Vol 7 Chapter 4 (2/2)

“If I’m asked if I like her or not, I can only answer like here. I do think s.h.i.+kibu’s a nice person.”

“Like…as in a normal ‘like’?”

“…Yeah.”

Hikaru looked up to the sky and lamented.

“Miss Hanasato was definitely mistaken. Ahh, I wanted to record what you just said for Miss s.h.i.+kibu. I am very disappointed.”

“Why are you so disappointed?”

“I do wonder if you really do have any awareness at all? I really pity Miss s.h.i.+kibu here.”

But after muttering, he quickly broke into a grin,

“However, if you do like Miss s.h.i.+kibu, perhaps you can invite her out for a date once. I suppose you should invite Miss s.h.i.+kibu to Tyrolina.”

“No, I’m not going to invite s.h.i.+kibu.”

“Why?”

“I don’t really know…”

If the question was if he liked her or not, surely the answer would be that yes, he liked her.

While others shunned him for having the appearance of a savage delinquent, the one girl who established such an intimate relations.h.i.+p with him was probably Honoka.

He was always helped by Honoka.

And he was shocked when he made her cry.

And when he was embraced tightly by Honoka at the pool at night, his chest ached sweetly.

Taking all these incidents into account, if anyone were to ask him if he liked Honoka s.h.i.+kibu, he would reply that yes, he liked her. As for what sort of ‘like’ it was, he was however still uncertain.

However, he could clearly understand that the ‘like’ Honoka had for Koremitsu was beyond goodwill.

Thus, Koremitsu felt that he could not simply invite her out to a date, as that would lead to a misunderstanding.

“If I can’t invite her out properly for a date, that won’t do.”

And the moment he said these words, Koremitsu’s face sizzled.

What in the world am I saying here?

“In other words, you do have some awareness.”

And so, Hikaru said as he broke into an adult chortle.

“You did consider thoroughly the fact that Miss s.h.i.+kibu is a girl”

Koremitsu remained speechless, but surely he was seen through due to his blus.h.i.+ng face, and the proof was Hikaru’s cackling as he looked back at Koremitsu.

“But what do we do about Tyrolina? Do we ask Asa for help? If she is to know of Sora’s disappearance, surely she will be infuriated, wondering why we did not notify or or something.”

“Saiga…?”

While thinking of Asai’s fuming face, Koremitsu gave a scowl,

“Mr…Akagi.”

And there was a soft voice from behind.

He turned his head back, and standing at the roof entrance was Aoi, who was looking over at him tentatively.

“Miss Aoi.”

“Aoi.”

Hikaru drifted straight towards Aoi, and Koremitsu too followed.

After the incident with Kazuaki in the backyard, Koremitsu sent Aoi a message, but the latter replied ‘please do not worry about me’, and there was no message from her thereafter.

Koremitsu was already busy looking for Sora, and did not have time to help Aoi, but he was concerned about the latter.

Compared to Koremitsu, Hikaru’s feelings were stronger, and he drifted around Aoi with a wince, Are you really alright? You did not encounter anything awful these few days, did you? giving such a face as he looked over at her.

Aoi fidgeted about as she lowered her eyes, and they were s.h.i.+fting about. Soon after, her face got beetroot, and with a desperate look, she looked up at Koremitsu.

“I really am sorry not to greet you all this time.”

“No, I should be the one apologizing.”

Koremitsu did not expect Aoi to suddenly apologize, and he was unable to calm down.

Though she showed some weakness on her face, she immediately clenched her fists, and declared,

“I-I was really shocked…about Hikaru’s child…I really cannot endure the pain.”

Hikaru was devastated.

“That’s to be expected.”

Koremitsu replied with a voice even Hikaru could hear, and Aoi glanced aside, saying,

“But Miss Tsuyako, Miss s.h.i.+kibu, and the rest are all so worried about the baby that is to be born, helping you out, Mr Akagi. I am the only one hesitant on this. Miss Tsuyako is supposed to be in the same position as I am.”

Koremitsu was astounded that Aoi admitted she a.s.sumed Tsuyako was in the same position as she was.

Tsuyako was one whom Hikaru had an affair with, and Hikaru’s fiancee Aoi had always despised and reviled Tsuyako.

“Well, senpai’s love for Hikaru, and yours, to put it, i-it’s a little different…”

Tsuyako was utterly delighted to tears when she learned of Hikaru’s child that was to be born, and it would be cruel for Aoi, one with a purity streak, to have the same reaction as Tsuyako.

“No, Miss Tsuyako is impressive. I do know everything, that there are many of Hikaru’s lovers who are the same, and that Hikaru does have a special someone he liked…but I just bawled out when Mr Kazuaki merely mentioned it. Even if you are to mention it again; I suppose it is a good thing even if Mr Kazuaki mentioned it.”

“Am I that much of a hopeless philanderer? I am delighted that Miss Aoi has said that she is yet to lose to Mr Kazuaki’s words, but it is, a little conflicting…”

Hikaru muttered with a pathetic look.

(Anyway, you’re a philandering harem prince who shouldn’t have your punishment reduced here. Start reflecting more on your own actions.)

And Koremitsu had this thought as he glared at Hikaru.

Aoi placed her hands in front of her chest, clenching them, and said to Koremitsu with a look filled with conviction,

“I-I too wish to meet the person who is to give birth to Hikaru’s child, and I wish to bless her. So, please allow me to help.”

One could feel the conviction from within in these words she weaved with much difficulty.

Surely she would be in great pain after Kazuaki said such d.a.m.ning words, and Hikaru, whom she liked since young, had a child with another woman, which really would have caused her much distress.

Yet she adamantly declared that she wanted to help.

(Seriously, it’s a waste for Aoi to be with you.)

Hikaru too was amazed by Aoi’s determination.

Surely in Hikaru’s heart, Aoi was the fragile, cute princess, who did not know anything about the world.

If Hikaru was still alive, Aoi would surely be so infuriated that she would not speak to him for half a year, as he had stated. She would have been condescending towards the woman whom Hikaru had that affair with.

“Erm, I really am willing to do anything. If you have anything you need help with, please tell me, Mr Akagi.”

If it were Aoi at this point, perhaps he could explain Sora’s issues to her.

(Is that the case, Hikaru?)

While listening in on Aoi, Hikaru’s eyes showed astonishment, some pride and despondence; it became a conflicted expression.

And again, Koremitsu said to Aoi with respect,

“Actually, there’s something I want to ask you for help, Aoi. Do you mind accompanying me after school?”

“Her Highness Aoi and Akagi?”

Upon noticing Aoi and Koremitsu descend the stairs together, Honoka frantically hid herself in a corner under the stairs.

(How? Wasn’t Akagi supposed to be talking with Michiru on the roof?)

Honoka had the urge to give chase when Koremitsu and Michiru left the cla.s.sroom, and had conflicted feelings on whether to do so, to a point where her stomach was aching.

Surely, Michiru was intending to confess to Koremitsu. No matter how curious she was, she could not be eavesdropping from the side.

She intended to focus on love consultation when replying on her blog, but her fingertips gradually got colder, and the chatter from the surrounding conversations felt more like noise to her.

(How will Akagi respond to Michiru. Michiru got cute because of Akagi, so maybe Akagi will answer okay. But Akagi still has a pregnant lover, and he’ll be committing infidelity. No no no, it’s not a good thing to do such a thing!!)

Her mind churning about, she was unable to endure this any longer.

(Neither Michiru nor Akagi came back…if-if they’re to do something on the roof—I-I guess I should check on them a little. If anything really happens, I have to stop them!)

She searched hard for a reason, and left the cla.s.sroom.

And so, just when she arrived at the stairs leading to the roof, she witnessed Koremitsu being together, descending the stairs.

(Why is Akagi together with Her Highness Aoi?)

Aoi’s face was so tense, so flushed, and Koremitsu showed a solemn face.

And once they arrived at the second level, where Aoi’s cla.s.sroom was, they faced each other, saying,

“I’ll leave it to you after school then.”

“Yes!”

Aoi answered Koremitsu’s words with much enthusiasm.

They were completely aware of each other’s presence, and there was a sense of trust between them to be felt; Honoka’s chest tightened.

(What did Akagi ask Her Highness Aoi to do? I told them that he could talk with me if he got any troubles, and he answered me so lethargically ‘no’, like that.)

He requested something for Her Highness Aoi. Leave it to you. He said.

“Akagi you idiot. You said that I’m a Heliotrope.”

After school.

Koremitsu waited for Aoi not too far away from the school gates,

“I’m sorry for talking with Aoi without understanding you.”

He bitterly whispered, and Hikaru, with calmness on his face.

“Your decision is not incorrect. I am really delighted that Aoi is able to accept Sora and the child within her.”

Replied as thus,

“Speaking of which, Koremitsu, you invited Miss Aoi instead of Miss s.h.i.+kibu.”

“? What do you mean?”

Hikaru gave a vague smile.

“You did show some aware with regards to Miss s.h.i.+kibu, but not when it regards Miss Aoi, I suppose.”

“It is fine even if you have not noticed. It is definitely a little better off not noticing it, for your sake, Koremitsu, and for Miss Aoi.”

“What are you saying now?”

And with a teasing tone, Hikaru continued,

“I am saying that you are so cool, Koremitsu.”

“I say, what are you getting at?”

While Koremitsu grumbled, Aoi appeared.

“So-sorry. Was I late?”

“Ah, no, I just so happened to be talking to myself.”

While Koremitsu was all fl.u.s.tered, Hikaru drifted above,

“Let us go forth then.”

Saying with a clear tone.

(Seriously, what in the world is this guy thinking about?)

Glaring aside, he began to walk with Aoi.

They got off the train, and head straight for the cafe in the residential area. It appeared to be a house with the ground floor renovated into a cafe.

Twisting the door k.n.o.b with the handmade bunny doll, the door opened, and Koremitsu witnessed what he saw on the internet.

There were cloths, threads used for embroidery, ribbons laid out all over the tables, and the handicrafts were displayed everywhere in the shop. It felt messy, yet at the same time, inexplicably tidy, and many female customers were having tea at the many tables there.

“Truly a wonderful shop.”

Aoi marvelled in amazement.

As he had expected however, Koremitsu was intimidating the customers and waitresses as they gave him terrified looks, and it was unbearable for him.

“E-erm, welcome. 2 customers, am I correct?”

A waitress, dressed in skirt and ap.r.o.n lined with red Tyrol tape by the side, inquired.

The pretty girl Aoi with the vibe of a princess looked relatively surprised as compared to Koremitsu, who clearly looked nothing else other than a delinquent. They were led to an empty table.

(d.a.m.n it, it’s unbearable for me after all.)

He sat on the wooden chair with floral embroidery on the cus.h.i.+on, opened the menu, and appearing in front of him were photos of coffee with rabbit and kitten, and cake with lots of cream on them.

(Speaking of which, is Cappuccino Tyrolian? Am I wrong?)

“I want a Cappuccino with a kitten.”

“…Coffee.”

“Eh. I suppose if you do order the ‘Miss Pixie likes the rose-petaled Herb tea, their att.i.tude towards you will increase dramatic due to the gap moe.”

And Hikaru casually chimed in from above.

(Shut up or I’m going to smack you with the cus.h.i.+on.)

The waitress served their order, and placed them on the table.

While trying his best not to scare anyone, Koremitsu began to converse with the waitress.

“Is there someone called Ogi in this shop?”

“Eh!”

The waitress was suddenly taken aback, her shoulders s.h.i.+vering.

“Actually, that is me.”

“What!? You’re Ogi!?”

Koremitsu too was dumbfounded, staring back.

Ogi was a very healthy woman with a slightly rounded face, large in bust and hip.

He had a.s.sumed she was an adult woman due to the baby she had on the postcard, but she had a face that could be pa.s.sed off as a high school girl.

(Well, she wouldn’t be looking any older than Sora if she’s the little sister. Sora looks rather mature herself, but she’s only around 20.)

He introduced himself to be an acquaintance of Sora Semigaya, and that he heard of this shop from her. Ogi’s eyes widened.

“Ehhhh, sister? Really? Goodness, my big sister wouldn’t make any contact with me, I thought she rejected me completely. Is that true? Did sister really tell you about this shop?”

“Ah, yeah.”

Koremitsu’s voice was a little shrill, for he actually did not hear about this shop from Sora herself.

However, he never expected this ‘little sister’ to be such an energetic girl, and there was a major contrast to ‘sold youth’, ‘to the teacher’, and ‘subst.i.tute’. Aoi too was stunned, and Hikaru stared back in shock.

Ogi’s full name was Ogina, and the owner of this shop was her husband’s mother. The owner would be busy taking care of the child every day except on Mondays, when she would hold her embroidery cla.s.s, and really helped Ogina out there. She blurted out a lot of talk without waiting for Koremitsu to ask.

“It’s been 9 months now. Amazing cute. You wanna look?”

“No, anyway, you’re really Sora’s ‘little sister’, right?”

Ogina nonchalantly answered,

“Yes, though it’s about 2 years.”

“Two years?”

“Ah, you never heard of that? My mom and sister’s dad were remarried with kids, and we became siblings. That was when I was in 9th grade, and sister was in 10th grade.”

(I see.)

In that case, it would explain why Sora’s acquaintance only knew of the little brother, and that Hikaru never saw Sora’s little sister.

“I did something a little bad when I was in 10th grade, and due to that, mom divorced with sister’s father. Well, there wasn’t any pa.s.sion left when they remarried, but I suppose that was the decisive event.”

—I actually should not be giving birth to this child. I let my little sister take my place! It’s because of me that my sister, my family.

There was such a constrasting difference between Sora’s anguished voice and this little sister who continued on carefreely with a smile, and Koremitsu was confused.

“Decisive event? What did you do?”

Once he tried to probe in, she continued nonchalantly,

“My affair with my high school teacher was discovered.”

And after she answered so honestly, Aoi’s face was flushed.

Ogi stuck her tongue out,

“I was expelled, and the teacher was fired. Mom and dad had a quarrel, and they divorced. Ah, that teacher’s now my husband. Everyone found out that I did those perverted things in the cla.s.sroom, and the teacher said, ‘I’ll take responsibility and take care of you for the rest of my life’. It was really cool, and I fell for him again. I get on well with mother-in-law, and I do enjoy helping in the shop. I even gave birth to a child very similar to my husband, and I don’t feel any regrets about it.”

Sorry…it’s all your sister’s fault. I’m sorry…

The discrepency just kept expanding.

At the same time, the black fog-like vagueness deep within Koremitsu’s heart gradually spread.

“Did Sora say anything to you when you were expelled?”

“Eh—I don’t really remember. Sister’s very devouted to marrying G.o.d, so she was rather shocked like a normal person, I believe. Ah, my husband actually liked my sister at first.”

He was stunned by Ogina’s words.

The culprit who sold the youth of a girl, her little sister, to a teacher. the words in that message appeared in his mind.

However, the little sister did not seem to mind to much.

“He’s a teacher, and yet he got mesmerized by his own student. Now that’s a crime. Sister however was really determined, and was very troubled when my husband asked her to go buy some stuff for club activities together. I too had feelings for my husband, so I felt this was a chance, and we did everything we had to that day. My husband was really disappointed to be dumped by siser, and that allowed me the chance to slip in.”

Plan succeeded she said, showing a bright smile.

As she had said, based on the results, Ogina got what she wanted, and felt blissful as a result.

Sora requested Ogina to take her place just to excuse herself from the teacher’s request, but Ogina was the one who willingly allured the teacher, and there was no need for Sora to feel any guilt.

Sora bore some unnecessary guilt, and was tormented thoroughly.

(Why? Why’s she apologizing so much just because she let her sister take her place?)

—I’m an ugly person who has no right to bear this child!

She said with such anguish.

And as she continued to s.h.i.+ver, the transparent tears slid down the contorted face.

—I’m sorry, sorry.

Hikaru too frowned, ostensibly unwilling to agree with this.

(Why did Sora disappear?)

At that moment.

“Ah, Miss Takamine. Welcome.”

Ogina looked in the direction of the door, and asked with an earnest voice.

It seemed a customer came.

“You’re here for the embroidery cla.s.s today, right?”

“Ah yes, it seemed I was a little earlier.”

A fine voice rang.

(This voice—)

And it was a long time back when Koremitsu last heard this voice. 1st grade, in fact.

However, the voice that rang countless times in his mind, that caused his heart to chill and wince—

It was terrifying for him to turn his head back, but he had to do so to be certain.

He slowly turned his head around, and appearing in front of his sights was a pet.i.te woman.

The hair was shorter.

And the eyebrows were lowered forlornly.

The eyes were moist, apparently always crying.

The small white face that looked as if it would melt if one were to touch it.

The slender shoulders.

And that woman too had her lips slightly opened, her face tense.

(MOM!)

The yell that rose up his throat was hurting so much it was ripping at the throat, and surely, to suppress the surging emotions, he would look up, grit his teeth with all his might, and glare heinously, showing a very terrifying face!

Why, why was she here? It had been 9 years since they met. Why, now, of all places, did she appear?

—I’m really sorry, Mitsu.

The voice rang deeply within his ears again, and the fury rushed up his head, hurting it so much his head was going to split.

He could not do anything except to stare.

And on the other hand, he was terrified within—s.h.i.+vering like a feeble animal.

His mother again looked back at him, and paled like a patient, her eyebrows lowered, her eyes widened. As compared to how she appeared in his memories, she looked much weaker than before, more unreliable.

“Eh? Miss Takamine? Are you acquiantances with this man?”

Ogina too felt something was amiss as she noticed Koremitsu staring with a stiff face and the mother rooted with a pale face, yet she asked without thinking too much.

Aoi too stared at Koremitsu, her breath bated. Hikaru probably understood from this situation who that woman was, and tilted his head, showing a wince as he stared at both mother and son.

In the midst of this tense silence, his mother answered with a sighing, feeble voice,

“…No.”

Just like that, she lowered her eyebrows further, averting her eyes to expel something she did not want to witness.

Koremitsu felt a searing sensation within him, and it appeared his eyes got redder. The fury gradually rising in his body, Koremitsu clenched his fists as he stood up.

And with a thud, the chair fell behind him.

Aoi, Ogina and the mother were terrified as they cringed back, and Hikaru frowned harder.

“I…don’t know you either!”

The words he blurted out was akin to the roar of a wounded beast.

A dying howl after being grazed, slashed and toppled around, it contained all his pride.

Once he saw the terror of the woman who abandoned him 9 years ago and left home, Koremitsu sprinted out of the door with the feeling of one with his heart dug out.

He did not hear what Aoi and Hikaru were yelling from behind.

And he simply continued to run aimlessly in the cursive alleys of the residential area.

(Like h.e.l.l I know a person like you!)

That’s not my mom! I don’t know that person! I never met her, and I don’t know her!

He was yelling in his heart, howling, but even so, the voice ringing deep within the ears could not vanish.

—I’m really sorry, sorry, Mitsu.

The mother who continued to weep.

The tears that continued to fall.

—Sorry.

(Stop apologizing! Nothing will change even if you do, right? Isn’t everything still the same!)

And Hikaru yelled from sidelong.

That voice, his howls, the frantic breathing, and the voices that continued to ring in his heart vanished in an instant.

Somebody, anybody, make it stop!

I don’t want to hear anything!

I don’t want to see that face that’;s always crying and apologizing!

Just stop it already! Stop crying! Why are you crying! Why must you apologize!?

The voices surged within him several times, forcibly pus.h.i.+ng aside his memories, expanding like waves, and a tremendous impact arose as the red bubbles appeared and broke in the air.

That was the little felt bears with the head and body disemembered.

The crying mother who cried in Koharu’s arms.

And the stuttering voice.

—Koharu, I really am a terrible mother

Those were the words he heard behind the sliding door, his body stiff as he held his breath.

—I can’t think of that child as cute in any way! How am I supposed to love him! I can’t love him!

The voice got broken.

His mother’s face was broken.

The heart got broken.

—I’m really sorry, Mitsu.

She weeped as she apologized, for she felt guilt that she could not love the baby she gave birth to no matter what.

As the mother, it was a cardinal sin that she could not love her own child.

However, she just could not do so.

He really was not cute in any way.

—That child definitely realized it. That’s why he can’t smile, and he blames me.

Koremitsu did not really understand what his mother was saying, and what he only heard was the timid voice uttering the words that he wasn’t cute, that he couldn’t smile. They stung his chest, and it got hot near his earlobes.

I’ve to forget it.

I didn’t hear anything about mom not finding me cute..

If—if I could only smile, mom wouldn’t be crying like this.

Will she stop apologizing and finally smile?

It’s going to be mom’s birthday soon. Let’s try writing some words mom liked most.

And so, I’ll smile and hand the word to her, telling her that I love her.

Yet at the roadlights outside, there was the pet.i.te figure gradually departing.

G.o.d, I hope that mom can turn back.

Please G.o.d

However, there was nothing similar to a wish fulfilled!

(That woman never turned back, and I didn’t give her the birthday present. I still can’t smile now.)

Even after 9 years, nothing changed. The woman who was his mother paled her facce timidly, averted her eyes from him, and when questioned if they were acquaitances, she replied with a soft voice.

—…No.

There was the sight of Sora, gently smiling as she placed her hand gently on her pregnant belly.

—Is a mother that sort of person>

—Was she always so loving before the child was born?

Was I once loved like that?

And even in high school, he never gave up on the one wish he had.

However, he understood when they met again.

(I wasn’t loved at all!)

Whether it was the past or present, the crybaby of a mother had no love for Koremitsu at all, just fear and terror—

—…I’m really sorry, sorry, Mitsu, .

—I’m sorry for not being able to love you.

His mother was not really one without much emotion, and neither was she one to abuse her child. She was a normal, honest, weak-willed woman, and thus, she was anguished that she could not love her own child, chiding herself, unable to endure the face of her own child with the stiff look. On that night, she left home.

She vanished like the dried brown husk left by the cicadas.

Towards the place the unsmiling Koremitsu could not see.

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