Chapter 58: An awkward invitation

　It was my third day off from school.

[“I have something I want to talk to you about. May I call you?”]

　It was also a message from Kana Miyajima. I sent her a reply saying that I agreed to her proposal, feeling something like her in the formal tone of her message.

　A few moments after I sent my reply, I received a phone call from Miyajima.

　”Hello, this is Miyajima. I’m sorry to call so suddenly.”

　”No, it’s okay. So what’s up?”

　I could tell from the sound of her voice that she wasn’t just trying to make small talk.

　”I talked to Okajima the other day.”

　”!! That’s, um…”

　An unexpected name comes up, and a cold sweat runs down my spine.

Okajima Taichi. The main culprit of the group that once bullied Sonoda and me.

　To be honest, it was a name I didn’t even want to remember.

　”I’m sorry. I know it’s a name you don’t want to remember…”

　”…. Don’t worry about it. I’d rather hear the rest of the story.”

　I know she’s not the kind of girl who would say something like this just to make me uncomfortable. That’s why I was curious about the rest of the story.

For that reason, I was curious about the rest of the conversation, what kind of conversation she had with that person whom I would never see again.

“You know, I have a recording of that conversation… You want it?”

　”…That’s—-“

　Perhaps it is something that could be “proof”.

The fact that she confirms that she wants the evidence means that the content of the conversation is disgusting to me.

　I took it as confirmation in that sense.

If it was just a piece of evidence, she probably wouldn’t have asked me that. So I guessed she was prepared for it to some extent.

　”I would love to have it.”

” Understood. Then I’ll send it to you later.”

I guess she knew what the response would be when she asked. Miyajima answered without seeming surprised.

“Uhm, that’s all I wanted to talk to you about. I’m sorry for bothering you. Besides, I’m sorry I took the initiative.”

　”No, thank you very much. I’m not bothered by it, so please don’t worry about it.”

　”I see. Thank you very much. See you later.”

“Yeah, later.”

　And so the call ended. Soon after, the data of the conversation was sent to me. I immediately decided to listen to the conversation.

“This is… You’re the same as ever.”

　It was just as I had expected. I could imagine from the sound that Okajima was exactly as usual.

“But even so, it was more uneventful than I thought it would be.”

　I had never expected him to change his mind, so in a way it was natural that he didn’t think anything of it.

Well, whatever. Anyway, now I have a trump card in my hand. I feel like I have more room in my heart now that I have more reassurance.

　I will probably never use this card unless something really bad happens—-

What a surprise, and here I am now, having started school in the end. I was sure that I would never use this card. But now I am thinking about when to play this card as a trump card for Shinohara and the others.

　I wonder if Miyajima really knew that I would be in a situation where I would not keep quiet like this.

　Well, I’ve started going to school, but since it was Friday when I started back to school, I’m left with nothing to do all day long, especially since it’s Saturday and I don’t even have a part-time job.

　”Hmm, good morning, Onii-chan”

“Hmm, Good morning, Sachi.”

　Sachi and I greet each other in the morning. I’d like to continue to cherish the small things like this, as the casual accumulation has now become an important part of our routine.

　”Hey, Onii-chan. Are you free today?”

　Sachi asked as she sat down on the sofa and turned on the TV.

　”I don’t have anything in particular to do today.”

　There is nothing in particular that I have to do. I don’t have a part-time job, so I’m truly a person of leisure.

“Eh, then! Let’s go on a date, a date!”

“…Date?

　What is this little sister trying to say? Sachi’s eyes never met mine, though I gave her a half-amused look.

　(Ah…Is that how she feels?)

　”Right, it’s nice sometimes, isn’t it?”

　”… That’s true, too. All right, let’s go, date.”

　”All right, that’s it! I’m going to get ready.”

　Sachi leaves the living room saying so. The face I saw through the closing door looked somewhat relieved.

(I don’t know if it’s Awkward or clumsiness…)

　Sachi must have some kind of problem with me. I don’t know if it was something she wanted to tell me or dissatisfaction with the current situation, but it was something that was hard to talk about until she set the stage for something.

　If she just wants to go out, that’s fine. I am grateful to Sachi for many things. Not to be arrogant, but I’m sure is mutual, which is not a reason not to be thankful. That’s why I’m happy about this proposal.

　”Well… Let’s change.”

Sachi has a pretty appearance, even if she is not a family member. I would be ashamed to walk side by side with her if I didn’t dress like her. I have recently been able to regain the pride of being an older brother.

　（I don’t even know where we’re going.)

I hope I don’t end up looking out of place.