chapter 13

Im reading a book while lying on the bed, but I cant really focus and the content of the book isnt entering my head at all. My chest feels fuzzy and restless. In the end, I close the book and leave it at the edge of the room.

I wonder how many days have pa.s.sed since I came to this town.

It shouldnt have been long yet. Although, my memories are hazy, perhaps because so many things happened in the past few days. I open my cell phone to look at the calendar, and I notice that the school entrance ceremony is coming soon. Now that I think of it, I havent tried my uniform at all. Id better check the sizes later.

I hope I can get into the same cla.s.s as Tsubaki.

Ive run into a series of coincidences that it should be called a miracle. So maybe well, at least let me hope that I can spend a fun school life again at that school.

I vacantly recall my nostalgic high school memories. I didnt think much about anything. I only thought that the fun days would continue forever. But all of a sudden, my future was smashed into pieces that day.

Am I going to start over from now on?

(..Start over?)

What am I trying to start over in the first place? The future of [my past self] had ended. The sorrowful look of my childhood friend faintly surfaces for a brief momentHer future is still going on.

This time, Tsubakis face, looking exactly like my childhood friend appears in my mind. I inadvertently wonder what she is doing right now. Oh, right, she said shes going shopping.

Im reminded by the fact that Saki was flirted with by two men. Is it okay for her to go out alone? Saki did warn her about it, though. But the more I think about it, the more I get worried, so I end up calling Tsubaki. But, it doesnt connect, maybe her phone ran out of battery or something.

Im sure its because she is in someplace with poor signal. Acting like a worrywart will only bother her.

I-Im worried.

If I knew this would happen, I shouldve just asked to go with her from the start. Since I cant stay still anyway, I go out to search for her.

Its been long since last rode a bicycle~ The wind feels nice~

I borrowed the bicycle from Saki before going out to search for Tsubaki. I have no idea where her destination is, so I just look wherever I can think of. I have gone around quite a few stores that Tsubaki might visit, but I couldnt find her.

Maybe we pa.s.sed by each other and she already went home. Having given up, I decided to return home. For some reason or other, I drop by a public park on my way home, and I spot the sight of Tsubaki sitting on a bench by herself.

The park is empty. I wonder if she is thinking about somethingshes only sitting while looking down.

Tsubaki!

When I cheerfully call out to her, she looks at me, surprised.

Hinatsan?

Ehehe, what a coincidence. Have you finished shopping?

I s.h.i.+ft my gaze next to her, and I see a plastic bag filled with foodstuff. It seems that shes done shopping.

Yes, I have decided on what to buy beforehand, so it didnt take long. Hinatsan, what are you doing here?

Im cycling, with my sisters bicycle.

chirin chirin I ring the bell and park this mamachari that I borrowed from my sister in front of Tsubaki. Although she is staring at it like its something rare, this is only a commonplace bicycle that can be bought anywhere.

Hinatsan, you can ride a bicycle. I am envious.

Ah, you told me before that you cant ride one, didnt you? Then Tsubaki, wanna try to practice?

Eh?

Come on, try riding it for a bit. Our heights are not that different, so there wont be a problem with the seat, I think.

Wah, wah, Hinatsan!

I support Tsubaki as I let her get on the bicycle. Yup, her feet are reaching the ground, so it should be okay. I used the training wheels when I first started. But since I dont have them right now, Ill be the one to keep the balance instead.

Grip the handles firmly and put your feet on the pedals. Ill hold the bicycle in place. Dont worry, you wont fall.

Y-yes.

The bicycle wobbles greatly when she puts her feet on the pedals, so I put some strength to keep it steady. I somehow succeed, and I let her feel the knack to balance herself. After a while, her stability has improved, maybe because shes started to get used to it. Its time to advance to the next step.

Next, try to move the pedals. Its okay to go slowly, lets see if you can pedal forward.

Wah, wah! Yes.

Although unsteadily, Tsubaki manages to go forward with my support from behind.

Now, turn. Push the handle bit by bit Dont use too much strength. Like this

I put my hands next to hers to teach her how much strength to put in. Although its clumsy, we still manage to turn around. Then we slowly advance in a straight line again.

After repeating several times, she is now cycling more steadily. Maybe shes caught the knack of it. But, I didnt expect that she would be able to improve so much in such a short time. Her learning speed surprises me.

How is it? Have you gotten used to it?

Yes, I feel that I have grasped the hang of it.

I think shell be okay even if I release my hands now. I pick a timing and let go so that she wont notice. Tsubaki is smoothly riding the bicycle by herself, as if Ive never supported her in the first place.

Ooh, shes doing good.

It seems that she hasnt noticed that Ive let go of her, as she is still pedaling forward diligently. With the way shes handling the bicycle beautifully, I think she wont have any problem turning, either.

Tsubaki! Do you know that youre already riding a bicycle on your own?

Eh? Eeeeh?! I, I kyah!

Watch out!!

The fact that Tsubaki is riding the bicycle by herself surprises herself, and she ends up losing her balance. I hurry to support her before she falls to the ground. However, I couldnt prevent Sakis bicycle from hitting the ground. I should worry about Tsubaki first, though. I look at her to check if shes hurt, but it seems that she isnt grazed anywhere.

Are you injured anywhere? Does it hurt?

Ah, I-Im all right. Im not injured anywhere. It doesnt hurt, either.

Are you sure? Youre not enduring the pain, right?

Yes, its because Hinatsan helped me. Thank you very much.

No, I shouldve said something before I let go. I shouldnt have called you so suddenly, either. Im sorry.

She shakes her head when I apologize. Then she says, Thats not true, to me.

Its all thanks to Hinatsan that I can ride a bicycle now! I thought that I would never be able to ride one in my lifetime, so Im really happy about it. Thank you very, very much for teaching me.

I did nothing much, but Tsubaki seems to be so happy, which in turn makes me happy, too. It makes me feel warm in my chest.

Its not all me. You did your best, too, Tsubaki. Thats how you become able to ride it.

To hide my embarra.s.sment, I pat her head like a child. Although, maybe Im embarra.s.sing her because she is blus.h.i.+ng as she stays silent.

Tired from practicing, we take our time to relax on the bench. I pa.s.s her a drink that I bought from a vending machine nearby.

Here, are you okay with orange juice?

Thank you very much.

My throat is parched after moving around that much, so I open the can and drink it in one go. Then, I aim at a faraway trash can and I try making a long throw. The empty can beautifully lands not into the the target, but in the gra.s.ses instead. I remember that my friends once told me that I had a poor aim.

In the end, I have to get up and look for the empty can in the gra.s.ses. I toss it into the trash can, and I return to the bench in low spirits. When I sit beside Tsubaki, I see her laughing at me.

Uuh, how embarra.s.sing. Although, Tsubaki is now laughing cheerfully instead of looking sullen like when I saw her earlier. I guess Ill let it pa.s.s this time.

How did it feel to ride a bicycle? Was it fun?

Well at first, it scared me because my feet werent touching the ground. But afterwards, it started to become more enjoyable, and the wind felt good.

Its even more fun when you go downhill, you know~

T-thats quite scary. Ill refrain until I get used to it.

Ahaha, youre right about that.

Since shes just learned to ride a bicycle today, its still too dangerous for her to go downhill. She should experience biking in various kinds of roads first.

Although, have you never practiced at all before? Youre learning like a sponge

There was no one who would teach me.

What about your mom?

When I make up my mind and ask, she looks troubled and frowns.

Mom is busy with work. Besides no, its nothing.

Um, Im sorry if Im wrong. Tsubaki, are you on bad terms with your mom?

I dont know myself. She doesnt speak much. Even when were together, we rarely play together.

Then, do you hate your mom?

Thats not true. I dont hate my mom.

I see.

She doesnt hate her mom, huh. Im relieved to know that, but its not all good. Tsubaki although she loves her mother, she thinks that her mother doesnt love her.

Although I dont know what that girl really feels, I I believe that she isnt the type that would hate her own daughter.

Im sure that your mom loves you, too, Tsubaki.

Does she?

I think there are no parents that would hate their own children.

I see.

I guess she isnt convinced. In this world, there are parents who loath their own childreneven after theyve taken the labor and pain to give birth to them. We both know that. But still, I want her to believe in her own mother. Even if all I can do is to tell her these flimsy and unconvincing words.

So did something happen today?

Eh?

You were looking glum.

I know that a problem between a parent and child is not for an outsider like me to b.u.t.t into. But still I cant pretend to know nothing and just leave them be.

Is it related to your mom?

She twitches in response. But she stays silent, not saying a word. Although it makes me a bit sad, I know that its natural for her to do so.

Its okay if you dont want to tell me. But, I want you to share with me if something makes you sad, pained, or troubled.

Hinatsan

I want to support those who are dear to me, and the people that are important to them, as well.

Uss.h.!.+

I stand up vigorously, and I make a smile to Tsubaki.

Lets go home.

I hold out my hand to her. After she gently clasps it, I pull her up from the bench.

Thank you very much, Hinatsan.

Yup.

I said lets go home, but she doesnt seem to be releasing my hand. After a while, Tsubaki finally realized that shes still holding my hand and she lets go in a fl.u.s.ter. Her face is slightly red. Is she okay?

I-Im sorry.

Lets go home!

Eh? W-wait for me.

With a bicycle in tow, I start walking in quick steps to chase after Tsubaki whos already walking ahead of me.