Translator: Deus Ex Machina
When I returned home alone, I thought back to what Miyuki said and picked up Arata’s diary.
『——By the way, we still have things to confirm. Do you want to study the diary?』
『Confirm?』
『Yes. For example...』
“Like… what happens when you read multiple dates.”
Indeed until now, I had only read one day’s entry before going to sleep
But if I read entries for multiple days… What will happen in between those days?
“Ok, let's read!”
The diary I haven’t opened for a few days… felt somewhat cold.
◆―◆―◆
April 11th
It’s the worst. I took a break from school today.
Even though there was a meeting of the committees from each class…
I wonder if Takenaka-san went alone.
I have to apologize tomorrow.
...But can I even come to school tomorrow?...
◆―◆―◆
◆―◆―◆
April 12th
I really can’t go today.
I’m causing trouble to Takenaka-san and the whole class.
...I’m sorry.
In the evening, Kanata came to visit me.
As always, thank you.
◆―◆―◆
◆―◆―◆
April 15th
I’m still resting even though the week has passed.
Is it alright that I got into the committee?
I got a call from Tabata-sensei. I heard that my work at the committee was also handled by Takenaka-san.
I’m only causing trouble for others.
Teach told me not to worry, but I still can’t.
If I still can't make it tomorrow, Tabata-sensei told me that he’ll just assign another person to the committee.
◆―◆―◆
◆―◆―◆
April 16th
I was able to go to school after a long time.
As usual, the class was told that I just had a fever.
I apologized to Takenaka-san but she laughed it off and told me not to worry.
I’m really sorry.
Starting tomorrow, the spring orientation will begin.
I wonder if I can participate in the camp for the night.
◆―◆―◆
“Come to think of it, those did happen...”
Early in the semester, I remembered Arata took a few days off and that I was very busy then to the point of fainting.
But it was also when I got closer to Miyuki and my other friends who pitched in to help.
So it was not a negative memory for me, but...
“So Arata was bothered by it that much...”
It’s such a strange feeling.
To finally learn of Arata’s feelings in this way.
——And from this moment, to meet Arata of those days again…
“Arata...”
Muttering the name I loved so dearly… I closed the book with a thump.
◆◆◆
When I opened my eyes, it was the classroom of 3rd year class 2 I haven’t seen in a few years—I mean a few days.
(From the dates in the diary...)
That means Arata shouldn't be in school…
I looked around the classroom, and surely Arata isn’t here.
“Oh, Where is Arata?”
“Seems he’s absent today.”
“Huh, I even brought a cd he said he wants to borrow—”
I can hear a familiar voice somewhere close.
(Miyuki……)
At this point in time, We still haven’t spoken.
We shared the same class for the first time during 3rd year junior high… We’ve been together for three years now and she’s become a very important friend.
(It feels really weird.)
“Asahi? What’s wrong?”
“Ah, no, nothing.”
While I was stupefied, Hina asked me in a strange way.
(Hina is also nostalgic… This is the first time we met in a while…)
I’ve been in the same class with Tsujitani Hina for three years in junior high.
When we separated for high school, it became hard to see each other again… I never thought that our long-awaited reunion would happen at Arata's funeral.
“OK, go back to your seats—”
While I was thinking that, Tabata-sensei entered the classroom holding the attendance book.
“Absent today is… only Suzuki?”
Speaking in a matter of factly manner, he announced the end of homeroom.
“Takenaka.”
“A…… y—yes?!”
Before I knew it, Tabata-sensei was already standing in front of me.
“I’m sorry but as I said yesterday, there is a committee assembly today.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“I’m sorry but since Suzuki is absent, can you go alone?”
“I can, it’s alright.”
“Send my regards.”
Saying only that, Tabata-sensei left the classroom.
“Haa……”
I already knew, but it was still depressing.
“Asahi, Are you alright?”
:”Yes… It can’t be helped. I’ll just do my best.”
“Go!...”
While listening to Hina’s encouragement from the back, I took out a textbook from the desk and started preparing for the first period.
“—Haa..”
After the assembly, I returned to the classroom to prepare to go home.
“I wonder if this is really alright...”
What I am doing is a perfect repeat of the past.
Nothing’s changed, it remained as the events from three years ago.
(If I go home now and end the day, Arata’s diary entry will not change…)
Maybe I don’t need to change every page.
However, in order not to repeat that day… I feel I must not repeat the same things again.
(But, what should I do……)
When I looked at my hand while thinking so, there was a notebook.
It's a summary of the points discussed in the assembly earlier.
(Yes!)
It was written in the diary that it was just a cold., but I’m sure he was absent not for that reason.
Then, he must not be asleep right now.
——If he really was asleep, I decided to write a letter and put it in the notebook.
Thus I ran towards the faculty room, to Tabata-sensei.
“—I came here, again……”
When I talked to Tabata-sensei in the staff room, he gave me Arata’s address without difficulty,
I still asked as it may seem unnatural if it is revealed that I already knew Arata’s address.
——Ding Dong——
When I rang the doorbell, I heard a muffled voice following the answering sound.
“Who is it?”
“Uhm, it’s… Takenaka!”
“What?”
“I’m Takenaka! From the same class!”
“Wha, wai… Wait a minute!”
Overlapping with the panicked voice, I could hear something falling over… Is he okay?
——Click——
Waiting a little, the front door opened.
“......Hello.”
“......Hi.”
“......”
“......”
The conversation stopped.
That is obvious.
For Arata, I’m still only the girl he just got into the same class with.
—Even so, I came to his house… It’s not unusual to be treated as a suspicious individual.
“Uhm… What’s wrong?”
“A,uhm… How’s your fever?”
“...... Yeah, it’s slightly better.”
He was slightly surprised with the word fever, but Arata immediately replied to hide it.
“Ah, Tabata-sensei directed me to this address.”
“Tabata-sensei?”
“We had a committee meeting today, right? I thought that you would be worried about being absent..”
“......”
“So, if it’s okay—here!”
I said so, and presented the notebook to Arata… he received it with a slightly sad face.
“I’m sorry for causing you trouble…”
“That… everyone gets unwell sometimes too! Don’t worry about it!”
While flipping the notebook… Arata muttered ‘thank you’ and looked away.
“......”
“......”
“A, do you think you can come to school tomorrow?”
I can’t stand the silence, but I regretted the words that I involuntarily said.
“I wonder…… but I hope I can...”
“Don’t push yourself too hard, okay?”
“Thank you.”
”...”
“...”
The atmosphere is heavy.
I desperately thought about that earlier gaffe but nothing came to mind.
Wracking my brains desperately, I came up with the printout given by Tabata-sensei.
“Ah I forgot! I was asked by Tabata-sensei to bring this over.”
“Printout? Math?”
“It’s homework...”
“...Ahh.”
“...”
“...”
Once again, silence struck.
“——Then, I’m going home… Uh… you take care, alright?”
“Yeah. Thank you so much.”
In the end...I only ran away from Arata.
I turned my back from Arata holding the notebook, and I left their house.
(Aaa… Why did I say that?...)
I’m filled with regret.
I’m sure Arata must want to go to school too.
Furthermore, I already knew that since I read the diary…
“I’m really stupid...”
When my eyes got hot and I tried to wipe away the tears that were about to spill… I heard a voice calling my name.
“Takenaka-san!”
“... A, Suzuki-kun?!”
Not thinking I looked back, I see Arata outside of the doorway in panic.
“This! Thank you, It made me happy!”
(Arata...)
“It may be impossible tomorrow, but I will definitely go to school next week! I’ll see you then!”
“... Yes. I’m looking forward to it!”
Arata waved his hands largely that it made him scratch his head and went back inside the house.
Relieved, I walked back home with light steps. Reminiscing again and again about Arata.
And without waking up, I greet the next day in my dreams.
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