Chapter 15: Morning Melancholy and Conflict

Beep beep beep, beep beep beep...

In my hazy consciousness, I search for my smartphone beside my pillow and stop the alarm I set earlier than usual.

I stretch once and sit up. If I keep lying here, I'll probably sink back down again.

I leave my room and shuffle to the living room. Tou-san and Kaa-san, who got up before me, were already in the living room.

「Oh my, good morning. You're early today. Is something happening?」

「That's unusual. ...Did something good happen?」

「...Good morning. I decided to get up at this time from today...」

Rubbing my eyelids that want to close from sleepiness, I stuff fried eggs into my mouth. I'll put soy sauce on them after all.

As promised on yesterday's way home, I'll be going to school with Shigure since this morning. If I'm late, there's no telling what complaints I'll hear. It's wise to wake up a little early and head over.

I quickly stuff breakfast into my mouth and brush my teeth while changing into my uniform.

Our Shinshin Academy uniform is the basic style of wearing a blazer over a shirt. Tying the tie is troublesome, but since few teachers complain about how the uniform is worn, I don't worry about it much.

After changing into my uniform, I grab my bag from my room and head straight to the entrance.

「Kanato, your bento!」

「Ahh, thanks. ...I might be late coming home today.」

「I see. ...Has anything happened lately?」

Asked that, I was momentarily at a loss for words. I erase the images of two beautiful girls that floated in my mind and decide to play dumb.

「What do you mean... Nothing in particular happened. Why?」

「I was thinking your atmosphere has changed lately. No matter what, Tou-san and Kaa-san will protect you, but don't do anything that would lose people's trust. Okay?」

「Ahh... yeah. I got it. I'm going.」

Grateful to Kaa-san who always makes lunch for me, I left home.

I take the elevator down to the entrance on the first floor. When I exited the entrance, there was a familiar brown-haired girl standing there.

「Ah, K-Kanato...」

I was remembering past mornings. The scenery of the residential area we walked together. Silly conversations. The comfortable atmosphere. All things that no longer exist.

An awkward silence flowed. I hurry toward the apartment where Shigure lives as if escaping from that place. Honoka grabbed the sleeve of my uniform to stop me from leaving.

「H-Hey...」

「...I told you yesterday. We're going to school separately in the morning.」

「B-But, just for one day...」

「I've to go to Shigure's place from today.」

「Eh...」

At my words, Honoka's expression seemed to cloud over. Unable to hide it, I turn my face away.

「...Well, she's my girlfriend, so she told me to come pick her up in the morning. That's how it is.」

「W-Why...」

I left Honoka standing there stunned and headed to Shigure's place.

「...Why?」

▼▽

When I arrived in front of the apartment building where Shigure lives, I ran into Shigure who was just coming out.

「Good morning. You're early.」

「I thought someone would scold me, so I hurried over. ...Let's go.」

「Your hand.」

「...Do I have to hold it?」

「You have to.」

I reluctantly grasped Shigure's extended hand. Seeing my troubled face, Shigure looks satisfied. She really has quite the personality.

「Ah, wait a moment.」

「W-What...?」

「Your tie is loose. Stay still while I fix it.」

Shigure tightened my chest tie with a sharp tug and patted my chest, saying "There, that's better".

This is kind of like a new wi— no, this line of thinking is bad. Let me stop.

「You're my boyfriend, so you should at least get this right.」

「Yes, yes...」

The clear morning air and the soft sensation in my hand. Having Shigure beside me still feels somewhat strange. Those small, slender fingers of hers felt fragile enough to inspire protectiveness.

「Finally Friday. Now I won't have to see that ugly blonde for two days.」

「I hope nothing happens today... I'm worried.」

「What would you do if he attacked while we're talking like this?」

「Carry you and run at full speed.」

「Oh my, you won't abandon me then?」

「You're my girlfriend, fake or not.」

While having such unfunny exchanges on our way to school, a white shadow jumps out in front of us. It didn't take long to realize it's a cat from the characteristic cry.

「Ah, a cat!」

Shigure breaks away from my hand and runs to the cat.

「Nyaa~ nyaa~.」

「Hiss!」

「Ah...」

「Even cats hate lying women.」

「Muu... I just wanted to pet it.」

「Come on, if you keep spacing out, we'll be late.」

Taking the dissatisfied Shigure with me, I headed to school.

It felt like when morning changes, the whole world changes too.