CH 6.2

Unusual Occurrence and Out-of-Season – Part 2

Lack of memory.

It was a tendency that was also seen in the Sayakas this morning.

「When I try to remember, it becomes vague as if it’s covered in haze. It’s just about last night… but it’s a strange feeling. It’s not that I don’t have the memory, but rather, I should remember, yet I can’t recall it well. It makes me feel incredibly foggy.」

「How far can you remember? It’s not like you can’t remember anything at all, right?」

「Well… I came home from school, spent some time in my room, and then had dinner. I took a bath as usual, cooled off on the veranda for a while. After that, I went to my room…」

Gradually, Yuuki’s speech became heavier.

「I think I returned to my room, but it’s kind of vague from there. I feel like I was thinking about something.」

「Is your memory vague because you were thinking?」

「No, I wonder. I can’t even remember what I was thinking about in the first place. I just vaguely feel like I was doing something like that…」

Yuuki answers with frustration.

Lack of memory that occurs along with the mysterious phenomenon.

After all, is this also related to what happened to Sayaka?

There are too many similar points to call it a coincidence ── and they are pinpointed.

「Kunieda-kun? Is something wrong?」

「No… it’s nothing.」

「I see. You looked like you were worried about something.」

It was a sharp intuition. Haruki hesitated whether to tell him about Sayaka.

However, from Yuuki’s perspective, his hands are full with the anomalies that are happening to him, so he probably has no time to think in Sayaka’s case. It’s still unknown if there’s a connection between what’s happening to the two of them. It’s not good to say something that might cause more confusion.

Above all, Haruki didn’t want to be probed like in the infirmary by talking about unnecessary things.

「I’m just worried because I’m keeping someone waiting.」

「Someone? Ah, you mean Mishiro-kun.」

「…No comment.」

「That’s as good as an affirmative comment. Even so, it’s surprising that Mishiro-kun allowed it. For you to come to my house.」

「I didn’t mention Senzaki-san’s name…」

「I see. Kunieda-kun could become a great politician.」

「Is that a compliment?」

「I’ll leave it to your imagination. Anyway, it’s not good to keep her waiting. You should go home for today. I want you to visit here again tomorrow, Kunida-kun.」

「Tomorrow too? Why?」

When Haruki asked curiously, Yuuki made a face as if it was obvious.

「At the moment, the key to solving this phenomenon is only your existence, Kunieda-kun.」

「What do you mean?」

「What, you’re slow to catch on ── isn’t it obvious? Currently, you’re the only other person who is aware of the fact that my gender has changed.」

When told, Haruki understood and thought a little.

Indeed, the phenomenon of Sayaka becoming two people, the only one other than herself who could recognize it was Haruki. There was no sign that Sayaka’s parents or the school staff seemed to find it strange.

In Yuuki’s case, since he has only met his parents, it cannot be definitively said that only Haruki can recognize it. However, considering the similarities between the phenomena so far, even if Yuuki goes out or goes to school as he is, it’s highly likely that he will not be considered strange.

In any case ── the only other person who can recognize the anomaly as an anomaly is Haruki.

This could also be said to be one of the similarities between the two phenomena.

「It sounds pathetic, but Kunieda-kun is the only one I can rely on right now. I have no idea what to do or how to do it, but anyway, I’m counting on you ── right, Kunieda-kun?」

──Even if you tell me that you count on me…

While leaving the main house, Haruki sighed vaguely. Before visiting Yuuki’s room, Haruki was blushing at the thought of being alone with Yuuki, but now such tension seemed trivial, and Haruki’s mind was filled with the series of inexplicable phenomena.

──There are indeed many similarities in the phenomena of Sayaka and Yuuki.

The timing of the anomaly.

The lack of memory at specific time periods.

And the fact that Haruki is the only one other than themselves who can recognize the anomaly.

Is it just a coincidence, or is there some connection?

「Kunieda-san.」

When called, Haruki looked up to see Kanna approaching with a bamboo broom in hand.

「Did you meet Yuuki?」

「Yes, thanks to you.」

「Is that so… So, how was he?」

An expected question. Yuuki had asked Haruki to convey “Don’t worry, it’s just a bit of May sickness. It’s a problem that will be resolved over time”.

Of course, it’s not actually May sickness, so it’s not a problem that time will solve. But there’s no point in telling Kanna, who can’t recognize the anomaly, the truth.

「May sickness, huh.」

Kanna made a somewhat puzzled face.

「Was there anything strange in the room?」

「The room?」

「Was the duct tape on the full-length mirror peeled off?」

Haruki tilted the head.

Looking back, the only thing that caught Haruki’s attention in Yuuki’s room was the enormous number of books.

「I don’t think there was a full-length mirror in the room.」

「…I see.」

「Um, about the duct tape…」

「No, it is not a big deal. I will guide you to the exit.」

Kanna turned on her heel with a gentle smile.

Haruki felt somewhat unsatisfied but didn’t feel like probing deeper either. It might be something difficult to talk about.

When Haruki was about to follow Kanna’s guidance again, suddenly noticed a red flower faintly swaying by the water’s edge of the pond and stopped.

「Higanbana…?」