Episode 34: Mayo-san and I ⑴

The day after the summer festival, I lay in bed, agonising.

There were no club activities or anything today, so normally I’d go to the library to study, but my legs felt heavy.

I wanted to see Takizawa, but I didn’t want to see her.

“Haa…”

After causing such a fuss and bothering everyone, expecting her to just turn up as if nothing happened was asking too much. A jumble of guilt and my muddled feelings towards Takizawa kept me trapped under the duvet.

I resolved to diet.

Yesterday, Takizawa clearly looked distressed.

Honestly, I’d rather she’d told me off in her usual, slightly over-the-top way.

　It’s selfish, but I didn’t want her to be kind.

If Takizawa had just gone home like that, I wouldn’t be agonising over this now.

These feelings I have for Takizawa are clearly different from what I feel for a friend.

“Haa… Worrying won’t help, I’ll go study at the library.”

Takizawa always sits at one of the tables in the corners of the library. I looked for her, but she wasn’t anywhere today. 　It was unusual for Takizawa not to be studying, so I fidgeted as I sat down in a corner.

Even into the afternoon, Takizawa didn’t show up.

Was she out playing with Mai today, perhaps?

If so, that would be rather unpleasant…

As I pondered this, the last person I wanted to see right now appeared before me.

“Long time no see, Hina-chan.”

An older, pretty woman sat down beside me.

“Hello.”

I greeted her curtly, hoping she’d leave quickly.

“That’s rather rude. We studied together, didn’t we?”
“I studied with Takizawa that day.”
“Oh, I see, I see.”

She made a gesture with both hands, like “Don’t bite me,” which only irritated me further.

“Hoshizora’s at home in bed right now, you know.”

“Eh?”

Takizawa’s sister was all smiles.
How could she be smiling like that when Takizawa might be suffering?

No… this is just her taking it out on me.

The cause is definitely me.

I don’t know if I’ll be allowed into Takizawa’s house, but if I ask her sister, I might be able to see her.

“Mayo-san, I’d like to visit Takizawa… is that alright…?”

I couldn’t tell what Takizawa’s sister was thinking. Probably trying to lure me to their house. I didn’t want to fall into her trap, but my concern for Takizawa outweighed that.

“Hmm… alright, but you have to answer three questions of mine honestly.”

Mayo-san seemed thoroughly amused. I could see she was going to ask unpleasant questions, but I had no choice but to answer.

“Then let’s talk about it on the way to the house.”

I hurriedly got ready and left the library. Mayo-san’s questions began immediately.

“What do you think of Hoshizora, Hina-chan? She doesn’t seem like an ordinary friend.”

I thought I could see a scheming nature hidden behind that beaming smile.

I’m not good with people like this. I couldn’t tell what her purpose was. Humans feel fear towards the unknown. Honestly, answering this person’s questions was frightening, but a promise is a promise, so I answered truthfully.

“I haven’t told Takizawa the full story, but she saved my life. That’s why I wanted to repay her, so I started getting involved myself. I just want to thank her.”

That’s right. I am grateful to Takizawa.
That’s why I made up all sorts of reasons to get close to her.

“That doesn’t really answer my question, but never mind. Right then, number two: do you like Hoshizora romantically, Hina-chan?”

“……”

I couldn’t answer.

There was no way I could answer.

I’ve never liked anyone romantically.

So I don’t understand romantic feelings.

I am grateful to Takizawa and wanted to be friends, to get closer to him.
I always felt like I was just being helped, so I wanted to repay the favour.

I thought that was all it was.

But after the fireworks display, the actions I took towards Takizawa were clearly not those of a friend.

I feel like letting out a huge sigh.

I have no idea what Mayo-san’s purpose is. After a moment of silence, Mayo-san spoke first.

“Right then, let me rephrase it. Could you have sex with Hoshizora? Have you ever looked at Hoshizora with sexual intent?”

Even asking something so outrageous, her expression remained utterly unchanged. I have to say, that’s impressive.

I don’t look at Takizawa like that.

I shouldn’t look at her like that in the first place.

Especially if I want to become friends with her.

　…Really?

Is that truly the case…?

Does seeing Takizawa in underwear or naked really leave me utterly indifferent…?

“What exactly is your purpose…?”

“Just curiosity. I have feelings for Hoshizora that border on romantic affection.”

Eh… What does that mean…?

One incomprehensible statement after another, my mind couldn’t keep up.

“So, I dislike having ambiguous girls like Hina-chan nearby, and I don’t really want them around. Hoshizora is kind, so perhaps she can’t just leave someone like Hina-chan alone.”

Mayo-san looked at me with a serious expression.

I think this was the first time I’d seen Mayo-san look so serious.

She’s usually someone whose thoughts are impossible to read, but from that serious expression, I could tell what she’d just said was genuine.

“But… aren’t you Takizawa’s older sister…?”

“Then, one last question. Do Hoshizora and I look like sisters to you?”

I didn’t understand what Mayo-san was saying.
No, I think I didn’t want to understand.

“They do. At least, I think Takizawa sees you as her sister.”
“Unfortunately, that’s true.”

The smile vanished from her face as she gazed into the distance.

“I’ll tell you a little about our family and me.”
“I don’t need to hear that. I want to get to Takizawa quickly.”

There are things people don’t want others to know about them.

This is just cruel to Takizawa.

　Being told things they didn’t want shared, having me worry about them.

I’d absolutely hate that.

“Hoshizora’s asleep now, so it’s just to pass the time until she wakes up.”

Saying that, Mayonaka-san stopped by the park where we shared memories.