Volume 4 - CH 10

〇 Future

“M-Midori……!”

“Yo, Kouki.”

A person who unlocked the door of the house and suddenly entered the living room. It was my best friend, Ushijima Midori.

“Why are you at my house……!?”

“I was just passing by your house and thought I’d stop by….did I interrupt you?”

“No, you’re not……, I mean, what happened to the key……?”

“The door was open normally. Aren’t you being too careless?”

I-I see…….I normally forget to lock it…..even so…….

“Your atmosphere has changed somehow……”

“Is that so? I haven’t seen you since we graduated from college. And it’s normal when you’re 27 , right?”

“Well, I guess that’s true, but……”

Even so, it has changed a lot. The cool blond hair that exudes a gyaru feeling is now dyed in black, and the length of her hair kept to her shoulder level. Also, she wore a white blouse and a long skirt, it looks pretty, or rather, neat and clean….it’s a miracle when I know that it was Midori.

“I know that this is bad manners….but, what are you doing right now?”

“Hm? I’m a teacher. At high school.”

“Teacher?”

I was really surprised, though it was really rude. I didn’t realize that Midori was a teacher, even though we attended the same university……I don’t remember what department she was in, but we don’t have an education department at our university. So did she get a regular teaching license…..? No wait, maybe this Midori is there because the past has changed. Whatever the case, it doesn’t change the image of the unexpected.

“I’m telling you, it’s your fault. That I became a teacher.”

“Me….?”

You looked pretty pitiful before you started as a broadcaster, right? You were compared to your younger brother and things didn’t go very well. Even so, other people don’t know your pain. About what kind of treatment you were given by your parents at school. I know, but I wouldn’t have known if I hadn’t tried to know. But I’m sure there are children in the world who can’t talk about it with anyone. What may seem like a trivial matter to others may be an important issue for the person concerned, as if their life depended on it. I became a teacher because I wanted to understand their suffering as much as possible. I want to quit, though, because of the low pay and hard work.”

“……Well, why don’t we become a broadcaster together……?”

“Well…I’m gonna pass. I’d like to quit, but there are so many things to do when it comes to quitting. The adult world is a messy place.”

“Well…..,I guess so.”

I’m truly amazed. I never thought that Midori had become such an adult. But when I listened to her, I felt strangely comfortable. The events of the past are connected to the future. When it comes to this, I wonder what kind of adult she would’ve become in the original timeline. I regret that I didn’t try to know.

“So, what happened between you and your brother? Did you make up?”

“No, I don’t think so……are you asking me to make up with him?”

“Either way. I’m sure it would be better if you could reconcile, but even if you cut  ties, it won’t affect your life. I haven’t seen my family for about a year either. That’s just the way it is with family.

“……I guess that’s true.”

I don’t know what a normal family is. I’ve been living on my own since I started college, and I hardly remember going home to my parents’ house since then. It can’t be helped if I were called a disobedient child, even by Midori who came from a normal family. I guess it’s like that.

“What is it then? Win against your younger brother. It doesn’t matter anymore.”

‘Well……I wonder.”

As long as I have reached this future, I must have won against Daiki in the past that I don’t know about. I don’t mean to say that I want to win all the time. If I win once and gain confidence, that’s fine. The problem is that I have no memory of it. That’s why.”

“One more time. I’m going to win one more time. As long as I can do that, that’s all that matters.”

“Hmm. Well, that’s all right then. I used to encourage you irresponsibly in the past. I was just curious. You remember that, don’t you? The time I went to your house.”

“Ah….. I remember.”

“You don’t remember. It doesn’t matter. I said something like this. I told him that if you just keep trying to win, you would win someday. So you don’t have to take any special measures.”

I don’t have that memory. So it must’ve happened in the past where the future has changed. I see…..

“Irresponsible, indeed.”

“Encouragement is usually irresponsible. So I’m going to be irresponsible one more time. Don’t worry, you can beat your brother. So when the time comes for you to compete, do it with confidence. If you lose, I’ll cheer you up.”

“……I’m tempted to lose if you say that.”

“Haha, indeed. I used to think that not being able to meet you was the right thing to do. Now that I’m an adult……, it’s a little lonely, a bit.”

Seriously. I really miss her a bit, but.

“Then the next time we meet, it’ll be to celebrate my victory. I’ll definitely call you. Then we’ll meet.”

“…..I guess you’re right. If I want to see you, I’ll see you. It’s that simple.”

It’s easy. That’s right. It’s such a simple thing, but when you grow up, you can’t do it. But we’re adults. Once you make a promise, you can’t go back on it.

“I have to win……absolutely.”

I’ve got everyone with me, and I’ve been working hard for 27 years. Don’t worry. I’m going to win. All I have to do is wait for the right moment.