My Sun and Your Star - Episode 7

Today was the promised day.

I often taught Mai, and since I enjoy teaching, teaching people in general isn’t a problem. But the person I’m teaching is the problem.

We agreed on studying three times a week. On my free days when I don’t have prep school, from 7 to 10 PM at a nearby library.

Since Endo-san comes after club activities, we set the time a bit later.

“Sorry to keep you waiting! Were you waiting long?”
“I was studying, so it’s fine.”

No matter how much I think about it, it’s strange.

Why do I have to teach Endo-san, who isn’t even my friend? I missed my chance to refuse, so I decided to endure it until the mid-term exams in June are over.

We’ve been studying like this for the past few days, and contrary to her appearance, she concentrates hard on studying. She’s not the type who wants to be taught from scratch, but rather the type who wants explanations for things she doesn’t understand and to properly grasp them.

Regarding this, I’m also grateful. On days I studied with Mai, she would push her homework onto me and I’d have to do it all.

I glanced sideways and saw Endo-san’s profile. I thought, as always, it was a beautiful profile.

Even though she must have just come from club activities, she had a refreshing air about her, and I thought she might even smell like mint, which made me focus on my nose.

“Something wrong?”

Her voice snapped me out of it, and I immediately shifted my gaze to the notebook in front of me.

“Endo-san, why did you ask for me, of all people, to teach you?”

I was fully expecting her to bring up being on the rooftop or the handkerchief. But, as if betraying my expectations, Endo-san studied almost without any small talk.

“I guess I wanna grow up fast? But I’m happier that Takizawa took an interest in me.”

She said that with a shy smile. It was a face I couldn’t tell if she was joking or serious.

As expected, being with her makes me think about various things more. I decided to focus on my own studying and just wait for the time to pass quickly.

The study session ended in much the same way today.

“Can I walk home with you today?”

Endo-san said something different from usual. After studying until ten, we usually leave separately, and she had never asked that before. Frowning in confusion, I asked, “Why?”

“We can’t really talk while studying, and I’d like to have a normal conversation too.”
“I don’t have anything particular to talk about.”
“That’s cold! Be nicer to me!”

She said something like Mai would and made a sad face. I started walking faster, trying not to let her disrupt my pace.

“I’m going home. Well, see you.”

I left her behind and started walking.

“—Why are you following me?”

Endo-san was following me with a smile.

“My house is this way too.”
“Oh.”

No matter what I said, her smile didn’t break. Over the past few days, I’ve spent more time with Endo-san, but I’ve never seen an expression on her face other than a fabricated smile.

I thought she should show a more displeased or pained expression… Maybe I’m a little strange for thinking that. But it’s because I can’t sense any humanity from her. Endo-san was always like a smiling doll.

“The test is in another week, huh? Takizawa, think you’ll get top marks again?”
“Who knows. More importantly, how long are you going to follow me?”
“I told you, my house is this way.”

Endo-san, still smiling, followed behind me as usual. Somehow, I didn’t want her to know where I lived, so I walked past my house.

I stopped by a park near my house to make her give up. But she still followed me.

In early June, just before the rainy season, it hadn’t rained yet, but the air was becoming humid. My frizzy hair gets worse with the humidity, so I hate the rainy season.

I sat down on a bench in the park, and Endo-san sat down next to me. A silent time continued.

“Takizawa, you really don’t remember anything?”
“Remember what?”
“Like this park…”

Endo-san started talking about something hard to understand again. This is a park I often come to. But it’s a place I only come to when something bad happens or when I want to be alone.

If you asked if I like this park, I don’t; rather, I think it’s closer to a gathering place for my negative emotions.

“This handkerchief… you gave it to me here, Takizawa.”

“Huh?”

“Hmmm. You really don’t remember. Takizawa, you dummy!”

It was a story I had absolutely no recollection of. Moreover, being called a dummy was unfair. Even so, I’m smarter than Endo-san.

“I really don’t remember what you’re talking about… What did I do?”

“Whatever! I’m going home!”

She started running and left the park. I thought about chasing her, but my legs aren’t fast enough to catch up with a basketball club member.

I could only stand there, unable to do anything, and meekly go home.

『This handkerchief… you gave it to me here, Takizawa.』

That phrase kept bothering me. Even after getting into bed, I couldn’t sleep at all. It’s really something I have no memory of… It’s still bothering me, so I should ask.

I rolled over and grabbed my phone from beside the bed. I opened my contacts, but realized I hadn’t exchanged contact information with Endo-san.

In the end, without resolving anything, I ended up attending classes the next day sleep-deprived.