Chapter 8 - Where My Thoughts Go

A few weeks have passed since I stayed at Eri-chan's house and school has started. I've been aware of the entrance examinations since I was in second year, but I think I need to start studying hard this year.

"Hey, Yukishiro."

"What?"

"Did something happen to you again?"

Mikiya looked at me with concern.

I've caused a lot of trouble for this person.

"No, it's nothing special."

"If nothing happened, I feel like Yukishiro's girlfriend wouldn't be staring at me like that."

"It's just a break-up, it's nothing."

"I see, I see, so you two broke up… Eh, broke up!?"

"Yes, we just broke up."

"A-Are you okay?"

I've been consulting and causing a lot of trouble for Mikiya up until now.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Everything's okay now. I've caused you so much trouble. Thank you."

Mikiya stared at my face.

"…I see. If Yukishiro has let go and is moving on, I won't say anything else."

You're such a nice guy, Mikiya.

"Oh, yeah, how about we go to the arcade after school for the first time in a while?"

"Huh… Sorry, I've got things to do today."

"Is Yukishiro finally studying for exams in earnest?"

"W-Well… Something like that?"

"Hmm…"

He looked at me suspiciously, but just as the chime rang, he returned to his seat.

I wonder what I should do with Eri-chan today…

When school ended and I was about to leave the classroom in a hurry…

"Hey, Yukishiro."

"..."

…Ah, I hope Eri-chan is doing well.

"Hey, Yukishiro.."

"..."

Miho-san is having a hard time with her job and I want to help her with the housework.

"Yukishiro!!"

"…What?"

So noisy…

"Oh, um… Well, it's…"

"…I'm going home."

She's such a pain in the ass. Just tell me what she wants to say.

"Can we talk properly one more time?"

"…I don't want to. It's not worth listening to someone who hasn't listened to me when I've tried to talk to her properly."

"That's… I'm sorry."

"And I told you not to talk to me, didn't I?"

"…I-I'm sorry about that, too. B-But can you please talk to me properly again?"

"Sorry, I've got some stuff to do today. Goodbye."

"W-Wait!"

I shook her off and started running.

I felt it was bothersome to be held back.

I was slightly surprised by that side of myself. When we were together, I would have been happy, wouldn't I?

I must feel this way because of Eri-chan and Miho-san. I'm sure of it.