Chapter 52

Parsed with an automated reader. The content accuracy is not guranteed.

This is the start of Extras part 2 mini arc. Enjoy.

Title: A Fundamental Change for Satou-san and Me (1)

My breath was white, and it was late afternoon on Christmas Eve. With my hands in my coat pockets, I looked across the street. If Satou-san was coming, she would certainly be from that direction. I kept my eyes peeled to make sure I didn’t lose sight of her sluggishly walking in the waves of people passing by. It’s a good idea to have a good time with your friends. People seem to be walking faster than I am. I’ve been in a bit of a hurry since the beginning of this month. I’m in a hurry because of the impending university entrance examinations and the graduation that is just ahead of me.

I’m an entrance exam student, so I don’t have time to think about anything else – even so, I’m too anxious to think about what will happen after graduation. Will I be able to make a promise like this to Satou-san and see her after graduation? Will she be able to remember me as she is going through a big change in her environment? How long are we going to remain friends in the first place? Even though I spend my days next to her as a matter of course, I don’t think anything has really changed. Compared to the beginning of spring, I’m sure our relationship has definitely changed. I’m sure we’ve changed since then. There was no need to be worried about the fact that there was a change of seats and Satou-san and I were no longer sitting next to each other. We were able to talk in the same classroom, and we made plans to see each other on holidays. We were able to exchange words via email and phone calls. I was happy during that time, and I was very happy. But that happiness has visibly diminished this month. We didn’t have much time to talk in the classroom, and it had been a long time since we had seen each other on holidays. Perhaps out of concern for me as an examinee, the number of communications from Satou-san is decreasing with each passing day. I’m not sure if it’s because she’s concerned about me, or if it’s because she’s worried about me, but it’s because I can’t get up to speed with my studies. What will happen if I graduate at this rate? Satou-san and I have to commute every day to the next town, while I’m applying to a university in the city. We’ll both be busy, and if we go to a different environment and make new friendships, we’ll soon lose touch with the people we had in high school. In order to prevent that from happening, I think we have to change from a fundamental point of view. I want to turn her around, too insensitive, and somehow get out of our friendship. That’s why I asked her out on Christmas Eve. There’s no room for failure on today’s date. I must plan, execute, and succeed in making the perfect ending.

“Yamaguchi-kun.”(S)

Suddenly, I looked up with a gasp when she called me. Immediately, I spotted Sato u-sanwalking in from across the street. She waved to me through the crowd and was carrying a rather large paper bag. She held it back in her hands and approached us unsteadily. Her footsteps are dangerous. What is that paper bag? It looks big and heavy. It’s not at all in keeping with her own style of dressing up in a peacoat and denim skirt. It is not typical of Ms. Satou-san to bring such a bag when it is a date. I walk towards her, muttering inwardly.

“’m sorry for making you wait.”(S)

Satou-san, wearing a dark blue peacoat, was breathless. Her forehead was also covered in sweat. She held the paper bag and her bright red cheeks relaxed.

“I was surprised at the unexpectedly large number of people here. It’s indeed December.”(S)

“Yeah.”(Y)

I nodded. Then I glanced at the paper bag that was being held. The bag, marked with the name of the department store, was swollen and almost torn apart by a small, round object. What the hell was in it? And what is she going to do with such a large package?

“What’s that?”(Y)

Unable to overcome my curiosity, I asked him bluntly. Then Satou-san smiled and replied,

“Well, it’s a secret. It’s a surprise!”(S)

“Hmmm…”(Y)

What is it? It’s not going to be a Christmas present for me, is it? That would make me happy, but it would be very hard to give the entire contents of the paper bag. It is hard to carry it home, and it is also hard to walk with it. No matter how much, it’s not all of me. Even for Satou-san.

“Would you like me to carry it for you?”(Y)

I asked, and she instantly shook her head.

“No, it’s okay. It’s pretty heavy, it’s hard to hold.”(S)

“It’s a lot easier for me to keep it…”(Y)

“No, no, no. You’ll find out later.”(S)

Satou-san is stubborn about things that don’t seem to matter. In the end, the paper bag is still in her arms as we walk down the street, side by side, with her holding it. With a huff and a puff of air and a rough breath, I sighed softly beside her as she walked hard. — this is apparently a plan that needs to be reworked.

After all, it’s been a long time since we’ve had a date. And I’m taking an exam, so I won’t be able to make plans for a while. So I thought we had planned everything to be perfect. We would go for a cake, wandered around the shopping mall, walk around to see the lights and the tree, and then go to a park that didn’t seem to be very popular – that date plan was easily shattered by that one paper bag. What a destructive force. I can’t take Satou-san, who is already breathing hard by the time she comes here, around from place to place. If that was really a gift for me, I had to consider her physical and mental strength. I was in tears as I rearranged my plans for the future.

We walked into the cake shop on Station Street. The eat-in space was already crowded and only the counter seats were available. When I sat down next to Ms. Sato, she said with a bit of a shy smile.

“It’s been a long time since we’ve been seated next to each other, hasn’t it?”(S)

I sigh again, agreeing with her. It’s nice to be next to each other, but here, at least we should have been facing each other. I can’t stand it, because when I stumble on one thing, other things seem to go wrong as well. After finishing her order, Satou-san took a sip of his glass of water. The paper bag is on her lap. She wipes the sweat from her forehead and talks to me.

“It’s been a long time since we’ve seen each other like this.”(S)

She took off her coat and wore a black sweater. Surprisingly, black looks good on her. And holding her hair in a single knot was a familiar pink ribbon.

“I’m inevitably busy this time of year”(Y)

I replied, and Satou-san nodded.

“I guess so. Isn’t it hard for you to study for exams?”(S)

“Of course it’s not easy.”(Y)

“Everyone in our class is in exam mode, so I’m thinking it’s going to be tough. Take care of yourself, take care of not catching a cold.”(S)

Satou-san, who said that, was not a student of the exam. She was the only one in our class who did not want to go on to higher education. Although East High School is a public school, it is said to be one of the most advanced schools in the prefecture, and it is rare for graduates to go straight to work. But Satou-san had found a job at a local company, and perhaps that’s why she stood out from the rest of the class. This is one of the things I envy about her.

“It’s hard for you, isn’t it, Satou-san, because you have to pay attention to everyone?”(Y)

She laughed at my words.

“Yeah, it’s not too hard, but I still worry about it. I’m trying not to think of things like ‘falling’ or ‘slipping’…”(S)

She said that much and then hurriedly held her mouth.

“Gee, I’m sorry. I said that in front of Yamaguchi-kun….”(S)

“No, no, no. I don’t mind.”(Y)

I laughed lightly, since I’m not actually a good luck bearer. I don’t believe in such things.

“I have to be careful.”(S)

Satou-san murmurs as if to remind me. She must be going through a lot with her, I think.

The shopkeepers were busy standing and working in the busy store. Looking around, it seemed that there were quite a few customers whose orders had not yet been delivered. At this rate, our cakes may arrive late. Satou-san said that cold water tasted better than anything else at the moment. I’m sure it will be just fine if it arrives a little late. We haven’t been able to talk much lately, and this is a good opportunity to talk to her.

“How are you studying for your exams?”(S)

The sweat seemed to have finally subsided, and Satou-san asked in a calm tone of voice.

“”Well, in its own way.”(Y)

When I answer vaguely, she immediately smiles at me.

“I’m sure Yamaguchi-kun can handle it, right?”(S)

“Not really, but I’m not so much in dire straits.”(Y)

It’s Satou-san’s fault that I can’t handle it. It’s Satou-san’s fault that I haven’t been able to study for my exams. She made it sound as if it was someone else’s fault, but of course I can’t say that I wish she would put himself in my shoes. On the contrary, I would try to talk back.

“If you think I handle it, you don’t have to be shy about texting and calling me.”(Y)

“What…? But.”(S)

Satou-san said once she locked her mouth.

“I didn’t want to interfere with your studies, so I refrained from doing so. Yamaguchi-kun is a person who works hard without being noticed, so maybe you were working hard in places that don’t show it.” (S)

Then she laughed a little.

“Wouldn’t your mom get mad at you for texting at home?’”(Y)

“As long as it’s not in the middle of the night. It won’t interfere with my studies, so feel free.”(Y)

“Yeah, okay. I’ll do what I’ve always done.”(S)

When she nodded, the pink ribbon fluttered. I’m sure you’ll be able to find a way to make it work.

“I’m sure you’ll be able to afford it, Yamaguchi-kun.”(S)

“Not so much.”(Y)

Satou-san-san seems much more relaxed than me. I have no doubt that she is much more relaxed than I am, even when not studying for exams.

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