Chapter 35

Chapter 35: People and People

And so, after the suspension ended, Aoi returned.

Everyone was treating him like he was on eggshells, holding their breath and watching his every move.

Most of the Sotomachi group had distanced themselves from Aoi, but even so, one person from the same kendo club left Sotomachi to stick with Aoi.

(As long as you have one friend you can trust, you can manage even if you feel out of place.)

I thought of Kousuke and Acchan, who had transferred schools.

I could feel everyone tense up and focus on me as I approached Aoi.

I'll wait until after school to talk to him.

After school.

'Tachibana-kun, Aoi-kun, starting today, you'll be on trash duty after cleaning for two months!'

Kashii-san declared, adding a slightly firm, "No more fighting, okay!"

'I get it, I won't do it again!'

'I won't!'

Both of us replied in unison!

There are two trash bins, so honestly, one person could handle it, but the two of us take our time carrying them together.

Since there's cheer practice for the sports festival today, finishing early doesn't really have much benefit.

'Tachibana, I'm really sorry...'

'I've already heard it! By the way, how's school?'

He said there aren't any particular issues, but he feels like he's being watched, and some students give him cold looks. Well, all he can do is live sincerely and properly, right?

'What should I do from now on?'

Aoi was troubled.

'I've been thinking about it too, but why don't you hang out with Tanaka, Saho, me, and Kousuke to deepen your understanding of people and people?'

Whether it's apologizing, clearing up misunderstandings, or getting to know someone, you can learn about yourself through others, right? They might have things they want to say too.

...There's still one lingering knot in my heart.

Aoi seemed convinced and, from then on, apparently made appointments to visit each house one by one, day by day.

At Tanaka's house, his mom was beautiful and kind, and when Aoi apologized for the bullying, she forgave him. Tanaka's taste in manga was pretty hardcore. Their dog was cute.

At Saho's house, there was a kind grandma, and when Aoi apologized for the bullying, she got really mad, saying how much Saho had suffered!

Also, Saho was insanely good at Smash Bros.

The last of the so-called timid trio had no family at home, but Aoi was shocked at how high-spec their computer was, and they were really good at games.

At Kousuke's house, Aoi was surprised that Kousuke's mom looked just like him, totally taking after her. Also, he was amazed they'd kept a goldfish rescued from a festival for over ten years.

And on the substitute holiday for the sports festival, Aoi came to the Tachibana family's house.

'That goldfish at Kousuke's house! It's surprising, right!'

'I didn't know goldfish could get that big!'

We got excited talking about Kousuke's house (lol).

Aoi said,

'But Tachibana, you were right. If I had known Tanaka and the others, I wouldn't have bullied them. If I had known their moms or families, I wouldn't have resorted to violence.'

Yeah, I think so too.

If you know about someone's family, what they value, or what they like, even if you can't become friends, you can understand each other, and people and people can get along, right?

'So, if you know what's most important to someone or what they can't forgive, you might understand who they are.'

Aoi nodded.

My grandpa and grandma welcomed him.

'Welcome! It's been since fourth grade that Sho-kun brought someone other than Kousuke-kun or Acchan.'

'Sho-kun doesn't have friends, huh?'

'It's not that I don't have any, just not many!'

Grandpa and Grandma were harsh! They offered Aoi some snacks and then returned to their room.

'Your grandpa and grandma are funny.'

Well, yeah.

'So, wanna see what's important to me?'

'Oh! Show me!!'

I approached the baby bed in the corner of the room, and Aoi, seeming to understand, quietly followed.

I introduced it with a big smile and high energy.

'Ta-da! Our family's idol, Hii-chan!!'

'Hey! Hii-chan!'

'So cute! How old?'

'Hii-chan is a young boy who'll turn 2 soon!'

His name is Hikaru, but we call him Hii-chan.

He's only one and a half, so he can't say "Hikaru" yet.

'Those big and round eyes! So cute!'

'Carry me!'

He can only speak simple words, but that's what makes it great!

I heard Aoi is an only child, so babies must be a rare sight for him.

Well, our Hii-chan is the best, though.

'Aoi, wanna carry him?'

'Is that okay?'

I taught him how to carry a baby, and he nervously picked Hii-chan up.

'He might drool on you, so be careful, okay?'

'He's so cute, I don't mind.'

There's even something called baby therapy; babies have a healing effect.

Someone like Aoi, who's hardly been around babies, would easily fall for it.

'Ahh, so healing!'

'Right? He's our treasure.'

I continued talking with the same high energy as before.

I put Hii-chan back in the baby bed and showed Aoi.

'Hii-chan, can you show him a little?'

'No!'

'Please, Hii-chan!'

'Okay!'

With permission granted, I apologized to Hii-chan and took off his clothes.

Aoi gasped.

There are two surgical scars on Hii-chan's chest. The scars on his tiny body are ominous marks, disproportionate to his small frame, and they draw your gaze no matter how much you try to look away.

'...What are these...?'

'Hikaru, you see, was born with a bad heart. It was really dangerous.'

Since Aoi was silent, I continued.

'He's only one and a half, but he's already had two surgeries around his heart. He's so small and doesn't have much strength... it was life-threatening. I don't fully understand, but apparently, it's a rare case. So even with assistance, all sorts of expenses pile up...'

Aoi's face had gone pale.

I continued.

'That's why, even though both my parents work, there were times when Mom couldn't work because of Hii-chan's escorts and such, so it was tough and busy.'

I smiled as I spoke.

'I wasn't told the details since I'm just a kid, and I still don't know everything. But from what I heard from Grandpa and Grandma, it cost tens of millions or something like that. Normal households don't have that kind of money, right? So, we have debt.'

Aoi was already trembling.

I continued as I put Hii-chan's clothes back on.

'I think any family that builds a house incurs tens of millions of yen in debt and pays it off. For us, that happened to be Hii-chan, and Hii-chan is a high-maintenance boy with a selfish body.'

I continued.

'When it became clear that Hii-chan's surgeries and medical expenses would cost a lot of money, I was proud of my parents who immediately took on debt without hesitation to protect Hii-chan. It was me who asked them, 'You don't need lunch boxes; rice balls and some sausages are fine,' to my parents who worked desperately to repay the debt and let us live normally.'

I continued.

'Just once, I'll say it just once. I will never talk about this again. This is about when I was being picked on. My parents are pathetic? Don't ever say that again, or I'll kill you.'

I continued with a bitter smile.

'I talked with Aoi and realized he's not a bad guy, so that's a closed matter. And Aoi wasn't the only one who said it. Still, we have debt, so yes, we're poor. Mom is busy, so I don't want to bother her, which is why my lunch is simple. I don't even have a smartphone. I have few friends, and indeed, I couldn't serve as class president, and I also think it's better to get a part-time job if you're poor, but there were no jobs around here that a middle schooler like me could do! It's fine if it's about me, but don't insult my family or friends. I will absolutely not tolerate insulting my parents, my little sister Nozomi, or Hikaru, who is desperately living.'

(Refer to Chapters 12 and 13)

I calmly told Aoi.

Just this once, I won't bring up this topic again.

I apologized.

'Sorry, it's not like you were the only one who said it.'

Aoi was crying out loud. He was apologizing while crying.

(I overdid it. While talking, my anger flared up again...)

So, I declared that this conversation is over! Then I left Hii-chan with Grandpa and Grandma and went to my room.

We were silent for a while, but I finally lightened the mood by joking that it's over, and the atmosphere returned to normal.

I was asked to lend something I recommend, so naturally, I handed over 'Hanano Keiji.'

If you read this, you'll probably understand what a real man is, right?

It's been a while since I let out raw emotions like that. I'll swallow this topic from now on.

'Thanks, Tachibana. I thought I understood you from our last deep talk, but today I got to know Sho even more. You could've just brushed it off and kept things surface-level, but you faced me head-on and even scolded me. Thank you.'

Yeah, this person understands people's hearts more than I thought, huh?

Though I said it myself, if we understand each other and become friends, maybe we can avoid hurting each other and things will work out. I had a conversation like this with someone... oh, it was with Kashii-san a long time ago.

'Tachibana, if things stay like this, I can't forgive myself. I can't face Hii-chan.'

'No, it's fine already. I said I'd forgive you once, but then I invited you to my house and brought up this kind of talk. I'm the one who's wrong. I'm sorry, I apologize.'

No, no, it's me! I'm the one who's wrong! Both of us insisted that we were at fault.

If there had been a third person saying, "Then I'm the one who's wrong," it would've turned into something like the Dacho Club with us yelling, 'You're the one who's wrong!'

Aoi said.

'Then hit me once!'

'Alright, then after that, you hit me once too.'

I agreed without thinking, but last time, the aftermath of me getting hit was worse, wasn't it?

And so, Aoi made a round through everyone's houses.

It seems like Aoi learned and gained a lot.

The next day.

Kashii-san said with a cold look in her eyes.

'Why do you two have injuries on your faces again? You'll explain, right?'

'Yes.'

I explained to Kashii-san, omitting the parts I didn't want to say.

'It was absolutely necessary.'

'That's the last line from Run, Melos!'

Kashii-san retorted while looking exasperated.

Judge Kashii's verdict was an additional month of trash duty as punishment. It wasn't an atmosphere where we could file an objection,

and in the end, Kashii-san scolded us a lot. There was no probation.

——————————————

Daily life at the Tachibana family.

Sho wipes Hii-chan thoroughly after a bath, buries his face in Hii-chan's belly while he's lying on his back, and blows air.

'Puuu!!'

'Kyaa! Kyaa!'

Hii-chan is overjoyed. My little sister, Nozomi, hears the sound and comes over, blowing air in the same way.

'Buuu!'

'Kyaa! Kyaa!'

They play, making sounds on his belly in the same way.

'Hii-chan, Hii-chan!'

'Nee! Nee!'

'I want you to call me older sister soon.'

'I want you to call me older brother too!'

The Tachibana siblings are engrossed in Hii-chan's selfish body.