Chapter 5 Part2 (1/2)

First Story – Let Me Listen to Your Lingering Regrets Part 5.2

The road to Yuji's home was blocked. We went ahead and waited for him on his way home.

”But Senpai, what are you planning to do by personally talking to Yuji? Are you seriously going to ask him straight if he has feelings for s.h.i.+on? But he rides a bike to school, will you just call out to him to stop?”

”It'll work out somehow.” Senpai answered nonchalantly with a horrible whistle.

”He's coming.” Riding the bicycle, Yuji was heading towards our direction. Not knowing what to say, I hid behind a telephone pole.

”Jump out”. Senpai whispered.

”Huh?”

”I'm telling you to jump out! Go!” Hurriedly saying so, Senpai pushed my back. Unable to stabilize myself, I fell forward on the road.

”Wha–”

”Ahhhh!”

Yuji's bicycle stopped right before it hit me. I would've been hit if he was riding it a little faster.

”Are you okay?” Senpai ran to me and helped me up. How shameless of him to lie  when it was him who pushed me.

”I'm sorry! Were you hurt?” Yuji asked worriedly.

”Yeah…”

”She's fine. This girl is just clumsy and gets into trouble everywhere. Sorry if we surprised you.” Senpai was blabbering nonsense. This was the first time I wanted to kill someone.

”Were you really not hurt? I'm so sorry.”

Yuji got off his bike and bowed in apology. Such good manners, Senpai should learn from him.

”Don't worry, she's really fine… Eh?” Senpai looked at Yuji with an exaggerated expression.

”Could you possibly be Yuji?”

”Um, yes.” Yuji stared at me and Senpai in shock. ”Have we met before?”

”No, we haven't. Actually, we're relatives of s.h.i.+on Kisaragi. We've heard a lot about you from her.”

”Miss Kisaragi's relatives?”

”That's right. She said you were good friends and showed us your photo. She kept saying you were too handsome so I remembered you.” I told him as I ma.s.saged the lump on the head. Is this part of my job? I swear I'll get my revenge someday.

”I see.” Yuji's expression darkened.

”What a great coincidence that we ran into each other like this. I'm quite curious to know what kind of friends s.h.i.+on used to hang out with. Can we chat for a bit?”

”Huh? But it's already late…”

”It won't take too much time. Let's talk at the coffee shop over there. In fact, there's something I'd like you to ask you as well. Come on.”

After hesitating for a moment, Yuji eventually agreed.

”Seems like you got along well with s.h.i.+on-” Senpai suddenly took a sip of his coffee, so his words were abruptly cut off.

”Not really, it's just that we had many chances to hang out together. I'm sorry to hear what happened. My deepest sympathy.” As the steam from his coffee wafted towards his chin, Yuji explained.

I'm not sure if it was his really his taste or he was just being polite but Yuji ordered the cheapest coffee. Senpai also ordered the same, although I doubt whether he really knew the different types of coffee. Meanwhile, I got cinnamon tea.

”That's kind of you.” Senpai said as he s.h.i.+fted his body s.h.i.+fted into a more relaxed position.

”s.h.i.+on often talked about you. She said you were cool, smart and friendly to everyone.”

”Kisaragi did?” Yuji's brows curled into confusion.

”Something wrong?”

”Nothing, I was just surprised. Miss Kisaragi never told me that herself. That's what I liked about her. Other girls would normally shower me with flattery words… I mean, I do appreciate it but it gets annoying sometimes.” Yuji bowed his head as his face reddened.

”Sorry, that sounded like I was bragging about myself…”

”It's fine. There's nothing wrong with saying you're popular. So then, what kind of person was s.h.i.+on for you?”

”Well, she was a quiet girl who didn't talk much. Mostly she'd just nod and agree to whatever I say.” Saying that it made him feel comforted, Yuji continued. ”Although Miki and Miss Kisaragi were best friends, the three of us hung out a lot together. But even so, she didn't talk to me much. That's why, learning that she told you such things about me was surprising.”

Senpai nodded in agreement.

”She also got along well with Miki, right?”

”Yes. If Miki was the sun, then Miss Kisaragi was the moon. The two of them were very close. But like I said earlier, Miss Kisaragi was very quiet. We didn't talk much and when we did, it felt like she was forcing herself to talk to me. But she did give me casual replies.”

”It's hard to decipher a woman's heart. s.h.i.+on might have had the same thinking as him, right?” Senpai took another sip of his coffee as he ruffled my hair. Even if he asked me, I wouldn't know since I've never been in love. But it seemed like I had to say something somehow.