Chapter 39 Reconciliation

Reconciliation

[Hello…?]

From the other side of the line, I heard my mother’s familiar voice.

“…H-Hello…”

[…Yuuta.]

As soon as my mother heard my voice, I could tell she was starting to tear up.

[S-So… how have you been?]

“Yeah… I’ve been alright, thanks to you… But, um… there’s something I’d like to talk about. Is that okay?”

[J-Just a moment! Dear! Dear—!]

My mother hurriedly went to call my father.

Haha… She’s still as clumsy as ever.

And then.

[…Hello, Yuuta?]

“Dad… Yeah, it’s me.”

My mother handed the phone over to my father.

“Uh, well, Dad… there’s actually something I’d like to report and something I’d like to ask…”

[Alright… go ahead.]

“Well… actually, um… I ran into some trouble with my landlord, so I’ll be moving to a new apartment…”

[Trouble with the landlord? What happened?]

“Ah, yeah…”

What should I do…?

I considered hiding the truth about Hatsune, but if my parents found out later, it might create unnecessary complications…

…Alright.

“The truth is… I’m currently living with a girl.”

[Wha—!?]

I heard my father gasp on the other end of the phone.

Haha… Well, of course, he’d be surprised.

After all, before I left for this city, I had been devastated by Hiyori’s betrayal.

“And, uh…”

I continued to explain the reason for the move.

That the girl I live with, Hatsune, had endured two years of baseless slander and harassment.

That we started living together after I confronted the two people who had been harassing her.

That those same people discovered our living together and began leaving graffiti and suspicious letters at my place.

That the landlord sided with those individuals, criticized us, and eventually forced me to move.

“And so, thanks to the generosity of a senpai at school, we’re moving to a different apartment.”

[I see…]

Phew… That’s everything I needed to say.

Nothing more…

Just as I thought about wrapping up the call.

[…Yuuta, I’m sorry.]

“…Dad?”

Suddenly, my father apologized.

[Back then… we didn’t realize how hard things were for you, Yuuta, and we said such terrible things… From your perspective, it’s only natural you didn’t want to talk to us… that you couldn’t talk to us…]

“…”

[…We failed to be there for you when you were suffering the most. Maybe that makes us unfit as parents… but even so, hearing your voice now makes me happy as a parent.]

Father…

“I-I’m the one who should apologize… I shut myself away over something so trivial, and I even lashed out at you and Mom… I’m really sorry…!”

[Yuuta…]

“I… I have a girlfriend now… Her name is Hatsune. Thanks to her, I’ve been able to face forward again… And when I started thinking about doing things for her sake, everything else started to feel so small, so insignificant…”

Yeah… Really, everything except Hatsune… even those painful memories… they all feel trivial now…

When I think about it like that, the mistrust I held toward my father and mother feels so foolish…

“S-So, I want you to forgive me, too…”

[Yuuta… There’s nothing to forgive. From now on, let’s go back to being the family we used to be…]

Haha… I’m really glad I decided to call after all…

And I’m so grateful to Hatsune, who gave me the courage to make this call.

Then.

[Sniff… Yuuta, come home for spring break, okay?]

“Mom… Yeah, I will…”

[A-And of course, bring Hatsune-chan with you. Your dad and I want to thank her personally.]

“Hahaha…”

Ah… Bringing Hatsune back to my parents’ place, huh…

But judging from her tone, my mother is really looking forward to it…

[Anyway, take care of yourself, alright? Don’t worry about the apartment.]

[That’s right. In fact, we’re proud to have such a kind son as you.]

“Yeah… Thanks. I’ll hang up now…”

I tapped the end call button, looked up at the night sky, and exhaled deeply.

“Yuuta…”

When I turned around, I saw Hatsune peeking out through the slightly open door, looking at me with a worried expression.

“Haha… You know, since we’re moving apartments, I thought I should let my parents know.”

“A-Ah…”

For some reason, Hatsune seemed nervous.

I wonder what’s wrong…

“Hatsune…?”

“Um, do you think your parents are okay with me living with you…?”

Oh… So that’s what she’s worried about.

“Haha, it’s the opposite. Because of… well, everything, they’re actually really grateful to you.”

“Ah!? Th-That’s…”

Surprised by my unexpected answer, Hatsune started flustering.

“And they said they’d love for you to visit over spring break. So… if you’re okay with it, I’d like you to come with me…”

“Ah!? To meet your father and mother…?”

Yeah… Even though it’s the town I once ran away from, if I’m with Hatsune… I feel like I can go back there again…

“So… What do you think?”

“Y-Yeah… If you and your parents are okay with it, I’d love to go…”

“Thank you…”

Feeling so much love for Hatsune, who agreed to go back to that town with me, I pulled her into a hug.