Chapter 8 A Memory Resurfaces

A Memory Resurfaces

Akari’s PoV

I walked side by side with Kyogoku-kun.

The lunch break was nearly over, and we really needed to hurry back.

But I wasn’t in any rush—in fact, I was walking slower than usual.

“Hey, Kyogoku-kun?”

“W-What?”

Whenever I called out to him, he’d always turn to look at me.

But this time, he quickly averted his gaze.

Boys often do that when I talk to them.

Now that I think of it, one of my friends once told me that I stare at people too much.

Maybe that’s the reason?

Hmm…

“Kyogoku-kun, do you not like it when I stare at you?”

“W-Whoa, that’s sudden… I don’t particularly dislike it. It’s just… embarrassing. Holding eye contact for too long is… tough.”

“Ehehe, so you don’t hate it. Alright, I’ll stare at you a lot more then!”

“No, I said it’s tough!”

“Let’s overcome it! With me!”

“There’s no way!”

Oh well, that’s a shame.

But still, Kyogoku-kun really is funny.

He’s funny, endearing… and so kind.

Kyogoku-kun seems to evaluate himself so poorly, but I don’t see him that way at all.

After all, the reason I can smile like this now is entirely because of him.

—A-Are you okay?

I remembered the first time Kyogoku-kun spoke to me.

My heart had been a mess back then, but his words helped clear the fog away.

Even just recently, I clung to his sleeve…

Wait, didn’t I do something incredibly embarrassing that time too?!

Twice, no less—in front of a classmate I’d barely spoken to before!

“Are you okay? Your face is all red.”

“Ah! I-I’m fine!!! The sun’s just a little strong today… I have sensitive skin, you know!”

“Only in that spot?”

“Yes! Only in that spot!”

Even now, I’m still embarrassed. But Kyogoku-kun immediately noticed my change in expression and spoke up.

Sure, there are a lot of bad rumors about Kyogoku-kun, but he’s exactly the kind of person I thought he’d be.

And then there were those words Kyogoku-kun said to Yuya earlier…

—If you truly mean what you said about wanting her to be happy, then you wouldn’t have cheated in the first place!

The moment I heard those words, my heart felt lighter.

All the swirling emotions in me cleared up in an instant.

Getting angry takes so much energy.

No one wants to be angry, and it’s even harder to get angry for someone else.

But Kyogoku-kun got angry for me.

—You should’ve cherished her, protected her happiness… Idiot!

He said the words I could never say myself, almost as if he understood exactly how I felt.

That saved me. And it made me so happy.

Just looking at Kyogoku-kun’s profile made my cheeks soften into a smile.

Noticing my gaze, Kyogoku-kun squinted at me.

“W-What?”

“Fufu, nothing!”

As I thought, Kyogoku-kun really is a good person.

—Irara! Irara!!!

“…?!”

Suddenly, a memory flashed through my mind.

That voice… Was it Kyogoku-kun’s?

—Are you okay?! The injuries are bad… She’s losing consciousness. I need to do something, quickly!

Ragged breathing. The warmth of someone’s hands.

This is… the memory of when the truck crashed?

—Stay with me, Irara!!!

What was this memory…?

“Irara?”

“Ah!”

“You’ve been spacing out. Are you okay?”

“Y-Yeah. I’m fine!”

“Alright, if you say so.”

When I came back to my senses, I couldn’t remember the rest of that memory.

What was that just now?

But it’s strange.

Because the one who saved me back then… wasn’t Kyogoku-kun. It was Yuya.

I walked alongside Irara.

Lunch break was nearly over, but neither of us seemed in a hurry. We walked at a relaxed pace.

Still, Irara kept glancing at me and smiling for some reason.

Is this some new kind of harassment? For some people, it might actually be a reward.

But honestly… I never thought I’d become friends with Irara.

The school idol, someone I’d only ever seen from the far corners of the classroom, was now walking beside me.

It’s strange how things turn out.

And then there’s also… that incident.

—Irara! Irara!!!]

Even now, I sometimes remember that moment.

The truck crashing into the store.

People lying on the ground.

Shattered glass and scattered concrete. Bloodstains everywhere.

In the chaos, I had thrown aside everything and rushed forward.

Irara once mentioned how Yuya saved her in a similar incident.

But incidents like that are rare. Could it really have been the same one?

Still… Irara doesn’t seem to remember me being there.

If she did, she would’ve said something by now.

Well, whatever.

Either way, it’s a strange connection we share.

And for some reason, I have a feeling that this connection will continue.

Maybe it’s just the wishful thinking of someone who’s hated by the entire school.

If so… all I can do is laugh at myself.

Like, “What was I even thinking?”

Unknown PoV

“Phew…”

Passing through the quiet school gate, I headed toward the classroom.

I can’t afford to repeat a year, and I don’t have the guts to drop out either… But school is such a hassle.

“Ahaha! Running is so fun—!!!”

A cheerful voice reached my ears.

That voice… Isn’t that Irara-san? From my class.

And the person running beside her… Who is that?

They seem so carefree as if they’re the only two people in the world.

“…Ugh, how annoying.”

I adjusted my headphones and turned up the volume.

Then I tapped the play button on my music.