, Ichinose Honami received money that far exceeded the value of the sachet.

Holding the Fukuzawa Yukichi note that still retained his body heat, she stood there in a daze.

"This is too valuable, how can I accept this? My things aren't worth nearly this much."

Ichinose Honami said earnestly. Although she was poor and her mother had to work three jobs daily to make ends meet, she believed that poverty did not mean a lack of integrity, and she was convinced that through her own efforts, everything would get better.

"Ichinose-san's kindness is something that can never be measured by money! My parents both believe this is the reward you deserve. By the way, this is what they told me to say to you."

Miyano Makoto scratched his head, feeling a bit embarrassed; in truth, this was his own idea.

His parents didn't possess such great kindness; the indifference toward anyone outside their own family seemed to be carved into the bones of the people in this country.

Watching from the sidelines with cold eyes was the prevailing tone.

"...Thank you."

A thousand words gathered into just this one sentence as Ichinose Honami sincerely thanked the boy for his kindness.

For the first time in a long while, she showed a smile that came from the bottom of her heart.

"By the way, I'm going out to participate in a chess tournament in a while, and my parents won't be free then. Could you accompany me?"

Miyano Makoto took the opportunity to extend an invitation.

"Of course, there will be compensation."

"Eh? Me?"

Ichinose Honami pointed at herself with a look of confusion.

She was just a child, after all; what kind of help could she possibly provide?

"Because the road is very boring, and there isn't a single peer to talk to."

Miyano Makoto explained patiently.

"So if Ichinose can accompany me, I think I would be very happy."

His words flowed smoothly without any pauses, the results of his practice from last night clearly showing now.

"O-okay."

Ichinose Honami somehow found herself agreeing in a daze.

She told her mother about this with a sense of trepidation.

"Is it the child from the Miyano family? I've heard people mention him often lately; they say he's a prodigy."

Her mother spoke as if to herself, then crouched down to look at her daughter:

"I agree, but if I find that your grades have slipped in the midterm exams after you return..."

"I definitely won't let you down, Mom!"

Ichinose Honami believed that her sweat would never be betrayed; even when taking time off to accompany Miyano Makoto, she would not stop her studies.

"My mom said you're a prodigy. Are you really that amazing?"

On the road, Ichinose Honami's eyes shone with curiosity. She really wanted to know what was so special about a prodigy; he didn't look any different from anyone else, did he?

Maybe just a bit more socially withdrawn?

Recalling Miyano Makoto's usual behavior, she arrived at an answer that seemed highly unreliable.

"...Is that so? I'm not that strong... it's all just hype from others."

Miyano Makoto took note of this news, deciding to restrain his academic performance in the future to avoid being forced to skip grades.

If that were to happen, his interactions with Ichinose Honami would decrease, and more importantly, he didn't want to miss the important events at the future Tokyo Metropolitan Advanced Nurturing High School.

"Well, Miyano-san doesn't look like a prodigy at all."

Ichinose Honami giggled.

The way he looked so dazed was so cute!