Takezawa's Ghost - Episode 32

　Upon unexpectedly meeting Naoya, his memories come flooding back at an incredible rate.

　It’s a memory from 13 years ago, when I still believed I could become anything.

“Hey, what did this guy do?”

“Don’t do it, Shinji. Nothing good will come from knowing that.”

　After dropping out of high school, 17-year-old Naoya and I started making money through kidnapping and violence.

　I was such an idiot, so stupid, that I ended up working as a low-level employee for a criminal organization where I could make easy money.

“That’s true.”

　I move away from the foreign man who is being held captive.

　Who this guy is is irrelevant.

　We just have to do what our superiors tell us to do.

　This time, the job is to watch over the man.

　However, surveillance is an easy but boring job when the target is stationary.

“I’m bored.”

“Shall we play cards?”

“Trump…”

　I had never made any friends until that point, so I felt a certain admiration for the guard game.

“do”

“Okay, so what shall we do? It’s only two days, so maybe speed or something?”

“I don’t understand the rules.”

“Seriously? Well, let’s put the numbers in order…”

“Yes, you bastard!”

　20 minutes after hearing the explanation.

　After my consecutive wins, I was feeling perfectly cocky.

　In many cases, provoking someone in a game leads to bad relations. If someone says something annoying like this to you, you can’t complain if they cut you off.

　But Naoya was an adult.

“Shinji is good at getting the hang of things.”

　He praises her like that and shows no signs of regret.

　Seeing such a calm man my age makes me feel ashamed of myself.

　Naoya was always calm.

　Don’t rush into things like I did, but prepare thoroughly before taking on new challenges.

　I admired that kind of Naoya.

　That’s why I had a strange thought.

“…Hey. Why is someone like you in a place like this?”

　He’s at an age where he should be at school, not in this dingy warehouse.

　Unlike me, Naoya would probably do well in school.

“Hmm? Well, to help my family, I guess.”

“teeth?”

　At the unexpected answer, I looked dumbfounded.

“My parents have some problems and can’t work. They have a bit of a gambling habit. My younger sister, who is three years younger than I, is taking high school entrance exams next year. She said she wanted to work instead of going to high school. She’s really good at studying, so I thought it was a waste. So I decided to earn some money for her.”

“…Hmm.”

　The foolish young man, not knowing what to say, gave a rough response.

(I make money for myself, but this guy makes money to support his family…)

　I’ve never been someone with high self-esteem to begin with, but I feel a little depressed because I feel so defeated as a person.

(That’s why he probably has a beautiful girlfriend.)

　At this time, Naoya and Hirose were already dating.

　I now understand why Hirose, an honor student, is taking the risk of becoming romantically involved with someone from the underworld.

　It’s simple human power.

　It’s hard to find someone as nice as this.

　Although that kindness is not directed towards the foreign man currently being held captive, he is extremely kind to his family.

　Of course, to my family, but also to me, their friend.

　Well, I don’t think there’s any need to worry about parents who have some “problems” apart from your sister.

　The mother may have had a certain advantage because she gave birth to the baby, but the father simply had a lucky choice of sperm.

　When I think that Naoya was forced to disappear from the public eye because of such a person, I feel angry at the father I have never met.

　My parents were normal people, not good but not evil either.

　When I dropped out of high school, I left home so as not to cause trouble, but that doesn’t mean I dislike it.

　Parent gacha.

　There is a saying.

　Many people say it’s inappropriate to compare parents to capsule machines, but when you look at Naoya, the expression seems to fit perfectly.

　Even such a talented person will suffer needlessly if they fail the parent gacha.

　I’m sure my sister was the same.

“I see. So you have a younger sister.”

　Anyway, I wanted to get away from talking about my parents, so I decided to ask about my younger sister, who was also a victim.

“Yeah. I’m 15 now. My name is Michi.”

　why.

　I wonder why I couldn’t remember it until now.

　Even though it was 13 years ago, it was my best friend’s sister’s name.

　When I heard about it from him, I had no memory of it whatsoever.

　Human. Takezawa Shinji’s memory is spotty.