Chapter 72 And Then

And Then

We had agreed in advance that we would do it at night.

The time was 19:00. Hana-san and Ichika were already at home, but we had a final meeting, so this was the time.

Now Takeshi is at Itsumi’s house next door.

“I got a lot of calls on my phone…Takeshi seems to have noticed something unusual.”

“I also received a message from him. He seemed to be in a very bad mood.”

Their daily necessities are missing. There must’ve been a lot of changes in the house.

But still…Takeshi is a guy who never changes.

The first thing I would do if I were him would be to worry about Hana-san and Ichika’s disappearance. I would check their current situation first.

But he is different.

“[What are you going to do about dinner?][The house is dusty, so clean it up quickly][I don’t have any allowance, so give it to me when you get back]…are all such messages.”

“[Mom, are you still in a bad mood?] He said, [You’re a pain in the a🬀s] [You should comfort me too]. Sigh…”

Even after all this, all he does is complain and complain.

I guess he can’t do the act of caring. Well, if he had such a compassionate heart, he wouldn’t be in this situation in the first place.

In fact, it might have been a good thing. If he starts to worry now, it might slow down Hana-san and Ichika’s decision. But Takeshi is still Takeshi and there seems to be no sympathy or compassion in him.

And it looks like they are ready to be separated.

All that’s left is the action.

“Well, I’ll discuss it with Takeshi first. After that, please do what we discussed.”

I told them that and put my shoes on at the entrance.

The two of them looked at me with worried faces.

“…I’m sorry. I’m sorry that I got you involved in all this.”

“Takumi-nii…don’t force yourself, okay?”

Hana-san and Ichika had apologetic expressions on their faces.

Unlike Takeshi, they are two kind and good people, so I’m sure they feel guilty towards me.

But this is something I want to do.

I don’t mind, I don’t care at all…I know that even if I tell them that, their guilt won’t go away.

So what I need to tell them is——a way to make their guilt go away.

“I hope you’ll spoil me when it’s all over…I want to eat Hana’s hamburgers again. I’d also like to have Ichika’s massage.”

Hana-san and Ichika have been looking worried for a while now.

But maybe after hearing my words…they relaxed a little and smiled at me.

“Yes, of course, I will make whatever Takumi-kun wants to eat.”

“Yeah! Leave it to me…I’ll give you lots of massages.”

“Thanks. I guess I’ll do my best then.”

I’ll be the only one to go to Itsumi’s house first, and then the two of them will come over later, depending on the timing.

“Well, I’m off.”

After saying that, I put my hand on the doorknob…and their voices pushed me forward.

““Take care!””

…Maybe it was a couple of years ago.

Someone said to me, “Take care!”

It was the first time since my grandparents were alive. For Hana-san and Ichika, it might not be a very special word.

But for me, it made me happier than anything else.

After all, family is great.

And that’s why…I can’t help but feel sorry for Takeshi.

He had such a warm family.

How did he become like that?

Let’s at least…give him some guidance so that his crimes don’t get worse.

This may be the last kindness I can give him as a childhood friend.

And for me, too…I think this is a choice for happiness that I can make for myself.

So, Takeshi. I’m sorry.

Also…well, it’s too early to feel this way.

I’ll confess my feelings when this is all over.

Until then, I’ll keep them to myself and open the door to the Itsumi family——