Kokoro Connect - Volume 6 - Chapter 7

Chapter 7 - Under the Starry Night

On the day of the school trip, the class met at the pre-designated location at the airport.

Taichi was seen out by his sister saying, "Please get the souvenirs for me and the family! The souvenirs for me are expensive!". On his way, he met up with his friends from class, Watase, Sone, and Miyagami, and they headed to the airport together.

They thought they have arrived too early, but there were surprisingly many people who have arrived early. Taichi and the others assembled with everyone from their class and dropped off their luggage.

“Why did you bring so much stuff?”

Watase asked Sone. Sone carried a large Boston bag and on his back a backpack.

“I brought manga. If there is a chance, I will have a discussion on manga with you.”

Sone smiled broadly and Watase hit the bag with his hand.

“Ohh, isn’t that great! If there is something to talk about on the school trip, the topic is able the girl you like but, for one day, it will be nice to have a late night old men’s talk!”

It looks like Sone, the type who does not appear in the open, hasn’t exchanged a glance with Watase, a generally popular character, but they mutually have an interest in manga and are friendly with each other.

As it approaches the time to meet up, people are gradually gathering. The baseball club’s Ishikawa, Nagase, Kiriyama, Nakayama, Kurihara, came to Taichi and other’s side.

“The group of girls not in their uniforms is gorgeous, huh? It has the feeling of the school trip arriving, huh?”

Seemingly like it was on purpose, Miyagami gave a few push to his glasses and whispered.

Prepared to head to the north, everyone are wearing slightly thicker clothes.

“Where are you feeling that it is a school trip? I won’t disagree with the gorgeous part though.”

From now on, they will be off campus lessons, but staying overnight with everyone will be special.

Coupling the cheerful and excited atmosphere together, even though it is early in the morning, everyone’s expressions relaxed twenty percent more.

“I’m going to go to the toilet so take care of my luggage.” “Ah, me too.” Said Miyagami and Sone, and the two went to the opposite direction so Taichi gathered the luggage to the side.

“Three nights four days in Hokkaido! I’m so excited…..!”

Nakayama, who was snorting, was shaking her body.

“Nakayama-chan. Your partner on this school trip is a fine boyfriend, so you’re extremely excited.”

Kurihara said while looking at Ishikawa who was coincidentally beside her

“Yu, Yu, Yukina-chan!? I’m still not that open about that area,!”

“Eh!? Nakayama, Who are you dating!?”

Watase immediately asked but Nakayama denied with a broken speech, “It is still a secret! Still!”,

By the way, beside them, trapped in a refuge from the gazes, Ishikawa stiffly scratched his cheek.

Taichi looked at Kiriyama’s direction. And, Kiriyama was also similarly looking at Taichi. They exchanged looks.

Giving those two a small push from the back and they became happy. That alone, to Taichi was a feeling that cannot be described. It seems like he can accept his own existence.

“Even…..Nakayama? I really want to hurry as much as I can as well. I will get on this strange Love Boom trend!”

Watase tightly clenched his fist.

And, Nagase, who didn’t join the surrounding chatter, came closer to Taichi.

“Is it ok?”

Turning their back to the others, Nagase asked.

“What is?”

“It is getting close to the peak of the Love Boom and isn’t there a lot of consultations with Taichi?”

“…..Well, I guess.”

It was as Nagase said. Up until the day before, swarms of people saying, “I want to take part in the consultation.” “It’s because it’s superstition” came to Taichi. Of course, there were many people who were really hoping for an answer for only superstitions, but there were also the sort of people who may have heard the rumor and until they receive an answer they won’t confess. There were those whose answer were withheld and each one begged, “Hurry up. There’s no more time.”

“It feels like a critical point here. Be careful.”

“Nagase, are you our ally?”

After with a glancing confirming with Kiriyama, Taichi asked.

“I’m not your ally…..I wonder. But also not your enemy. I just don’t want something serious to happen. But after anything like that happening, I will be too late.”

Nagase definitively said that she is not an ally. At the same time, she said that she is also not an enemy. At first glance, it is indecisiveness and in reality, it feels like she has thought about things carefully.

“Perhaps I should say, it’s upright though.”

Nagase murmured.

“Tough, you said?”

“That’s because -----”

【A boy. Certainly it’s a boy from class A. Inside the airport. The boy was tugging on his luggage. A cord was stretched. The bag’s cord was caught in the door. The boy tugged on it vigourously. It was free. A pleased face surfaced.】

------ From deduction from the “Dream Perception” just now, it looks like the cord of the boy’s bag was caught in the door and he is in trouble. Is it nearby? It’s better to go and help him. Taichi’s gaze wandered around.

And, in front of him, Nagase closed her eyes and tightly grabbed her forehead. It is understood that from that action, the “Dream Perception” has also happened to Nagase. And then it was the timing.

“…..Was it a guy from class A?”

Taichi asked and Nagase with a scowl face nodded.

While her head was lowered after nodding, Nagase for a brief moment did not move. And then after she raised her head and says.

“In this case, the circumstance is that we know someone requires help. Even I, it looks like it was the same with Taichi.”

Hidden by her long hair, he couldn’t see Nagase’s expression from the side.

“Ah…..”

Taichi tried to take action immediately. However, Nagase did not try to move.

Even though they saw the same “dream”. Even Nagase, knew someone else’s desire. That---.

“That guilt, it’s quite there huh? Whenever it is heard from others, thanks to Taichi and Yui, sort of talk and being asked “Is it ok with you?”.”

----accompanied with pain. Taichi himself didn’t try to understand the agony of Nagase and the others. Now after such a long time, he noticed it. Because they themselves were worried by wondering to what extent they will intervene with “Dream Perception”, it was serious and the other three people is assumed to ignore which was misunderstood as carefree.

“I…..”

“Well, leave that guy alone.”

Seemed like a joke, she made an action of leaving aside something that cannot be seen like a mime.

“…..According to something I heard, Taichi. Is Fujihsima suspicious of us?”

Thud, already taken one hit, he felt that he was strike with another hit.

“Does she……know?”

“That, it is probably bad.”

Nagase asserted.

“An outside party knowing about the “phenomenon”, it would be hard to think that they will leave it alone. “Something” will be done by that guy. And I don’t know what that “something” is. …..Be cautious.”

The school trip seemed to have become something that Taichi has no way to be only allowed to enjoy and he can’t be careless.

Before departure, Taichi went to the washroom.

“Ah, Yaegashi-kun! Could you come here for a bit!?”

And, as he came out of the washroom, a girl from a different class called him. Probably Setouchi’s friend and he has talked to her a little before. A girl with a showy appearance.

“Well~, it’s great to have caught you! I’ve been wanting to consult with you for a long time, I thought though you see~”

“There’s still a little time but….. Now?”

“Yeah, now now! Quickly solve it!”

The girl’s mood was considerably light. According to that kind of mood smoothly explaining to Taichi, it appears that that girl is dating a boy right now but has been confessed to by another boy.

“And, Nakajima and Makihara, which one is more suited for me? Which one really likes me, do you know about it? I heard from rumors saying that you can.”

“That sort of circumstance is not good I wonder…… Perhaps I should ask, aren’t you dating Nakajima now? Why are you talking about being indecisive?”

“Well, well. If that’s the case~”

“Don’t you like your current boyfriend?”

“I like him, that is. But if I was told by a guy, “I like you” who’s likability isn’t too bad, then I became liking that boy. Now, my boyfriend also said “I like you” so I became liking him.”

A light way of saying it. But, Taichi thought that it was certain that a kind of truth has been revealed.

Because she was told “I like you” then she “likes him”. That is perhaps the train of thought about the correct feelings as a human being. However, if one tries to think about the morality of that logic, then that person would be puzzled, a evil cycle.

“…..I will probably understand to a certain degree if you give time to me about the compatibility problem. But, how much time it will take, I don’t know. The answer not given has happened, but.”

Taichi gave an understandable answer on the spot. “That will be troubling. Giving a response before the school trip, the person who was confessed to was told that, that person will have hopes. Because of that, huh? So, which one should I turn to?”

There was a feeling that the girl has mistaken Taichi for a fortune teller.

“In the end, should the persons themselves decided…..”

“That is why if I could decided, then I would have decided. I couldn’t so I came to consult you. Which one do you think? Ah, this conversation is off the records, off the records. That’s because I can rely on your tight lips.”

“But, only yourself can decided which one……”

Which one ? That means a sudden question about the appearance of the correct romance. However hasn’t a similar situation happen to myself? Nagase or Inaba? Which one will you choose? ….’’’Which one will you choose?’’’ At first, I chose Nagase myself ---- After I noticed that the ideal situation was pushed on me but. Because I know that Nagase and Inaba have feelings towards me, I made an expression towards one of the two.

It’s not an idea of who do you like the most or who do you like more than the other, it is thinking about which one. As though, you are presented with a choice and you only choose, like a role playing game.

Now after all this time, I am questioning my own morality.

Because you were told “I like you”, then you have feelings for the other. Becoming liking the other.

“Ummm…..Yaegashi-kun?”

“Eh, ah. My bad.”

Taichi entered his own world. He tries to change over but it did not go well.

Ahhh, what’s with this? My head is not spinning properly. I don’t know whether it is correct on how to deal with this. Already, hurry up. ----If can hurry up and see the answer from the “Dream Perception”, it would be easier.

“Hey, Yaegashi-kun?”

Taichi couldn’t answer immediately. However, the girl looks like she wants an answer immediately.

There’s quite a bit, of guilt----, in a situation where you know someone’s trouble and escape from it? Thanks to Taichi and Yui, every time you listen to someone’s story, it looks like you are asked, “Are you the ok for this?” ---. As a person who gives somebody their hand, it cannot be done. That is the duty as a person who lends their hand.

What should I do? Ahhh, I see. Is it ok if I answer with determination? Make a judgment, by myself.

And then at that time, since the start of the phenomena, of the many consultations I have taken charge of, this time is the first time I can think of where I am in a situation where I make a decision based on “myself”.

Let’s do it. I can do it myself. With my own determination, an answer.

Is the advice to myself, to other people, able to be convincing?

----It isn’t.

With that fact, in front of Taichi’s eyes, it became pitch black ---.

But at that moment, in front of his eyes, the girl he was consulting with became two people……No. This is.

【A girl is there. It is the girl Taichi was consulting with. The girl was with a boy. The two were flirting. They looked like a couple. The boy is, Makihara --- the boy who confessed to her so she came to consult about it just now.】

“…..Well, if it’s already impossible then it’s ok but.”

I don’t want her to be disappointed in me. I don’t want to her think that I couldn’t do it.

I can see, the answer. What the girl is thinking herself, her desire…… That is what I can find out from “Dream Perception”. She can’t know it herself but. Her real thought is that. That is why, I shall giver her nothing but a small bush from the back.

I will carry out my duty and do what I can do.

“…..Makihara, I guess?”

□■□■□

“Hokkaido~~~~~~~! So huge~~~~~~~~~!”

“…..Not having any embarrassment saying that, you are amazing.”

Kurihara was amazed at the excited Nagase.

“Nah, it will be awkward if I don’t say it once. Don’t you agree, Nakayama-chan?”

“Yeah yeah. Yukina-chan, say it say it! And also Yui-chan too!”

“Hu,huge…..~~”

“If it’s embarrassing, Yui won’t do it.

From the airport together, the second year classes from Yamaboshi High School next split into busses and boarded them and were transported to their destination. During their ride, the one straight road going for ever and the vast agriculture use land raised everyone’s excitement, but for about one hour of being rocked by the bus, they got off. Right now in front of them is a wide and magnificent grass field that “This Is Hokkaido” should be said. Everyone has reached their peak of excitement.

I wonder if Inaba and Aoki from the different class is the same, Taichi thought by chance.

“I thought about it when we arrived on the plane but as I thought, the air is cold right?”

Nakayama said and immediately Nagase got into the conversation and fooled around.

“A cold breath! Fuuuuuuu~~~!”

“Oh,Ohh! Iori let out a breath that is for sure zero degrees!?”

Anyways, it looked fun.

“Wow~Wide~. How many soccer fields? Like this, how many Tokyo Domes can fit here?”

“If you don’t try it, you won’t know. Yes…..Yahooo~~~~~~~~! …..I could hear it. I could hear it now!” “You misheard.”

Watase and the boys were in a good mood.

“No no, saying “Yahooo!” is extremely childish. Right, Yaegashi?”

“Your “how many Tokyo Domes” is about the same.”

“It was only understanding the basics. ….And, isn’t your excitement low? Car sick?”

“Huh…..is that so?”

Patching things over while laughing, Taichi actually felt that.

At the airport before departing this morning, the girl he took up the consultation with. He was worried that whether the answer was, too easy.was certainly thinking of getting along Makihara. That is why he suggested something like that. But, saying why, he doesn’t know what her boy friend is thinking now. Generally, is it good to exchange your current lover because you were confessed to by another lover…..?

“Is there something on your mind?”

That was also unexpected. Taichi has a matter where he is withholding the answer where he was consulted on. He would probably be contacted by some people.

“There is but…..”

“Hey Yaegashi”

Watase grabbed Taichi’s head and shoulders.

“The sky!”

Said Watase and Taichi with a push his head faced upwards.

In front of his eyes was a deep blue sky spreading out. If there’s an expression, it is painting whose beauty, even if it is only one colour “blue”, the gradation from the different shadings, cannot be put into words. Here and there, there are round mochis stuck close together stretched across. The attractiveness from those clouds comes to mind.

“Grass fields!”

The thinly brown colour started to change into a green carpet but it was on the level where the land continues to the ends. It was spread all over across the surface and it wavered in the wind. The plain, which continued to the end of the world, makes one think of wanting to run across the place where you can go.

“Forest!”

If one changed their sights to the left side, the beautiful white bark of the trees and the yellow leaves swaying were crowded together. The trees were a little thin and there was not overbearing atmosphere given off from the deep forest. It looks like being wrapped by a kind and carefree person.

“And then the air! Yes, deep breath!”

The clean and clear air drove all of the waste accumulating inside the body out…… It felt good……

“……Isn’t there an animal stink?”

“…..Yeah, I also thought of it after saying it. It looks like there are ranches nearby.”

While Watase was saying, well, missing the conclusion and I’ll leave it, he let go of Taichi’s head.

“How is it? Aren’t you feeling better?”

Thinking that it is extremely simple is irritating but undoubtedly it is as Watase said. A gloomy heart like the sky has become clear. I must enjoy the school trip.

“Ohh, in front of nature, my own worries are all trivial.”

“Hey hey……that smell of grass. Without thinking, it is on the level of choking.”

“Shut up.”

Somehow, isn’t it embarrassing?

Taichi and the others visited a center where they can learn about environmental problems on the first day’s first trip. Next, they headed to the aboriginal museum.

The lifestyle of the men and women of the aboriginals were reproduced as a community on the side of a lake. Houses with thatch roofs were lined up and plants that were used as medicine and food a long time ago were grown. A boat that was carved from a big tree was floating on the lake. Also, the exhibition corner was also complete. So far, the place was not very big and the class had free time without making groups inside the facility.

Taichi went with Watase, Sone, and Miyagami as well as another of boys.

“Hey, there’s a bear, a bear!”

A person saw the bear kept inside the pen and said.

“Bear…..Why?” “Let’s all go.” “Bear……Kiriyama is undoubtedly strong at Karate. I wonder if she can win against a bear? How about it Yaegashi?”

“….. I wonder, 8 vs 2?”

“Against a bear it is “2”!? It’s not a person!”

Well, of course it was a joke but.

“Oh, Thanks, thanks, Yaegashi-kun.”

At the moment Taichi tried to move, a boy from another class called him. His hair was dyed. If one were say so that it’s easily understood, he is a flashy type of boy. His attitude towards people is good and knows many people. Taichi has also talked to him a few times (Often teasing related to Taichi’s girlfriend).

“How’s your plans with Inaba-san on the school trip?”

“Well, it doesn’t seem like anything particular….”

“Uh-oh…..in some kind of fight? It’s not bad if there isn’t. Even if you and her getting bored with each other.”

Up till there is an awkward, situation probably. Certainly, Taichi couldn’t have a conversation with Inaba, not even able to text or phone her.

Trying to look at her directly is uncomfortable but Taichi was slowly engrossed in it. …..I get it, it’s an extremely dangerous situation now. If I screw up, then it is possible for us two to break up. But, there for I will say, I can’t give up the path I walked down now. I won’t turn, that is.

“Anyways, the topic is different but. The evening of the day after tomorrow, you see, we’ll be exploring in Sapporo. It’s Ok for us to eat what we like. At that time…… there’s a certain plan but.”

Suppressing his emotional voice, while cautious of his surroundings, the boy said.

“Plan?”

“Yeah, plan….. “Sapporo　nighttime free exploration time plan”, that sort of thing. Well, during the Sapporo exploration, we will ignore the group and let’s play with the guys we like.”

“…..huh, it’s not good to ignore the group.”

“You’re wrong. I’m saying let’s make time where we can have time as a couple with the girl you are going out with. Friendship is important, but you see, as one would expect time for a couple in love is also important. The entire grade is having this framework. The person who one can confess at that timing, will probably be there.”

“But the people not taking part…..”

“Those guys will gather up with those guys and will get excited! I have a feeling. So, will it go alright?”

“I get what you’re saying. But….. will it go alright, what are you saying?”

“Well, I’m saying it’s to make sure with the founder of romance presently, Yaegashi-kun.”

“You’re exaggerating. What do you want to make sure with me?”

“Honestly, I want authorization. I think everyone wants that but are hesitating, saying “Is everyone also really doing it?” But if they have Yaegashi-kun’s authorization….. Everyone will stop hesitating!”

“That’s why, I’m saying you’re exaggerating.”

“I’m not exaggerating – It’s that, you really have that sort of influence over them?”

Influence. My own influence. …..Is this, “my own” power?”

“Because it is the long awaited school trip, everyone wants to make memories.”

“But, certainly….. isn’t it completely free time on the last day in Otaru?”

“That’s during the day. It is something different at night-“

The boy did not let down his broad smile. Whatever Taichi says, the boy can’t see anything but his own distorted assertion.

“Hey, everyone will be happy for sure. If they can make it to the gathering time, it’s not like there will be any trouble to anyone else.”

Everyone being happy and there won’t be any trouble caused to anyone else.

If one were to try thinking about only that logic, then there will be no reason to deny it.

It is not the same as the thinking about the things happening to Taichi and Kiriyama now.

“…..Well, if there are a lot of people wanting to do that, then, not a big deal, isn’t it ok?”

“Oh, really, a go sign! Well, is it ok to tell everyone about that?”

“Are you going to use my name?”

“Of course right? If not, the effect will weaken! Even so, you won’t be blamed for the crime of the plan? The ones proposing the plan is me and the other guys. Yaegashi-shi is only a curator!”

Crime. Taichi had gooseflesh from that word.

Am I committing a terrible offense now?

Until now, have I been continuing making a contradiction?

“Well, I’ll leave you with that. Also take care of Inaba-san~.”

Saying that, the boy left.

“…..Taking care of Inaba, huh?”

Really, I think that if I neglect my girlfriend then what are we doing for a long time.

□■□■□

The next morning, the class had an experience in agriculture and in the afternoon, they had a horse back riding experience and a livestock farm experience. Everyone individually participated in their choice for their educational experience.

The agricultural experience was finished and in the afternoon, Taichi’s choice was rafting, in a gum boat, and going down a river with rapids.

First, they made preparations before they head for their experience. They wore a dry suit and a lifejacket. Their preparations are completed wearing a helmet and carrying a paddle.

“This overdone preparations…..It feels like entering the army huh? Salute!”, said Sone as he fools around.

The route was from the hill to the riverside. They started from the place they carried the gum boat to. One group had six people (+ one instructor). Taichi and the others carried a gum boat which is a size where seven people can sit in two rows. While walking, in the beginning, Watase and Miyagami said, “Somehow, this feels like an exploration!” “No, it’s an expedition!” “No, exploration!” “Expedition!”. They had an argument about something that Taichi did not care a bit. (In the end, Taichi suggested “adventure” and an agreement was established. Was that ok?).

Once again, they received warnings and instructions from the instructor and confirmed their shouts and actions. At last they headed out. They got on the gum boat and floated on top of the river. There was a feeling of the waves hitting from meeting the river’s movement but the gum boat surprisingly has an image of holding together.

“Woah, aren’t we floating! Let’s go, onwards!” “When I think it’s stupid kid-like, then it’s super thrilling!”

From the bottom of everyone’s heart, they seem to be having fun.

The width of the start point was probably about 20 meters. Right now it was calm, but as we progressed down, there were places where the flow was considerably swift. The river banks for the entire way had an overgrown forest continuing and it had a nervousness like going through a primitive land.

“Are you scared, Yaegashi?”

Beside him, Ishikawa asked.

“Well….. If one were to fall in and swept away straight down…..you would reach the Sea of Okhotsk?”

“That kind of negative thinking!” Said Watase interrupting.

“Hah! Right now, it is certainly like Enjouji’s negative thinking…….”

“Who’s Enjouji? Well, if you fall in, I’ll help you.”

“I, Ishikawa, so cool! This school trip, You’ll also get a girl friend!”, shouted Miyagami.

“Well, too late ….. It’s not something to talk about on the water.”

Knowing that Ishikawa and Nakayama are dating, what sort of response will the group of boys make?

Gradually the rapids increased. The bad rolled on the current. Going over the natural difference in level, the water sprayed on to their faces.

That is the truly nature’s rollercoaster. It was something that the entire body can feel the natural dynamics. That is……

“It is an exciting and thrilling adventure!”

“Ohh, Yaegashi’s excitement is announced! What’s more, it’s like a second rate slogan for a ride in an amusement park!” shouted Miyagami.

“It’s, it’s good but don’t really care.”

From the halfway, they used the paddle and splashed water into other boats. This sort of game was suggested by the instructor. Intended for school groups coming for a trip, it seemed like this was in the program originally.

“Hey, hey, hey, hey! Stop splashing water!”

Unexpectedly, if you can say that, Sone made a considerable hassle and was violent. Whether it was a boy or a girl, he did not mind and swung his paddle around.

“…..That guy, if you can see him as gentle and fair, then he is the type who changes his personality.”

Watase swung from the back and whispered to Taichi.

And, from the back, someone’s voice can be heard. At the same time, there was a present of a boat from his back. The boat from behind had speed. Wasn’t that the girls’ boat. And then, they crossed paths.

“Evil acts will be punished! Hyahhh!”

Fujishima Maiko splashed a violent amount of water pinpointing Sone.

“Good bye!” as she said that, Fujishima riding her boat left.

“Wha…..What is with that kid\s with that way of cutting the river’s water and the way she shows her snapping her wrist…..! A girl without brute strength can act like that…..!”

The instructor was struck with admiration. That was some potential.

“Fujishima-san….. As I expected, is an extremely interesting kid! So wonderful!”

“That is quite the sensibility of Watase, who is connected with that wonderfully.”, whispered Taichi.

“Cough, cough….., I should ask, what is with that amount of water!? I thought it was falling from the boat! If I drown what will you do for me!”

“It’s alright. If it is you, at any time, at any place, you will be able to float.”

“Do you want to say that because I have fat that I will float!? For sure if I breath out all of the air in my lungs I will sink!”

“You won’t sink….. The main point is that you have been wearing a lifejacket up until now…..ah.” “Ah”

Kiriyama was riding the boat that Taichi and the others were just about to try splashing at. Suddenly, their eyes met.

He froze a little and then laughed at Kiriyama’s evil plot when it surfaced on his mind.

“Take this!”

“Ugh!?”

…..The amount of water Kiriyama lifted was something else.

Taichi completed the course. While feeling the good sensation of exhaustion, he went down and stood on land. He returned to the gathering spot and after finished changing, there were still a little time before leaving with the bus.

“Hey, let’s go explore around her.” “I thought we agreed to adventure just now!?”

Saying things like elementary school kids, Watase, Miyagami and the others took a walk.

Taichi was also with them as they started the walk. Suddenly, he noticed Kiriyama was there.

Kiriyama was a little off the path and was standing on the side of a cliff about three meters high. Below that became a rocky area. Beside there were plants growing densely but the wind blowing from the front side seemed to feel good. For some reason or other, Taichi went closer.

Kiriyama had a towel tucked in her hair. Tap-tap as if she was gently tapping, wiped her hair

“Look-, my hair got wet-. …..how should I put it, Taichi, are you alright? Sorry, it was really fun, so I probably went overboard.”

“Undoubtedly, I terribly was the victim but….. It’s already dry so it’s alright. Well, there wasn’t any chance to return the favour so I think it was unfortunate.”

In the end, he said it like a joke. Kiriyama was on purposely proud of going with the flow with that.

“Hmmhmm. Being able to hit Taichi, if iy was me, I would should how to dodge it.”

Kiriyama showed a calm smile. Until now, seeing Kiriyama with a calm expression seemed to have been driven away by “Dream Perception” so it had a feeling that it has been a long time.

But, it was short lived and in the next moment, a shadow fell on that smile. Kiriyama made sure in front of her sight and a girl lip-synced trying to convey “I leave it entirely with you” was there.

Kiriyama said leave it to me and raised her hand. However, her expression became depressing.

“…..Even so, you laughed huh? As the Love Master, and with the consultation job.”

Even though Taichi was not on the level of popular, he was called that by one part of Kiriyama.

“Even people came to ask me about plans for tomorrow, so Taichi as well probably?”

Tomorrow’s time in Sapporo was decided as a group which crumbled into free time plan.

“Well, I guess.”

“Perhaps, you probably gave an okay, was it Taichi? Because I was told that, I also said “Why not?” but….. No, it was hard to say it.”

“If they stick to the time we are meeting, it probably will be alright after. What’s more is that everyone seems to want to do it.”

After being depended on by the boy from before, Taichi was asked about the same thing by numerous people.

“Seem to want to do it, you said….. ……Well, it can’t be helped?”

Hah, Kiriyama let out a sigh. Was letting out a sigh now because Kiriyama gave up on something?

“We are preoccupied with other people’s romance but….. I really….also can’t be satisfied with my own romance.”

She whispered with distanced eyes. He recalled someone’s expression from before that.

In the middle of thinking, inside Taichi’s head, he recalled Inaba’s image.

“I also, am the same…… Recently, I couldn’t be her boyfriend it seems. ….I couldn’t respond to Inaba’s thoughts well.”

Kiriyama had a face that looked liked she was looking for something from those words that flowed out likr water dripping, He looked hard at her.

“Taichi and me, we’re similar right?” “Similar ?”

“Yeah. ….You see, I think Aoki and Inaba are not mistaken about their true meaning of liking someone. But, I’m not different?”

Taichi was asked and he agreed inside his heart. Undoubtedly it was different. Then, how different?

“Because we became liking the other person, or something like that. There isn’t many reasons of that side?”

I myself like, Inaba. Then, why do I like her?

No, I know the reason for that. There are various reasons. I understand. I know.

---Ahh, but if I compare with Inaba’s thoughts, I can see the worse ‘fake’ in that.

Unable to return her words, Kiriyama conveyed “I get it” with her expression to Taichi.

“……That is why, I’m in doubt. Facing that Aoki, am I okay? I can’t returned that kind of thought so is that okay?”

The wind blew and disheveled Kiriyama’s long hair. Her still wet hair was stuck to the side of her cheeks and mouth.

“How should I put it…..yeah, it feels like we don’t counterbalance each other, in terms of something like the quantity of thoughts.”

Kiriyama was not certain saying it. There was no intention on that but, there was a feeling that Kiriyama was unconsciously requesting for help.

Taichi wants to, help in that. However, Taichi couldn’t give an answer. He couldn’t help.

That is, he is truly showing his very own carelessness towards Inaba.

Want to help. Want to do something. Want to make it better. But he couldn’t see that direction.

And then, he is faced with his own problem. He doesn’t know the thing he should do.

“Similar huh? Us two.”

The thing he can do now is to sympathize with Kiriyama. But , he thought that was like the truth.

Weakly short lived, Kiriyama smiled.

“Ah~ah. If we had a life without a weird phenomena happening, then unexpectedly Taichi and I might be dating. I feel that we are two of a kind.”

When I was sticking to my thought that I am correct, the person who was beside me was Kiriyama. Kiriyama placed her criticism on love under his arms and the side of her spirit is comparable to three supermen. If the phenomenon did not happen and we can continue our daily lives without standing against the storm, then in reality, it feels like that it could be possible.

That is why, I will give this answer.

“Probably.”

“Is that so?”

A voice without any emotions was emitted and Taichi and his surroundings together were made frozen. Kiriyama also, while still with her mouth held opened, did not move. Sounds from stepping on the gravel ground were heard loudly. That was gradually approaching. And then from the other side of the dense foliage, a figure appeared.

It was Inaba Himeko’s.

Her expression was neither angry nor sad. Rather, Taichi thought which one was is. In that case, even though he knows the attitude he should take himself now.

Inaba did not make any expression. She only occasionally twitches her face. That is for enduring to show her expression on her face.

“You….. no, you guys, that’s way you are thinking?”

“Wait, wait at minute, Inaba!? I don’t know since when did you listened to but it’s not like that!? A fictitious ….. an example? A story!”

“It’s like that Inaba. The words from now were a figure of speech…..and. I like Kiriyama, I didn’t say something like that.”

Kiriyama and Taichi were flustered while explaining themselves.

The conversation right now, especially the last part, no more like the entire of it, Inaba must have heard it.

Why was Inaba here? Ahh, it was only after finished rafting and she was only looking for Taichi and Kiriyama. Generally, even he doesn’t know why Inaba chose the rafting. Honestly, there was no talk about that. Even though they were dating. However, it is because her way of thinking was different.

“Taichi and Yui turning into a weird relationship, I know that, you see.”

Inaba said in way without special attention.

“Yeah, yeah I guess.”

Inaba, as he thought, understands him well.

Taichi, feeling relieved, sighed, and.

“---- Are you stupid?”

He was spat at.

“What I heard just now…..you think that……even I won’t become worried?”

Somehow the scene was disguised as calm. But the tone of her voice was of her tearing up.

“Have you….. seriously looking at me….. seriously.”

Seriously looking. I intended to keep that in mind. It was because the time I was with Nagase, I couldn’t do that.

“Taichi……do you really…. ?”

Her mouth opened trying to spit out the last word was closed at that place inches before.

She sniffled once, and let out a big sigh to calm her down.

And then Inaba’s wavering emotion disappeared. Only an act, that could be possible.

“You….. you guys, are running away.”

“It’s not like we’re running away…..”

“At the very least, that is what I can see.”

After cutting of his words, Inaba with a small voice added “But the obligation, that could be said, isn’t me…..”

Inaba was kind, and then from somewhere her she smiled looking sad.

“On the school trip as well, you are probably going to be taking up love consultation. You have abandoned the things about yourself, the things about me.”

“I probably….. will take them but. I don’t plan on abandoning them.”

“Taichi, you are….. doing your best.”

Kiriyama nervously gave her support to Taichi.

Inaba made a calm face as if she noticed it. It can be seen that she is cool but in reality the calm attitude of Inaba whose emotions were intense, made Taichi worried.

“I want to protect you though. But, You won’t protect me, the one person.”

“I…..everyone ---“

“That is choosing everything, but the reality of that is that you have chosen nothing. Especially in your case.”

Choosing everything is like choosing nothing at all.

Being called by her friends from class, Inaba left the area without saying anything.

□■□■□

That day, their accommodation facility was a hot spring inn. Spending taking a bath and having dinner, it became time to go to bed. Taichi and the 4 other boys were in the same room and they spread the futons on the tatami which made their sleeping preparations completed.

‘Well, I won’t really sleep!”

Watase while still excited said.

“You have that look for ever since morning….. You retain your energy well…..” whispered Sone.

“That’s the difference between us athletic clubs and you non-athletic clubs. Right, Ishikawa?”

“Yeah, well, probably.”

The soccer club Watase and the baseball club Ishikawa compared to each of the others, the still did not show and tiredness.

“…..No.” Whispered Taichi and he fumbled on his phone and threw his phone.

“What’s the matter?” Taichi was asked by Watase and he answered with “No……nothing.”

He tried follow-up on today’s incident and sent a mail to Inaba but he did not get a reply.

What should I do myself…… he thought but it’s already not “what should I do” anymore. It is unlikely that from now on, there will be no way for him to march into the girls’ room, so he will wait for another chance tomorrow . And then….. it will alright.

“What kind of talk are we doing? A talk about love? Well then, Watase speak.”

Everyone else were wearing sweat room wear. Miyagami, who is wearing a Yukata which he supplied himself, said.

“The school trip is obviously a chance. There is also that weird love boom, so I want to start competing for Fujishima-san….. But what can I do? It’s because the obstacles haven’t completely been cleared…..”

“Watase, you’re damn reasonably good with girls and yet your true target is worthless,” Taichi commented.

“Ugh….. Interpret it as “That is for real” for me. That’s not it, my image…..”

“Your image has no such worth. About the same worth as Sone’s extra fat.”

“What did you say, you bastard!|

“A champ huh?”

Watase and Miyagami started playing wrestling. Taichi friendlily watched but……

“Hey, if you’re going to do an arm lock then it’s the place to show the offense and defense of whether you will slip from the two hand clutch! Why are you handling an important spot so roughly! Ahh, even so, relying on power to return, what will you do! That sort of thing, the audience will not accept it! Be more creative!”

“……I don’t understand well but isn’t Yaegashi mad?” asked Ishikawa to some extent with a favoring intent.

“Ah…… it just happened. Don’t mind me.”

As a pro-wrestling fan, his blood was excited.

“I mean, you were saying something about my fat…… Stop it……. I don’t feel like joining in the fight though…..”

Boom, as Sone lied down on his futon, Taichi and Ishikawa continued to talk.

“Oh, well, I know Yaegashi, has a girlfriend. How about Ishikawa? You’re all about baseball and you don’t have the image for it, in terms of romance.”

“I have a girlfriend though.”

“Ahh, is that so. ,,,,,,,,,Huhhhh!? You have a girlfriend!?”

Sone hopped up into sitting in seiza. ^[1]

“”We must not overlook this!”” The two voices who were arguing just now combined together and crept up towards Ishikawa. “Who!?” “Who!?” “When!?” “Since when!?”

“It’s a little one month before….. Because she doesn’t want to publically announce that she is my girlfriend, I didn’t talk about it.”

Ishikawa looked in Taichi’s direction at a glance. Of course, Taichi kept his mouth shut and nodded. He will act as if he doesn’t know.

“It’s recent…..? While we’re talking about it, recently I’ve been getting along with Nakayama and heard that she has was talking about a secret….. Well, Ishikawa and Nakayama, like that will happen! Who will confess to who! For sure that won’t happen!”

Watase said. …..Well, it did happen but. Looking like it appeared in his face Taichi, he adjusted himself to lying face down to deceive the others.

“Cards! Bring the cards here! The chips will be the thing for answering the designated questions!”

“Let’s play strip poker! …..come on, it’s cards! The target will be out favorite Ishikawa and the runner up Yaegashi!”

“I’m a target of an attack!?”

After a few hours ----, Miyagami proposed and started the late night card game tournament. The tournament ended with a history rare defeat for Miyagami

□■□■□

The next morning, thanks to the card game tournament, while rubbing his heavy eyelids, Taichi ate breakfast in the dining hall. He welcomed the simple Japanese food.

“You look tired, Yaegashi. By the way, what are going to do for the morning today? It’ll be different than me.”

Sitting across from him was Watase who is still energetic. This guy, when will he become tired?

“”Ummm….. it seems like glass craftwork.”

“Ahh-, there was that. I, will be going to the mountains. Trekking.”

“I see.”

“Hey, hey, you spirit is so low. Return to your condition before today’s afternoon. The long waited Sapporo free time.”

When it is the Sapporo free time, the plan is to ignore the groups. Remembering that, Taichi became depressed.

And then it came, evening.

Each group split and it became Sapporo free time.

The time set out was from 4pm until 7:30pm. In that time, each group will be taking care of their dinner. The general idea is that the group activities will be easier to start when it is only five boys and five girl each in the group.

“I hope you will keep in mind the precautions and don’t cause other trouble. I hope you will adhere to the gathering time and come back safely.”

From the teacher directing it to everyone, he gave a brief warning and then they were dismissed.

“Boys with boys. Girls with girls. Yeah, yeah, sounds good huh? Hey you guys, even if you made a mistake, guys and girls joining together and we will go sightseeing with a five vs five mixer kind of atmosphere. I envy that…..that immoral action will not be forgiven as your homeroom teacher.”

Gotou Ryuuzens serve as the homeroom teacher of class-B and towards the students, and said that sort of thing out loud.

“…..What happened, sensei?”

Representing the class, the class representative, Setouchi, asked.

“Oh, ohhh, Setouchi! Weill you listen to me story!? The truth is the mixer from before was horrible ----”

“As I thought, I’m good.”

“The rejection was quick!?”

Even if it was because of the sense of duty as the class representative, annoying things are annoying it seems.

Taichi, as well as Watase, Ishikawa, Sone, and Miyagami, departed together.

The weather was clear skies. One can say it is the ideal weather for an outing. It became night and it was a little cold. Just In case, one more jacket was put in his bag.

“…..How should I put it, from before. What happened to your plans for today?”

Watase stopped and asked Taichi.

“Me? I decided to be with you guys…..”

“Hey, hey Yaegashi. Today you can ignore the group to have free time. What was the talk about the girl you want to go with go with her?”

“It’s because you and Inaba-san want to go flirt~! So jealous~!”

“Ahh….nah.”

He tried to send a mail to Inaba today but there was no reply. In the morning, the place they chose were different so he was not blessed with a chance too directly meet

And, Miyagami turned his target to Ishikawa.

“By the way, Ishikawa as well! You didn’t tell me the name of your splendid girlfriend! Even if I win the match, you won’t tell me that in the end!”

“Ishikawa, are you also going somewhere with that girl? Huh? She’s in the same year as us right?”

Sone asked.

“My girlfriend doesn’t want to spread it around…..”

Ishikawa bent his large body looking like he is a little sorry.

“However, we are not planning to join up for the time now. It’s because it’s time to wander around as a group.”

“As expected of a monk” “Strait-laced!” “Baseball club!” “Our Ishikawa!”

Miyagami and Sone alternating praised Ishikawa with compliments.

“Well, it’s a different story for tomorrow in Otaru.”

“You stupid shit!” “Playboy!” “Ball playing club!””Out Ishikawa is already gone!”

This time, they belittled him to their heart’s content. They’re busy guys.

“…..Hmph. Well, today, the truth is, I will join up with my girlfriend. So, I will leave for the last hour. Thanks.”

Miyagami without hesitation made a important announcement.

“…….huh? huuuuuhhhhhh? What was it you traitor!?”

Sone naturally raised his voice to a shout.

“Hmmm. Isn’t it ok? In any case, he’s joining up with a few girls from his club.”

Watase simply pointed out.

“…..Well, is like that but~”

“What. In the end Miyagami is a free gift?” said Sone.

“I’m not a free gift! I’m the main dish!”

Glancing at the three, Ishikawa talked to Taichi.

“So in the end, what will you do Yaegashi?”

“I don’t……have any plans.”

Taichi straight forwardly said.

“Huh, oh really? So, in this group, the only one who is planning to split up is me? I have heard talks about quite a few others are going to split up though. Hmm, well in that case, I’ll pass on splitting up.”

Miyagami said and Sone, Watase, and Ishikawa agreed.

“Let’s do that! Let’s do that! Leaving the group is forbidden for this group!” “The five guys here will burst with the power of friendship.” “I also think that we should go as it was decided.”

Of course, Taichi was the same .

“I also ---”

“That guy over there, you see, is it ok for me to borrow him for five minutes only?”

The voice of Inaba with a thirst for blood cut off Taichi’s voice.

The four boys except for Taichi instantly answered “Go ahead” to the Inaba who was looking at someone in a completely angry way.

Taichi was grabbed by the collar and was brought to an alley.

“Wait, a second….huh?”

Isn’t that Aoki and Kiriyama over there? Kiriyama looked uncomfortable and Aoki was making a stern face.

After a glance at the two there, Inaba violently let go of Taichi’s collar.

“Hey, how did it turn out like this!? Isn’t everyone saying they are going to ignore their groups and are acting as they like!? What’s more is that Taichi is the mastermind!”

“ Mas, mastermind!? There’s no way that…..”

However, since his own name was used for authorization, that interpretations isn’t weird? While thinking about that, Taichi explained the situation briefly.

“You fully exposed your good nature and your body was used……No, it’s not even your good natured. You only went with the direction that was easier…….!”

“Easier direction…..?”

“Dammit, well that’s fine. Anyways, can you overlook the action that ignores rules?”

Continuining, Aoki with a serious expression says.

“Taichi, and also Yui. Violating that sort of rule, is not allowed. What are you thinking? You two….. especially Yui, you hate that sort of thing right?”

Calmer than Inaba, but the blaming tone of voice did not change.

“What, what? Even if it is, it has nothing to do with you two.”

Yui rejected and Inaba instantly rebutted.

“You probably do, entirely. You guys used the “Dream Perception” and became having strange influences on the school. With that influential power, you tried to break school rules. Where is it that it has nothing to do with us?”

“We…...Our……everything…….”

Yui was stared at by Inaba and she cowered.

We know that it isn’t something that is entirely positive.

But coming this far, it isn’t something that we can back down in the end.

“…..I accept that there are rule that we should follow. But, when there are situations where breaking a few rules will have good results, there are?”

“Probably there are. In real life, situations where you should break rules do exist. But, what about now? Is it something that you must definitely do immediately?”

Of course, especially it’s not that.

“But…..certainly there are people who are happy. Because there won’t anybody causing trouble.”

“Yeah, yeah that’s right.”

Kiriyama gave her support to Taichi.

“Is that really true?”

“----eh?”

“Can you really assert that? There is not even one person who is unhappy, really?”

“If everyone can wander around with the person they like …..”

“As a result of that, even if there people who can’t wander around with the person they want to go with appearing?””

“No……that’s”

Taichi was at a loss of words. At the same time, Kiriyama tried to say something but made her mouth mumble and also didn’t arrive at a word.

“Frozen it seems. How about your logic?”

With a sadistic smile, Inaba looked down at Taichi and Yui.

“Well then, I’ll ask you about things you know as far as that. What will you do? If you guys contact them and talk to them now, you will stop a few of them if not everyone.”

Kiriyama with a greatly perplexed look as if asking, what should we do, looked up at Taichi.

Stop them, and make them follow rules.

Don’t stop them and let them be free .

With two choices lined up in front of him, Taichi felt strange.

Why am I, the one who is in a situation to do decide this sort of thing? Who am I intending to be?

“…..I’m not the one to do that, that is for everyone to choose? It’s ok if there are people wants to go out with the person they like.”

“You’re still abandoning your responsibility uptil now!”

Taichi was roared at.

Abandoning his responsibility? Being told that is, outrageous.

“I’m not intending to that. If I need to say whether to stop them or not to stop them then I…..will not stop them.”

“Tai….chi?”

Kiriyama let out a surprised voice. Why? While thinking about that, Taichi continued.

“And, they should go with the people they want to go with. If it turns into a scramble, then in the end it will be a situation based on their own efforts. First of all, as I expect of that, there’s no way they will cause any trouble to anyone.”

“Isn’t that your damn explanation for your own convenience?”

“I, also saw a “dream perception” today. Through that, it was a “dream” about wanting to make memories with the person they like.”

At the moment Taichi opened his mouth, Inaba’s expression showed a sorrowful colour. A face, with anger mixing with sadness without an answer, made Taichi waver. He thought that is it alright to make his girlfriend have that face.

“As I thought…… it’s useless with you. You can’t discard that part? Must you help the person in front of your eyes? Is that you, Taichi?”

Taichi was asked by Inaba. She threw her gaze straight at him. Taichi without running away, returned a gaze.

“Yeah, that’s right. I’m that kind of person.”

He asserted.

Inaba finally argued back……but kept silent.

“…..Hey, Yui, is that ok with you?” Instead Aoki opened his mouth.

“That…..”

“Yui, is what you’re doing now, correct to you? Have you thought about it carefully yourself? Have you thought about it as your own problem?”

Aoki asked. By doing that, it looked like Kiriyama was encouraged to look for something by herself. That “something” is.

“That….umm…”

Taichi helped Kiriyama who was having trouble with a response.

“Haven’t we decided, that if some can be happy, we should do that?”

That is why, we are using the “Dream Perception”.

“That was what we decided at that time, but now…..I feel that it’s a little different.”

Kiriyama was wavering. In that case, Taichi decided to say the most important thing.

“It’s for the good of everyone.”

“You’re deciding for your own convenience that it’s “for the good of everyone”?”

Inaba said in a low voice.

“I didn’t force anyone.”

“Hey…..” after whispering, Inaba took a deep breath and exhaled all at once.

“That decision….. is your, is both of your intention there!? Are you prepared!? Are you decisive!? In the beginning there probably was! But how about now!?”

My own intention, preparedness, and decisiveness.

I, who have those, chose the path which I should continue. That is why I am suppose to go against Inaba.

“Say it! Try saying it!?”

That intention ---.

“But making someone happy is not mistaken.”

Is this, “intention”? Is that what it’s called?

For some reason, it looks like Inaba is more uneasy than angry to that answer.

“Listen, I beg of you…..please do it properly for me.”

There were no shades of blame. That was a voice of clinging on to. Inaba’s eyes wavered.

“Even if you are strong and cool in a pinch….. I know that normally if you are allowed to have power, you are no good at it….. Even so….I beg of you.”

Even if I’m in a pinch, I am strong and normally if I’m allowed to have power I’m no good at it. Am I that kind of person?

“Listen Taichi…..I” A pause in her words, Inaba made a sigh.

And then making a face that looks like she is prepared, she looked at him.

“’’Could you help me?’’”

I want to help Inaba. At the same time, I want to help everybody.

Wanting to help and wanting to help are fighting each other. I want to help either side. But, I can’t.

Which side will I help? What is the standard will I consider? Closeness? Numbers? Amount? Feeling?

In order to choose the correct way, I want a compass needle. It’s not anywhere. No, is that something one finds within oneself?

Then, inside me, that is -----

“That’s enough. If only we were quicker to say something…… We’re going Aoki.”

Inaba walked away. And then Aoki as well.

“I think that my opinion is correct. But I do accept that what Yui and Taichi said is an opinion that speaks the truth. But, this is……, completely different.”

Letting them know, Taichi and Yui could reply to him.

The five minutes were over and the four people in Taichi’s group waited for him.

“Oh, welcome back. Are your arrangements finished? Plans for sneaking out later?”

Watase asked.

“…..No, I’m not intending on doing that.”

Switching over, he kept in mind his usual attitude. He wasn’t making a weird dark face…..he thought.

“Even though you are the troublemaker for today’s plan…..anyways, it’s alright.”

What’s more is that no one pursued it.

The five guys were excited beyond their idea about exploring. They argued about stupid trivial things, Taichi and Ishikwa were made fun of since they have girlfriends, and they fully enjoyed the sight seeing.

Only that, sometimes on the occasion of seeing a boy and girl group couple who ignored staying as a group, Taichi felt uneasy and his eyes looked like they went round and round.

The remaining time grew short and it was time for dinner.

“For dinner, we’re having ramen! If we’re talking about Sapporo, then it’s miso ramen!”, said Miyagami.

“Miso? Isn’t it Sapporo’s Asahikawa Shoyuu ramen?”

“Well, Sapporo’s ramen in itself has miso, Shoyuu, and Shio, it seems.” Said Taichi.

“That extensive knowledge wasn’t needed, Yaegashi.”

“If it’s Hokkaido, then it’s seafood. How about revolving sushi?”, said Ishikawa.

As it is now, it looks like it won’t be decided so it turned into a rock paper scissor game.

In the end, Taichi was the victor.

“Woaaahhh!”

“Huh? What? You’re that happy? But you’re into this?”

Miyagami was really surprised and said.

“You see, it’s because I’m weak at rock paper scissors….. Winning in a group match is somewhat rare…..”

“I know you’re engrossed with the miracle but, where are we going to go?”

Ishikawa asked.

“Let me see…… if I can eat something Hokkaido-like, that is a good reason but…..”

“In that case miso ramen!”

“Shoyuu ramen!”

“Sushi.”

“Hey, hey, isn’t the meaning behind the rock paper scissor lost?”

Watase pointed out and every agreed.

“Well, decide for us Yaegashi” urged Miyagami.

“That’s right…..”

Taichi while walking on the street with the restaurants was troubled. There are people who want to eat ramen. And there are also people who want to eat sushi. For me, whichever one is good. I want to respond to both desires. What is the basis for the decision? If it’s in numbers, then ramen? But, because they are supporting different taste, then it seems like there will be an argument if we go into a specialty store on one of the tastes. The most fair choice is…..

“Hurry up!” “Hurry up!” Miyagami and Sone individually said.

“Ah”

“Hmm, did you see something?”

Watase asked and Taichi nodded. And then instantly, then he pointed to a certain sign.

“Huh, what what. Ramen, Sushi, Genghis Khan, soup curry….. Everything that adds up is a restaurant for Hokkaido cuisine. Yeah, it came huh! Perhaps, we should have chose her from the beginning!”

It will be great if there is an answer that can make everyone happy like this in anything.

The free exploring time was over and the gathering location was a parking lot where the buses to the hotel parked. On their way towards there, he met classmates gathered at a park.

“You guys aren’t going to the meeting point?”

“Ahh, one of the guys who left the group, didn’t come back to us and couldn’t go to the meeting spot.”

It is necessary for one to report that they have returned to their homeroom teacher during the arranged time for meeting up. Everyone gathered and the ones who did not come back and scattered came to light.

Taichi looked at his watch. The watch showed 7:10 and already only 20 minutes until the gathering time.

“By the way, I think there isn’t anyone who has found the teachers who are looking around. They will be careful and prepared an excuse, that’s what the other guys said….. By the way, when it’s night, it’ll get chilly.”

Miyagami said. However, in the middle of this, the one who felt more of the cold that anyone else is Taichi himself.

At the gathering location, they reported to Gotou that they returned and boarded the bus. One third of the students have returned. Two thirds remained. As it is now, Taichi prayed for everyone will gather and return without anything happening.

However, just as expected, is it something that should be said?

Even when it is the gathering time, the groups who didn’t came back appeared one after another.

Of course, the teachers went to search around nearby. There, they found the members who split up from their group waiting. The people who acted as they liked were instantly discovered.

“How did things end up like this you guys!”

One male teacher was openly angry at the students. However, even though he is angry at each and every one, did he notice that it couldn’t be helped? Straightaway, he said, “If any of you guys know any information about the ones who didn’t meet up, report to us.”

A lot of people knew some information but could afford to talk about that. Everyone were in a state of deceiving them by saying “I’ll try to contact them”.

Inside the bust while listening to the changing situation, from the depth of Taichi’s heart, he was shaking. The thing that approached his chest was fear. The thing that was in control of his head was like a nightmare after this developing.

“You look like you’re shaking somewhat, are you ok? Cold?” Taichi was asked by the person in the seat beside him. Taichi could only vaguely nod.

Nagase and Kiriyama, who were both on the same bus was saying what should we do. Taichi knew they were in the seats at the back but he couldn’t look over and respond.

In a blink of an eye, time passed and has passed as long as eight.

Even then, everyone did not appear at the meeting location.

The teachers were panicking and went into the confirmation of the students’ safety. As well as borrowing the help from the classmates, they practically could contact them. …..But.

“…..And,…..hah…..yes, still.”

A boy and a girl who couldn’t be contacted were there.

Finally, the boy and girl from one of the classmates added information that “A somewhat suspicious old man” saw them. The students who were crammed into the bus conveyed that information.

While teachers were busily contacting them, a few people went to search for them.

“Hey, Yaegashi….”

From one seat behind, Watase moved his body forward and in a low voice talked to him.

“It’s not our fault, don’t worry about it too much. Your face is pale though.”

“Ah….”

He nodded, but couldn’t feel that way.

If there is a slight chance that he is also drawn into some kind of situation, what will happen?

It was not like Taichi did anything directly. But if everyone said that Taichi said “Let’s be careful of our selfish actions”, maybe it won’t be the same situation.

This is nothing outside of his own responsibility.

---As it is now, are you abandoning your responsibility!

Inaba’s one roar was refreshed.

I’m not planning to abandon responsibility.

I will do my best for everyone so that they can continue doing what they were doing.

But the situation now is obviously, a failure. ….Ahh, I failed.

Taichi got up from his seat.

“Hey, Yaegashi?”

“…..Washroom.”

Saying that, he got off from the bus and on his way he also told Gotou, who met him, that “Washroom.”

As he said, Taichi headed to the rest area where the toilet was and then when his body entered the shadow of a building where he could not be seen from the bus --- he ran.

At once, he must gain control of the situation. After running away, in some way he tried looking for them and turned his head around. The place where they were seen came to his ears but will they be there now? Even though the phone numbers of those two…. were not known, he tried to gain it through other friends.

--- Chi…..

The sun has completely set. Taichi and the others as Yamaboshi High students were in unfamiliar lands. It is possible to get lost in a strange place.

Suddenly, why am I doubting myself that I have been influencing someone up until now. Of course, it was because I was given “Dream Perception” from “Heartseed”.

But, if it was me from before, what would I have done. If it was me from more than one year ago, after obtaining this power, would I have been able to take the sort of action like “in order to save someone, in order to make someone happy”?

---Tai…..

The nature of self-sacrificing is the nature for someone else, it was there since a long time ago. But that was not straying from reality, before being pointed out by Inaba, it was not pointed up by anyone else.

But, in this one year, I have changed. I have matured. In that one year, “save” have been said many times. Such thing, saving. Up until now it was word practically not used in living in a normal life.

My own nature is strongly, strongly coming out.

That kind of human nature in me is the basis of my way of life. Is that such a mistake?

Making his way to the bust stop, Taichi checked the timetable. The service was not a lot. Isn’t it better to use the taxi? If it’s going to the closest shopping district, then money should be ok ---

“That is why I have been calling you since now Taichi !!”

Looking behind to the shouting voice, and, a black shadow like a bullet plunged into him.

As it is, a direct hit to the gut.

“whack!?”

The arm winded around Taichi’s body. In front of his sight is the top of someone’s head. A sweet smell of a girl. His girlfriend.

“I…..naba?”

“Huff…..hufff…. What… wait until I catch my breath…..”

While still being hugged by Inaba, she breathed heavily over and over again. Each time, he felt with his entire body Inaba’s pulse.

He felt the person called Inaba Himeko’s, his “girlfriend’s” pulse of life.

The bus stop’s light loosely illuminated the surroundings. There was nothing particularly around. In the darkness, only a bus stop faintly surfaced.

Gradually, Inaba’s breathing calmed down. However, Inaba was still not letting go of Taichi’s body.

Inaba, while in a situation where the side of her face is stuck to Taichi’s chest, she spoke.

“What are you running out for! You stupid! The reason….. I roughly understand though.”

“Inaba…. You came chasing after me quite well.”

“After all, I thought whether will it happen…., It’s because I’ve been always keeping a watch of the bus’s entrance.”

Was I causing her to worry, causing trouble to her that much? But.

“Listen….. can you just leave it? It’s because I have to go.”

Push, Inaba’s head returned and looking up at Taichi. In Inaba’s eyelashes, there was one drop of tear stuck there.

“…..Why.”

“That’s because….. if I don’t quickly find them, it will probably turn into a disastrous scene.”

Inaba pushed Taichi away and took distance. And then she shouted.

“That’s why I said don’t move on reflex! Do you have any idea? No you don’t!”

“Even if I don’t have any clue….. If I don’t search…… I can’t help.”

“ If you go, it will become unnecessarily more complicated! Or rather, there was instructions to wait in the bus!”

“ I can’t just only follow rules ---“

“It’s about time you go learn a little!!”

It was an even louder shout!

“It’s been like that since you decided to use “Dream Perception”. You , if “you” think that is fine, then you decided it is ok to break rules. You repeated that….. and it turns out like this now! How long are you going to be this stubborn? You are dragged along on the thing you decided once!”

Dragged along. …..Was I dragged along?

Because I chose the path that was correct to me and because separated from Inaba’s path she chose, I must persist, I think.

It is different from being dragged along. That’s because it is something I chose. Because I, properly.

“I know that….. I made a mistake in my decision. But right now, in order to help the people in trouble, I must take action!”

Inaba’s tearful face became intense. Strained. Tears were not falling but with that one step, her appearance can be seen.

Don’t cry. I beg you, beg you, don’t cry. I don’t want to make you cry. Anyone.

“Why…..Normally you……aren’t stupid to this extent….? Listen……, stop. Stop for me……”

“I….. it’s because I want to do what I can.”

Inaba enraged opened her eyes.

“We weren’t talking about that! That kind of talk is not allowed! I’m weak….., if it is a crisis where I must recklessly do something, it is preferable. That is not good, for someone with power!”

That’s not what I was saying. That sort of talk is not good. That’s not good.

It’s too vague and I don’t understand what I want to say.

But, even though I suppose I don’t know, there’s a feeling.

The situation where a person without power must recklessly doing something is different from the situation where I have power.

“It’s not good…..if it’s the same? It can only look like the same. That’s because , I’m that kind of person.”

Inaba saying that, shook with fear.

“Listen…..that, I have said that huh? …..I said you were like “that” kind of person since the beginning, and already there’s no what to do. I also said that I was also like “that” since the beginning and there’s a part that can’t be changed.”

That was during “Personality Change” one year ago.

Taichi was a selfless freak. Inaba was a worrywart who distrusts other human beings.

There was no origin to that trauma, it was a nature that was there since the beginning.

Some from the beginning cannot be changed. But, because a person has a nature since the beginning, there is no need to change it? They discussed it in that way with each other.

“At that time, what I said….. was probably mistaken…..”

Trembling, with a trembling voice, Inaba said.

“…..mistaken…..you said?”

The vision was blurred. Am I trembling? Why?

“Hey, could it be that…..what I said, tied you down, Taichi?”

Inaba’s words seemed to have been directed more at the sky than directing them towards Taichi.

“…..What do you want to say….?’’

“I saying, aren’t you…..only spoiling yourself with “I can’t change”….. It’s even ok to say, that you are running away.”

“I’m not running away….”

“That’s because things turned in to the worst.”

The worst. Being told that, even though understanding, he still couldn’t realize it. Following the path that I chose myself has brought about the worse possible situation.

Is this the result of me running away? From what in the world am I running away from? I’ve been always fighting, continued fighting. But this is the place I’ve reached.

“Don’t look away! Carefully think about it!”

Inaba’s words, her eyes told him that.

“I think you’re….. an amazing guy. You can naturally do it to that extent. At the same time you are that, your image when you are struggling……, I have fallen in love with that, undoubtedly.”

But, Inaba once again raised her voice..

In the cold outdoor air of the night, a heat that was seething from Inaba’s body was released and conducted the heat to the surroundings.

“Yet, because I am like “this” or; it’s for the good of someone or; if it’s like that, it’ll be good…… Stop abandoning your reasoning like that! Think for yourself and have opinions that belong to you and only to you! Expose it!”

Abandoning my reasoning. Opinions that belong to me and only to me.

“In our case….. the time that is alright to continue staying as kids is already over! Think about <Heartseed>!”

The time that is alright to continue staying as kids is already over?

“You have become a shit-like, good natured protagonist! Come on, say a selfish opinion!”

The words were entirely the aperture and Inaba with her should took a breath.

Inaba’s “opinion” like raging waves swarmed in on Taichi and he swallowed it.

He did not want to return any words. But even so, he couldn’t find the words he should return.

Without thinking, but impossible to not move his mouth, his mouth reflexively produced words.

“If I am say a selfish opinion….. I would say let me go right now. I think that I still must think about…. The behavior after that.”

“Still based on reflex, you……!”

Being told that it was like insincere, as one would expect it sounded like a click.

“Reflex reflex, you say that but, it’s not like I didn’t think at all!”

“The basis of your actions is all that. If it becomes a crisis, you will go help. Because you think it’s better, you go poke your nose I it and because you are told that you are liked---“

Inaba, who became sincerer trying to respond, opened her eyes to her very own words and looked like she started crying.

But, has her determination soldifiy, or is that she abandoned herself, Inaba finished saying it.

“Being told that you are like you end up liking that person!”

“You’re wrong….. It’s not, like that. ….Certainly, Inaba, I’ve probably been told that you like me at the beginning. But, with Nagase……it was from me who said that.”

Whether it was correct or not as an example, Taichi stated.

“Even that, Iori came to relying on you!”

He remembered back to the conversation with Kiriyama yesterday.

Inaba and Aoki essentially know who they liked. But Taichi and Kiriyama, compared to those two, aren’t they “different”. The nature of the feeling, and the amount.

Could they properly return their feelings to them? Are they balanced?

Without putting it into words, it looked like it was conveyed to Inaba through his expression. While looking like she is still crying, Inaba showed an expression of understanding.

“Is it …..not good? Won’t you change for me? Can even I change you?”

Inaba slowly said.

“I…..was changed by you.”

“You changed…..?”

Even if on the surface, one has changed, one’s nature has not changed somewhat. There isn’t any discussion on that?

Inaba changed. And then I also.

“Ah, could it be……this is my problem?”

Suddenly, Inaba made a face that noticed something important.

“That right…..the thing perceived seems like me. This world belongs to me……us and us only. That is why I’ll change it.”

A daring announcement, but the words continuing seemed lonely.

“I….If I am with you, I have completely become relying on you. ….. Completely dependant on you. You are everything….., I’ve become not caring about what’s after….., become unable to make correct decisions.”

Inaba was thinking about me to that extent.

“….That is why, like this time, I couldn’t even stop you. Even though I must stop you….. I have decided that I must do try my hardest.”

The things Inaba said, sounded like the speech of being defeated. In other words, the end of a match.

Inside Inaba, what has ended?

“…..Is the distance of dating not good I wonder…..”

--- between the two of them?

Taichi became wanting too cover his ears. Don’t want to hear it. At any time, it is unpleasant but especially right now it is unpleasant. Don’t want to hear it. Somehow he tries to evade it. But.

At this point, I am beaten up.

For a long time, little by little, his mind is being shaved. That is now, it is about to erupt in one blow.

This is the hit of the largest class. ….It has become something tragic. It will be alright---.

Me and you probably shouldn’t be dating.”

From Inaba’s mouth. It’s impossible; those words could be brought forth.

He isn’t intending to give up because of that. But…..but it’s impossible. Because I, facing forward giving my effort. Despite this, Inaba gave up on me.

“The thing called dating….. if it isn’t for the good of each other, then it’s no good, I think. ….But Taichi and I, haven’t completely become like that.”

“But that …..”

Not continuing his words of denial.

“Even if you only have me, then it’ll be good. And yet, you don’t ‘’’have any goals’’’. …..As it is now, it has become no good.”

“Are you…..serious?”

Asking that, Inaba’s eyes wavered intensely. Right now, it looked like a tear dropped.

At that moment, Taichi’s phone vibrated.

Instantly, he placed his hand in his pocket. Noticing that, Inaba closed her mouth.

It was a phone call. Being confused, Inaba suggested “Answer it”.

““Hey, Yaegashi. Where are you now? You’re not trying to find the guys who couldn’t be contacted?””

“Huh….., ah.”

“ As I expect, I thought if it was you, you wouldn’t do it. You see, they have already contacted those guys I heard.”

“…..What, is that right?”

At first, he was relieved. That’s great. Because even if it was my fault that caused trouble for other people, the worse possible situation where someone is injured was avoi---.

“I was told that a girl fell and was injured and went to the hospital. Because it wasn’t anything major, it seem she returned quickly. And, this bus is about to leave. Saying that, hurry up and come back”

Fell and hurt. Injured.

If I have stopped everyone’s action, then no one should be injured.

It’s my fault.

“”And, Fujishima-san left the bus, do you know that she couldn’t be seen? Hey, Yaegashi, are you listening? Anyways, hurry up and come back.””

“…… I understand…..”

Taichi turned off his phone and Inaba was using her phone.

“I just got a bus from friends just now. And, the bus is going to leave.”

Perhaps, if I think about it carefully, there was a talk about the bus planning to leave. Those damn teachers, properly dealing with this, said Inaba cursing them.

For that temporary moment, the two were able to agree on something and both calmed their worked up emotions.

From that place, they got rid of the heated atmosphere. Right now, he was thankful for the cold air of the vast land.

For the time being, approximately from the beginning they didn’t continue their conversation and ended it there.

Inaba turned back and walked out of the parking lot. That right, first I should return too. To where everyone was. Right now I want time to adjust my head. Everything from that ---. “You, because I said I like you, did you become liking me?”

While her back faced him still, Inaba said with tone of a casual conversation.

The way that was said was too smooth that he accepted it and from then confused. Without waiting for Taichi’s delayed reply, Inaba continued.

“Well I’ll say it.”

Then looking back right there, Inaba kindly smiled.

“The Taichi right now, I hate him.”

Taichi did not move from that spot.

Inaba left. Left. Disappeared towards the faraway darkness.

Up until now, even though their heart, their body are closer to than anyone else, why could they create this sort of distance? He could not chase after her. He did not feel like chasing after her.

He became alone. Left behind.

He has invited the worse possible situation, someone was injured, and then Inaba, the person who absolutely acknowledge him, abandoned him.

There is nothing in addition, there is nothing anymore, it was misery. Has he been knocked off finally more than now?

“---Yaegashi-kun.”

Why.

Why did she appear, here?

If one were to think about it, Inaba also, many time as well, appearing in strange situations –Ah, that right.

This is what they said about being hostile.

With Inaba　Himeko, as well as Fujishima Maiko.

Right next to the sidewalk weeds were growing on a gentle slope. Scaling the slope, trees were grown lining the street. From there, Fujishima’s image appeared.

“Look Yaegashi, the bus is going to leave. I thought something happened, and you let me follow you.”

Inaba chasing Taichi, and right behind her, Fujishima was following them.

“…..But, sorry. It looked like quite a complicated conversation. Until I had a feeling it was something I shouldn’t have listened, I have listened to it already. I’ll try to forget about that.”

Fujishima’s speech flowed from Taichi’s right ear through to his left.

“…..Well, the truth is, there was some distance so there were a lot of parts I couldn’t hear.”

It couldn’t be helped if she listened to it. Let nature take it’s course. Anyways, he hoped that she did not hear the final thing. It is unlikely that he will be knocked down anymore.

“Only, let me say only this. As likely as not, these two are the keys I have been pursuing.”

What was that. Stop it. Right now, Fujishima has stepped into that too much. In the unlikely event that, even she is trargeted by <Heartseed> , the me right now, cannot protect her. 
 

“ “Dream Perception” and <Heartseed>” 
 

---It was, --- an already completely flawless wall ---that will not be sensed.

“Probably, right here, you have the answer to why did things become like this?”

What is she insisting? She was able to know up to this much. What is she insisting?

“But I apologize for turning it into the style of a crying face by a hornet.”

What is my own face like right now? It is not odd for me to be crying. If I try cry, even if the tears are flowing from the surplus, there would not be any remaining.

The fight against Inaba. The fight against Fujishima. If it’s consisting of their respective matches. Then the two fights, Taichi suffered a huge defeat.

“As one would expect, you don’t need to say it right now, but next time when we talk, tell me fully?”

Taichi only nodded.

□■□■□

In the end, thanks to the commotion, they pushed to arrive at the hotel in one hour. Of course, after, the students, who went on their own, once again let that pass and everyone were faced with a lecture for thirty minutes. Moreover, the ones who left their group were lectured on this and that by their homeroom teacher in addition.

In the middle of the investigation, the names of Taichi and Kiriyama, who gave authorization to the plan, were brought up and the teacher in charge of their school year called them.

“---I understand the information generally. You didn’t plan it, didn’t take part in it, but even so, the responsibility of stirring up everyone is serious”

“Yes…..I’m very sorry.” “Sob…sorry…..”

Taichi and Kiriyama lowered their heads.

“Since it’s getting, sleep early. After returning to school, there will still probably be discussions but that is through Gotou-sensei.”

Scolded severely, Taichi and Kiriyama excused themselves from the teacher’s room.

“sob…..sob…..”

In the middle of the lecture, Kiriyama was sniffling and wiping her tears for the entire time.

“Are you alright…..Kiriyama?”

“yeah….yeah…..sob.”

“Hey, wait!”

In the elevator hall, a girl who was waiting for the two with an imposing stance called them.

“Sob…..umm?”

Kiriyama tilted her head in confusion. Kiriyama does not seem to know her. But Taichi does. This kid, he talked to her on the day they departed for the school trip. The girl came consulting him about her boy friend now is Nakajima and Makihara who came confessing anew, which one should she go with.

“What’s u---“

“Saying something like ‘what’s up’!”

The girl with a flashy image was terribly angry.

“You…..it’s because you said to for Makihara!”

The girl approached Taichi and grabbed his collar.

“What’s the matter!?”

Kiriyama with a surprised face tried to enter between the two. “Because you said to go for Makihara, I seriously went for him! Even so….. even so “It’s for trying that” or “receiving cooperation” …..it’s seriously impossible!”

“Then, that’s why, what are you talking about!?”

Whether it was too much of a surprise, Kiriyama stopped her tears and entered to stop them.

While the girl clicked her tongue, she let go of Taichi. She shouted “Ah! What’s with this! The worst!”

Not knowing the meaning, Taichi was puzzled. He also doesn’t know whether the girl should be suddenly violently angry.

“I, consulted you right? Right now, I have a boyfriend but I was confessed to from another guy so I said what should I do. So didn’t you say go for the guy who newly confessed to me?”

Kiriyama looked at Taichi with shocked eyes saying, “you really said something like that?”

Somehow, he must explain

“Because of that…..you yourself, “wanted to do that” and desired it and because it seemed like that…..”

“Huh? What are you saying? I do not understand what you mean. ….I only did according to your advice. Then, my current boyfriend said, “So you wanted to test whether or not I really like you, you were confessed to. Because Makihara doesn’t like you, he didn’t feel like going out with you”!” In short, this is, what.

“Thanks to that, my boyfriend broke up with me! He said “I suspected a little but sure enough you moved on to another huh? If you don’t like me, then let’s break up”!”

Did I fail? Did I misread the “Dream Perception”?

Did I use “Dream Perception” and cause people misfortune?

The girl herself desired to do that herself. Because that is the person she truly likes, that was what I should do I thought. Ahh,…..but of course, the information inside there was no means to know.

“But that…..your boyfriend…... wasn’t it too harsh?”

Kiriyama said.

“Well, it is certain that he is the worst! Testing, he’s making light of it! …..But that fits all your fault! Yaegashi!”

The tip of the spear of anger was all directed at Taichi. It really seems like that boyfriend, Taichi, and everyone involved was bad. But, in the end, the one who triggered all this, was Taichi. If Taichi didn’t pull the trigger, if Taichi was not there, there would be no mistakes.

“Ahhhhhhh enough! Why did the school trip had to turn out into this kind of mood!? Everything is your fault! If I ask you, you would say you are mistaken or something like it has to be a rumor! The worst! Disappear!” Being verbally abused and only abused, the girl thinking that further more would have no effect and said “That’s enough!” and left.

Taichi collapsed at that spot.

It simply cannot be but, as it remains, he couldn’t feel like going back to his room.

Going to cool off his head, the night’s wind was the target. The two went out to the terrace. The hotel was standing on the top of a mountain and from the terrace the night view can be seen. It was a beauty that became unpleasant. Multiple sets of round tables and chairs were line up. It seemed like they were at a location where it just becomes a cliff. Facing the side of the wooden fence was a slope at a sharp angle.

Kiriyama deeply sat down on the seat to the back, faced Taichi and says.

“Ummm…..Taichi, are you alright? The talk just now, frankly, I think that girl was half wrong? I think she was really selfish.”

“But…..she wasn’t wrong, I am responsible as well.”

“That…..that might be true.”

“I seriously…..misread the “Dream Perception….and made an awkward misunderstanding. Roughly speaking, it was an impossible to give an answer…..Why did I….” “Don’t blame yourself like that….Taichi. I don’t know what kind of “dream” it was, but if Taichi made a mistake then it is possible that I made a mistake, that’s why….”

“Somehow or other?”

Kiriyama trembled a little and tightly gripped her clothes.

“We…..given answer to a lot of people who consulted with us but….. And, were they all completely correct?”

“Eh?”

“Really, all correct? …..At that moment, even if it is correct, will it always be correct? From the start, we know how it will turn out after that for everyone. But, now?”

We completely don’t know what happened after for those people seeking for advice. Consultation isn’t something that gives out a result immediately after.

“Seeing images……hearing sounds……with that we know their desires but. Even with that, was it correct…….”

Because there was no user manual on “dreams”, he wouldn’t know if he was able to make a correct interpretation. Even if it was read correctly, there was way of connecting the desire as correct as it is.

He noticed it finally now. Taichi became pathetic.

“It’s already not what should I do…… I made a mistake and made someone misfortunate. …..and hurt them.”

If he poorly do it, there will probably be even more misfortune in places he doesn’t know.

“Taichi, umm listen.”

Kiriyama called Taichi who was stricken with despair and says.

“I will cry starting from now.”

“…..You’re already crying?”

Kiriyama was showing tears.

“You’re wrong! From now, I will be crying for real! Already, pathetic and pathetic, no good and no good, completely defeated, so I will cry!”

It was a rare announcement.

“Yes, with that said……sob……,I’m crying but I’m alright. If Taichi is cooling off his head, I’ll be going back first…. So it’s alright.”

After saying that, Kiriyama took out a mini-towel and really cried out “sob……sob…..sniff”. I wonder if this scene makes one cry. It is probably Kiriyama’s way of burying the past.

Taichi was also silent and reflected back. Taichi was about to be lured to cry but barely held back.

During that, he only asked once, “Isn’t it cold?” and with a muffled voice a response was heard saying “…..sob…..I’m fine.”

The two of the losing team was hit by the evening wind.

How much time has passed?

“……we failed huh?”

Kiriyama whispered alone. Her tears seemed to have stopped.

In contrast, Taichi’s head still tinged with heat and was absent minded.

“We have failed, huh? We have caused trouble for various people”

“Inaba and Aoki, were right.”

Taichi…..still couldn’t be convinced. He has accepted that he failed. Only that his way of thinking about his own choice, was completely mistaken. “Let’s accept it….already.”

“…..Well, if thinking about the situation now.”

Even though understanding completely. He was pathetic. But, it was still scary to look at it directly. Various things became too serious. Failed at responding to everyone, failed at dating Inaba, failed at Fujishima’s case, and also failed at consulting with that girl. He doesn’t know what is probably good to think about now.

“After all, we…..were abusing “power”….. In the end, contrarily, we were abused.”

“I wasn’t intend on only…..abusing pwer.”

Although being pointed out thoroughly, he intended to think about it and it was not enough.

“And also….we also abused people’s spirit.”

“People’s spirit?”

“Yeah, isn’t it terrible? It has a sense of exciting everyone or something like praising us. Because rumors spread and if we were asked for help, we couldn’t refuse…..”

“Can’t deny the point where we excited everyone.”

The consciousness of ‘If there is someone who I can help, then I will help that person’ ought to have became ‘as long as someone relies on me, I will help’. I even tried to rely on “power” with my own will.

Why did things turn out like this? If can frankly say,

“We, got carried away right…..”

“Ha ha,…..you said it straight out Taichi. But, I think so too. Being relied on by everyone, while having a look of confusion, somewhere….they were pleased.”

People having expectations of us and to respond to that expectation, this ultimate feeling was good.

Once that fruit enters the mouth, one is unable to let go of their hands on it.

In the end, I’ve been drunk with hope. ---Have I tasted the feeling similar to Chihiro, who had his hands on the “power” to show fakes? Even though I am a senpai, meeting the same result as my kouhai, I have no rights to face him.

“In the end, we were too easily over-reliant on “Dream Perception” and can read it wrong……. It was silly……”

“We have slacked off huh?......Because we had caused trouble and our awareness of it…..”

Words of reflection were flowing one after another.

We are reflecting. Really reflecting. We reflect.

“……If we have had levelheadedly done it. If we had more clearly thought about it, we wouldn’t have been abused? What do you think?”

Those were words of the what if world.

“Having intention, being prepared, having determination….that kind of thing? We did it, so didn’t we have intention, preparedness, and determination?”

I cannot think that we had zero of that. I do not want to think we had zero.

“It wasn’t enough, at the least. That is why, this result.”

Then, a decision full of intention, preparedness, and determination, what is it?

“It would have been better if we didn’t do anything I wonder.”

“That is wrong! ……tsk.”

Taichi suddenly raised his voice and surprised himself.

“What, what’s wrong. Taichi?”

“Nothin…..my bad.”

He instinctively rejected it. Anyways, he hated to admit it. He reflected. Reflecting. Does not want to admit it. Probably, if he denies it ---- there would be nothing remaining.”

“It’s just that, thanks that, because there are a lot of people who became happy, completely denying it is, somewhat……”

Taichi was thrown into disorder.

“yeah, yeah. Buy if we do it, we must do it more properly, that is certain…..right?”

For Taichi to deny strongly, Kiriyama probed for a question to ask.

“Ah, ah.”

“…..By the way, listen Taichi.”

For a moment, her words were cut off and looking like she was making up her mind, Kiriyama said.

“From now on….. are you going to take action using “Dream Perception”?”

From now on, I will also use “Dream Perception.” If I use it, what will happen? There is a possibility that I will be able to contribute to someone’s happiness. Only that---- the failure like what happened today can probably happen again That feeling of despair like plunging into the basin of under a waterfall. That a feeling of emptiness where there is no more what should I do.

Doing that once more? Can I do it? Can I possibly do it? This “selfless freak”.

“I don’t think….. I will do it.”

Frightening. Frightening. It is frightening. But until now I have somehow managed to hold out, but I can deceive, I don’t have that feeling of “something” being smashed up.

That was the fatal blow. I’ve been always, afraid of that.

Kiriyama had an expression of feeling relieved to Taichi’s words.

“That, that’s right. ….Right now, we must reflect. Even though we were utterly told by Aoki and Inaba.”

Because Taichi was told various things from Aoki and also Inaba. But he did not lend an ear and stuck with his own path he was thinking.

And then what I reached for was a dead end. Above all, I can’t move forward.

If Inaba and Aoki are correct, then what in the world became different?

“It was just as Aoki said, I don’t have room to speak out for other people….”

Kiriyama looked downwards an d let out a sigh.

“Well then, if I had room to spare, would it be different, something like that?”

Casually, especially without any particular meaning, Taichi whispered, and.

“…..huh?”

For some reason, Kiriyama made a face that looked like she was poked a hole.

“What’s the matter?”

“Nothing, it’s what Taichi said. Well, if I had room to spare, would it have been different, you said.”

“……was it an oversimplification?”

“Isn’t, isn’t it alright! It’s generally what Taichi said!”

Kiriyama moved her body from the seat and flapped her body.

And then she suddenly stopped in her tracks. She looked at both her hands and then she her face was red as if she was embarrassed by her childish acts from just before and put her hands down.

“……I’m not smart, so I don’t understand very well.”

She whispered sounding like she doesn’t have much confidence. However, because she said that, Kiriyama speaks without giving up.

“That is why the problem in front of me now, I want to try to solve it. For the time being.”

Because I don’t understand, I will clean up the problem in front of me.

It ‘s simple but.

It’s simple so that is why.

It seems like that is the most correct procedure.

“If that is done……it seems like we can see more about places to we should reflect on.”

Because stopping and only reflecting then nothing will change, going forward but not like there’s not reflection, I will reconsider.

“Well, first, I’ve been always…..running away.”

Kiriyama made a tight fist and exhaled once.

“I wasn’t intending to run away, but is that ok, I’ve been wavering like that. That doesn’t seem like the correct answer….. I poorly did and answered in an half-cocked way. “

That is a what if.

“But Aoki.”

As I thought, it was a problem with Aoki.

Taichi tried to confirm the problem in front of him. The incident with the free time, the misunderstanding from the response in the girl’s consultation, things about Inaba, and things about Fujishima. Which one should I even begin on? No, before that ---.

“For Aoki…..I can’t do it half-cocked. If I do that, I would lose…..but it’s a weird expression. Because he’s a guy who expresses himself with all his strength, I will try to express myself without restraint.”

From the corner of the dim light shining on their position on the terrace, Kiriyama while her eyes were still red, laughed.

“Suddenly what was wrong? That Aoki problem…..you said.”

It seemed like it was unexpected, Taichi was perplexed.

“I get it, “Dream Perception” or, things about everyone at school, there are various things to think about. But, I think that only here is where I can start once again.”

“Why…..?”

“It’s because there’s a feeling that it’s been stuck with me for a long time. ….This time’s decision to use “Dream Preception”, if that guy’s father’s incident did not happen, what will happen, I don’t know. ….That that wasn’t intended. It was my personal feeling!”

Completely denying it, was as one would expect was difficult.

“Even so…..soon, I won’t be made to wait? It’s a good chance.”

I will try to show my true self to that guy’s true self ----and announced that.

“Tomorrow, I, will try and say it.”

“Wai wait a minute….. Isn’t it too quick? …..I , what should I do?”

“It’s too late already, so it’s not quick. Taichi as well, right now, think about what you should do. ….And then, us two are going to have a meeting for reviewing.”

Being left in place. It’s not too quick. It’s only me.

Yui, who collapsed, tried getting back on her feet. But, Taichi still did not have any indications of picking himself up. He prop himself up but there was nothing to support his body.

There no clues of any kind, so even he doesn’t know what should he do.

“Ahh……but the travel to an apology is first I wonder…… Inaba looked angry like she wants to beat someone to a pulp…..”

He must hurry up and do something. Kiriyama who has accepted her mistake has tries taking a new step forward. Taichi, who couldn’t step forward, was tormented by his powerlessness.

Only impatience remained with Taichi.

□■□■□

In Taichi’s room, only the three of them, Watase and Ishikwa and himself, were there.

Taichi apologized with “Sorry for causing trouble for you,” and the two said, “You weren’t wrong.” Then the boys who told Taichi about the plan seemed to have came to apologize saying, “We did something bad to Yaegashi-kun.” Taichi was not there so soon after they talked personally but Taichi was pretty much relieved to that conversation. It was good that he was not hated.

He didn’t feel like staying up till late at night and already for three, he was too fatigued so he went to sleep. The two took it in consideration and also suggested to sleep early.

Taichi went to bed.

He decided to quickly sleep. But, was it alright for him to sleep? He thought was there something to do? The cloudiness of his thoughts met the pillow he was used to and he was not able to fall asleep.

His halfway slumber continued.

Time passed,

It was the day where the path he believed in was completely denied.

The path he believed in. From now on the path he should move forward on.

An obscured uneasiness attacked Taichi. Come to think of it, it was close by for a long time. He was followed around y this uneasiness. He tried to remember since when did it started. If talking about it recently, it was recent. If talking about along time ago, then I was even since a longer time ago. But this manifestation was when the career survey were handed -----.

【A girl from a different class. The girl is complaining. However there is no one in front of her. “It would be better if you did not exist”. It was a scene more faint that usual. In a dream? A dream where you see when sleeping? “If you did not exist then I wouldn’t be angry at”. The girl blamed. She was blamed someone. The person who she was blaming was in his head. It floated up. That face, was one he is used to seeing ---- his own face. Yaegashi Taichi’s face. “When Yaegashi was there, it turned own like this If Yaegashi did not exist ----.】

Taichi brushed aside his futon and jumped out of bed.

Were the other two deep asleep? They were not shifting.

The image just now……was a “dream”. His head was dizzy. The image in his brain one by one were changed and then disappeared, the voice he heard also disappeared. It seemed like that the dream he had and the dream the other person was seeing while sleeping were mixed together.

His head became hot. He spaced out. He wants to cool off.

In his athletic clothing with a haori^[2] as a jacket, Taichi left his room.

He walked through the hallway which was dyed orange by the light bulb. Only his footsteps echoed in the hallway where no one was there.

Wanting to blame Taichi. Wanting to hate Taichi. It would be better if Taichi didn’t exist.

It was a “dream” with a desire for that.

More than seriously desiring it, because it was when she was sleeping, what he saw was probably a “dream”. Even so she was deeply unconsciously thinking about it.

To Taichi, he was more serious about this than the kind of desire that was seen in “Dream Perception” up until now.

Ahh, and then. Thinking back, even making contact with other people, he could not be told?

Saying, disappear.

Disappear. Make one’s existence disappear. The girl who had a consultation and was given wrong advice. She was clear about it.

If it was within the boundaries of something that can be done, if it doesn’t intrude on others too much, if it can make someone else happy, then I will grant their wish. I will help someone. That is something we did. That is something I have dome up until now in my life.

Helping someone. For someone else. It’s because I take in other people’s pain as if it was my own.

Contributing to others, projecting on to others, myself.

Up until now, everything of mine piling up, from the beginning of this phenomenon, it is what I have decided.

If I am to rely on that which is something definite. If I am to protect, my own identity.

The thing I should do ---.

Taichi unsteadily walked around. He went down the stairs.

He went to the terrace. The terrace where one is exposed to the mountain air blowing. He felt he had become a little more submissive than when he looked at the evening view with Kiriyama. He walked avoiding the round tables and chairs. Directly in front of him was a wooden fence. In the direction from there was a slope with a very sharp angle.

A cliff.

If I fell from here, most likely that will be the end of me. I can make it end.

And then grant someone’s desire.

Assuming that. If that is true. I ---

Stoopppp Taaaiiiichiiiii!”

“Noo!?”

Suddenly he took hit by a full body tackle from someone in the back.

Taichi lost his balance and fell on the spot. He was covered up by someone on top. While confused, he turned his face up and in front of his was ---Nagase Iori.

“Don’t do it! What were you thinking Taichi! Because it was desired……, even if you don’t know whether it was for real……! No, it has nothing to do with whether it was for real or not, that is something you absolutely absolutely must not do! Don’t do it!”

Nagase who switched to sitting straddling shouted. Her silk like black hair dangled toward Taichi. Nagase was in a yukata ^[3]. On top she was wearing a parka but it was opened in the front and the knot of her yukata sash was loose so from the yukata only her chest ---.

“That is why……and what are you looking at!? Pervert!”

“Oww”

A slap to his face. It was the “so called slap”. It was painful.

“ ~~~~~~~um, you’re wrong! I was straddled lying on my back so it was naturally in my line of sight…..that’s not it! What were you doing so suddenly!?”

“Huh? That’s because, Taichi had a gloomy face walking out to the terrace, you looked like you will from yourself off from the cliff…..You saw that “Dream Perception”!? I also so it!”

“Throw myself off?”

“Yeah, yeah. To make that kid’s ”dream”…..”

“Well, as one would expect, that isn’t it. If not existing and because someone thought about me so I de, that’s not possible”

Taichi said. It seemed extremely reasonable.

“…..” ”…..”

“……….Yeah, that’s right huh?”

After saying that, Nagase stuck her tongue and with a “Tehee” laughed.

“……I won’t be fooled?”

“I’m, very sorry! I jumped to conclusions!”

Nagase while still squatting jumped back from Taichi and at that spot she kneeled on the ground.

“But, if it’s Taichi, I had a feeling you wouldn’t hesitate!”

“How was I being evaluated……. …..Well, because there was a previous offense, I can’t strongly say that.”

Taichi whispered and the agreement he wanted came with Nagase saying “Right! Right!”

First of all, the both of them stood up.

“You’re wearing a yukata. Aren’t you cold?’

“It’s warm at the top so it’s alright. Well, I was fitted with it so I was expected to use it, I wonder. Look, service scene ♡”

Nagase flashed her legs.

“Ah, Stop it! By the way, weren’t you embarrassed doing that just now!?”

“ An involuntary peep show and a deliberate peep show are a world of difference, Taichi-kun.”

“……Since I was told by the person herself, I only will accept it.”

Being slapped walk him up and his mind was calmed down by the usual Nagase.

“And, why is Nagase here/”

“Yeah, and. I just happened to see that girl’s “dream” In that, you see, …..it’s hard to talk about it though…..”

“I also saw it.”

“Ah, as I thought, you did see it. If it’s about the person himself in it, especially when that person is seeing it is possible~ I thought. Then after, well, various things happened to Taichi and Taichi was probably depressed. Somehow, it was bothering me Then I discovered Taichi wandering around aimlessly! I had that feeling. …..In the end, I worked my unnecessary imagination and did something awkward but……sorry.”

“It was a mistake you did for my good. It’s fine, thank you.”

“You’re kind, Taichi!”

Nagase cheerfully smiled. The warm face like the Holy Mother Nagase had, relaxed Taichi’s heart for him.

Suddenly he noticed something, and whispers.

“I…..have utterly failed. Everything was no good.”

He made a complaint. Even how or where you look from, he only wanted to be comforted.

“Did everything become no good at all? You probably failed but”

Kind but without only kindness, she pointed out the thing she should point out.

“Hmmmm~ your face looks like you want me to listen to your story? Big sister Iori-san will listen to you.”

Taichi laughed at Nagase who said it like a joke.

He will bit by bit talk about what he talked about with Kiriyama from before and about his own thoughts.

The thing he persisted with. And with that he failed. But there was correctness in himself, he thought. The better next time could not begin.

Embarrassment or something like that was absolutely not felt at all.

“…..I made a mistake with my path and relied on “power”. …. I didn’t help someone and there was no other way, it’s because that’s the sort of person I am.”

“Yes, stop.”

Until there, while she interrupted, Nagase who was listening quietly, she brought the talk to an end. “What’s wrong?..... Is it because my talk was too long? It’s better if you return about…..”

“No at all, time is alright though. I only had a feeling…. Something probably extremely important.”

“What is it?”

Nagase put her index finger in front of her mouth and exactly stopped her movements.

The quiet night. The ending late night. The air which was about to be cleared of pain with a burst froze over him. And then ---

“Hey Taichi, are you really that type of person?”

Nagase said.

“……huh, you said?”

Taichi could not grasp the meaning exactly.

“Because it’s unpleasant you see, according to Inaba’s “selfless freak”, aspiration of a hero? And I think Taichi has that.”

Ahhh, it’s as she said.

“But because of that, is it something nothing can be done about it?”

It’s because, I’m that kind of person. So nothing can be done---

“That’s because, that is my nature, so if I think about enduring it, I can do it, of course. But it’s not like there are withdrawl symptoms.”

“Endure….you say.”

“Like “Desires Unleashed”, my body did not move on its own. That’s why I endure it, or not, that’s what we’re talking about? No matter what, I want to help someone, no mother one, I can’t leave some one suffering alone, all of it, can I endure it…..all? If I decide to do it”

While saying it, ----I can only say that.

“Well, without holding back, aren’t you only under the impression of that? It seems like that.”

With a single stroke he was notified. Too many groundless arguments, so Taichi felt repulsed. But, ways to refute that did not surface in his mind.

And then, what’s more, is that somewhere there was a nostalgic feeling, a feeling he had moved through this situation before ----.

“Hey, I noticed. This, this was what Taichi said to me one year ago?”

…..I remembered. Nagase who was saying that she was acting various personas, that was only just because she expresses herself more that other people and in the end, everything was Nagase herself. That was what I told her.

“From that start, I have changed.”

Nagase has changed …..Then, how about me?

“Repeating the same thing, what kind of result will it have?”

Taichi pushes out a wavering voice to Nagase who whispered seemingly deeply moved.

“I…..certainly that…..I was under the impression…..probably. But I……why….. was I serious about it……?”

He could not put it into words smoothly. It was what he wanted to say. It was something he wanted her to know. After, he only can take one step forward. But why is it, that he cannot?

Something seemed completely broken. It was because it seemed like something was completely broken.

“…..Up until now, what have I been doing…..”

If everything was under the impression then he was completely making a fool out of himself. For how long was he working himself up for nothing?

“Well, in reality, Taichi is amazing I think. No matter who, you will save ---“

“It’s because that was what everyone is saying!”

“You were acting, you’re saying? Like how I was?”

That was Nagase’s story. I also…..no.

“…..That’s not it. I wasn’t acting. More than acting ....if anything……that appearance…..I…..was relying on?”

Those kind of words came out. Relying on, what was the meaning?

“Aren’t you making a face looking like you are looking for something, Taichi?”

“…..Probably, but….still, I don’t understand.”

“From my experience, I will give you an advice to, be naked I think.”

“Na, naked? Taking off my clothes? You’re daring Nagase.”

“Why are you being a natural idiot here?! No that’s not it…..Ahhh, enough! What I meant was……if that! I will destroy you.”

“…..destroy?”

“That’s right, destroy.”

Saying that, Nagase got closer. She stood directly in front of Taichi.

“Bring out everything that you have inside yourself, and, pile it up.”

Nagase said as if she was steadily rousing things up.

“Bring it out? Pile it up?”

“It’s a metaphor, a metaphor! It’s ok if you imagine it. Well, here we go~”

Nagase breathed in, and then swung both her arms up. What is she planning? What is coming?

“Baaaaaaaaaaaannnnnngg!”

While an outrageously loud noise was produced, Nagase suddenly grabbed Taichi’s shoulders.

“…..What the, my ears……what on earth are you trying to ……!”

Taichi who was frowning and complaining said to Nagase.

“Yes, inside of Taichi, “Everything that is Taichi” has been completely destroyed!”

“Destroyed……huh?”

“Isn’t it fine, everything you are has been destroyed! Exactly right now! And then look carefully! Think about that over again!”

“…..Look? Wait. If everything is destroyed, then nothing will be remaining then……”

“There is.”

Nagase confidently addressed.

“Everything was destroyed. Inside yourself, there is something remaining. You can feel that.”

The strong unwavering eyes attracted Taichi and he breathed in.

“Absolutely. After, you can rely on that to move forward.”

Taichi could not make a sound in response to Nagase’s awesomeness; his lips were quivering like a fool.

Nagase with a face looking like she is satisfied, turned her back towards him. And then she looked the evening view. She only said, right now, only you are here so there is time.

According to Nagase, he was destroyed. He heard that he was destroyed.

Taichi certainly heard the sound of crumbling down.

Defeated, smashed up, broken into small fragments. However, thanks to that, the area which could not be seen from everything that got in the way is now exposed. The words has expanded. He glances over.

I absolutely must hold onto it, that ‘s right, the thing I was thinking about, is broken down.

Demolish it. Sort it out. Look for what’s important.

And then, discover it.

Wanting to save someone. Wanting to save something. There was myself who think that it is as a instinctive desire. That was not mistaken.

But, at the same time, I want to save someone, I want to save something.

---It’s because there is no “me”.

In that moment, a tear fell from Taichi’s eyes.

Like a dam that was holding it back breaking, he’s been released.

There is no “me”. That “me”, should it be called something like that? Opinion? Idea? Belief? Thought? Argument? Intention? Whatever it is, it feels like it doesn’t matter. Anyways, ‘’that’’ wasn’t there.

Taichi has finally accepted the reality.

The truth is that all along, somewhere, I knew though.

Because there was no “me”, so I could not decide. Because there was no “me”, my opinion was ambiguous. And also, because there was no “me”, I could not get angry at various things. In a bad sense, tolerated. That in itself was a certain kind of apathy.

Especially recently, the career survey, or this phenomenon where we were given a “power”, there were many opportunities where I was made to think suddenly.

And then, I noticed that there was nothing inside me and was surprised. Not intending to make everyone around me wait, I tried to quickly decide. I also, continued down my own path that I think is correct.

Even if it just is my own problem, in the situation where I did not look straight at it and was flustered and did not become the level where it can influence the lives of someone else. And so forth using “Dream Perception”, I was already gone.

But, there was no “me”, I did not want to accept something like that.

That is why, once I have decided the path to use “Dream Perception”, I could not abandon it in the middle. Because I, who normally would not have decided that, has decided it, no matter what, I wanted to keep that decision.

If not, I thought that there was no “me” would be exposed.

That felt really shameful.

The thing that that me can do was to help someone --- especially to save someone.

That’s because it is unmistakably correct for the “negative” to “lose the negative”. However the case for from a “zero” to a “positive”? That was not something I could do.

For the direction I move forward, is infinite. Within that choice, which one to choose? That is something only I can decide. If there is no “me”, then I cannot decide.

Wanting to help. Wanting to do something. Wanting to do it well. That is what not able to see the directionality is.

Even despite that, was my luck good? Because I left the result half-finished so that made me convince that I was correct.

I relied on to it.

Right now one way or another, I am deceiving myself. I really feel that I am nothing and could not change.

Change is where something needs to be discarded and something is born.

That courage which was “discarded” was not there.

In order for something to be gained, one more that “discarded” courage.

Up until now, the things I have accumulated, up until now the paths I went along on. They were nothing important, the habits, I have held fast on that.

I was a selfless freak for myself. I noticed that during that time with “Personality Exchange”.

But, that was the so called nature I have and that was the only reason so my thinking stopped there. I could not make sure if there was one more reason.

I have discovered that now. In order to fill in my emptiness, I help people, I can help someone so that I will try to find the value of myself. That is me. With great difficulty, I recognize it.

I realize that even though I myself was this close, it was this difficult to understand it.

---Why did I until now, for one moment, in one go able to think about things? Suddenly thinking about the doubt, it will instantly occur to my mind.

It has been completely pointed out by people around me. For example, Fujishima. And above all, Inaba Himeko.

The answer was already practically hinted at . I was told “change” and “because you can do it” by Inaba. However, the result was, I was incompetent and only came to me now ----

“Nagase” Taichi said to her.

“Hmm, what’s up?”

“I understand various things….after a long time.”

Right now, the things he was thinking, the things he believes, he talked about it with Nagase.

Already it was late in the night and it was at a good point to confirm whether he was causing a problem for her. But she said, “Don’t worry about it at all! Contrarily, being able to help Taichi…… assisting Taichi in his growth, I’m happy!” “----And with that, I failed. I don’t have the right to use the power of “Dream Perception”.”

With that, for once a pause was added.

“That right really belongs to Aoki or Inaba I wonder…..”

That’s because they have a firm grasp of “themselves”. While thinking about that, Taichi whispered.

“yeah, those two are amazing but….. The truth is I think that there is no difference? If the brakes lost their effects like Taichi, then they knew that, so they didn’t interfere. Really, if it were a reliable person, then will that person manage using it well and perfectly?”

“…..Is that so, I wonder. Either way, I shouldn’t be the one using it. I’m really, sorry. Nagase, I caused you trouble. I promise, to not use “Dream Perception” again. Absolutely, I won’t use it. …..I only don’t have the courage to use it but.”

“Well, well ok. I feel that it’s atonement for the trouble you caused up till now. Perhaps, I’m still thinking about whether to say “Absolutely not use it!” ”

“Huh?”

“I sn’t it alright when you re~~aally should use it? That’s what I think. It’s because it’s the bonus stage, that guy made us go through.”

“Well, but, that is…..”

“Because I used “Dream Perception”, that is why I could help Taichi? ……No, well in the beginning it was a misunderstanding, in the end it was me saying “baaaannng!”. Being told that was absurdly hilarious and Taichi without thinking burst into laughter.

“Haha, it’s like Nagase to something like that? …..Huh? But being that good self-restrained and using it when you should use it you see…..”

In other words, that is what Nagase said before about ,”if it’s a really able person then it can be done”.

“That seems like completely Iori-san’s principle right? Right now, there’s a graduation feel to it but, I only point and only pointing out, I wonder, kidding!”

Nagase was chuckling. There without any shadow, she was really cheerfully.

Not even afraid of “Dream Perception”, not even losing her head over it, Nagase showed that decision.

“You have really seriously thought about it huh? …..Amazing, Nagase.”

“Thanks to that, it took time until this though!”

Even so she’s amazing, thought Taichi .

The conversation paused and it soon fell into silence.

In the middle of that, Taichi was deep in thought. Probably, Nagase was also doing that as well.

“Well, rather than that, there are things we should be thinking about.”

Nagase spoke out.

“Taichi’s…..there is no “me”, topic. It’s a bit of a different type, but what do I want to do, I can’t think about that so it’s also the same.”

That was Nagase having a talent when meeting people do to her environment at home. She has been bothered by it for a long time.

“That’s because we, must think about things.”

“About what?”

He generally had an idea but Taichi dared to ask.

“The meaning of me living, the significance of my own existence.”

The wind blew. Her hair which was like silk dance in the air and leaping beautifully. It looked like it was not because it was swept by the wind, but in reverse it was accompanying the wind. The girl who let the strength of her will dwell in her eves was shone by the moon light and is more beautiful than anything else and also with a dignified manned standing still.

“…..I mean, trying to say it and it’s stiff! Serious!”

“…..Especially because you decided it has a good feeling, you wished you stayed silent about it.”

It was like Nagase but.

Ah~ I have decided~ I wish it was cooler said Nagase and she laughed.

“Well, Taichi as well, from now on, let’s start again.”

“Yeah that’s right. From now on, I’ll build on. I’ll quickly catch up to Nagase.”

“Because there’s no handicaps so don’t rush it! If you catch up, my reputation will crumble!”

In the end, because the two of them did not end up going out, Nagase and I as similar people for a long time are able to compete with each other’s trust, that’s the kind of friend I feel like.

Well, from now on, what should I do? How to do it?

If my heart has decided on it, then I must make my move after.

“I, will think forward with my own power. And then….the dream about my future, I will also think about it.”

Taichi also added thinking about the career survey.

“Dream…..huh?”

Whispering, Nagase looked up at the sky. Taichi lured by her, also looked up at the sky.

The sea, of starts. A complete skyful of stars.

The stars sparkled. The stars are twinkling. The stars were not in one plane, if there were distant stars then there are also nearby stars. Sometimes, that is just like the stars lying on top of each other so they are rising to the night sky.

Stretching his hand upwards and spreading it out. The stars were stored in the middle of his hand , and he tightly held it within.

“Ah, that’s right. I still haven’t told anyone but…….. do you listen, to my dream?”

While still looking up at the night sky, Nagase said.

“Is it ok for me to listen?”

“Well you see I, in the direction of a school teacher or something like that. I still haven’t clearly decided on a job yet though. I have decided on what I want to do. I want to lend a hand to the growth of children who are embracing various worries and can’t do various things very well.”

Countless thousands of stars floating in this sky, countless thousands of lives shining brightly on this earth.

“I want to be the light for children who are confused about their doubts.”

Nagase was beginning to walk.

Like her, Taichi also tried to walk.

But before that, I must conclude the story I had begun myself.

Translation Notes

1. Jump up↑ 【正座】the proper way of sitting on the floor, kneeling with the tops of the feet flat on the floor, and sitting on the soles
2. Jump up↑ A kimono like jacket.
3. Jump up↑ A lighter version of a kimono