Editing HanTsuki:Volume 2 Chapter 1 (section)

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Many things occurred in this world. I've lived for 17 years, and never counted them, knowing that they would be endless. 

But! 

Among these things that occurred, an event of such a scale is extraordinary. There was a limit to one's patience, and because of this limit, some things simply couldn't be endured. 

"Want it?" 

"Yes please!" 

"Don't rush." 

"It's fine." 

"Don't rush!" 

I was so angry right now I really wanted to kick the chair. I already lifted my leg twice, but managed to restrain myself before lashing out.

There were 4 people in my ward. 

Of course, I was the first one. 

I'm lying on the bed, trying to control my mood. 

The second one was Tsukasa. 

He was standing next to my bed, smiling. 

The third was the university student that stayed in the neighbouring ward. 

He had his plastered foot raised while sitting on the chair that I've been trying to kick. 

I had the urge to kick him right onto the ground. 

The fourth person was that guy's girlfriend. 

She was standing next to him. With a fork in her hand, and a slice of cake on the fork, she was feeding that guy. 

"Don't eat too fast~"

"Hurry up and give it to me!" 

"It's delicious, you have to savour it!" 

The university student took a bite, "mmm~, tasty," he exclaimed enthusiastically. 

The girl also smiled with content, but it was directed towards Tsukasa and I. 

"Thank you so much, but is it really fine to invite us?" 

Though I was irritated, I still smiled in return. 

"Of course it's no problem, right, Tsukasa?" 

And I gave Tsukasa an evil eye. 

Tsukasa blinked a few times and then nodded. 

"Yup." 

Nodding like a puppet. 

However, the university student frankly said, "Did you really make this delicious cake? It's quite rare for a guy like you to bake cakes. Hey, Yumiko, hurry and let me eat!" 

"Ahh--"

"Ahhh--"

Die! I muttered in my heart, and henceforth proceeded glaring at the person responsible for this disaster, Tsukasa. 

Baking was Tsukasa's hobby, so every time he came to visit me he would bring a cake or some cookies that he made. I love desserts and snacks, so I always welcome him. There are failures from time to time, but overall, Tsukasa was quite skilled at baking. 

There had been this drawback, though! 

When Tsukasa brought gifts to my ward, I was on the rooftop talking with Natsume. Thus, the room was empty. While Tsukasa was confused at what to do with his hands full with gifts, the lovers next door just happened to walk by. So Tsukasa started to chat with them. He loves to chat with other people, and it can be said that he has no sense of wariness. When he's waiting at a bus stop, he met a complete stranger and started chatting with her. She even gave him ten "Ise Specialty Steamed Buns".

Since I still hadn't returned, Tsukasa went ahead and asked. 

"Would you like some cake?" 

Then, my infuriated self-- of course directed to Natsume--  returned to my room, and saw the intimate lovers sitting in my room enjoying the cake. 

Someone once said, love creates blindness, and it is so true. 

Tsukasa and I are right next to them, but they were flirting as if there's no one else around. 

"Is it tasty?" 

"Mhmm, very." 

"Want more?" 

"Yes please, I want it! "

"Only the cake?" 

"In front of these children,  it's not right! Hahaha!" 

"Hmph, pervert!" 

Unable to stand this any longer, I interrupted, "Hey..." 

Both of them turned to look at me, with the smile still remaining from their earlier flirting; they look blissful. Though others may see them as two idiots, the feeling of bliss flowing out felt like a dream blocking my nervous system. 

Seeing them smile like that, I swallowed back my words. Silence, 1 second, 2 seconds, 3 seconds... 

Tsukasa took a breath. 

"How did the two of you meet?" 

I finally refocused back on reality, and asked thus, hoping that I could cover up my original intentions. 

We spent a quarter of an hour listening to their love story. And the two lovers that fully reconfirmed their love, returned to their ward happily. 

Only Tsukasa and I were left in the room. 

"Sorry." 

He apologised immediately. 

"You never came back, so I gave it to them." 

"It's fine, don't worry about it," I said while looking up at the ceiling. 

"Ummm..." 

"What?" 

"Yuichi, I thought you would bust out in anger earlier." 

"Hehe." 

Indeed. 

"Why didn't you get angry?" 

"I saw how happy they were." 

"Happy?" 

"They were smiling happily. Even though we were right beside them, they could still act so intimately, I could never do that." 

Tsukasa nodded and sat down on the chair. 

"Usually, people would be embarrassed." 

No. 

That's not what I meant. 

Actually, I was not certain, but just looking at their expression told me how precious happiness was. I did not want to destroy such a precious moment. I was not envious, nor had I thought about imitating them. I am not sure about my own opinions on this matter, but I just didn't want to destroy it. 

I also wanted to tell Tsukasa what I think, but I gave up in the end. 

There was no point in saying it. 

If I were to blurt it out directly, I'd might just tell that university student: the former patient that lived in your room was an old man called Tada. That old man was cunning and perverted, and under his bed- the bed you are sleeping in- were many, many porno magazines. 

It would have been impossible to tell this to him.

I refrained from what I originally wanted to say.

As such, I couldn't bring that matter on the table.

Stuff I didn't say, things difficult to express, were all hidden deep within my heart. It's as if they would all disappear, never to resurface.

Perhaps, it would be better this way. 

"How's it going in school?" 

I changed the topic. 

"Did anything happen?" 

"Nothing in particular. Our third semester is very boring, with no sports meet or cultural festival. Yuichi, you still can't be discharged yet? What about your credits?" 

"That's a problem." 

I started to sweat. I have already missed school for three months, and I may have to stay hospitalised for another. My attendance count was definitely insufficient, not to mention all the lessons I missed. 

"My home form teacher Mr. Kawamura came before, and intimated me on the matter." 

"So, repeating the year?" 

Repeating. 

Repeating a year. 

Such a scary phrase. 

"Originally, I would definitely repeat a year because my attendance rate was too low. But because it was caused by this illness, I still have a chance. As long as I hand in the summative for every single subject, and everyone of them passes, then I won't need to repeat." 

"That's great!" 

Tsukasa acted so happily as if it was ''his'' issue. 

"So we can continue on to the third year together." 

"Are you an elementary student?!" 

I wanted to snap at him. 

But I didn't. What I like most about Tsukasa is that aspect. He's the same age as me, grew up with the same environment as me, and should also lament about things, but he is able to say all these innocent statements without any hesitation. 

I cannot do so. 

Therefore I really like Tsukasa. With a body like a wrestler, he's very popular with girls, but has no idea about it; he likes stars and cakes, and smiles like a child. I really like these things about him. 

But I would never mention these things. 

For boys, some things can be said, some cannot. 

It is very important, so it must not be said. 

"It'll be very difficult to complete the summative for every subject." 

I intentionally exclaim out loud. 

"And there are also tests!" 

"Just try hard and you can do it. We have to reach third year together!" 

Yeah! 

I shout silently. 

"We have to reach third year together!" 

After that, I continued complaining about the harshness of school. Tsukasa listens quietly with his usual smile. 

Suddenly, he seems to have remembered something. 

"Oh right, Yamanishi said he has something for you." 

And then, he reached into his bag. 

"What is it? A music disk?" 

Tsukasa handed me an orange disk with his large hands. 

"He said he wanted to apologize, but I don't quite understand." 

"That bastard sure is modest." 

So he's apologising now because he made Rika angry. He's not too bad! I even beat him up quite badly that time, but he still apologised.

"Yamanishi is really strong!" 

"Strong? How so?" 

"He got into a fight with some delinquents from East High. He got ganged by five others, but he took down all of them. It seems his face 
got injured, and it hurts quite badly. I always thought that guy could only talk big, but he's actually very brave." 

Wait a moment. 

"Tsukasa, Yamanishi's face is injured, his left side or the right side?" 

"His left side." 

There's no mistake. 

I was the culprit. 

"Do you actually think he's very manly?" 

"Mhmm, people around him all think differently of him now," 

"..."

"What's wrong, Yuichi?" 

I stare at the music disk held in my hand. 

Yamanishi! 

This probably isn't an apology, but a bribe to keep my mouth shut.