Liar's Lips Fall Apart in Love - Volume 1 Chapter 4.6

The Winter When We Take a Step Forward 6

I know I should go back. Despite being a minor and technically under my parents’ guardianship, I haven’t received any financial support from them at this point.

But if something were to happen in the future, I might end up causing trouble for my mother. Maybe I can’t keep rejecting my home forever.

…Still, I…

“I don’t want to go back.”

“Why?”

“My mother, she’s getting remarried.”

Nanase gasps softly. With a self-deprecating laugh, I say,

“Even if I go back, I’ll just be in the way.”

Nanase blinks and then looks down. Silence falls between us for a while.

“…Sagara-kun.”

After a moment, Nanase takes both of my hands in hers and grips them tightly. The chill from outside slowly melts away in the warmth of her hands. Looking straight into my eyes, Nanase says,

“Shouldn’t you properly go back home and talk with your mom?”

“…Huh?”

“I don’t really understand… but your family circumstances are related to why you insist on being alone, right?”

Nanase continues in a tone like she’s gently scolding a child,

“…To solve a problem, facing it head-on is important, I think. Otherwise, Sagara-kun… you’ll never be able to move forward.”

“…Don’t say things so irresponsibly. You don’t know anything…”

I regret the words as soon as they come out, realizing it’s just me lashing out. But Nanase doesn’t flinch and keeps looking straight at me.

“Yes, I don’t know. Because Sagara-kun, you won’t tell me anything.”

I’m at a loss for words… She’s right.

“If Sagara-kun is anxious, I’ll go back with you.”

“…Eh, what?”

Her unexpected offer leaves me wide-eyed. Nanase’s eyes, gazing at me, are shining brightly, filled with strong determination, making me slightly recoil.

“Go back together, you mean…”

“It’s okay, I won’t intrude. I’ll just accompany you part of the way.”

“…But…”

“It’s okay, right? Sagara-kun.”

Such audacity. Where did the girl who was scared to invite friends because she feared rejection go?

“Understood…”

Half-pushed into agreeing, Nanase beams and extends her pinky.

“Then, it’s a promise.”

Hesitantly, our pinkies intertwine, and she grips firmly. The cheerful sound of “pinky promise” oddly comforts me, despite thinking, we’re not kids anymore. Yet, it somewhat soothes my feelings.

The next day, as if in a hurry to do good, Nanase takes me to the station. We board the express bus at Kyoto Station, heading to Nagoya, where my hometown is.

On the bus, we hardly exchange words, mostly gazing out the window.

When we arrive at Nagoya Station, light snowflakes are fluttering down. I remember seeing a headline on the net, warning of a severe cold wave this weekend.

“Sagara-kun, will you take a bus to your home?”

Nanase asks. After I tell her the closest bus stop, she says, “That’s the same line as mine,” while breathing out white puffs of air.

It takes about thirty minutes by local bus to get to my home.

Although I resolved to face my mother properly, as the scenery outside the window shifts, my heart sinks heavily like a lump of lead.

My reflection on the bus window looks more stern than usual, with deep wrinkles between my eyebrows. As we draw closer to our destination, the snowfall gradually intensifies.

Nanase, sitting next to me, silently stares straight ahead with her back straight. I wonder what she’s thinking right now.

Then, the bus announcement informs us of the next stop.

“…This is where we get off.”

As I stand, Nanase says, “Then, I’ll go too,” and follows behind me.

The bus stop closest to my home is right in front of the elementary school I attended. The candy store across the street has closed down, now turned into a parking lot. Not all my memories in this town are bad, and I do feel a sense of nostalgia.

Yet, i just couldn’t shake the feeling of depression.

The asphalt is lightly covered in snow, making a soft, crunching sound with every step. Neither Nanase nor I speak. The cold wind howls fiercely.

We arrive at my family home after about a five-minute walk. It’s a small, single-family house that my parents bought just before I was born.

It’s hard to imagine now, but they must have been a happy couple back then. My father has left this house, and my mother now lives with another man.

I hesitate to press the intercom.

What should I say to my mother after such a long time? Maybe I shouldn’t have come back. Thoughts like these circle my mind, rendering me immobile.

“Um, excuse me.”

Startled by a voice from behind, I hastily turn around. A girl in a sailor uniform with a duffle coat and her black hair in a ponytail stands there.

“Do you need something at my house?”

I’m shocked when the unfamiliar girl refers to my family home as “my house,” but then realization dawns on me.

…That’s right. My mother’s partner has a high school-aged daughter.

“…Ah, no. …It’s nothing.”

I mumble and quickly leave. The girl’s puzzled gaze pierces my back. I must seem like a suspicious person.

I stop when I reach a nearby park. Suddenly, I hear, “Sagara-kun!” from behind and flinch. I had completely forgotten about Nanase.

“Sa, Sagara-kun, wait… Ah!”

At that moment, Nanase slips on the snow and falls dramatically. I rush over to help her up.

“Nanase. Are… Are you okay?”

“Y-Yes. I’m fine.”

Nanase insists she’s okay, but her dress is stained from the snow and mud, her black tights torn at the knee, oozing blood. I feel terrible.

“…Nanase, sorry… I…”

As I speak, Nanase shakes her head. I’m disgusted with myself for running away after coming this far. But I couldn’t muster the courage to confront that place.

Surely, there’s a happy family there that I don’t know.

“I can’t go back. It’s impossible for me.”

Nanase looks down sadly at my words. Perhaps she’s appalled by my cowardice at this point. It’s only natural for her to be disillusioned by my pathetic state.

“…Can’t go back… So, what do we do? There are no buses back to Kyoto now.”

Confusion seeps into Nanase’s voice. I think for a moment and then say, “We’ll find somewhere to stay.”

“Somewhere like? A hotel?”

Upon further thought, I realize I don’t have enough money for a hotel before payday. As I stay silent, Nanase stands up decisively.

“…Alright. I’ve decided.”

With a determined look, Nanase grips my hand tightly

“Let’s go.”

“…Where?”

“My family home. If you don’t want to go back, you can stay at my place for tonight.”

“…W-what?… Huh!?”

I let out a dumbfounded cry. Wait a minute, what kind of development is this?

Nanase firmly holding my hand, marches ahead.

I follow her, still in shock, but unable to do anything but follow her lead.

tln : man, even though he’s working his bone off, but still he can’t spare any money because he paying all of his bill.