Chapter 62 A Real Family?

A Real Family?

“Aoi-senpai, Shuu-senpai. I had fun today. Thank you.”

“I had fun too. See you later, Saya.”

“See you later.”

Saying that, I waved back as Shinomiya-san waved at me, and the train doors closed noisily.

Aoi-senpai is riding the train with me because even after that incident is over, she still seems to be worried about me and wants to drop me off near my home.

I had apologetically refused several times, but she insisted.

“Hiiragi-kun, I’m sorry about today. I’m sorry that you had to accompany me and Saya. It must’ve been hard for you to decide what clothes to choose, wasn’t it?”

“No, I didn’t have a hard time, but I’m worried if it’s a good idea to decide on your clothes based on my opinion.”

After we finished eating at the food court, I helped them choose clothes.

They asked me to choose which one was better, but I wondered if it was right for me to choose.

“Hiiragi-kun who chose it, so it was fine. rather, it must be Hiiragi-kun.”

After saying that, she looked at the bag of clothes in her hand and then looked at me.

Not knowing what to say, I could only reply, “I see.”

The train rocked and we arrived at the station closest to my house without further conversation.

We got off the train, went through the gate ticket, and walked side by side.

“Hiiragi-kun.”

“Yes?”

“After seeing today’s movie, you know. It made me think about what family is.”

“Family?”

“You see. I’m sure a beautiful, wonderful, supportive family like the one in the movie is one form of family, and I think there are many people who consider that as an ideal or real family. Even if they’re not related by blood, they’re family if they think of themselves as a family…”

Aoi-senpai said this while looking up at the sunset sky.

“And then, if you ask me, isn’t the family outside that movie a real family too?”

While saying this, Aoi-senpai looked at a mother and child walking hand in hand.

“That is also a form of family. Then I wondered what my family was like.”

Aoi-senpai took a deep breath.

“My family…I also wondered if my family was a real family. Sure, I ran away with Hiiragi, and his words encouraged me to talk to my parents about my feelings, and now things are much better than before. But the past is not gone, and I don’t know what will happen now.”

Aoi-senpai stopped and looked at me.

“Ah. I’m sorry, I’m sorry for talking so darkly on the way home.”

“No, it’s okay.”

“Well, see you later. Hiiragi-kun.”

“Yes.”

“If you have any problems, let me know. I’ll come over.”

“Thank you.”

I waved back at Aoi-senpai, and when she was out of sight, I turned and started walking.

Real family, huh?

My family…I wonder if I’m part of the family of that house. I don’t think so.

The house where I live came into view.

My feet are getting heavier.

What is a family?

I am suddenly reminded of a conversation in a movie.

[If you are a family, it is natural to support each other. If you’re having a hard time, I’ll always be there for you. Besides, you have a father and a mother too.]

Support each other? If you’re in pain? Always be there for you?

What is a family?

I look at the house sign and open the front door.

But, why does this door always feel so heavy…