Distance

________________________________________________________________________________________________

With summer approaching soon, many people both old and young, could be seen outside doing light exercises like jogging or following along to radio exercises. I left home earlier than the original usually did to avoid arriving late again. 

That being said the sky was extremely beautiful, something out of a drawing. A deep cobalt colour stretched across its expanse with rows of cotton candy like clouds filling it. The air was crisp with a slight woody scent carrying through, quite strange for a city area but nonetheless I am grateful to be able to experience outside like this; however, due to leaving earlier I am entrapped in the crowds of people rushing to work or school.

Hopefully none of them bump into me.

Reflecting on last night however, the best description I can give would be… extremely.. tiresome.

After what I said, Natsukawa left without saying anything else. Which I was of course grateful for considering all she does is berate me. Not that I could fault her for it, reflecting on… the actions of the original. That being said, right after Natsukawa left Kaede started drilling me trying to figure out what sort of relationship the two of us had and why I sent her away like that. I of course reaffirmed that we are indeed just classmates, not that she believed me. 'My' mother had also joined Kaede in the questioning but they gave up after about fifteen minutes.

"Hey! Dipshit, isn't that the girl from last night?"

".. Yes, what about it?"

"Aren't you gonna talk to her?"

"No, our relationship isn't close like that."

"Seems pretty damn close to me considering she came over to our house~!"

"I already told you and mom last night that she came over to drop off something I left behind in class."

"Mhm~ sure she did."

"~sigh~ Can't you drop this Kaede? We're causing a scene." She finally quiets down for bit and notices that quite a few people are staring at us.

"...fine, you escape for now Wataru~" 

Such a troublesome woman became my sister…

◆

I arrived at school with 10 minutes to spare before it started, though I decided to wait in the corridor until the teacher was going to the classroom to follow behind her. I did this because my seat is the one right next to Natsukawa, and I can't be bothered to deal with her glaring at me any more than necessary.

"Hey" Just before I take my seat Natsukawa calls out to me.

"Hmm?"

"Why are you late today?"

"What do you mean? I'm exactly on time."

"..huft You know what I mean! I saw you walking behind me this morning. That means you should've arrived around the same time I did!"

"How did you know I was behind you? Are you perhaps keeping tabs on me?"

"YO- ~sigh~ Since when did you get so cheeky? Y'know what… nevermind." Finally she gets the hint. I see no reason to justify my arrival time to her.

"Ara~ Are you two done now?" It seems Ootsuki-sensei was listening to the two of us.

"Yes we are, I apologise sensei."

"Good. Good morning everyone! It seems like no one is late today."

"What are you talking about, Ootsuki-chan, Sajou, he hasn't…. he's here already!? Why are you here already!?"

Starting with Ootsuki-sensei's words, Yamazaki recognized my existence. I have no idea how someone could be so unaware, considering Natsukawa was moderately loud when talking to me.

"I've been here for a bit Yamazaki."

"You're lying, right? you…"

Then, everyone looked at me with their faces saying, 'This guy, seriously?'.

….. Is this what they always do daily? Even Natsukawa is looking at me with an astonished look too… Don't say that this girl also doesn't believe it either….

"Hey Sajou-chi."

"What is it?" Kei Ashida, a tall and athletic girl with short purple hair and yellowish green eyes.

"How come you aren't creeping on Aika?"

"I decided it's time to move on as all."

"EHHHH..!?"

"Sajou Wataru, is your conversation with Ashida-san more important than my class?" Are you joking? Ashida was the one to have the outburst and yet I am targeted. I suppose this is my problem to deal with considering my current reputation.

"s..sorry Sajou-chi." Ashida whispered.

"Since you're too capable to pay attention to my class, how about you read the next passage?" Perhaps she thought because Ashida was talking to me I wouldn't know what part we were on.. Or maybe she just wanted to embarrass me thinking I wouldn't be able to. Though I suppose the old Sajou wouldn't be able to…

"Think of the life you have lived until now as over and, as a dead man, see what's left as a bonus and live it according to Nature. Love the hand that fate deals you and play it as your own, for what could be more fitting?" I read out in perfect English with the accent of a native speaker.

"Th- That's.. correct… you may have your seat Sajou."

"Thank you sensei."

I could hear people murmuring and awestruck at the fact I actually read that, I wonder why? Oh, if I remember correctly that passage was meant for next term's study. Ooops.

"Hey hey, is he serious?"

"Since when did HE know english?"

"How was he so fluent!?"

After that outburst the rest of the class proceeded without a hitch.

◆

It's been about a week since that incident happened and today is yet another boring day. I've been working out in my room at around 9pm the past few nights to avoid any questioning from my sister or mother, though I would prefer to have some equipment to speed things along a bit. 'Perhaps I should get a part-time job to afford some weights?' 

On the opposite side of things, I have successfully created some distance between Natsukawa and I. Though, she often glares at me for some reason.. 'Strange'. Ashida, Yamazaki and my other classmates occasionally asked, "What happened recently?" And my bland responses seemed to have baffled them. It's not as though I could say "I'm not the Wataru Sajou you knew." They likely wouldn't believe me anyway.

While contemplating what type of job I should get my thoughts were interrupted by the appearance of an unexpected visitor. 

"Hey, You're Sajou-kun, riーght~?"

A girl with bright brown hair, she seemed like an easy-going girl, but she didn't look like a gyaru. Her vibe was like someone who would introduce recommended cosmetics in the morning news program. Yes, in short, cute.

"Yes I am, do you perhaps need something?" 

I don't recall having any interactions with this girl so she could not possibly be someone close to me. Based on my reputation no other student would randomly approach me without a reason either. 'What could this girl possibly want?' 

"Hmm- do I have to want something to talk to you~?"

"No you don't, I just assumed you wouldn't approach me without a reason. What class are you from?"

"So you don't know me? I'm Rena Aizawa from the next class! Want to know my three sizes too? And stop talking so formally!" 'What does she mean by three sizes?'

"Ah, I apologise, I'll try to talk more relaxed."

"Mou~ You're still doing it y'know!"

"My bad.So what does a cute girl like Aizawa want with me?"

"Come on, to say that I'm cute, even though that's not the case... Anyway, I saw you the other day! It was when Sajou-kun bought a beer! That's not allowed y'know." 

'I knew I felt someone watching me, I shrugged it off since I wasn't close to the school.'

"So are you planning to tell a teacher or something?"

"No no, none of that tehe. I just wanted to ask you what it tasted like! I've never tried beer before."

'I don't think that's surprising at all…'

"Well, it tastes similar to a ginger ale, though it's quite bitter and does not have any sweetness to it. Think of it as something like a smooth carbonated coffee."

"Ooo~ that sounds nice, I never thought anyone in school would have the guts to do something wild like that haha."

"I was just curious, no other reason."

"You're a pretty cool guy Sajou.. well my class is starting soon so see you next timeー!"

"Yeah, see you next time."

While it did seem like she was curious about the beer, I feel like there's more to it than that. If she really wanted to know what beer tasted like she could just look it up or buy one herself. There was no reason to come up to me to ask about that. Not to mention she didn't seem like she was fully concentrating on our conversation. Oh well… I'll figure out what she wants sooner or later.

Ah

I noticed that the people around me were looking at me, looking to my left I see Natsukawa also eyeing me.

"Hmmpf"

She rotates her head to the opposite direction. 

'Strange.'

________________________________________________

Author note: Luh calm chapter. Sum light. Tell me what type of job should I have kiyo do? Also should I merge oregairu into this world for more plot as well? As usual help me fix my errors if there are any thx pooks.

Love y'all

pce out.