[Warning 15+]
Author's Notes:
A bit on the shorter side, but...
A bit on the shorter side, but...
Part Five
―Even If, I Can't Treat You with That Same Energy Anymore
Chapter 181
...What Am I Even Doin'?
―Even If, I Can't Treat You with That Same Energy Anymore
Chapter 181
...What Am I Even Doin'?
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The part-time shift was over.
A kind of exhaustion and accomplishment completely different from the Soccer Club wrapped around Kazuki.
Steppin' out through the shop's back door and stretchin' out nice and long, the settin' sun stretched Kazuki's shadow out super far.
Lookin' toward the western sky, the scattered cirrocumulus clouds were dyed in shades of red.
Though Kazuki'd prepared himself for a crazy busy shift from the start, once it was actually done, it felt pretty straightforward.
"Phew, good work, Kazuki. We somehow made it through."
"Glad I could help out. Guess it was worth comin' to lend a hand, huh?"
"You saved my life. Good grief, of all days, Himeko just had to show up today, seriously."
"...Ahaha."
Hearin' Hayato complain about his little sis (Himeko) caused a faint stir in Kazuki's chest.
It had been a month since Kazuki last saw Himeko face-to-face, back at the pool at the start of Summer Break.
Himeko's face as she happily stuffed her mouth with shaved ice.
The way Himeko chattered away with her buddies.
And unlike the other customers, Himeko's eyes weren't reflectin' Kazuki at all.
Unconsciously, Kazuki pressed a hand against his chest as it began to ache.
Then Kazuki noticed Hayato peerin' at his face with a concerned expression.
"You alright?"
"...Um, what do you mean?"
"Well, your face is still totally stuck in customer service mode."
"Gh! O-Oh, right, guess my face just froze up like this."
Hayato let out a wry smile with a "Come on, man" at the excuse that reflexively popped out.
Kazuki forced a awkward smile in return.
Kazuki was fully aware that back then, he had hurriedly slapped on this mask (smile) the moment he saw Himeko's face.
Did I say anythin' weird?
Did I leave a bad impression?
Did I act out the proper distance between us well enough?
Those were the only thoughts weighin' on Kazuki's mind.
"Kazuki, you takin' the train? Alright, I'm headin' this way. Gotta rush home and make dinner."
"Sounds tough. Well, see you at school tomorrow then."
"Yeah!"
Sayin' that, Hayato must've been in a hurry, as his back joggin' away was swallowed up by the hustle and bustle of the shoppin' street in no time.
The front of the station in the evenin' was packed with people hustlin' back and forth.
Amidst all that, Kazuki just wandered around aimlessly.
Kazuki didn't have a destination.
Kazuki just didn't feel like headin' straight home.
Somethin' smolderin' was swirlin' around inside Kazuki's chest.
However, this wasn't a particularly big shoppin' district.
Before long, the edge of the town came into view.
Stretched straight out in front of Kazuki was a major main road, and this time, tons of cars were zoomin' back and forth instead of people.
The moment Kazuki stepped onto it, a gust of strong wind blew past with a WHOOSH.
"Gh!"
Fallen leaves whipped up by the wind slapped against Kazuki's face, forcin' him to instinctively close his eyes and halt his steps.
"...What am I even doin'?"
Peelin' off the fallen leaf stuck to his face, Kazuki spat out those words alongside a sigh.
Lately, Himeko—Kazuki's buddy's little sis—had been on his mind like crazy.
Even now, the slightly lonely look Himeko wore back at the pool was burned onto the back of Kazuki's eyelids.
And in quiet, sudden moments, Kazuki's mind often got completely thrown into turmoil.
But Kazuki didn't have any idea of what he wanted to become with Himeko or what he wanted to do.
Kazuki truly couldn't understand himself at all.
On top of that, there was somethin' stuck deep down in Kazuki's heart.
'Traitor...!'
Clear malice thrust at Kazuki by someone for the very first time.
Everyone around Kazuki briskly turnin' their backs on him and walkin' away.
The hidden motives and desire lurkin' behind smiles.
That—Kazuki felt back then, he never wanted to experience ever again.
"Bye-bye, see ya later!"
"Tomorrow we're havin' a game tournament at your place!"
"Yeah, I ain't losin'!"
"Gotta go home and special train for it!"
Right at that moment, a group of elementary school kids walked past right in front of Kazuki, chattin' with carefree smiles.
Watchin' them—so pure and free of any two-faced motives—with a sense of longin', a self-deprecatin' sigh escaped Kazuki's lips the second they went out of sight.
Standin' around here forever isn't gonna do any good.
Right as Kazuki slapped his own cheeks to psych himself up with an "Alright!", a hesitant voice called out to him at the exact same time, "Um..."
"You're Kaidō-san, right...?"
"Gh!? Mitake-san...?"
Turnin' around, there stood a girl in a school uniform with cute braided hair—Minamo.
Author's Notes:
February 22, 2022—Super Cat Day with all the meow meow meow meow meow meows!
On a day like this! Not postin' an update?! Like heck I wouldn't, DUDE!!