Ichinose's Little Worry (Part 2)

(Ichinose)

The weather felt so oppressively humid it was almost suffocating, heavy and faintly stifling, making it quite unpleasant.

The walk back to the dorm was a little lonely—this might have been the first time I'd been alone since coming to school.

But I'd actively turned down the girls' company and chosen to come back by myself. I just hadn't expected the contrast to feel bigger than I'd imagined.

Though there were signs of rain, the sky was merely overcast, untouched by any downpour—probably one of the few bits of luck today.

I opened the door to my dorm room. The dim, deep gloom would normally have stirred a little unease or fear.

But I didn't even have that small emotion. I shut the door and threw myself straight onto the bed.

Curling up, wrapping myself in the blanket.

If I could just end today faster, maybe I could end this bad mood sooner.

I hid in my room, hoping tomorrow would come more quickly.

No, more than that, I wished that after waking up, I could forget all the unhappiness and worries.

But it seemed I didn't even have the right to escape.

Closing my eyes, the voice of self-doubt still lingered around me.

Ring, ring, ring...

The mobile terminal I'd tossed onto the table rang. I didn't want to check it, but I still sat up.

It was an unregistered number.

Who could it be...

"Hey, it's Ichinose, right?"

Why does the voice sound so familiar...

Am I hearing things?

Listen... it sounds just like Hajima-kun.

"Hello? Ichinose-san, are you listening?"

"Eh!? I'm listening. Is it... Hajima-kun?"

"It's me. Did I interrupt anything?"

"Of course not!"

"...Did Hajima-kun call about something important?"

"It's important to me, so I'd prefer to talk face-to-face."

"Ichinose is at the Zelkova Shopping Center right now?"

"No... I'm in my dorm."

There was a brief silence on the other end of the line.

"I see... looks like I guessed wrong. Then I'll come find you when I get back to the dorms."

"No need! I was just... just about to head out..."

"Is that so? Then how about meeting at Palette?"

"That works,"

"See you soon. Bye."

"Mm..."

If I'm going out, I don't want to meet him looking all messy.

A change of clothes might bring a change of mood.

That was all I was thinking.

On the second floor of Palette, Hajima-kun sat by the window.

Alone, chin resting on his hand, looking out at the view... or so it seemed?

Two drinks sat on the table, and across from him was a coffee cup half-finished.

It didn't seem like he was alone—someone else had been sitting there. Probably that girl from Class D.

Kushida Kikyo.

Seeming to notice my arrival, Hajima-kun turned his head and looked over.

"You're here. Come sit."

The seat beside him...

Even though we sit next to each other in class, this close—shoulders almost touching—was a little, a little bit distracting.

"Sorry to keep you waiting. I took a bit longer getting out."

"It's fine."

Her eyes looked a little red-rimmed, so she'd deliberately found something to cover them up, which had taken a bit of time.

Because someone as perceptive as Hajima-kun would definitely notice.

For some reason, just being invited out already made her feel happy.

She didn't want the original atmosphere to be disturbed by other matters.

She didn't want to be labeled, didn't want "going out with me" and "being a burden" to be linked together.

It was just because she hadn't adjusted herself properly—she had no right to focus everyone's attention and gaze on herself.

"I might have to trouble Ichinose to wait a little longer—there's something I need to discuss."

Hajima-kun pointed at the empty seat across the table.

"Do you need me to step away for a bit? Would I be disturbing you if I stayed here..."

"Leaving aside whether it's disturbing or not, Ichinose isn't angry?"

"Angry... about what?"

"Like rushing to meet up only to find there's an unexpected complication..."

"You mean suddenly having to deal with something that delayed the original plan? But that's not a big deal, is it? I still can't understand why I'd be angry about it."

"Still, if I were angry, it wouldn't be over something like that."

"Eh? So you are angry?"

"Hehe~"

Hajima-kun bit down on his straw, seeming to think it over.

But after a moment, he waved his hand.

"Can't guess, no idea at all why."

"It's the attitude."

"Attitude?"

"Yes."

"Still can't understand."

"Need a little hint?"

She gazed into his dark pupils.

"In Hajima-kun's heart, what am I to you?"

"A friend, a classmate? But no matter what, in my heart, Hajima-kun is a very important friend—someone who can be defined as one of my own."

"When something needs to be dealt with, I'll support you unconditionally no matter the situation."

"But it seems Hajima-kun hasn't thought of it that way. You just take it for granted that you should apologize for not having control over unexpected changes."

"Admittedly, for other people, this might spoil the mood. But I still don't want to be lumped into the 'other people' category."

"Other people are other people, but Ichinose Honami is Ichinose Honami..."

"Sorry..."

Hajima-kun was about to speak, but she pressed her index finger to his lips.

A warm sensation came from her fingertip, a burning heat spreading through her whole body along that finger.

He looked up, slightly startled.

"If it comes from the heart, I'll feel it without you having to say it... Eh!!!"

Her finger... was... bitten!?

What... what is he doing!?

"You! You..."

Ugh... there are still quite a few people around here!!

You, you bastard.

Even though she was clearly being bullied, she couldn't muster a single thought of resistance.

She tried to push herself upright against his chest, but her strength failed and she pushed crookedly.

She... fell straight into his arms.

He carried a pleasant scent—she didn't know how to describe it.

But the feeling was that once she got close, she'd calm down peacefully.

No matter what happened, it would be fine—that was roughly the feeling.