I Went Back to Being a High School Student Again, but I Was Rejected by My Childhood Friend, Whom I Thought Was In Love With Me, So I tried to Suicide With the Most Beautiful Girl In the School. - Chapter 11

Stars and Flowers

　The summer vacation had almost come to an end.

　In my first life, we had no supplementary classes at my high school during the period around the Bon Festival, but I had to attend a summer camp at a preparatory school, so I spent every day studying.

　In this second life, I worked hard at a part-time job, did some assignments, and learned from Natsuki during my occasional breaks. I had a much easier summer vacation as a senior high school student than before.

　Today, I was supposed to study with Natsuki in the school library because I had a day off from my part-time job.

　I packed my assignments in my bag, put on my school uniform, and left home.

　When I arrived at the station and came to the ticket gate, a train was leaving in front of me…

　Since it has been a long time since I took the train, I seem to have mistaken the train’s schedule… The next train is due in 30 minutes.

　Sighing, I move to the waiting room.

　It’s unthinkable in the city, but it can be an hour of waiting in the countryside.

　I take out my cell phone and text Natsuki to let her know that I will be a little late.

　I don’t know if she read my text immediately because there is no [read] function, but if I didn’t show up at our meeting time, she would have checked at least the text message.

　――After that, I pass the time by playing with my cell phone for 10 minutes.

　Suddenly, Iori calls me.

　I rarely exchange contact with her. Thinking it was unusual, I picked up the phone.

“Hello, this is Gen’no.”

[Oh, Akki? It’s Towa.]

“What can I do for you? “

[ Wait a minute, aren’t you talking a little too stiff? ]

　I don’t like long phone calls.

　I was a little annoyed, but I continued.

“I’m not stiff. It’s just that I thought it was rare to get a call from Iori.”

　To my words, Iori replies, [Ah, okay!] I don’t know what she means, but she says it in a cheerful tone.

[ Anyway, I have something to ask. I heard from Rikarino that you didn’t come to the supplementary class, right?]

　Rikarino? I tilted my head, but she probably referred to her two gal friends.

“Yeah, I didn’t go.”

[ It’s rare for an honor student like Akki to do that! Why? ]

“Because I’m working part-time.”

[ Ehh, Part-time job?! That’s funny! ]

　What’s so funny…? I couldn’t keep up with Iori’s tension, and I was puzzled.

“Yes, that’s why.”

　I couldn’t keep up with Iori’s tension.

[ Well, that’s okay. Anyway, because of that, I was told by Rikarino that Towa and Akki might be going on a date with each other instead of attending supplementary classes…]

“Oh, so that’s how it is. I’m sorry for making them misunderstand.”

　I quickly apologized, assuming she wanted to complain about it, but Iori didn’t seem to mind and continued.

[ Anyway, are you free today? Seriously, let’s just go on a date for real. ]

“Sorry, I’m busy today, I have some plans.”

　I reply immediately.

[ I see, too bad… Well, next time when you’re free! Oh, it’s fine after you are done with your part-time job. ]

“…I’m busy with my part-time job, so it’s a little difficult, but I’ll tell you if I can find the time.”

[ By the way, Toway is always free, so you can ask me anytime! ]

“Okay, see you later.”

[Yeah, see you later! ]

　After finishing the conversation, I hung up the call.

　I’m sorry to Iori, but I don’t know if I want to invite her even if I have a day off..

* *

“Sorry I’m late.”

　Arriving at school a little later than the appointed time with Natsuki, I entered the library and quickly found Natsuki.

“It’s okay, the trains in the countryside are not so frequent and inconvenient.”

　She answered without a glance at me.

　She did not seem to be angry with me for being late.

“It’s reserved for us.”

　I said as I sat down on the seat opposite her, looking around.

“There are no students coming to school for supplementary classes today, and if they want to study, they can do it at home or at a prep school. I guess the first and second-year students who are involved in gymnastic clubs also don’t come to the library at all.”

　When Natsuki mentioned [Prep school], I questioned her a little.

“By the way, don’t you go to a prep school? “

　I took out my bag, got out the assignments I would do today, and prepared the writing materials.

　Then I looked at Natsuki.

　She seemed to be at a loss for an answer.

“I… I want to overcome my difficulties at my own pace.”

　Hearing her stilted answer, I somehow thought she was being bullied at the prep school or afraid of being bullied.

“I see.”

　I don’t pursue the issue and go on with my assignment.

　Natsuki didn’t say anything, either.

　For a while, we solved the assignment in silence.

* * *

“…I guess it’s time to call it a day.”

　I hear Natsuki’s voice and look out the window.

　The sun had already set. It seems that I have been concentrating for too long.

　I sit down and stretch.

　Natsuki and I put the spread of assignments and writing materials on the desk into my bag.

“You still have time after this, don’t you? “

“Yes, I do. Do you want to go to a family restaurant and continue? “

　She shakes her head as I reply to Natsuki’s words.

“The park you took me to, the one with the observation deck overlooking the whole countryside, is not a bad place.

　Last week, on my day off, I showed her around.

“I’m glad you enjoyed it, even though you were scared to death by the snakes while we were on the observation deck.”

　At my words, Natsuki looked at me reproachfully and said quickly, [Forget about that.]

　Then, as if to compose herself, she coughed and said

“In return, I’ll show you something good today. Follow me. “

　With these words, she got up from her seat.

　What do you mean by something good? Without any expectations, I follow her.

　Natsuki climbed the stairs of the school building and arrived at the rooftop door.

　She crouched down and opened the padlock with two twisted clips.

“You’re good with your hands… I see, the technique you used is a good one.”

　I say, impressed.

“Stop talking nonsense.”

　Natsuki scolded me.

　She stepped onto the rooftop, and I followed her.

“So where is the good stuff then? “

“You can’t see it yet.”

　She mutters, looking at the darkening night sky.

　….I wonder if it’s a special day to see a star.

　I look up at the sky as she does.

　It was a day when we could see beautiful stars. When was the last time I looked up at the night sky like this?

“Some people say that the sky in the city is narrow and the sky in the countryside is wide, but don’t you think that doesn’t quite fit?”

　Natsuki suddenly said as she looked up at the sky.

“It’s true that the sky in the city sometimes seems narrow because of the skyscrapers in the way, but don’t you think that the countryside is annoying because of the electric wires in the way? “

“I guess you’re right.”

“But since there’s nothing blocking the sky from this rooftop, I thought that the sky in the countryside is indeed wide.”

　It is just a small talk.

　Still, I asked her what was bothering me.

“Natsuki, that day. You didn’t look up at the sky, you looked down.”

　The first time I saw her on this rooftop, she was looking down at the ground in the rain.

” …Sometimes looking up is tiring, so you want to look down and be at ease, you know? “

　Natsuki said, expressionless and emotionless.

　She probably thinks the current situation of being bullied by those around her is painful.

　Maybe the reason why she is still trying her best to stay strong is because she has the hope of going back to Tokyo next year.

　――And yet, in the end, her heart was broken, and she took her own life.

“Oh, it’s started.”

　Natsuki muttered and pointed at the sky.

　When I looked in the direction she pointed, I saw bright lights dancing in the night sky.

　One after another, the brightly colored lights blossomed.

　I watch them silently.

　I didn’t realize it, but it seems that today is the day of the fireworks display.

　Natsuki must have suggested that I study at the school, which requires a train ride, instead of the usual family restaurant, in order to show me this.

“Thank you, Natsuki.”

“I thought it would be a nice break for us.”

　After saying that, she continues.

“It’s just… smaller and worse than I thought it would be.”

　I laugh, thinking that this kind of personality is the reason why she can easily make enemies.

“My plan has gone awry. I don’t think I can repay you for showing me around with such a lousy fireworks display.

“I don’t mind.”

　When I replied, she squinted as if she was trying to see further than the fireworks in the distance.

” …When I was in elementary school, my mom and dad took me to see fireworks displays in Tokyo, and they were even more amazing.”

　The most famous one was the Sumidagawa fireworks display.

　There are many other fireworks shows in Tokyo, and they are certainly much bigger in budget and scale than here in the countryside.

“You’re probably right.”

“…if you get into a university in Tokyo, I’ll show you around.”

　Hearing those words, I looked at her.

　We never looked at each other because she was looking up to see the fireworks.

　Still, I look straight at her profile and answer.

“Yes, I’m looking forward to it.”

　Hearing my answer, Natsuki silently puts a smile on her mouth.

　Seeing her smile, I mocked myself.

　――Unfortunately, it was a promise that would never be fulfilled.