Crossing Paths, Traumatized, and Yet… - Chapter 34

Daiki and Wakaba successfully passed the school of their choice.

Ren was also accepted to the same school as Wakaba.

It was decided that Daiki and Wakaba would go to different high schools.

Since the examinations were over, they decided to play together for the first time in a while.

Wakaba got in touch with Daiki and they decided to go to karaoke together.

Wakaba was happy to be able to talk with Daiki.

She was excited from the morning and decided to leave her house earlier than the meeting time.

She arrived at Daiki’s house and waited for him to come out.

“When was the last time we played together in plain clothes?”

Thinking about it, Daiki also came out of the house in plain clothes.

Until now, he had been so busy studying for his exams that Daiki had never been on his mind, but for the first time in a while, Daiki was able to look at her calmly.

Although he knew that he had grown taller than Wakaba, he somehow looked less childish and more mature than before.

It was a bit of a thrill for her.

Because Daiki, who had been cute like a little brother, had grown into a handsome man.

Wakaba did not realize that she was looking at Daiki as the opposite sex.

While walking to the karaoke bar, Daiki walked on the side of the road and matched her walking speed.

He was also very attentive to the conversation.

It was the first time she realized how much he cared about girls.

For the past year or two, she had many opportunities to talk with boys other than Daiki.

There were times, such as when she went to the library to study, when some boys walked on the side of the road, but most of them didn’t seem to mind.

The walking pace did not seem to be in sync either.

When she talked with the boys, they usually talked about how proud they were of themselves.

There were very few boys who listened to what the girls had to say.

Things that had seemed so normal to her before seemed different today.

Aside from Daiki, Ren was also doing the same for her.

She was walking along thinking about that.

When they arrived at the karaoke place, Daiki went away from Ren as he always does.

It was fun to be with Ren and his friends, but today, I wanted to have fun with Daiki.

However, Daiki didn’t look at Wakaba at all after he went to his other friends’ place.

As usual, she felt bothered.

The party was a lot of fun, as if everyone was doing karaoke to release the stress of the examinations.

The karaoke session was over, and as before, there was talk of going out to a family restaurant.

Daiki said

“I’m tired today, so I’m going home!”

He was saying.

At that time, Ren asked Wakaba,

“Wakaba, are you going to a family restaurant, too?

I haven’t had enough fun yet, so let’s go again this time.”

She replied

“I’m sorry, Ren.

I’ve had too much fun today and I’m tired, so I’m going home.”

She said.

Ren wanted to spend more time with her.

“Why don’t you rest a bit at the family restaurant so you can come with us?”

He asked.

Daiki noticed and approached.

Wakaba thought she would be told to go again.

“I’m sorry I’m making you guys uncomfortable and I want to go home and rest.

I’ll be sure to attend next time!”

She then left the place.

Ren looked disappointed.

Today Wakaba wanted to spend more time with Daiki.

She wanted to talk more with Daiki because she had not been able to talk with him much so far.

She went to Daiki and asked

“Are you going to a family restaurant?

She asked him.

She knew he was not going because she had heard him earlier.

“I’m tired, so I’m not going.

Wakaba is going, right?

Don’t worry about it!”

He said.

“I’m tired too, so I’m going home!

I’ve told everyone so let’s go home together!”

She said with a smile.

She did not look tired, but Daiki decided not to say anything.

As they walked away from the others, Wakaba said

“Let’s go by the park for a while!”

She said.

Although he thought she might have been tired, Daiki decided to go to the park.

“I remember when we were in elementary school!

The two of us used to play together all the time!”

Wakaba said as she rode the swings.

“We had so much fun!”

He replied.

After that, they continued to talk about the old days, laughing and talking together.

The two of them talked for a while, as if they were trying to make up for all the time they had missed.

After talking for a long time, Wakaba was satisfied.

“All right! I’ve recharged my Daiki component!”

And then she said

“I felt like Daiki was growing up and leaving me, so I missed you, but we talked a lot today, so I’m satisfied!

I’m happy to see my brother’s growth, too!”

She laughed and said.

The thought of being called “little brother” made his heart tighten again.

“I’m glad then!”

Daiki told her.

“Then let’s go home!”

Wakaba said and started walking out of the park.

They arrived at the front of her house.

“We’ll be in separate high schools, but call me every day!”

Wakaba said.

“Understood!

I’ll call you every day!”

He replied.

“Good!”

She smiled and went inside.