RMSGE ` 08

Chapter – 08

I Don’t Understand Myself

★Side: Sasai Kaoru.

“Haaah… I’m hopeless…”

No matter how you look at it, when you get hit on that blatantly, you’re supposed to turn them down properly… In the end, I ended up making Mom and Dad worry about me a lot, too.

And besides, it’s not like that place was completely deserted—there were other people around. So why couldn’t I just say no?

I want to become stronger…

“Right… I need to contact Makoto.”

After I told Mom and Dad about what happened today, they were really worried.

Still, they said work is at a really critical stage right now, so it’s difficult for them to come pick me up.

So what they suggested was asking my childhood friend Makoto to come get me instead.

If that didn’t work, they said Dad would somehow arrange to pick me up themselves—that was the conclusion we reached.

I really don’t want to be a burden on Mom and Dad, though…

So, I contacted Makoto.

*’Makoto?’*

*’Hm? What’s up?’*

*’Actually, today on my way back from cram school…’*

I explained that I got hit on and was about to be taken away, but a kind person helped me.

*’For real?’*

*’Yeah. So, I talked it over with Mom and Dad, and they thought that from now on, if possible, I’d like you to come pick me up… Of course, I’m not forcing you… Is that no good?’*

I said that, but cram school ends at 7:30 PM, which isn’t exactly early, so honestly, I’d understand if he turned me down.

Actually, Mom and Dad felt the same way.

Still, if he agreed because he was worried about me, I’d be really happy…

*’But cram school ends past 7, right?’*

*’Uh… yeah. Around 7:30, I think.’*

*’Seriously? That’s around the time I’m usually partying up with my friends playing FPS… And with the season ending, I’m really grinding right now.’*

*’O-oh, I see. Of course, I’m not forcing you, so if it’s no good, it’s fine.’*

*’Sorry. But really, take care of yourself, okay?’*

*’Yeah. Got it.’*

After that exchange, I lay down on my bed.

“I see…”

He says he’s worried, but playing games with his friends is more important, huh…

But he already had plans, so I guess it can’t be helped.

Still, it would’ve made me happy if he’d said he’d come pick me up.

Come to think of it, lately, I’ve been feeling less upset about things Makoto says.

Of course, it’s not that I don’t like Makoto anymore, but I wonder why…

Still, it’s true that I do feel a little down about it.

Well, there’s no point dwelling on it.

“I wonder if Kaito-kun would come…”

I thought that to myself.

For some reason, I felt like Kaito-kun would come.

“But I can’t ask that, can I…”

I can’t go that far and be that much of a bother.

Kaito-kun probably has his own things to do, too.

Having him come pick me up past 7:30 a few times a week—I just can’t bring myself to ask such a huge favor…

But what should I do…? I don’t want to be a burden on my parents, either.

They’ve been saying work is at a crucial stage for a while now.

Maybe I should just tough it out… But what if the same thing happens again, and I can’t say no again…?

Honestly, even now, thinking about what could’ve happened if Kaito-kun hadn’t been there scares me.

If I refuse and they get violent, I’m sure I’d freeze up completely.

Then, I remembered Kaito-kun’s words from earlier.

How he said he was worried about me, and how he told me to rely on him.

“Maybe I’ll just ask…”

I thought that and decided to contact Kaito-kun.

*’Kaito-kun, are you awake?’*

*’Yeah, I’m up. What’s wrong?’*

*’First of all, thank you again for today.’*

*’Yeah, no problem.’*

*’So, I talked to Mom and Dad about what happened today, and…’*

I told him about everything that just happened.

*’I see… So Yamazaki can’t because of personal reasons, but you don’t want to burden your parents, right?’*

*’Yeah… So… if it’s not too much trouble for you, Kaito-kun… could you come pick me up…?’*

I asked, thinking it was only natural if he refused, but a reply came right away.

*’Sure.’*

*’Eh? Really?’*

*’Of course. I have no reason to refuse, and besides, I was the one who told you to rely on me. Just let me know in advance on days you have cram school.’*

I noticed my heart pounding at Kaito-kun’s immediate response, without a moment’s hesitation.

There’s no benefit for Kaito-kun in this, yet he said that…

This is the first time a man other than my father has been this kind to me. I was a little flustered, but also incredibly happy.

*’Yeah… thank you. I’ll make sure to let you know the day before on days I have cram school.’*

*’Alright, looking forward to it.’*

*’Yeah. Likewise.’*

“Haaah, Kaito-kun, huh…”

At first, it was a relationship that started haphazardly, but now he’s definitely become a pillar of support for me.

And lately, sometimes my heart even races when I think of Kaito-kun…

What’s happening to me…?

I definitely still like Makoto.

Even now, I still want to go out with him, yet recently, Kaito-kun is definitely there in my heart.

“But if Kaito-kun is coming, that’s really reassuring…”

Even those tough-looking guys today left as if they were fleeing from Kaito-kun.

That might be because of Kaito-kun’s past actions, but from my perspective, it still makes him incredibly reliable.

Besides, I want to support Kaito-kun as he tries to atone for his past and move forward… If there’s anything I can do, I even want to help him.

Without realizing it, the feeling of dejection from being turned down by Makoto faded, and thinking about Kaito-kun warmed my heart.