Ponytail and Protein Bars 4
“It’s a cooling-off period.”
Miki suddenly appeared and made this odd remark as he pondered what could possibly be wrong.
“What is it, Saito? Showing up out of nowhere and saying something weird.”
“Take my words at face value. Excitement fades and things become monotonous as a relationship grows longer. Gradually, feelings and thoughts begin to diverge, and if the relationship becomes irreparable, it ends in a breakup.”
“There’s a lot I want to question, but for starters, Saito, you’ve never dated anyone, have you? Bold of you to talk like an expert.”
He glared at the smug-faced vice president of the student council.
“I’m an armchair expert. I’ve heard plenty of stories from friends, and I’ve seen enough couples like that in shoujo manga.”
“Armchair expert isn’t exactly a compliment. Don’t label yourself that.”
(Armchair expert, a person who knows a lot about a subject, but has little or no experience or real understanding of it.)
Soma gave a weary sigh that seemed to say ‘give me a break’, as she patted his shoulder like a boss encouraging a subordinate.
“Hang in there. This is a critical moment.”
“It’s surprising, Saito. I thought you didn’t like seeing me and Chika together?”
Miki frowned as if troubled, but then she admitted,
“It’s incredibly complicated. I’ve decided to change my stance a bit. Ichinose, you seem to be able to do things for Chika that I can’t.”
She said in a slightly melancholic tone while gazing in the direction Chika had left.
“I’ve only been playing the roles of watching over her and being teased, though.”
“That’s exactly what I’m saying I can’t do. Especially the latter. It’s not easy being teased and toyed with by that mascot-like girl.”
“Saito, that’s not a compliment.”
“Of course not. I’m not trying to compliment you.”
“Look here…”
Sōma’s face turned grim, but Miki steered the conversation back.
“Whether it’s a cooling-off period or not, it’s clear that Chika has been lacking energy lately. She won’t even eat her lunch or snacks when I try to feed her. It’s not just me. Everyone’s worried.”
Sōma had noticed it too.
Her appetite seemed to have dropped, and she hardly touched the snacks that the girls usually fed her.
He wondered what could have happened.
“Could it be an illness?”
“She’d definitely tell me if it were. I don’t think it’s an illness. Sometimes she looks at you with such troubled eyes that I wonder if you’re the cause. That’s why I mentioned a cooling-off period.”
“I can’t think of anything that might be the reason.”
Visit ƒree𝑤ebnσvel.com for the 𝑏est n𝘰vel reading experience.
“Ichinose, you can be oblivious. So maybe you just haven’t noticed. Anyway, do something about it. You don’t like seeing Chika down, do you?”
With that, Miki chased after Chika.
It seemed something was indeed wrong with Chika. And if Miki’s words were to be believed, Sōma was somehow involved.
He thought it over again but couldn’t come up with anything.
“In that case, I’ve got to have an honest talk with her.”
Mulling over it wouldn’t solve anything.
Sōma took out his smartphone from his uniform pocket.
He sent a message to Chika, telling her that there was something important to discuss and that she should come after school.
The meeting place was in front of the school’s back gate.
During the day, students often used it to sneak out, but it was deserted after school. It was the perfect place for a private conversation.
She was usually the first to arrive whenever Sōma and Chika had a rendezvous, but this time Sōma came first.
After waiting for about ten minutes, a girl with brown hair approached with a sluggish step.
“Um, what’s this important thing you wanted to talk about? I, um, I’m a bit…”
Upon her arrival, she showed signs of wanting to leave early. He couldn’t let her escape, so I decided to ask her directly.
“Something’s been off with you lately, Chika. Why is that? I’ve been thinking about it, but I can’t figure out the reason. Can you tell me what’s going on?”
“Th-that is…”
Chika visibly shook.
“If I’m the cause, I’ll change. If I’m not, then I’ll do whatever I can to help you to cheer up. So, won’t you tell me the reason?”
“It’s just… that…”
She looked down and mumbled. She clenched her fists tightly and seemed to struggle with what to say.
The cold autumn breeze began to drift between them.
“…Actually, there’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you, but I couldn’t find the courage to say it. I couldn’t bring myself to speak up.”
“Something you can’t say?”
Sōma’s face clouded over at her uncharacteristically sad expression.
A dark cloud seemed to loom in his chest.
What is it? What is Chika trying to say?
Even though Sōma had called her here, he now felt the urge to run away from this place.
But before Sōma’s feet could move, Chika began to speak with a sorrowful look.
“…could we please dissolve our cooperation?”
At that moment, his breath stopped.
He was frozen, staring at Chika.
What did she say? What did Chika just say?
He heard her words clearly, but his brain refused to understand the meaning. He was trying to pretend he hadn’t heard it.
“I’m sorry for unilaterally breaking our promise. But I don’t think I can be of help to you anymore, Sōma-san .”
Chika bowed deeply.
And with that, he had no choice but to understand.
She was trying to end their relationship.
His sense of balance faltered, and he nearly collapsed.
It was something he had never imagined.
He had always thought that Chika would continue to taste-test his sweets. He had believed he would always support whatever Chika wanted to do.
It seemed natural and unshakable.
But now, it was crumbling so easily.
His vision turned grey as if he was no longer in reality――No, it was Sōma who didn’t want to accept reality, painting everything grey himself.
“Can’t you tell me the reason? I can’t accept this.”
His throat felt stiff, but he forced out a voice.