Tannin Wo Yosetsukenai Buaisouna Joshi Ni Sekkyou Shitara,

Chapter 5 volume 7

That night, I received a message on my phone.

When I opened the screen, there was someone's name there.

Risa Enami: Are you awake?

It's past 11 p.m. I was in the living room drinking a cup of barley tea for a break.

Naoya Ookusu: I woke up, what's up?

I was no longer surprised when I got a call from Enami-san. I finished drinking everything in my glass.

Risa Enami: I know that, you study hard.

Naoya Ookusu: Yes.

Tomorrow, I'll clean everything up. My mind is round.

But that doesn't mean I'm going to lose my midterm grades. I went to my table, determined to do all I could today.

Naoya Ookusu: Where is Enami-san?

There was a pause as I typed that. Finally, a picture was sent to me.

As I zoomed in, there were notebooks and textbooks scattered. It was a math subject I had taught before. Apparently, Enami-san is studying for the exam.

He kept sending me messages.

Risa Enami: I will avoid the red mark.

That's what I told him before. He tries to be disciplined about it.

Naoya Ookusu: Good luck!

I'm sure Enami-san has something to bear. However, he still continued to move his pen to fill in the gaps in his studies. This is a remarkable change from the old Enami-san.

Suddenly, I thought of something and immediately sent him a message.

Naoya Ookusu: Tell Nishikawa about it!

I remember the lonely face of Nishikawa. I hope that if the two care about each other, they will convey their feelings well to each other.

Risa Enami: Why?

Naoya Ookusu: I heard from Nishikawa. He said that he and Enami-san never had a proper line.

Risa Enami: Does Nishikawa care about that?

After all, Enami-san has no big intentions. He was just indifferent to such details.

Naoya Ookusu: He was very angry when he heard that you exchanged conversations with me.

Risa Enami: Why? roar with laughter.

Naoya Ookusu: Probably because he thought he was Enami-san's best friend.

Risa Enami: I don't think it's something you should be worried about.

Maybe so. I know very well that the friendship between Enami-san and Nishikawa is very close.

But that's why I wanted Enami-san to tell her what she should do.

Naoya Ookusu: Whatever. Just tell Nishikawa that you are studying hard. I'm sure he'll be happy.

Risa Enami: If you say so much, ......

I sat on the sofa in the living room. I put my phone on the table and took a deep breath. About three minutes later, my phone was shaking.

Risa Enami: I immediately got a reply. ...... And he's so excited!

Risa Enami: I didn't know it made her so happy.

There was no malicious intent on Enami-san's side. Even so, if you don't think about it properly, you may be ignoring something important.

I think that's how it is.

Risa Enami: When I told her that I would avoid the red marks, she sent me a crying emoji.

Naoya Ookusu: So worried is he, right?

Risa Enami: I'm not so sure.

I don't know how Nishikawa and Enami-san got to have the relationship they have now. Still, I'm sure they have their own history and memories.

So there's only so much I can do for you.

Risa Enami: Maybe I will try to align with Nishikawa once in a while.

Naoya Ookusu: I think that's a good idea.

Maybe it's just me being nosy, but I want them both to get along.

I found myself looking at the Buddha altar in the living room. I offer tea and rice there every day. My eyes met my mother's picture.

His eyes looked as if he was cursing me or forgiving me. Slowly, it became difficult to maintain eye contact with her, and I looked up at the ceiling.

The fluorescent light was dazzling. The phone in my hand shook again.

Risa Enami: Are you serious?

Seriously, huh? If you don't know about my past, that word will be enough to cover it up.

No one in my school today knows that I'm going through a difficult time. Fortunately, I was able to keep it a secret until now. When I was in middle school, I didn't know many people. When I stopped being a delinquent, I was greeted with cold gazes from my classmates.

I can't get along with them.

Naoya Ookusu: Ah well.

In fact, some of those who know me may have heard of my past. But it should be hard to connect me first with me now.

Risa Enami: You'll get first place again, won't you?

Naoya Ookusu: Of course!

I no longer think about finding my own value or anything like that.

All I can think about is what I have to do. What I have to achieve.

I never told anyone about it. But I always have to be the best.

Even if it's for my own satisfaction.

Risa Enami: If I don't understand something, please teach me.

He seems to have returned to his studies. I'll return the signal.

Naoya Ookusu: No problem.

So the line stops.

I found myself feeling a little better after talking to Enami-san. The things I talked about with Yamazaki kept spinning in my mind while I was studying. I can't concentrate much.

But by letting go of my feelings, the fog faded away. Thank you, Enami-san.

I can still do my best. That's what I thought.

#Connected