Quiet Days
“Good morning, Yuuki-kun. Thank you for coming again today. Here, this is for you.”
“Thank you as always.”
Yuuki had gone through many things recently, but for the past two weeks or so, peaceful days had passed without anything happening.
That did not include the time spent at home.
Yume handed him a lunchbox as usual, and Yuuki accepted it as if it were the most natural thing. That was the kind of relationship they had developed.
Ever since Yuuki had given her the letter, Yume had been in a good mood and had increased her contact with him, though not in a way that placed any burden on him.
Even during part time hours, while not quite the same as before Yuuki broke down, they now spoke more than before without question.
Yume, Kyousuke, and the regular customers.
It would not be an exaggeration to say that Yuuki’s part time hours were the time when he felt most at ease.
“By the way, Yuuki-kun.”
“What is it?”
“Is there anywhere you want to go?”
“Anywhere I want to go?”
Caught off guard by the sudden question, Yuuki tilted his head as he tried to answer.
“Ever since Dad received your letter, he has been so happy that he said we should all go on another trip together.”
“I see. So that is what this is about.”
Since it was a request from Kyousuke, Yuuki felt he needed to give a proper answer and tried to think, but he could not come up with a single idea.
Yume watched Yuuki struggle and found it somewhat endearing, then opened her mouth.
“It does not have to be right now, so I would appreciate it if you could think about it when you have free time. I think Dad would be happy too.”
“Understood. I will think about it.”
“Yes, please do.”
The two of them walked side by side, chatting about trivial things.
In the past, such a thing would have been unthinkable, but it was clear that his experiences with Arisa and Ayaka had brought a change to Yuuki’s heart.
Most likely, it was a change for the better.
As they talked and walked together, they reached the usual spot, and Yume turned toward the direction of her university.
“Well, I will head off here. See you later, Yuuki-kun.”
“Yes.”
After seeing Yume off, Yuuki continued walking alone along the last stretch to school.
As he approached the school, there was a face he did not want to see.
It was Hinata Arisa.
Arisa also noticed Yuuki, and with a face that looked close to tears yet anxious, she quickly passed through the school gate and went toward the shoe lockers as if running away from him.
Yuuki did not pay that any particular mind and took his indoor shoes from his own shoe locker, then headed to his classroom.
Without being greeted by anyone, he sat down at his seat and immediately began reviewing the material for the quiz scheduled for today.
The classroom that had once been so noisy was now completely silent.
Several students in this class were no longer present, and no one tried to mention it. There was also no one foolish enough to ask Yuuki about it.