The girl of my first love, whom I met again after seven years. I'm falling in love with you for the second time. - Chapter 43: What Happened Afterwards

Chapter 43: What Happened Afterwards

“Hiroto, how did it go?” (Yoichiro)

As I was heading to the baseball field, Yoichiro suddenly asked me about yesterday’s school festival.

“Are you talking about Aizawa-san? We just had a look around the festival.” (Hiroto)

“Have you realized it? You’re more relaxed when you’re around her, right?” (Yoichiro)

“I like being around her… I think it’s nice. But, still…” (Hiroto)

“Hiroto… you still…” (Yoichiro)

Yoichiro knew about my childhood and what happened before I came to Saijo City. He probably knows that I was still thinking about Haruka.

“I really enjoy being with Aizawa-san, I really do. She’s kind, and it feels natural when I’m around her. You were going to talk about my childhood friend, right?” (Hiroto)

“Yes… I’ve heard about her before. You get along with girls, but there always seems to be a wall between you and them. When you were with Aizawa-san… the wall wasn’t as visible.” (Yoichiro)

“I can’t come to practice right now, so I’ll leave after a bit. I was planning to meet up with Aizawa-san soon. My mother said it would be fine so… I’ll talk to her then.” (Hiroto)

“I see.” (Yoichiro)

Yoichiro simply nodded in response. There wasn’t any need for him to worry about me anymore, so I changed the subject.

“How was it on your end? Nishikawa-san and… the other girl was Yamada-san, right?” (Hiroto)

Yoichiro’s face seemed to get a little paler. Maybe I shouldn’t have mentioned it…?

“It was… an interesting experience. Takuma saw Nishikawa-san grabbing my hand and started to yell, ‘Yoichiro, even you?! When will it be my turn?’ Before I knew it, I had already exchanged my contact information with them.” (Yoichiro)

As usual, Takuma seemed excited when it came to anything to do with girls. Nishikawa-san, though… she wanted me to go off with Aizawa-san to keep her company, but perhaps she had plans of her own?

“Yoichiro… you’ve worked hard. Good luck.” (Hiroto)

“Hiroto, you have to take responsibility too. Wait a minute.” (Yoichiro)

Yoichiro took out his smartphone and started to use it. Responsibility… I’m not sure if I’m ready for that yet. Either way, I didn’t want to get involved with what he was planning to do to me.

Suddenly, my smartphone vibrated. I had received a notification.

“Yoichiro, what’s this?” (Hiroto)

“Remember how I said Takuma was making a fuss? Yamada-san ended up creating a group chat and invited all of us into it. You and Aizawa-san are the only ones who haven’t been invited yet.” (Yoichiro)

Despite Takuma’s antics, it had appeared that Nishikawa and Yamada seemed to find it enjoyable. They were planning on inviting Aizawa-san and I as well, with me being the medium that would contact her.

“I don’t mind it, but I’m not sure if Aizawa-san would like it. Have you consulted with Nishikawa-san?” (Hiroto)

“Nishikawa-san mentioned that Aizawa-san wasn’t comfortable around men, but she wouldn’t mind talking through text.” (Yoichiro)

“I see… then I’ll ask her.” (Hiroto)

I decided to mention it to her later.

“Oh, Kazuya and Okumura are also in the group chat.” (Yoichiro)

“Really? I’m not too familiar with them, but aren’t they already in their class? Why would they need to join the group?” (Hiroto)

“Well… it’s because of you, Hiroto.” (Yoichiro)

“Me? I don’t get it.” (Hiroto)

“When I got home, Nishikawa-san told me that they ended up begging her to let them in. Apparently, both of them had ugly expressions on their faces after seeing you get along with Aizawa-san.” (Yoichiro)

It seems that they saw Aizawa-san and I walk into the classroom together, so they used their connection with Yoichiro and Nishikawa-san to join the group.

Kazuya is a good friend from middle school and Okumura isn’t exactly a stranger, either. However, they were already in the same class as Aizawa-san, so they should be able to talk to her..

I opened my phone and accepted Yoichiro’s invitation.

“About the school festival, what do you suggest that Ando, Sanada, and I do?” (Yoichiro)

“We’ll sell chocolate bananas. I’ll be away patrolling the school and managing the reception desk, so we can leave the planning to Tanimura-san. (Hiroto)

I purposely left out some details. If I told them that I was going to give the ownership of our stall to Tanimura-san, then they’d all run away. The preparation seems to be going well so far, so there shouldn’t be too much trouble… right?

———————————————————————————————

Round 4 of the Fall Tournament.

We ended up winning today’s game with a score of 5-4. Even though it was our win, the performances of our starting pitcher, Kimura, and our relief pitcher, Takama, were inconsistent. 

Hayakawa-san, who had pitched the previous game, was also present.

With today’s win, we advanced into the final 8. If Toko University also advances, then we’ll end up going against them in the semifinals.

The next game would be held the Saturday after the school festival. Before then, we had to figure out the person that would be our starter and discuss it with Yoichiro and the coach.

Yoichiro and I parted ways, and returned home.

“Mom, the game is the Saturday after the festival. I was planning to visit Haruka’s old home the day after. I know she won’t be there, but I’m hoping to find someone that might know.”

“Yes… it would be nice if we found where Haruka-chan is.”

After planning out the date, there was nothing else to do but wait. Hopefully, our school festival would be as fun as the one at Toko University.

I texted Aizawa-san about the group chat.

“You don’t have to join the group if you don’t want to. If you ever need to say anything, just ask me or Nishikawa-san, and we’ll convey it for you.”

“Thank you, I’ll tell you if anything happens. I’m looking forward to your school festival… Aya-chan and Yui-chan said they’d come hang out with me. I hope to have lots of fun.”

Aizawa-san was coming on Saturday…

However, I’m not sure that we would meet considering my busy schedule.

And so began the festival at Seijo High.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

TLN: Hello everyone. I just wanted to apologize to anyone who reads this series. I know I’ve been very, very lacking. It has been a year or two since the last chapter. As I don’t want to make any more empty promises, I will try and upload a chapter a week until another translator hopefully picks it up.

Sorry again, and please do enjoy the chapter.