Chapter 207 Our Secret Talk
Hehe, I know this isnt good manners, but Im going to leave the snacks and drinks on the floor, okay?
Saying so, Amami-san lowered the tray onto the carpet and sat down on a cushion. Umi and I followed suit and sat down on a rather large cushion on the floor.
Now that I think about it, its been a while since we sat down together like this, huh? When was the last time we did this? Last years festival?
Yeah. You used to come often back then. You even stayed over a few times. Nowadays, you keep clinging to Maki-kun. Like right now~
U-Uu L-Leave me alone! I-I feel more comfortable like this, okay?
Since Amami-san was the only one here, Umi tightly wrapped her arms around mine and refused to let go. It wasnt because there was no space on the cushion. It was just something she always did. Whenever we were together, no matter where we were, whether it was on a couch, kotatsu or even on a bed, she would cling to me without fail.
A-Anyway, whats up, Yuu? What do you want to talk about?
Ah, well, you see Im just worried that you two feel ignored by me because I didnt talk to you much today Its nothing big, really. Also, dont be too harsh on Nagisa-chan. Shes actually a kind girl and she does well in class. Unlike me, I always feel sleepy in class
That last part sounds like something big to me. You know were going to take our entrance exam next year, right?
Yeah. It was easy to forget, but we would have to prepare for our entrance exam starting from next year.
We wouldnt be using all of our time studying, but it would be harder for us to gather together like this as the exam got closer. All the more so when we graduated.
I guess so Well become adults soon, huh? Back when I was little, I never thought about that
Looking back, it had been more than ten years since I started attending this place called school. Starting from grade school, it felt like a lot of time had passed. Our time as children would be up in a little over a year.
I dont want to think about my childhood too much But I remember that before I met Umi and the others, I didnt enjoy going to school Back then, I was too shy to make any friends and everyone avoided me because of my hair. Everyday I only went with the flow, going to school in the morning, listening to the teachers listlessly then going back home after lunch.
You had rough times in your life too, huh, Amami-san?
Do you think so? Compared to you, mine was nothing, you know? Come to think of it, what were you like when you were in grade school, Maki-kun? I know you keep transferring schools, but Id never heard about the specifics. Youre curious too, right, Umi?
Yeah I want to know too, but you know, Makis situation is a little complicated, it concerns his family too, so
Umi held my hand tightly. Well, it wasnt like I was trying to keep my past a secret. No one asked me about it before, so I never brought it up.
I held Umis hand back and nodded.
Are you sure, Maki?
Mhm. Its not like Im trying to keep it a secret anyway. Ask away if youre curious.
Well, Id be reluctant to tell random people, but since Umi and Amami-san were the ones asking, I wouldnt mind. Besides, it would be unfair of me if I didnt tell them about my past even though I heard about theirs.
Here, a question! How many schools have you transferred to so far?
Alright, Amami-san Um I dont know If we are talking about grade school, I think I went to five schools? No, I believe its six. On average, I moved once a year, though I stayed in one school longer than the others
Woah I also transferred back in grade school, but I only did it once. If I were you, Id get sick of it quickly. My dad also had to move a lot because of his job, but ever since we moved here, he never transferred away again.
I see Whats his job if I may ask?
A civil servant, he works for the prefectural government currently. He said he met my mom because of work Ah, by the way, dont mention him in front of mom, shell start boasting about how much she loves him, youll get sick of it quickly.
If you go to the city hall, where Amami-sans dad worked, youd see a lot of posters for various projects. Maybe they met through one of those projects. Whatever the case, it was an interesting turn of events for them.
He wasnt attending the birthday party because he was busy with work, but maybe well get a chance to meet one day.
My turn next. You said you didnt have any friends, but did you not have anyone to talk with at school? Transfer students usually attract a lot of attention, no? There should be some nice people among those who tried to talk to you.
Yeah, Im sure there were, but back then, I actively tried to make people stay away from me. There were plenty of friendly people, but they werent good-natured enough to approach me after I clearly rejected them.
That was what made Umi special to me.
Hehe, arent you glad, Umi? Youre the first girl Maki-kun accepted and really got close with~
I-I dont care about that!
Liar~ I could see your nervous face when Maki-kun was talking about his past~
I should sew that mouth of yours shut.
No~ Maki-kun, help me!~ Umi is bullying me~
Acting like Nina wont help you.
Those two were making a fuss without minding me, who was sitting in between them. Well, I wasnt against it, it was nice to see them having fun.
Eventually, I joined them and made a lot of noise too, to the point that Eri-san walked into the room and warned us about it.
After that, we spent the rest of our time talking about various things. From the things that were currently trending in school, what we were doing for fun, our complaints about our families and stuff that we wouldnt talk about with them.
Before we realized it, it was already late.
Oh no, its already this late. Im sorry you two, because of me, you two couldnt spend time together
Its fine. I got to hear about Makis past, so its a win for me.
Yeah, its fine. Its rare for me to have this much fun talking about random topics like this. Thank you, Amami-san.
I see If you two say so then Thank you for listening to my selfish request
Well, she was the star of the day, so she had the right to be selfish. Umi and I could hang out together whenever we wanted to anyway.
Compared to my relationship with Umi, my relationship with Amami-san was a feeble one. There was a possibility that we would drift apart depending on our career paths.
She was an important friend of Umi. If possible, I wanted to keep a good relationship with her too, so I would try to help her in any way I can.
See you later, Umi, Maki-kun.
Mm, see you later, Amami-san.
Dont oversleep, okay, Yuu?
After saying our goodbyes to Amami-san, we went on our way toward Umis house, where Sora-san and Riku-san had been waiting for us. The birthday party was over, but that didnt mean my day was over. I was tired, but Id be alone with Umi after this, so I just needed to bear with it a little longer.
Maki-kun! Umi!
Hm? Whats wrong, Yuu?
Well always be friends, right? You two will always be my friends, right?
Of course. You wont be able to get rid of me even if you want to, Yuu.
I nodded to show my agreement.
It was obvious. Yeah, maybe we wouldnt meet as often when we got older, but as long as we keep in contact with each other regularly, we could stay friends.
Hehe Thank you! I love you two!
Amami-san waved her hands in the air with a big smile and we waved our hands back in return.
Jeez, whats with her? Overreacting like that.
Well, thats just like her, isnt it?
I guess so. Shes so cute.
The three of us waved until we could no longer see each other.