The String of Balls -

Episode 6: When Three Women Come Together

“Now that I think about it, there might be rumors going around, but even though Kotone is a celebrity, I don’t think she knows who the crying woman is. I don’t have any friends.”

No one would have noticed that I was crying. If I don’t say anything, no one will find out… hehe.

“Um… about that… I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m sorry.”

“Eh, what, why are you apologizing like that?”

“Since I was yelling quite a bit after receiving the phone call, ‘Kotonoha!’… maybe, that’s why… well, you know? Hahaha.”

Ah! That’s right… I could hear it from quite far away…

But well… that just shows how desperate he was.

“You were worried about me, right? It would be a shame for Kotone to be the only one being talked about, so it’s fine.”

Just kidding! I was actually hoping that no one would find out!

If only! If only! I thought. I got punished. But it can’t be helped, right? I get depressed just thinking about how people will look at me if a nerdy person like me is rumored to be dating the heavenly Kotone…

Just because I’m good friends with Fumi has attracted a lot of people, and now it’s Kotone? And this time she saw me crying, she hugged me, and we both skipped class.

Since it’s just two girls, I don’t think there will be any weird rumors, but I’m sure people will wonder why it had to be me.

“Hehe… You didn’t really want to be found out that badly?”

“Ugh!”

I guess it’s that obvious…

I was seen through just now, so I’m not satisfied.

“Kotonoha is so kind… I’m starting to like her more and more.”

“I get it, I get it… so if you ask me anything, don’t say anything weird.”

“Huh? Anything weird?”

“Well… like, are you dating me…”

“It’s not weird at all, is it? Or do you think it’s weird to date me, Kotonoha?”

This woman is truly amazing!

“I know what you’re saying… anyway, I want to live in peace and safety. Okay?”

“A secret relationship between just the two of us isn’t bad… but you wouldn’t believe me if I told you that Kotonoha and I have no connection, would you? How should I explain that?”

Ah, you’re right. If you don’t think about it and coordinate your stories, you might get found out…

Fumi knows too… That’s right! Fumi probably knows too! There’s only one possible reason why I was crying. He must think it has to do with what we talked about this morning.

I have my phone on silent but… still.

I have missed calls and several messages from Moon.

“Sorry, just a moment…”

“Oh, never mind.”

We’re in class right now, so it’s okay to mark the message as read, right?

“What was your business?”

“Koto? Haven’t you seen it? If you notice it, please respond.”

“You have shoes, so you’re going to school, right?”

“Did I do something? Or did Kawasaki-san say something to you?”

“What do you mean, you were crying? Hey Koto, are you okay?”

“Did you leave early? Why didn’t you say anything?”

You’re worried about me… hehe.

Fumie also knows the rumors, or rather, rumors spread quickly!

I guess that’s what happens when you’re crying so hard early in the morning…? Lots of people were looking at me on the way up the hill, so I messed up.

I’ll reply anyway. I don’t want to worry anyone.

“Don’t worry. I just fell really hard and started crying, so Kawasaki-san helped me up.”

Is that too much? But I can’t think of a good excuse.

It’s obvious that I’m crying, and it’s obvious that I was with Kotone, so there’s no way I could tell her the reason why.

“So, the reason why Kotone and I were together was because I had fallen over really hard and was crying, and Kotone happened to help me.”

“I don’t know how it works, but…isn’t that a bit much?”

“We won’t accept complaints! Those without alternatives have no right to speak!”

I’ve already said it! Even if they offered an alternative, it would be too late.

“In that case, I think it would be better if you were honest and told me that Kotonoha and I are friends… but you called out my first name with all your might, “Kotonoha!”…”

“…Ah.”

I forgot. That’s so obvious it’s undeniably true.

It’s still possible to save me if I send it now before the message has been read! Still possible…to save me…Tascal…?

…Why does it say “read” even though I’m in class?

“Yippee!”

…Why am I getting a call when I’m supposed to be in class?

Anyway, I have to get out!

“H-hello?”
『Koto? Are you okay?』

Ahh…it’s Fumie’s voice…

Fufu, I said it was okay…

Why am I so happy…text…text….

“Yeah… it’s okay. You’re in class right now, right Fumie?”

“I was looking for you because you weren’t there! Where are you now?!”

You’re so worried about me that you even skipped class…?

I know it’s no good, but… I’m happy… I love you… I really like you…

“I’m fine, come back. I told you not to worry, right?”

“You thought I’d be fooled by some random lie about falling over? If you don’t tell me, I’ll get mad!”

While I was wondering how to respond to Fumie’s terrifying voice, the smartphone disappeared from near my ear.

“Hey! Kotone, give it back!”

She urges Kotone in a low voice so that her voice won’t be heard on the phone.

Seeing me like that, Kotone made a sulky face and put my smartphone to her ear.

What are you doing? What are you going to do? What are you going to say?

“Good morning, Hayama-san. Kotonoha is with me so don’t worry.”

What is Kotone saying…?

I can’t hear you! Don’t stand up! You’re too tall, you can’t reach me!

“Yes, that’s right, Kawasaki Kotone. This isn’t the first time we’ve met, right? Huh? I see… In that case, please come to the empty classroom at the very back on the right at the end of the classrooms on the first floor. Both Kotonoha and I will be there.”

“Kotone! Wait… it’s cut off… no!”

“Hayama-san will be here soon, so we can talk then.”

“You mean… I haven’t written it yet, that…”

I can’t see you. I want to see you, but I don’t want to see you.

The wound I got this morning hasn’t even scabbed over yet, and my lie is obvious. So who knows how things could turn out?

… I’m scared to talk to him face to face, that he might find out my secret.

“It’s okay, Kotonoha. I’m with you.”

“Kotone…”

I’m very sorry about what you’re saying because it’s such a cool thing…

I’m even more worried about Kotone being there, I wonder if she’ll get mad if I say that? She’s reassuring, but… I can’t help but worry that she’ll do something weird again…

Considering her everyday behavior, thinking back on Kotone’s actions today, the words “she got what she deserves” are a perfect description.

“You don’t trust me, huh? Ah… I’m so sad. Even though I care about you so much.”

“Uh… I get it… I believe you…”

What a sharp guy…

I guess it’s my fault for doubting him.

“Koto? Are you there?”

My heart leapt when I suddenly heard a voice from the door.

You’re not even ready yet, and it hasn’t even been five minutes since the phone was hung up.

What should I do? I have to reply…

When Kotone saw me hesitating aimlessly, she smiled and called out to the door.

“Hayama-san, I’ll open the door now, so please wait a moment.”

He walked towards the door…but instead he leaned over and gently kissed me on the lips.

“Hey! What are you doing?”

“No matter what happens, I’ll be by your side. So don’t worry… I love you, Kotonoha.”

Looking at me with an unusually serious look in his eyes, he whispered words of love to me in a soft voice that seemed to embrace all my impatience and anxiety.

“Ahh….Ah….”

My face is hot and I can’t speak.

No, anyone would feel the same if someone said that to them. It’s not like I was particularly conscious of Kotone, I just thought she was a little cool, and, like, I felt relieved…

The person in question walked briskly towards the door without paying any attention to me…

…I don’t agree!

There was no way he could have understood how I was feeling and waited for me, as there was a clang, followed by the sound of the door opening, and the person I loved peeked his head out.

“Hello, Hayama-san.”

“What? …What!”

“Text…”