Chapter 157

The mention of the physics room reminded me of the first time we’d met during lunch break. “The first time I saw you, I was surprised that someone had the same idea as me,” I said. “…You mean hiding out in the physics room during lunch?” “Yeah. We were in different classes back then, but we were the same—loners who couldn’t stand being in the classroom. It made me happy.” “Yeah, I felt the same. I was surprised that you didn’t have anyone to spend lunchtime with despite how outgoing you seemed.” That gave us a sense of solidarity—of camaraderie. It didn’t take long for us to begin talking. “I think you really changed me, little by little,” she said. “I used to hate lunch, but then I started to look forward to it. And when you didn’t show up now and then, I realized I had no way to contact you.” “Yeah, I used to skip school sometimes.” “I was surprised to learn how much of a delinquent you were. Anyway, having you there during that time with me really gave me solace. You didn’t pry or anything. It was like you knew exactly what topics to avoid—you gave me space while still not leaving me alone. That perfect amount of sympathy, the mood we had going, I came to really appreciate it, if only subconsciously…” Torigoe grabbed a piece of trash from the floor. “What am I even saying? There’s still time, but let’s go.” She stood up and brushed the dust from her skirt. “I’ll throw away the trash.” I reached out my hand to take it, but Torigoe kept walking and didn’t turn around. “Hey. If I had told you I liked you back then, would you have liked me back?” “…Yeah, probably.” I’d always felt like the time Torigoe and I spent silently together in the physics room had more depth and substance than my classmates’ superficial chats back in the classroom. Torigoe kept her eyes on the ground the whole time, so I couldn’t see her face. At some point, I noticed she had stopped moving and was staring at a single spot on the ground. “Wait, is that…?” she mumbled. Then, suddenly, she took off. She briefly turned back and yelled, “You go ahead, Takamori. I’m going to the restroom.” I nodded and headed to the gym. The gym was already dark. Blackout curtains had been put up to block the sunlight. “It’s even more crowded than last year.” “Yeah, because Fushimi’s in it.” “So I’ve been hearing.” I sat on a folding chair and listened to the people around me chat. Fushimi really was the most popular girl in school—even more than Himeji. “What’re you doing sitting all alone, playboy?” I heard a familiar voice as someone tapped my shoulder from behind. It was Mr. Matsuda, dressed stylishly and wearing a pair of fake glasses. Who’s the real playboy here? “Are you alone?” I asked. “Where’s Himeji?” “Aika? She disappeared after showing me around the school. By the way, I liked the movie. I’d already watched it, but seeing it in that homemade theater gave it even more of an indie vibe.” “Really? I’m so glad!” “And no matter how many times I see it, I can always get a laugh out of Aika’s awful performance.” “Don’t say that to her face or she’ll get bummed out for real.” “…So that’s why she vanished.” Too late, huh? “Oh, there she is. I’ll go get her,” he said, getting up. I looked around for Torigoe. If she was just going to the bathroom, she shouldn’t be too long… I scanned the seats that were quickly filling up, then turned toward the entrance, then back to the seats. As I continued this process, I caught a glimpse of someone familiar. “Is that…?” Ms. Ashihara…? Am I seeing things? …No, it really is her. She was just sitting there. I would have thought she’d disguise herself and put on sunglasses or something, but she hadn’t. She was good at going unnoticed, though. She was blending in with the background, and it seemed like no one else had realized it was her. She didn’t look as young as she had the last time I saw her. She didn’t look old, either—she just looked like a pretty, mature woman. There was another woman beside her, maybe her manager. They were talking between themselves, serious looks on their faces. Just then, our eyes met. I gave her a quick bow, and she responded in kind. I felt the need to tell Fushimi, but I didn’t want to put any extra pressure on her. Or would knowing her mother was here encourage her? “Thank goodness.” I sighed and leaned back in my chair. When I did, I felt something strange in my pocket. I stuck my hand in and took out a folded piece of paper. What’s this? I opened it with care. It was a note in Himeji’s handwriting. I’ll be waiting for you in the middle of the sports ground for the closing party. When did this get in here? Was it Mr. Matsuda? The meeting spot was convenient—the sports ground was where the closing party would take place. It didn’t matter where in the vast sports field you danced, however. The tradition was to dance with whomever you liked, wherever you liked.