20 Somewhere, Someday
While I believe that a classroom in the morning should be quiet, that ideal rarely comes to fruition in a group setting.
Some students are quiet and well-behaved, but the majority are chatting and laughing with their friends.
So even in the morning, the classroom is filled with noise.
I slipped into my seat, trying to blend in with the background noise.
In front of me were the close-knit Shindo siblings, but I don’t understand why they’re together in the morning.
“I’m telling you, if you want lunch, you can just buy it at the school store.”
“Do you think I can handle those crowds? You could at least buy something for me!”
“No! Buy it yourself!”
“Every morning!?”
“Yes! Everyone else does it!”
“That’s them, this is us!”
“That’s why I’m saying this is how we’ll do it from now on!!”
…Ah.
Apparently, they’re arguing about lunch.
I think Shindo-kun should just buy it himself.
Still, it’s kind of Kokona-chan to even discuss it with him.
She could easily just ignore him.
Shindo-kun should be more grateful to Kokona-chan.
Thinking that, I silently sat down at my desk.
“Hey, listen to this, Suzuna! Kokona is telling me to prepare my own lunch every day…”
“Tell Amatsuki Suzuna too! That’s normal, and it’s strange for Onii-chan to even complain…”
Ah, they’re not going to leave me alone, are they?
I don’t think I can mediate between these two…
“Shindo-kun, it’s normal to prepare your own lunch. If you really can’t do it, why don’t you take turns with your sister? Preparing one portion or two portions isn’t that different, and the effort is literally halved.”
How about that?
I think it’s a pretty good compromise.
“…”
“…”
They both stared at me blankly, speechless.
“Um, being ignored after giving advice hurts, you know…”
I don’t remember saying anything strange.
“S-Suzuna… that…”
“A-Amatsuki Suzuna… that…”
The Shindo siblings spoke in similar voices.
They were both looking at my face…
And I somehow understood.
“…What? Do you have a problem with something?”
Unable to bear the silence, I spoke up.
If they’re not going to react, then don’t. If they are, then do. I want them to be clear.
Honestly, I’d prefer if they just pretended not to notice.
But that’s impossible with these two.
“You… you were always so stubbornly pigtails and glasses… why?!”
“Y-Yeah! You’ve had pigtails and glasses since we were little, like it was the only thing you knew!”
There was no way these two, who have known me for so long, would miss the change.
I didn’t expect such a big reaction, though…
“I-It’s fine, isn’t it…?”
“No way! There has to be a reason for Suzuna to do something so drastic! What is it? What happened?!”
I wonder if they’d believe me if I said I was reborn.
And Kokona-chan next to him gasped, as if she realized something.
“You idiot, Onii-chan! It’s obvious!!”
“Eh?! …Ah! I see. A broken heart! You had your heart broken, didn’t you, Suzuna?!”
“…No, I didn’t.”
I haven’t even been in love in the first place.
“Onii-chan, you’re so insensitive! She can’t just say that! Be more considerate!!”
“B-But there’s no way Suzuna would keep secrets from me…”
“There are some things she can’t tell you precisely because you’re her Onii-chan!!”
“Eh, she can’t tell me because it’s me? What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You really don’t understand a girl’s heart! And you can’t even understand her feelings even though you’re her childhood friend… You’re such a jerk! So insensitive!!”
“That’s harsh!”
But even as she said that, Kokona-chan’s eyes were welling up with tears.
“Amatsuki Suzuna is trying so hard to act like she’s okay, but she’s actually hurting!”
…I feel like Kokona-chan is also misunderstanding something.
I could strongly sense the unspoken implication: “You needed a change like this to get over Onii-chan, right? It was your first heartbreak, after all.”
“Wh-Who is he?! Hey, Suzuna, who did this to you?!”
“It’s you, Onii-chan!!”
Kokona-chan slapped Shindo-kun on the head.
“It’s me?!”
Ah… they’re definitely misunderstanding…
But saying “I just wanted a change of pace” wouldn’t be convincing.
And I can’t tell them the truth.
More importantly…
“Kokona is so disappointed! I thought you understood Amatsuki Suzuna a little better, even if you are her Onii-chan!”
“Huh?! I thought I understood her! And why are you crying, Kokona?!”
I can’t keep up with their energy…
This was the first time in my life I’ve ever looked forward to homeroom so much.
◇◇◇
“Ah… I forgot to buy lunch.”
It’s because I did something unusual this morning.
When I do something new, I always forget something.
“This is a pain, but I guess I’ll go to the school store…”
I reluctantly stood up.
Shindo-kun turned around.
“You know, the more I look at you, the more you seem like a different person.”
Shindo-kun stared at my appearance again.
It felt uncomfortable, like I was being appraised, but it might be a welcome development for Amatsuki Suzuna, so I endured his gaze for her sake.
“…Is it bad?”
“No, I think it’s fine. You look more girly this way.”
“Hmm…”
“What’s with that reaction? Be a little more grateful.”
“I can’t when you’re talking down to me.”
“…Seriously?”
Shindo-kun should be more careful with his words.
He can’t get his message across when he talks like that.
The heroines in this world have an amazing ability to interpret his words, but…
There’s something I want to ask Shindo-kun.
“But, Shindo-kun, how do you feel about me changing like this? Don’t you dislike it, as my childhood friend?”
“Not really. If it’s what you want, Suzuna, then it’s fine. I like it too.”
It would be easier to listen to him if it weren’t for that last unnecessary line…
But apparently, Shindo-kun doesn’t think this change is bad.
“Then… she might be happy about it.”
“…Who?”
“The person who cares about you, Shindo-kun.”
“So, who?!”
Amatsuki Suzuna.
Your feelings won’t be reciprocated in this world line.
But if there’s another world somewhere… I hope you change.
Because you’ll probably be able to get closer to your ideal.
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