OreShura: Volume 1 Chapter 9

#9 A Fight Between Men Is Mayhem

During that time, I thought I was relying on Chiwa.

The future was bleak, hopeless, disheartening.

That's why at the very least, I wanted a "Goal", a "Hope".

Even though I was pretending that I wanted to help Chiwa, the one who was saved was me.

But yet, Chiwa believes in me.

That's why I also have to believe.

In the "Me" whom Chiwa believes in.

---

When I woke up in the morning, upon looking at my watch, it was around half past nine.

"Crap, I overslept......"

If I don't get to the library early on a Sunday, the seats in the study rooms will be filled up.

I dressed up hurriedly, checked the stoves, locked the doors, and left without eating. It takes about 12, 13 minutes to reach the library by foot. If I hurry and reach by ten, then there should still be seats left.

However, my legs took off in a different direction by themselves.

The time was ten minutes to ten.

Ten minutes left to the appointed time for Chiwa's date.

The distance to the appointed meeting place, in front of a certain station, was around ten minutes away as well.

"Hey hey......"

How pathetic I was.

Am I'm going to spy on her?

Even if she is my childhood friend, I can't do that right? I'm really a distasteful guy.

But, I'm really curious.

I really want to know no matter whaaaaaaaaaaat!

"Good morning."

"Uwaaaah!?"

I jumped at the sudden voice that had called out from behind me.

As I was wondering who it was,

"Ma-Masuzu huh."

"Fufu. Aren't you overly surprised, Eita-kun."

Even though it was a Sunday, Masuzu was in her school uniform (so am I), smiling.

"To be walking along this road, seems like we have the same objective right?"

"Then, you're also here to spy on Chiwa's date?"

"The word 'spy' carries such a negative connotation to it. As the president of the "JiEn-Otsu" club, I have to watch over the gallant figure of my member."

"Isn't that the same thing!"

"Oh, so Eita-kun is not going?"

"............"

Damn.

Just a little, just a little more.

"Once we have ascertained that they have met up, we'll leave."

"Alright, I understand."

While giggling, she twined her arm around mine.

"Don't cling to me. Move away."

"Oh. Why?"

"Chiwa is not here with us today, neither is it afterschool hours, there's no need for us to keep up the pretense right?"

"Nope. In this rural town, we won't know when we might bump into a student of Hane High. We can't afford to relax."

With her smiling face, Masuzu said that with a hint of sarcasm, and following that, I could feel the softness of her arms pressing closer.

Why is her body so soft all over, I wonder.

But now is not the time for that.

We passed a few guys who gazed at us and reached the station.

The plaza before ticket barriers here is a standard waiting spot.

"OrOrOrh......"

Chiwa was there.

With her cellphone opened up, she was standing there, unable to stay still. Her shoulders were tensed up, and even from a distance, I could sense her nervousness.

But, what was more surprising,

"Chiwa, Chiwa is fashionably dressed!?"

Long sleeve white blouse, and a flower-patterned balloon shorts.