Side Heroine

11-20

11

Chapter 11: I Want to Protect You!

"Ah, that? I'm already used to it."

We were in the corner of a crowded café, when Sara simply stated after asking about her school situation.

What do you mean you are used to it? When she saw my confused look, she simply laughed and said "Thank you for your concern."

"Since I was in late elementary school, these kinds of things began to happen. It happened in junior high as well. Although this happened earlier than expected in high school. . . . but it was still expected."

". . . Did it settle down in junior high?"

"Not at all."

The same fate has been afflicting her, I was hoping by now she had found a solution, but unfortunately her fate was merciless.

What more, I don't know if I can help because it's Sara herself that is answering with a casual face. It's agonizing to hear she is "used to it". To have it happen for so long you become used to such a nightmare. For goodness sake, please don't get used to it.

"I haven't liked school for a long time, but recently everyday has been fun."

"Why. . ?"

"It's all thanks to Shiori-san."

She gave a shy smile. I had a suspicious look on my face. I had no idea why she said my name, but she laughed again saying "I don't know."

"I choose to take the train every morning because I want to see Shiori-san. It's really fun to have you tutor me and for us to cook together on Sunday. . .It honestly is hard at school, but I'm always looking forward to the commute, so I'm doing my best."

"—!"

Various thoughts rushed through my head when I heard that. It's not that school is fun, it's not a person there that she looks forward to, it's me she is looking forward to, and our commute to school.

All of this is so messed up. Even if I try to describe the emotion, I can't think of the words for it. Instead I could only say nothing, before tears began to grow.

Ahh, geeze. What am I doing? I'm beginning to cry? Even though I'm older than her. She is the one doing her best in her terrible fate.

If I could support her even a little, then perhaps she could say that I was worthy. Despite that, I've never been so happy.

I'm happy, but Sara's attitude of giving up at school is insanely sad.

I roughly wiped away my tears. I tried to stop crying and raised my face. I saw Sara smiling at me with a troubled face.

"I'm happy that there is somebody so worried about me that they will cry with a runny nose."

". . .I don't have a runny nose."

Well, I can feel it about to drip out, so I blew my nose into a napkin.

Also our surroundings are beginning to hurt me. I found that the other customers in the cafe were giving me glances. It made me feel ashamed after showing this pathetic display.

"Sara, you've already accepted it?"

"Well, of course it's hard. I do want to live a peaceful highschool life, but it is what it is."