Nyanta & Pomeko

Chapter 45: Nanako 1

"Thank you, Haruka, for today. Thanks to you, I know a little more about volleyball."

　Anri, a little sweaty, thanked Haruka.

　Haruka was puzzled by her words.

"Uuuuu N-no way, I'm useless. ......"

　She looks away awkwardly as she stares at the volleyball in her hand.

　I wonder if there are emotions swirling inside Haruka that I can't imagine.

　I can't imagine Haruka making fun of me.

　Anri approaches Haruka. That alone was enough to make Haruka's body tremble.

"...... Makoto, please wait in front of the school gate for a moment. Haruka will teach me the tricks of volleyball for a little while longer and then I'll go. It won't take that long!"

"Huh?"

　Haruka was making a bare voice.

　...... I will let Anri do as she pleases.

'Okay. If you have any questions, please contact me immediately. I'll fly over."

"Ehehe yes!　See you later!

"Ah B-bye bye....."

　I waved to them and started to walk towards the school gate.

　There were hardly any students on their way out of school. I could hear the shouts of the students doing club activities from the ground.

　School is a strange place.

　Students who are strangers to each other are squeezed into small classrooms, and everyone spends their time looking at each other.

　If I don't read the atmosphere, I'm ostracized, but if there's a common enemy, the unity becomes stronger.

　Before I met Anri, school was just a hell for me.

　What if I hadn't met Anri back then?　What kind of life would I have led?

　Would I have abandoned the book project?　Would I have spent my life not being able to trust anyone?

　I had given up because no one would believe me.

　Yes, I had given up. I didn't try to take any action. I thought it was useless to make excuses.

　I don't need friends.

　Then, miraculously, I met Anri.

　At first, we couldn't believe each other. But as we talked in a deserted shopping center, my heart began to open up.

　I enjoyed the time I wasn't alone.

"...... That was"

　As I waited alone in front of the school gate, I saw Nanako-san walking down the street, looking down.

　Her shoulders were slumped and ...... somehow her uniform looked wet with water.

　She wasn't wearing shoes, but was trotting along in ...... her jacket.

　Is she crying?　Is she looking for something?

　Nanako is letting her eyes explore the surroundings.

　Nanako's gaze stopped at a patch of grass next to the elevator entrance.

　With slow movements, she was brushing through the grass, not caring that her body would get dirty .......

　Then, sobbing at the sight of his tattered ...... shoes, she changed shoes.......

　...... It had nothing to do with me. It was supposed to be that kind of relationship between us.