CH 174

The riverside in summer is lush and green, and the breeze felt cool.

Leaving the classroom, I was walking alone along the riverside, which was different from the usual path I usually took through the shopping district street.

There were not many people around, except for the boys playing by the river below.

I followed the path and walked to the middle of the bridge over the flowing river, and stopped there.

The sounds of the flowing water and the wind rustling the grass.

A little further away, came the bustle of the city.

And the surface of the water reflecting the sunlight seemed to give me peace of mind.

“…”

To be honest, I had intended to refrain from any conspicuous behavior that would attract attention.

I can’t make any excuses since I started it myself, but I’m depressed about going to school tomorrow.

I let out a familiar sigh and leaned against the railing.

The old bridge made of wood makes a slight creaking sound.

I don’t want to go home with this on my mind and make Kaede worry.

I just stood there, not knowing what to do, when I saw a figure coming up on the bridge.

“That was rather bold for you.”

“…Did you come here to make fun of me?”

Yuuto, who I thought was continuing in on the discussion, was here instead.

Opening a space for one person, he leans his body against the bridge in the same way as me and sighs as well.

The prince of the school directed a sad expression at me.

“…Sorry, I should have been the one to say those words.”

“It’s not really up to you to say it…”

He has a rather bad habit of strangling himself in this way.

It wouldn’t have mattered if I said that, or Yuuto, Shizuku, Kirasaka, or anyone else.

If there had been someone who wanted to do something on their own, instead of relying on the others, they could have said that.

But they couldn’t say, or they didn’t say.

Each of us has our own ideas, standpoints, and personalities.

It’s obvious that it would’ve been troublesome for someone who wanted to spend the rest of their student life without any worries.

So I don’t think in the slightest that I am a victim…

I’m just said that because I truly don’t care about my status in the class anymore.

Moreover, it’s somewhat better for them than because if someone with a certain degree of influence had said that, it would have caused the situation in the class to become even more complicated.

“The class was talking about reconsidering what everyone was going to compete in.”

“…Not possible.”

“Eh?”

It is a temporary break, not a fundamental solution to the situation.

Unless there’s a situation where Yuuto and his group taking the lead is improved and the entire class suddenly starts thinking and making efforts on their own, discussions will lead to similar results even if they are done again.

However, it will be difficult to create that situation unless Yuuto and others show an attitude that they will seriously refuse to participate in the competitions.　

And I know it will be difficult for them.

There’s a slight change in Shizuku from before.

She’s different from before, when she smiled, nodded and accepted whatever she was asked to do.

She has changed enough to state her own opinions.

However, even so, she still can’t strongly deny other people’s opinions and push through her own.

There’s a possibility with Kirasaka, but as far as she is concerned, class is not on her mind, since she has no shred of interest in others, as she won’t hesitate to deny them altogether.

And, Yuuto cannot refuse the requests of those around him.

That is the Ogiwara Yuuto, I know.

“As long as everyone is thinking of ending the event on a high note, there’s no point in repeating such discussions over and over again, is there?”

“But… if we think about it together with Minato and Kanazaki-san, we might come up with a good solution, right?”

“…I’m not going get involved, after all, the ‘fun sports festival’ that the class is expecting is only possible if you guys take the lead and get the whole class together.”

Also, you don’t need me there.

Instead, it would only be harmful to those around me.

Since the bothersome bug that clings to them will be gone, it will be easier for them to talk and spend more time with Yuuto and the others.

Even if they say that they will have another discussion, it’s just a figure of speech, and the result won’t change.

Most people would consider it convenient.

“I also lost sight of my thoughts for a second …it could be a good opportunity.”

“What’re you even on about? … Anyway, let’s go back to the class, they’re both waiting for you to return.”

Yuuto tells me with a smile on his face.

With that, he headed back the way he came from the bridge.

He then turns around as he passes the bridge.

However, I walk in the opposite direction from Yuuto.

And I looked back in the same way.

We faced each other across the river.

The river is narrow, but the distance is such that I could not cross it even when I jumped, instead I would’ve fell.

That subtle distance seemed to represent our relationship.

“I told you …just do what you want to do.”

“So I hope Minato can enjoy it too… togeth—“

“Wrong.”

I shook my head and denied his words.

He doesn’t understand the meaning of my words.

Yuuto doesn’t understand.

He doesn’t understand that we stand in different places.

He thinks we can stand in the same place and walk together.

However, that’s not possible for me.

No, most of us can’t, even if it’s not me.

If that place is the spotlight on the stage, where only those who are allowed can enter.

We’re standing in the darkest spot on the side of that stage.

“…I can’t go.”

“Minato…”

I cannot live a life that we can call our youth, enjoying the bright student life.

Nor can I live a life where we can all have fun and keep smiling together.

I was reminded of this when I met Yuuto alone, here in this way.

I smiled bitterly at my only friend who was still standing on the other side of the river and said one last thing to him.

“…See ya.”

What we need now is not to be together.

We need to put time and distance between us and calmly grasp the current situation.

I turned away from my friend who was trying to say something, and walked away from the scene.

Seeing my back, Yuuto couldn’t complete the sentence that he was going to.