Chapter 21: Discharge Day, Steps Still Not in Sync

Permission for discharge was granted exactly two days later in the morning. It was confirmed simply during the examination.

According to the doctor, "Your recovery is progressing well, and you'd be better off breathing outside air than staying in the hospital".

If falling off a cliff gets me off this cheap, I suppose it's a bargain.

Hospital food is rumored to be terrible, but that's not the case at all. It's just bland.

The nutritional balance is perfect.

「Still, I really don't have much stuff.」

The clothes I was wearing when I collapsed, my wallet, my smartphone, that's it. I'm still wearing the same clothes from that day.

They seem to have been washed.

There's a slight medicinal smell lingering.

Not enough belongings to even bother packing.

As I stuff them into my pockets, the hospital room door opens. They don't need to show up for something as trivial as my discharge, but they sent word that they were coming.

「──Kasugai-kun, congratulations on your discharge!」

「I just slept, ate, and used the bathroom.」

「I don't need the bathroom details...」

Orimoto hangs her head with a slightly disgusted look.

「A report after the fact would've been fine.」

「That won't do~ It's my friend's discharge. And I figured my presence was the bare minimum courtesy.」

「...How dutiful of you.」

I scratched my cheek with exasperation.

The reason for jumping off the cliff was the towel, but there's no need for her to feel responsible for that.

「Hospital route, difficult.」

「...Hey Michikusa, learn the way already.」

Michikusa is directionally challenged today as always.

Orimoto was smiling as if to say "it can't be helped".

They seem to have the distance of people who know each other well.

「Actually, I was surprised the day before yesterday when Inori managed to get to the hospital by herself.」

「Got lost several times. Result of effort.」

Michikusa put on a triumphant expression.

「...If you leave Inori alone, she almost certainly gets lost. Group action is essential.」

「Just takes time. No problem.」

Michikusa shakes her head at Orimoto's statement.

「That's what she says.」

「You can find her if you look.」

When I whispered this quietly, Orimoto said it casually. However, I don't sense any ill feelings.

It's like dealing with a troublesome child.

「Inori gets lost, but she makes it there.」

Since Orimoto is relatively tall among female students, when they stand together they look just like sisters.

From an outsider's perspective, she's the older sister looking after her little sister.

Well, being directionally challenged is just a personality trait.

「When in trouble, Suzuka helps. Also Kasugai walked me to the entrance.」

「Did you figure out he's actually considerate?」

「Yeah, figured it out.」

These bastards are saying whatever they want.

─────

When we left the hospital, it was blazing hell.

The asphalt is heated, and even though I've only been outside for a few minutes, large beads of sweat are starting to form on my forehead.

My breathing becomes hot and my throat feels blocked.

「Ambulances are surprisingly spacious.」

「What's with that sudden trivia?」

「When Kasugai-kun was being transported, both Inori and I rode along. I told you, just quietly in a corner.」

The forecast says today will be the hottest yet. Just after discharge, I can only describe this as unlucky.

「Bus, not here yet?」

「Inori, just a little longer.」

The bus stop timetable operates right on schedule.

However, waiting even a few minutes in this stifling air is unbearable.

I was idly fiddling with my smartphone while watching Michikusa and Orimoto enduring the shade.

「Were things like this when Michikusa came too?」

「We cooled off in the station until just before coming.」

Orimoto was running her fingers through Michikusa's hair like a comb.

Unfortunately, there's quite a distance from the hospital to the bus stop. Cooling off until the last minute would be difficult.

「Kasugai, bus, not here yet?」

「...Michikusa's turned into a bus-waiting bot. I get the feeling, but just a little longer.」

Apparently Orimoto and Michikusa had come for the visit using the free shuttle bus from the station.

I quietly peer at the traffic flow.

I could see a bus vehicle in the distance.

「It's here. Get up, get up.」

「Yes~, Inori, the bus is here.」

Eventually the bus stops right in front of us. After watching the passengers getting off, I stand at the back of the line of boarding passengers.

First I casually let Michikusa and Orimoto board.

I deliberately board slowly.

Fortunately there's plenty of seating, with passengers only sparsely scattered about. The crowding index is low.

Since it's a shuttle bus, there are no stops along the way.

It looks like we can spend peaceful time.

「Good thing we could sit together~」

「Mm, on the way here I stood in the corner. Even more so.」

Not only can they not be seen, but their very existence isn't recognized by others. Even sitting can be difficult depending on the situation.

I wonder if the seats they're currently occupying look sunken in, or just like ordinary empty space.

It's hard for me to judge since I can see them.

I just think standing the whole time would be cruel.

「Cool, coming back to life.」

「Yukata trap heat more than you'd expect.」

「Also the geta hurt.」

The air-conditioned bus interior was comfortable.

I was sitting one seat behind the two of them, looking out the window. Nothing in particular to do.

「Kasugai, feet hurt.」

Michikusa suddenly sticks her head out into the aisle and tells me. Apparently the thong of the geta is digging in.

But there's nothing I can do about it.

There are at least some passengers, and if I calmly stood up here to do something, I'd stand out.

「Orimoto, loosen them for her.」

「Eh~, but Kasugai-kun is the one being asked.」

「Look, you can see the situation.」

I keep my voice down and press my temples.

「If I suddenly stood up, it'd be weird. Besides Michikusa, you should adjust that kind of thing yourself.」

「Want you to do it.」

A few seconds of silence. Seriously, this girl.

She's definitely my-pace as everyone acknowledges, but apparently she has selfish aspects too.

「I guess it can't be helped, Inori. I'll do it for you.」

「Mm, not bad. Please, Suzuka.」

Also, as an excuse to add by way of explanation—

I felt it would be awkward to touch Michikusa's feet.

I'm relieved that Orimoto took care of it.

(...I'm sleepy.)

There's still some time until we arrive.

The cool air rising gently from my feet made me succumb to drowsiness before I knew it.

「──Ah, Kasugai-kun.」

Just as my consciousness was fading, Orimoto's voice pulled me back. When I opened my eyes slightly, she was laughing at me.

「Were you sleeping?」

「About to sleep.」

Orimoto is by the window. Apparently she was looking down at me from above. I close only one eye and ask "What's up".

Orimoto said in a casual tone.

「Inori is staying at my house now.」

「...Hah?」

I reflexively ask back at the sudden report.

Orimoto's house doesn't have Orimoto's room. It should have been turned into a storage room, as she reported to me.

That's why she sleeps in the hallway.

She said that baths and such are done at times when her family isn't around, making it extremely inconvenient.

In such a house? Michikusa is there too?

「Inori doesn't have a room to live in right now.」

「...She has no room. ...That makes even less sense.」

「Kasugai. Inori was living alone.」

Michikusa joins the conversation to continue explaining to me. Her tone was matter-of-fact and businesslike.

「The apartment Inori lived in. It's gone. Where Inori lived, other people were living.」

「...I see. Makes sense.」

「So sleeping in hallway with Suzuka.」

Two beautiful girls sleeping in a hallway. With such a mismatch, I can't quite picture it properly.

Michikusa Inori was living alone.

However, due to the disappearance of her existence, different residents were living in her apartment. An unreasonable correction.

I won't ask about the reasons for living alone. There are definitely correspondingly complex circumstances.

A high school girl living alone.

Parents generally wouldn't allow it.

So I won't stick my nose in.

Not until she wants to talk about it.

「It's fine for now since we don't need blankets, but it might be tough in winter if things stay like this.」

「I have spare blankets. Want to use them?」

Orimoto showed a troubled expression.

She brightened up at my suggestion.

She brought her face close to mine with a "gyun".

「Is that okay?! Thank you, Kasugai-kun!」

「...Though from your family's perspective, it might look like unknown blankets suddenly appeared.」

「I'll manage that somehow! It's fine!」

Orimoto continued quite carelessly, "I hope we can resolve things before winter~"

A while later, the bus arrived at the station.

The vehicle body sinks low with a "thud".

This time I have Orimoto and Michikusa get off first, with me getting off second. The time was well past noon.

Disbanding here would be the natural flow.

However, since Orimoto's family home is near mine according to her, we ended up heading in the same direction anyway.

「...Kasugai, walking fast.」

「That's right, that's right, Kasugai-kun is fast~」

「Shut up, you're so annoying.」

There's no need to match pace for going home in the first place. That's why I was walking at my usual speed.

But complaints come from behind.

I suppressed my rising irritation.

「...We're not starting strategy meetings from today. Just go home quickly.」

「Separating here is so like Kasugai-kun.」

「Kasugai being a loner is reasonable.」

What a terrible way to put it.

「Tomorrow's a weekday. I have today off but I need to prepare for school. What's wrong with hurrying?」

「I want to have a "congratulations on discharge" party.」

「Don't need it. The visit was enough.」

Suddenly the bus that had been carrying us turned a corner, crossing several shadows of street trees.

「Ah~ah, and I thought your attitude had been getting gentler lately. You immediately get all prickly.」

「I'm not particularly gentle. This is default.」

Orimoto smiled as if exasperated.

「Inori, when hurrying, feet hurt. Slow is better.」

「...You should just go home with Orimoto.」

「Friends should go home together.」

The branches and leaves of trees planted as part of some greening plan sway in the wind. When did I become a friend too?

The thought circuits of these extroverts are a mystery.

Even if I try to deny it, they develop their arguments with unique angles, and I tend to lose in verbal warfare.

I'm a don't-rock-the-boat type to begin with.

「Kasugai-kun, let's go home together?」

「......Haah.」

「Inori, this pattern is a guaranteed win. When Kasugai-kun sighs, it's usually an OK.」

「Educational. How to handle Kasugai.」