“I called you this time to finish it. I am really sorry, Shinozuka-san”
“No…”
It was only me, the vice principal, and my homeroom teacher, Mr. Sudo, that remained. Everyone else went home. Apparently, it was only Megane-sensei who suspected me of cheating, the remaining two teachers seemed to just have some business with me.
As soon as it was over, Himuro-sensei once again thanked me then went home saying that his wife was waiting for him. He adores his wife. Ah, marital bliss. How sweet.
The timid teacher seems to be interested in topics regarding me, the two of them would talk about me thoroughly, I would call them out if I had the opportunity. I am absolutely worn out!
It looks like Megane-sensei still isn’t convinced. As I was leaving, I said “I look forward to the next test.” I have to work harder so that my rank won’t drop next time.
“I think that Mito-sensei won’t stop until he’s able to speak with Shinozuka. She still doubts the student even without any shred of evidence. The matter would be settled if I apply pressure onto them, but it would be troublesome if something were to happen without my supervision. There are some issues, but Himuro-sensei is reliable. If you need any help you can rely on him, I suppose.”
The vice principal said. It seemed to me that the other teachers didn’t trust me at all because my grades suddenly went up. There are no words that can express it.
“It’s hard to regain integrity after losing it. However, it can still be mended with time and with the current Shinozuka. I expect many things from you, Shinozuka-san.”
“Expectations?”
For a moment I felt the teacher’s eyes shine.
“Actually, there are two more requirements that are called for. Shinozuka-san, why don’t you join the Volunteer Club?”
Volunteer. It means to participate in social activities and volunteer work free of charge. In other words, helping people. What a wonderful club!
“I want to join!”
I had wanted to join the Sports Club and enjoy my youth, but going to school is fun enough as is. I am thankful to spend each day happily.
“I’m glad to hear you say so.”
“Volunteering, what activities do they do?”
“Well, it is mainly cleaning up the neighbourhood and helping to revitalize the local nursing homes. They also do other welfare activities too.”
If it’s cleaning, I can handle that. To be trusted with such a huge role as helping out the community… Kuu~ my excitement is going to burst out.
“Volunteer work will surely be useful for Shinozuka-san’s future prospects. Do your best. I’ll leave the formalities to Sudo-sensei.”
“Understood.”
“And another thing, I want you to speak with Sudo-sensei. ”
“Wha–, Vice principal?”
Sudo-sensei is taken aback by the words of the vice principal. As was the same for me too.
“There is certainly a big gap between Sudo-sensei and Shinozuka-san. Even if we were to discuss this now, it will not be resolved so easily. But without starting a dialogue, nothing will begin. I think that you should approach this little by little.”
The vice principal smiled as he spoke. He then left the classroom, leaving only me and my homeroom teacher behind. There is an uncomfortably awkward atmosphere around us.
Oh…This is oppressive. I miss the vice principal’s caring smile.
“Uh, uhm…”
“It’s already late. Let’s go home before it gets dark.”
With his back turned to me, I felt rejected. No other words were uttered. I was not able to see Sudo-sensei’s face as he looked out the window. I wondered what he was thinking. I don’t know what you think of me.
Although he cannot see me, I bowed towards the classroom door thanking him for looking after me, I remember.
Sudo-sensei looked at me with seriousness. He saw me instead of Aika-chan.
“Sensei, thank you for your time today.”
Sudo-sensei didn’t move a muscle.
“I am glad that sensei is taking me seriously now. I will do my best in studying, student council activities, and as well as club activities. Please treat me well.”
He had a hard time up till now, let’s do our best to become Sudo-sensei’s strength. Speaking of what I can do, I will continue to persevere at school. The vice principal said that my reputation recently is on the rise. Sudo-sensei’s severe criticism had become gentle with this condition.
“Shinozuka.”
“Huh?”
As I was about to leave I heard someone call out to me. I turned towards them. It was Sudo-sense, who had his back turned still with his head looking up towards the sky.
“…You’re doing well. Keep at it.”
I didn’t know what he said at first. But eventually, I understood what he meant making my mouth drop.
“Y-yes! I will do my best!”
Is this what being supported feels like? It is, isn’t it? I-Will-Do-It!
I noticed that my motivation is rising. Now, it was only me and Sudo-sensei. I wonder what happened to Aika-chan’s past, I want to know more about it.
“Sensei. There is something that I wanted to ask you for awhile now..”
“What is it?”
“What happened between me and sensei?”
“…”
There was no response. He looked like he was about to say something but didn’t. The atmosphere became awkward once again. Sudo-sensei turned around with a troubled expression.
There are no feelings in his face. I mean, I just couldn’t read him at all. It is not even a cold gaze that he showed me when I first came here, it is expressionless. Why do you have such a stoic face?
“…You don’t have to know about that for now. Go home already.”
私が出ようとしたドアとは逆のドアから出て行き、教室の中は私だけになってしまった。
折角少しは歩み寄れたかなと思ったのに。教頭先生が言っていたように、須藤先生との溝は深いんだろうな。少しずつ頑張ろっと。
I was about to go out the door but decided to leave at the opposite door, I was the only one left inside the room.
I thought that he was willing to compromise because of all the effort. Vice principal said, Sudo-sensei and I have a deep relationship. I will work hard little by little.
When I went to pick up my bag in the classroom, there were still some of my classmates there.
“Huh. Shinozuka-san, are you going home now too?”
“Yes. How about you two?”
“Well, yeah. Shinozuka-san would you like to go home together?”
“Is that really okay!? Then please.”
One student that remained in the classroom, the class president. While heading back towards the school entrance, near the shoe cabinets, there were a group of girls loitering about and chatted amongst themselves.
“Gah! It’s those guys from Class B.”
Apparently, they seemed to be in the same grade. The girl’s face contorted once our eyes met. Although they were talking discreetly with each other, It was obvious that they were looking in our direction and laughing. I didn’t feel so good.
“Hey! If you have something you want to say, say it to my face.”
“Ah, sorry~ I was talking about the rumored Shinozuka-san who was ranked second place.”
“That’s amazing~ Without any memories and yet still second.”
“Are you sure she didn’t cheat? Like taking a hold of the teacher’s weaknesses and getting the questions illegally? It’s totally possible isn’t it, even without any memories she is still that Shinozuka-san after all.”
The snickering of the B Class girls made the class president angry.
“Ha? Stop your false accusations. Shinozuka-san worked hard for her second place. Everyone who was taught by her had their grades improved as proof.”
“Though she wasn’t so smart originally?”
Hey, invisible sparks are flying.
Although I am happy that he is defending me, I don’t wish for it to become a fight. It’s not as if I want to be trusted by the B Class people. I didn’t cheat and it’s fine as long as the people around me believe so. To fight with the B Class people is just introducing unnecessary troubles.
“Thank you, Chairman. I’m alright. There wasn’t anything bad done to me in the first place so pay it no heed.”
“Shinozuka-san… Alright. Just tell me if you need me to talk to that coward for you.
“Wait, what do you mean!?”
。
Oh, it’s that dangerous aura again. When it comes to intervening in between people, the girls from Class B would probably always be a step ahead.
“Sorry, I felt disgusted and said something unpleasant. Seriously though, I didn’t think of cheating. Please forgive me.”
“Hmm…”
I smiled but I apologized. I was neither angry nor sad, when I told him I didn’t mind, I was sent out.
“I won’t lose at the end of the next term. Let’s do our best.”
“Yes! Let’s do our best.”
I think I’m being asked to shake hands. I was encouraged to do my best, and when I held out my hand happily, it was grasped to the fullest. Ouch!
“A fluke doesn’t happen twice. Please do your best not to reveal your true colors.”
He whispered then let go of his grip with a smile and left through the front door.
‘I can’t lose’ is what I thought while rubbing my hand. I guess I didn’t like losing.
On the way home, after parting with the chairman, I sat on a bench and read a book I borrowed from the library while waiting for the train at the station. Ever since the study session, it became a daily routine to borrow books from the library.
Books I couldn’t read at the hospital. The unique smell and feel of the paper itself is different from e-books. I like books.
“Oh, it’s Shinozuka-san. The route is this way”
I was so absorbed in the book that I didn’t notice a boy from the same class nearby until he called out my name.
“Thanks to Shinozuka, I didn’t get failing marks so my allowance won’t get cut. Thank you. Please accept this.”
I was given a plastic bottle. Isn’t this the world-famous cola? Carbonated drinks are exciting but they’re black and that makes me anxious…..but it was given to thank me so I have to drink it. This is my first carbonated drink. Let’s drink it.
“Thank you very much.”
“Uh hey, can we exchange numbers?”
“Huh?”
“Oh, no. I want you to continue tutoring me and it would be helpful if I could keep in touch with you… Yeah.”
If I have trouble studying at night, it’ll be helpful if I knew his number.
“Okay, then.”
“Seriously! Please contact me if you have any troubles or when you’re free Shinozuka”
。
After exchanging numbers, the train I’m taking came and we parted. At this time, I gradually remembered the name of the boy who evaded the failing mark. There are too many names to remember.
At any rate, the names in the address book keep increasing after becoming Aika-chan. I’m a little happy because I can see connections being made.
I hope mom will be happy after hearing today’s test results.
I open the door,
“I’m home……huh?”
There are unfamiliar leather shoes at the entrance. Is it a guest?
At this moment, the living room door swung open and a stranger wearing a suit jumped out.
He had raised bangs and slightly carved cheeks. He was slender, tall and had an aura of elitism to him. Who is it?
“Ah, ah, ah……”
With both hands forward, he took awkward steps towards me. Like a zombie from a horror movie. I’m scared.
“Aikaーーー!”
Despite being uncomfortable, the strange man hugged me. That’s not all.
“Aika Aika Aika Aika Aika Aika Aika AIka Aika Aikaaaaa!!”
He hugged me tightly, rubbed his cheek against my head and called out my name. It hurts, it hurts, it hurts, he smells like cigarette smoke!
“I wanted to see you, Aika! My angel! Weren’t you lonely without papa? Oh, my lovely Aika. Let me see your face.”
He let go from the hug, bent down until our eyes were the same height and now I see the man’s face up close.
He’s handsome. He also smells nice. I couldn’t release my eyes as he stared straight at me.
“How adorable! Aika wearing makeup was also cute, but I can’t believe Aika without it is even cuter.”
I couldn’t help but be entranced by him. Didn’t he say “papa” just now? Well, then, maybe this person……
“Come on, Aika”
I don’t understand the meaning of his opened arms.
“Um……?”
I’ll hold you up to the living room”
Even though the living room is right there. As if to help my confused self, the front door opened.
“I’m ho-.. Geh, Dad!”
“Yuyaaa! You got bigger again. I missed you.”
“Don’t cling to me. What, you’re already home.”
“The rebellious phase is still going on, huh. But it’s necessary for growth. Let papa watch over you warmly.”
A parent-child conversation unfolded in front of me. This person is Aika-chan’s father. How should I put this.. The impact is strong.
“Now, Aika. Come talk lots with papa in the living room. I bought a lot of souvenirs.”
He lifted me up without saying a word and I frantically clung to his neck to avoid falling. Although he looks thin, his arms that held me were tough with hard muscles. So this is what they call thin macho.
“What about Mom?”
“She went shopping now. She said she was making a feast today. My wife is as cute as ever.”
I was placed on the sofa in the living room while he went to prepare tea in the kitchen.
“I’ll do it”
“What are you saying!? I can’t let Aika do such a thing. Aika doesn’t have to do anything. I’ll prepare some delicious snacks now.”
It’s kind of hard not doing anything. I want to help too.
“Why don’t you let me help you?”
Yuuya-kun read my feelings and was trying to help me out but father interrupted us.
“What if Aika gets burned. I can’t let Aika’s beautiful skin get scratched, even if God forgives me, I can’t forgive myself. Now, Yuya please sit down too.”
Yuya-kun, who drooped his shoulders and sighed, went to his room to change his clothes. I wanted to change my clothes too, but the warm tea and cookies prepared in front of me made me hungry.
“Thank you for the meal.”
“How is school? Is anyone bothering you?”
It’s embarrassing to be looked at while eating cookies happily.
“It’s okay. They all get along well with me.”
“Is that so? If you have something you don’t like, you can tell me right away.”
…Dad loves Aika-chan a lot huh. I’m glad to be able to see his face and talk like this since I didn’t get to meet him when he transferred.
“I’ll be at home for a while, so I can drive you to and from school.”
Oh, that’s a problem.
“I got to school by train. Because it’s fun commuting.”
I love taking the train. I greet people I know while looking at the scenery on the way. Rather than riding a car, it’s more fun walking on your own two feet.
“…Yes. If Aika finds it fun then it can’t be helped. Then what do you want? I’ll buy you clothes, shoes, anything.”
“What I have now is enough.”
There are still a lot of clothes and shoes I haven’t worn yet. To the point of being too much. But to ask you to buy any more, I can’t do something so unnecessary.
I declined and his eyebrows lowered in a confused manner, I seemed to have done something wrong I’m sorry.
“What’s wrong Aika? You didn’t ask for it, but that tone..Are you sulking?”
“Eh?”
“I see. Aika is sulking because she’s lonely. What a lovely child, my Aika!” If I didn’t have work, I would want to be with Aika every day. Aah, I hate the company that tore us apart.”
I haven’t had much conversation with my father in my previous lifetime, I wonder if this is the image of a father in general.
“You can be more spoiled, Aika! Please be more dependent!
How can I be spoiled?
I don’t know what to do, Yuuya-kun, help me!
