Ch.62 How They Met. Miho's Story

"So, first up is... Miho, huh. I think Miho was—"

◇◆◇

I began to tell the story of how I met Miho.

Miho and I met when we were first-year high school students. That means last year.

That being said, 'tis not like we were close friends from the start; at first, we were just "members of the opposite sex who were in the same class."

And talking about the beginning...

"Hey Ouka-kun, how long are you going to sleep?! The assembly is about to start!"

"Ah...? Oh, what ja, 'tis Otoda huh... I am sleepy... I want, to slack off..."

"What are you talking about, you idiot!"

Bang!

"Ouch! What are you doing noja?!"

After being hit on the head, I lashed out at Otoda.

"It's because you said you were going to slack off. Honestly... Come on, let's go!"

"Uoh!? L-let go! I can walk on my own!"

But then my arm was grabbed and I was dragged away.

"Shut up! Come on, walk briskly!"

So, as you can see, we weren't exactly on good terms.

I feel like we were always getting into fights at school.

To be honest, at first I found it annoying.

"Damn it, how merciless the class president is"

"Hahaha, you're always getting into trouble with Otoda, ain'tcha?"

"That fellow keeps disturbing my sleep ja."

"But isn't that only natural? She certainly can't let anyone be late for the assembly."

"I mean, you're probably the only one who'd skip it for a reason like 'I'm sleepy'."

"No, no, I think there must be others besides me."

The first day back at school after Golden Week.

The students seemed listless, probably because it was after a long holiday weekend.

On top of that, there was the annoying fact that we had a grade-level assembly first thing in the morning.

In my case, during Golden Week, I either played with Kengo and Yuya, or just slept all the time.

Thanks to that, I am more sleepy than most people... no, maybe twice as sleepy as most people.

So, I had been sleeping with my head on my desk ever since I arrived at school... and that was when Otoda woke me up.

"Well, your case is a bit unusual...especially your drowsiness."

"I am quite certain that 'tis normal."

"That's definitely not true."

"You are saying that after only knowing me for about a month?"

"I already have a good grasp of the dynamics between the two of you. Plus, this is surprisingly comfortable."

"Haha, is that so? But seriously, Mahiro, you really do attract girls easily."

"Really? If anything, I feel like they are trying to pick a fight with me every time noja."

Kengo said it with a wry smile, but that was the only way I can see it.

Well, there have been women who have spoken to me in the past, but none as much as Otoda.

"Well, pretty dense, ain'tcha?"

"Dense? What is that supposed to mean? Sure, I might be asleep sometimes, but even then I am pretty aware of what is going on around me, you see?"

"Mahiro-san, I don't think that's what he meant."

"Mu? What do you mean ja?"

Is "dense" not a word used to describe someone who is unaware of their surroundings?

Mumu?

"Haa... Well, that's just how you are. Can't be helped, it's Mahiro after all."

"I agree."

"What is it ja? Am I perhaps being met with disbelief?"

"If that's how it looks, then maybe that's how it is?"

Ugh, I feel like I am being made fun of...

When Kengo acts like that, it really annoys me.

"Oh, that hamburg looks delicious."

"Do you want to eat? To be honest, I am almost full."

"Lucky, I'll have some then. Mmm, mmm... Mmm, delicious."

"I see. Well, 'tis leftovers from last night's dinner."

Hamburgs are easy and convenient, are they not?

All I have to do is mix ground meat, onion, breadcrumbs, egg, milk, salt, and pepper to make the mixture, and then the redt is to just grill it.

Well, I also mix in some beef tallow in there though.

"Mahiro-san, can I have some too?"

"Oh, that is fine. Here, eat, eat, you growing high school boy."

"No, aren't you still growing too?"

"That may be true, but my height stopped increasing much around the time I was in the third year of middle school..."

"Ah, right. In fact, I feel like you've only changed by about a centimeter compared to last year."

"Right? I am starting to think that even if after one more year, it might stop at 169 centimeters."

"Those are quite specific, yet rather vague, numbers."

"Hmm, I wonder why. I have a feeling 'tis going to stop there."

I know nit of the reason.

Call it intuition, if you will.

"Actually, you guys are just too big noja. Especially Yuya. You have such a gentle appearance, but how come you are 178 centimeters tall?"

"No, I don't know why I've grown this much either."

Damn, that arrogant attitude is really annoying...!

That said, I myself do not care much about my height.

"So, going back to the topic, what's the deal with Otoda anyway?"

"What do you mean by the deal'?"

"Well, you know, that girl's a real class president, right? I mean, she's kind of nagging."

"Well...it's only been about a month and a half since we started school, so it's hard to say for sure, but she seems to have a fairly flexible way of thinking, so I don't think she's particularly disliked."

That is certainly true.

Otoda acts like the class president and has no qualms about giving warnings.

However, 'tis not that she is stubborn; she is flexible and adaptable, so he doesn't seem to be disliked very much.

And then there is the fact that she is good-looking, I suppose.

"I see. Well, she's also a bit quick-tempered. If that's the case, I wonder if she's actually annoyed with Mahiro?"

"Hmm, me?"

"Yeah. Because you don't like having your sleep disturbed, right? I mean, depending on the situation, you'll punch the one waking you up without mercy."

"'Tis the fault of the person who woke me up."

Anything that disturbs sleep should just die.

"Sleep must be free. It should not be disturbed by someone else, nor should it be something you give up on yourself noja. After all, peaceful sleep is the ultimate form of rest for human beings."

"You're seriously obsessed with sleep."

"That's right. Usually you're more like... lethargic and always lacking motivation."

"Heh... Sleeping is the best form of entertainment for me."

There are other forms of entertainment, but sleep is still the best.

"Well, that's beside the point... but what do you actually think? What do you think of Otoda?"

"Well... I do not particularly dislike her, nor do I find her annoying, or anything like that."

"Wow, that's surprising. Even though you're always being interrupted."

"If she were doing it without a reason, it would be annoying, but that is not the case with her. She acts out of consideration for others. That part is amazing ja. She deserves respect, not resentment."

Rather, what kind of person do you think I am?

On the other hand, I actually quite like fellows like Otoda. I find her personality appealing.

"...You're secretly quite an ikemen, mentally speaking."

"What are you talking about? i am truly an ikemen, am I not?"

""No, that's not the case.""

"I Will kill you all."

How extremely rude.

"Sorry, sorry. So? Is that all?"

"Even if you ask that... well, that is all for now."

There are a few things that do concern me, but at this stage, everything seems fine.

Thinking this, I glanced towards Otoda.

"Hey, Miho, I'm sorry to ask, but could I ask you to do a work for me...?"

"Work? What kind of work?"

"Could you please help me with binding the documents sensei asked me?"

"Well, that's fine, but what's the reason? Even I wouldn't switch places for a weird reason, you know?"

"Actually, there's an important practice session for my club today...and if I don't go, a lot of things will go wrong."

"I see. Now that you mention it, sports clubs also give the first-year students a chance... Okay. In that case, I'll take your place."

"Thank you so much! I'll definitely repay you for this!"

"That's fine. But in return, you have to work hard."

"'Course!"

(TL: in raw she said "mochi" Which is short for "mochiron", meaning "of course', so I thought I could just shorten it here as well)

...Hmm. What a troublesome way of life you are leading...

I am sure you have things you need to do too.

With a wry smile playing on my face, I averted my gaze and resumed eating my lunch.

◇◆◇

And so, time passed, with arguments continuing just like at the beginning, and before we knew it, autumn came.

Then one day...

"This is like this...and this is like this. And this is—"

"...You really only ever get the short end of the stick."

I called out to Otoda, who was working silently alone in the classroom after school.

Well, with quite a disgusted tone of voice, unintentionally.

"O-Ouka?! Why are you here?!"

"What do you mean, 'why'? This is a class I attend too, you know? 'Tis not surprising that I am here."

Why should you be surprised that I am here?

I wonder if she disliked me?

"W-well, that's true, but...w-why are you in the classroom at this time?"

"Fumu... What would you do if I said, 'I wanted to help you'?"

"What? You, who's always sleeping? No way. You can joke around after you're dead."

"I now understand your opinion of me."

I guess she really do dislike me.

Well, whatever.

"You are making the pamphlet for the upcoming school festival, right? We are the type of school that believes students should be in charge of things like that, after all.

"Y-Yeah, but so what? Do you have a problem with that? Or are you just messing with me?"

"Do I look like the kind of person who would do something that troublesome?"

"...If you're going to do something like that, you sleeping would've already done the job."

"Hahaha, you understand me very well."

"Well, of course, after being in the same class for almost half a year and arguing this much, you'd understand each other."

"Indeed ja."

So, you were aware that we were arguing?

To do it knowing full well what you are doing... what a strange fellow.

"So, what did you really come here for?"

"No, did I not just tell you? That I am here to help."

"Wait, was that for real?"

"That was for real ja."

"...Are you really Ouka? Are you perhaps feeling unwell...? Ha, could it be a new type of virus!? S-stop right there!? Don't infect me!"

"As if that is possible. ...Honestly, you cannot even accept other people's goodwill. What a troublesome person you are ja.

"I don't want to hear that from you..."

Well, I understand that I am quite a troublesome person myself.

However, I do not believe i am as bad as this fellow...

"So? This job wasn't originally your responsibility, was it? I believe you were on the organizing committee. Why are you here?"

"Not a big deal. One of the organizing committee members said they had an important appointment today and asked me to fill in for them. I didn't have any particular appointments either, so I agreed."

"...Fumu, I see."

I think that committee member in question just went out to have fun a little while ago.

Well, knowing her, she probably noticed and took over ja.

She is kind in unexpected ways.

"So? What should I do?"

"Wait, are you really going to help me?"

"What, you do not want me to? If so, I will just go home and sleep."

"......But I feel bad about it. After all, this is a job I took on by myself."

Ugh, this is really such a pain.

"I do not mind. Besides, it looks like you are only about 30% done. At this rate, it will be pitch black outside by the time you get back. You are a young woman, after all. You could be attacked by a pervert. So would it not be safer if we just finished this quickly, the two of us?

With a slight smile, I conveyed words that were a mix of my true feelings while trying to appear polite.

Well, about 80% of it is my true feelings though.

"--!"

"Mu? What is wrong noja? Your face is red."

Then, for some reason, Otoda's face turned red.

Did I say something strange?

"N-nothing. I-it's just that, the setting sun is shining in, so it looks red!"

" Fumu... Well, if you say so, then I suppose that is how it is. ...Now, tell me what I need to do. Let us get this over with quickly."

"The way you're saying it is kind of annoying, but...oh well. Anyway, the job is easy. Just stack the numbers on top of each other in order from the largest, and then staple them together at the end. Make sure you staple them on the side that's not the fold."

"Umh, understood ja."

After receiving a brief explanation, I sat down in a chair and began working.

As I was quickly getting to work, I suddenly felt Otoda's gaze on me.

"What is it ja? Is there something on my face?"

"N-no, that's not it... I just thought you were very efficient."

"Ah, this. Well, 'tis all about experience. And the rest is about consistent practice."

"What? Do you usually do such small things?"

"No, that is not it. 'Tis just that I am quite dexterous."

I have always been good with my hands.

Besides, I have been doing housework since I was little, so I am good at these kinds of small tasks. After all, I used to fix torn clothes, sew on buttons, and occasionally do some sewing.

So, well, I am pretty good at this kind of thing.

"...How weird."

"Weird?"

Am I weird?

◇◆◇

Then, while the two of us were working silently, I waited until we were almost finished until I spoke to Otoda.

"...I think you should rely on someone a little more, or refuse someone's request."

"W-what's that all of a sudden?"

"Well, 'tis nothing. I have been keeping an eye on you since we enrolled noja, and you basically accept whatever you are asked to do, right? Seeing that, I thought you had a really disadvantageous personality ja."

"..."

"Well, it takes courage for some people to refuse a request. If that is what you really want to do though, then there's no need for me to say anything."

"......"

Mu, I was expecting a lighthearted argument like usual noja... but she has such a serious face.

No, rather... 'Tis closer to mockery.

"...Considering how you usually just space out or sleep, you're surprisingly observant."

"'Twas just a coincidence... I just noticed that one of my female classmates seemed a little troubled, so I was a bit concerned. Do not worry about it."

"...Sigh, to think that someone like you would worry about me...I still have a long way to go."

"You are being really rude."

Even at a time like this, you are still making spiteful remarks...

Well, I do not find it particularly offensive. I rather find it funny, even.

"You know, don't you, why did the person who asked me to take over this job ask me to do it for them?"

"So, you noticed it too, then?"

"...Well, you know. I can read the atmosphere, you know? So, I just kind of understood."

Otoda was speaking in a playful manner, but she did not seem to be in her usual good spirits.

Usually, her words are more... sharp.

Perhaps that is why, instead of flashing my usual relaxed smile, I turned a rather serious expression towards Otoda.

"...Do you actually have feelings for me?"

"Why do you think that ja?"

"If it's not true, that's fine. ...Hey, Ouka. Will you listen to me?"

"If I am good enough for you, I will listen to your complaints or anything else."

"Yeah. Thanks. ...It's a story from the past... or rather, a story from when I was in elementary school."

With that, Otoda began to speak.

"People often say I have a class president type of personality, right?"

"Indeed."

There is no reason to deny it.

"So, well... people like me tend to be disliked, right? They keep scold their classmates, but the recipient don't show any remorse, they just say 'yeah, yeah'."

"Well, there were a lot of people like that in elementary school, true."

People often use the word "innocent," but that is mostly how adults see it.

When someone my own age says it, I tend to get annoyed or give a perfunctory response.

Perhaps because of this, such people almost always end up being disliked.

"So, well... in one particular year, there was a cute and popular girl in my class."

"Fumu, so they really are found everywhere."

"Maybe... So, that girl came to me and said she wanted to play and asked me to take over her work. I guess I was pretty naive back then. I told her, 'You have to do your own work.'"

"Mu? You did not say anything wrong, did you? Is that not normal?"

What is wrong with saying, "Do your own work"?

"Well, that's true, but I picked the wrong person. That girl got angry at me and I ended up being isolated in class."

"..."

"At that time, I was really sad. Because I was being ignored. It was so painful... But I endured it. I thought it wasn't my fault."

Well, 'tis not actually that bad...

"That continued for a while. It became too hard, so I chose a middle school where there were no other students from my elementary school."

"Fumu. But did you not have anyone you were close to?"

"...I said she's the most popular girl in our grade right now, didn't I?"

"You did."

"That kid was actually pretty shady. She was bullying people behind their backs."

"Fumu. I understand. So, you distanced yourself because you did not want to be bullied yourself, is that it?"

"Yes, that's right. It was really tough because of that when I was in elementary school."

Bullying, huh?

She seems like a surprisingly ordinary guy, but she must have a really tough past.

"But I am surprised you did not break."

"Well, I guess I was kind of proud of having an unnecessarily strong mentality. And I also believed I was right."

Even so, she seemed pretty strong for an elementary school student...

Under normal circumstances, it would not be surprising if she broke down and stopped going to school.

I truly respect that you did not give up despite all that.

"...So I thought to myself, 'If I refuse a request, someone else might become my enemy.'"

"...I see."

"Since I started junior high school, I've stopped refusing requests as much. No, not just a little. I've stopped refusing all of them."

"..."

"So, well...it's a pathetic thing to say, but I'm scared. Scared of refusing a request. I'm afraid that if I refuse, I'll be disliked again and isolated again."

As Otoda spoke of her innermost feelings, her face was a mix of crying and laughter.

I see...

"So, I know that the person who asked me to take over this job did so because they wanted to go out and have fun. But that's precisely why...it's scary."

You do not want to be isolated, do you?

Certainly, loneliness is a painful thing noja.

I was also terribly sad when Jii-chan died.

My parents were not home very often, so he was essentially my parental figure...

Even I, who usually live a rather haphazard life, found that tough.

However, in Otoda's case, 'twas on a completely different level.

She probably thought that telling her parents would only cause them unnecessary worry noja.

'Tis just like her, or something like that...

"Hey, Otoda"

"……What?"

"I am not going to be so irresponsible as to tell you to overcome your trauma or to just refuse without worrying about it. Besides, if you could do that, this would not have been a thing in the first place."

"...Ugh."

"Hold your tears...Well, you see, we are high school students now. Just six months ago we were just kids in middle school. But once you are in high school, you are getting that much closer to being an adult. Your mind is leaning very much towards that. So, rather than overcoming your trauma or refusing, you should prioritize trusting people ja."

"Trust……?"

"Umu. 'Tis surprisingly difficult to trust someone. Even with someone you know well, 'tis not easy to truly trust them. But human relationships are built on trust. Not in the form of a visible contract or marriage certificate, but in an invisible way."

"Ouka...?"

Otoda looked at me, slightly surprised.

Her expression was not one of sadness; 'twas simply one of surprise.

"One person is fine. You do not need trust multiple people. For now, what you need is to find that one person you can truly trust. Of course, that person also needs to trust you wholeheartedly. ...But if you have just one such person, you will not feel isolated. Because you have that person you can trust. Two is better than one."

"..."

"Besides, that will give you confidence."

Ah, so that is why I have been feeling a little uneasy about it until now.

Does this fellow lack confidence? Especially in relationships?

"...So, what? If I were isolated, would you still be on my side?"

"Mu? Well, I mean, I have never disliked you. Or rather, you always nag at me, do you not? Even though you said you are scared."

"...I-I mean, because you seemed like the kind of person who wouldn't care about things like that."

"Well, do not fret on it too much. It does not matter who dislikes whom, or if a large number of people dislike one person. 'Tis just something children do. What is important is to be fair."

Ultimately, equality is the best policy.

"...Well, like I just said, it's true that I'm scared. I mean, I've just experienced people I thought were my friends drifting away from me, you know? Of course I'm scared."

"...Fuumu. But I am practically a complete stranger to you, am I not? Just a classmate."

"But aren't you, for better or for worse, just fair?"

"Well, that is true. There is no reason to show favoritism, and there is no reason to dislike anyone. 'Tis the most peaceful way to live."

There are times when you might take someone's side, and other times when you absolutely do not want to support someone.

But I generally will not do that.

Well, I might take sides with a friend sometimes, but not the other way around.

'Tis pointless. It will only leave behind lingering resentment.

"I see... You're amazing."

"Amazing? What is amazing ja?"

"That was your natural self, wasn't it?"

"Well, of course. I do not lie very often. I mean, 'tis a pain when you get caught lying. Rather than doing that, I would rather just tell the truth."

"...I suppose so."

And then, well, Jii-chan also said,

"Do not lie, and live as honestly as possible."

That is what he said to me, on his deathbed.

'Tis a promise, you see. There are other things too, but...

"But that's unexpected..."

"Mu?"

"I mean, even though I've nagged at you so many times, you still don't hate me."

"Of course ja. 'Tis the truth. So why would I dislike anyone over that? Only someone with a twisted personality would do that ja."

"I see..."

On the contrary, I respect the fact that, after hearing what I have said, you are paying attention to the things that need attention.

Even though she said she is scared, she seems to be quite strong in that regard.

"Well, you are actually quite well-liked. You are flexible and adaptable in everything you do. So do not fret."

"Ouka..."

"Well, if you are still scared... I will listen to what you have to say. If there is something you cannot refuse, I'll help you. At the very least, I trust you. ...Just kidding."

"~~~~~!"

When I said it jokingly, Otoda seemed to get all flustered for some reason.

Huh? It seems like her face is even redder than before... I wonder what is wrong?

"...Th, then, what if I asked you to help me...?"

"Of course I will help you, I just said so."

"...I-I see. ...I see."

Mu? Now she has a happy expression...

Could she be that tense?

But something feels off...

"...H-hey, Ouka."

"What is it ja?"

"Um, you see. Is it okay if I call you by your first name...?"

"My name? Fine by me."

'Tis not a big deal to be called by my first name, really.

Besides, that way, it will feel like we are closer, and Otoda should feel more at ease.

"Well, then... Ma, Mahiro."

"Umu...So, should I call you Miho?"

"...Fua!?"

"What is wrong ja? You seem surprised. Can I or not?"

"I-It's fine, really... I don't mind. You can call me whatever you like."

With her cheeks flushed red and her head turned away, she still gave her permission.

"I see. In that case, I will call you Miho from now on. ...Well, let us finish the remaining work quickly, Miho. We have talked too much."

"I, I know! ...Ehehe."

It looks like she is feeling better now ja.

...But I feel like she was smiling slightly at the end, so I wonder if she was really that happy? Calling me by my first name.

◇◆◇

Since then, Miho and I have been hanging out together a lot.

Kengo and Yuya were there too, of course, and I remember it being quite an enjoyable situation.

When did I start to become somewhat aware of Miho... hmm, when was that? I naturally thought, "Well, if I were in a romantic relationship with her, that would be interesting," and so on...

I know not when it started.

◇◆◇

"So, that is pretty much how it went."

""""O-oh... What an ikemen...""""

"You guys think so? Well, Miho back then was, how should I put it, a troublesome person."

"S-shut up. It's fine, isn't it? I was really scared..."

"I see. Well, now you have someone you know well around, so I guess there is nothing to worry about."

"Yes, I'm really grateful for that, Mahiro."

"Umu, 'tis not painful." (TL: A Japanese wordplay I can't translate well)

"Pfft, what's that?"

They laughed together, "Hahaha."

Umu, I prefer Miho as she is now.

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