Chapter 63: The Angel’s Strange Change (2/2)
“…Thank you very much.”
“I should be thanking you for bearing some of my suffering.”
“Goodness.”
Amane was slapped lightly on the elbow.
Of course, it was a mere prick, and not painful, but that gesture was a little bad for his heart.
His heart started pounding wildly, for Mahiru had started a little skinship on him.
“…Amane-kun?”
“N-no, it-it’s nothing.”
“You say that, but your eyes are looking around…”
“Nothing at all. Ah look, you got a message.”
He tried to change the topic, not wanting to look rattled, and pointed at the vibrating, flashing smartphone.
What is it? Mahiru looked incredulous as she directed her attention elsewhere, and opened the smartphone app.
He thought it would be rude to see the message, and he really did not want to look at her in the eyes, so he looked elsewhere…he then heard a thud, and turned his eyes back towards Mahiru.
He wondered what it was about, and looked over to her, only to be stunned.
Mahiru dropped the smartphone onto the cushion beneath her knees, giving the teary look of a lost child.
She did not shed any tears, nor did she twist her lips…but it appeared that she would shatter upon contact.
When was it when he last saw such a face?
Yes, it was similar to when they first spoke to each other……
“…Mahiru?”
“No, it is nothing. Please do not mind me.”
Mahiru responded with a stiff voice before Amane could ask anything.
“Sorry, I should be returning for now. I have something tomorrow, and I will not be able to make dinner. My apologies.”
Mahiru replied before Amane could interrupt, quickly packed her belongings, and left.
Amane’s hand was outstretched, but one had to wonder if she noticed it, or pretended not to…for his outstretched palm merely grabbed air.
…Why out of a sudden?
Surely the trigger was the message.
Amane knew there was only one possibility as to why Mahiru would make such an expression.
“…Mahiru’s parents.”
Mahiru hardly informed others of how to contact her, and only a rare few knew of her ID.
He knew there were him, Shihoko, Chitose, Itsuki, and a few tightly-lipped girls. The only others would be her parents.
One would have to assume that her parents had contacted her.
She said nothing all this while, even till yesterday. She suddenly said she had something urgent, and ran off. Perhaps she wanted to meet her parents.
He knew she was on bad terms with her parents, and could only deduce that they were the reason for her expression just now.
He could deduce, but he could not do anything.
“…Mahiru.”
He saw her leave, and spotted the contorted frowning face. Despite that, he could not say anything.
He could only murmur helplessly the name of a girl who was not present, and slammed a fist onto the cushion that once held up her knees.