Chapter 26: CH 26

“I’m sorry, but I’ve decided to graduate from this school. I’ve realized that this wide world suits me better than the small world over there. Well, I’ll be back there for New Year’s and long vacations, and I’ll apply to your school for college.”

After that email, Souta stopped replying, and I immediately went to talk to Chris.

“I’m sorry, Yukiya-san, there are actually various things… And since he hasn’t learned his lesson at all, he will be deported…”

Chris seems to have avoided permanent residence, but she mutters…

What are you talking about, deportation or permanent residence?

“No, I’m talking about here–well, we had a family meeting and decided that my brother needs to be in a new environment… He also needs to be on a diet…”

For some reason, Chris looked disgusted.

“It’s a matter of family and his career, so please leave him alone for now. I will take responsibility so that Yukiya-san and Kanae-san will not be inconvenienced any further…”

I don’t remember being bothered by him, but if it’s because of his family situation or his own career, I can’t say anything more.

Well, it seems that he will be able to get in touch with me after a while, and he will come back regularly. If Souta is a talented person, he might really be better suited for overseas.

So I just sent him a text message saying, “Call me when you go back.”

Then, on my way home from school that day.

I’m walking hand in hand with Kanae.

This was unthinkable a few weeks ago, and I wish I could tell you how I felt when I walked home depressed.

I should be so happy and proud of myself, but for some reason, my heart is not in the right place.

“… Yuki-kun, can you turn around for a second?”

I turned my whole body towards Kanae as she pulled my hand, and she hugged me from the front.

“Okay, okay… Yuki-kun, you’re sad that Souta-kun is gone, aren’t you …?”

Kanae stretches out her arms as best she can and rubs my back.

“Yes, it’s… but then so is Kanae…”

But Kanae smiled as if she was troubled.

“It’s a lie to say that I’m not lonely at all, but maybe that’s the difference between boys and girls.”

Kanae is kind of mature and reliable. And with this kind of care, you really want to spoil her…

“Yuki, can you bend over for a second?”

It was a line I had heard before, and I did as I was told.

I did as I was told and bent over. Kanae’s small hand reached out and clasped my face in hers.

“Stay still…?”

She whispered, and I had to open my eyelids instead of my mouth as she slowly pulled my face closer to hers.

The too-soft touch of her lips on mine numbed my brain and heated my core.

But Kanae’s face quickly left…

“Heh, heh… I’d be happy to fill Yuki-kun’s loneliness, even if it’s just a little…!”

While saying such a healthy thing, Kanae smiled with a bright red face.

Rather than burying my loneliness, I imagined that a huge tower with Kanae’s mark had been built there.

I apologized in my heart. I’m sorry, Souta. My sorrow for you has been completely reclaimed by the memory of my first kiss with her. The tower was built on top of the landfill.

I’m sure that no matter how many years go by, the only thing I’ll remember from this day will be my kiss with Kanae.

“Hmmm, but now we’ve really kissed, and the rumors of that photo have come true… hehehehe.”

Kanae’s face melted into a grin.

“I’m sure that’s what they were talking about, right?”

In my heated mind, I suddenly remembered the photo of the unknown source that had been declared a cold case.

“Well, in that picture, Yuki and I were supposed to have kissed… and that made me happy, but we didn’t actually do it… so I felt like I was missing out all the time…”

From the way she was talking, I guessed that she felt it was a loss that I hadn’t actually kissed her.

I felt as if I was being sought after, and my self-esteem was tickled.

I feel like I want to thank Souta and the people who took the photos that started the whole thing.

Kanae’s devotion has made us closer, and now we start walking again, snuggled together.

This time, Kanae said to me as if she was looking at me.

“You know, Yuki-kun… I’ve been feeling lonely and anxious, too… There’s a lot of noise around here, too…”

Kanae’s attitude is too unnatural. And when Kanae is like this, it’s usually when she has a favor to ask or something to discuss. What is it? I want you to tell me anything.

“Yeah, I guess you’re right…”

I was a bit self-conscious, but I went along with Kanae’s story.

“That’s right, isn’t it? It’s dangerous and scary…!”

“It’s dangerous, isn’t it?”

He joked a bit, but urged her to continue with the story.

“That’s why! I want you to come live with me at my house from today on!”

Oh, I see, that’s what she was talking about.

If I hadn’t been informed in advance, my eyes would have lit up and I would have been in a panic

Kanae, too, began to fumble and get impatient, as if she realized she hadn’t said enough.

“No, that’s not it! It is true that I want you to live with me, but not forever, but I want to live with you forever, Yuki-kun! So, let’s see… that?”

Kanae was trying her best to explain, but halfway through she tilted her head as if she was lost.

I was so taken aback by Kanae’s innocent gesture that it was hard to hold back the burning around my mouth.

“Oh… are you saying that while uncle and aunt are away, I’ll be taking care of you from time to time?”

“What–why–why…?”

Kanae asked timidly.

“Well, it seems that Kanae’s house has been talking about it to my house.”

That was a week ago.

“Hey, Yuki, can you come and go to Kanae’s house for a while?”

“Kanae’s parents are going to be away for a while, and they’re worried about her alone, so I want you to go check on her, and if necessary, have her stay with us. You can be a guard dog or a shield, can’t you?”

Suddenly, my parents gave me such an order.

No, no, no, I can’t believe I’m saying this, but what do you mean, you’re worried about her and you’re bringing in something dangerous (me)?

Out of embarrassment and stupidity, I made a fuss about ethics and common sense.

But there was no way that my father could accept such excuses.

“Shut up! The two families have already agreed on this! We’ve already talked about this! Go!”

He was a skinhead over two meters tall. I think he should be in a prison or a cage in a zoo.

Normally, I would have been repulsed by that, but being the kind of dirty-minded person who would be troubled if they really did drop it, I resolutely kept my mouth shut and agreed to it without a single complaint.

Yes, I knew about the situation a week ago.

So I was also looking for an opportunity to tell Kanae about it. Well, in the end, Kanae beat me to it…

“Ugh… mom, you never said anything like that!”

Kanae says with a grudge and presses her face against my chest.

The sensation of itchiness and Kanae’s good smell naturally made me feel naughty.

“Well, well, no matter how much Kanae and I are dating, of course we’re going to talk to each other’s parents.”

However, since she said it was okay for me to visit her house, I wanted to make sure I didn’t betray her trust.

“So, why don’t we have dinner together? I’ll bring some dishes from my place, and we can collect the empty plates when I get back, so there won’t be any trouble.”

Kanae tilted her head at my peaceful suggestion to start with a meal instead of a sleepover.

“What are you talking about, going home?”

Kanae sticks to me and looks up at me curiously.

“We’re going to go to Yuki-kun’s house now and get a change of clothes and other things we need, right? Can I help you carry them?”

There was a moment of silence, and Kanae and I stared at each other.

I felt a few sparks fly.

Huh… Looks like we need to have a discussion.

I began to explain to my beloved girlfriend about the dangers of adolescent boys–