[Middle School]
In middle school, as we started becoming more aware of boys and girls, people began teasing us for spending time together.
Especially since Kanon has always been sensitive to the cold, she would often hold my hand, and whenever someone saw that for the first time, they would ask if we were dating.
“Hey, holding hands, huh? Haruto, you two are dating, right?”
“No, we’re not dating.”
“Then why are you holding hands?”
“She gets cold easily.”
“What’s that supposed to mean? People don’t just hold hands because of that.”
“It’s been that way since we were kids.”
“Huh… Well, okay then. See you, Haruto.”
“Yeah.”
“Even though I brushed it off earlier, now that we're in middle school, maybe it is strange for us to be holding hands like this.”
“Why?”
“Well, because…we’re not dating or anything.”
“What does ‘dating’ mean?”
“It’s, like, being close enough to hold hands, hug, or maybe even kiss.”
“That’s just like now.”
“Are you mixing in memories from kindergarten, maybe?”
“But, we’ve done all of that.”
“Hmm, maybe this conversation is a bit too mature for us. But, don’t you mind being teased? Isn’t it uncomfortable?”
“Not really.”
“Would you like one of my gloves?”
“I’m fine as it is.”
“Alright, then let’s keep going like this. Just let me know if you ever want to stop, okay?”
“Mm.”
For some reason, she often loses one of her gloves. She isn’t particularly attached to her things, so even when I give her a new pair, she’ll eventually lose it. Then, saying she’s cold, she’ll take my hand and slip it into my pocket.
By the way, there was once a time when I wore a jacket without pockets, and she gave me such a displeased look, as if she were about to burn a hole through it. Ever since then, all my jackets have had pockets.
* * *
[First Year of High School]
When we got to high school, I started hearing more about people confessing their feelings and dating. Kanon, too, started getting confessions almost every week, which she always turned down.
However, it seemed she wasn’t completely uninterested in romance. I’d noticed her borrowing romance manga from her friends, and she’d often ask to read the next volume. When I asked about it, she said she wasn’t reading because she found it entertaining but simply because she wanted to know more.
“Haruto.”
“What?”
“I got another confession today.”
At some point, she’d started informing me every time she received a love letter. Even when I told her she didn’t need to, she kept doing it.
“Oh, really.”
“Yeah.”
“So? Was it someone promising this time?”
“Not sure. I don’t remember their name.”
“I see.”
“Wait for me after school.”
“Got it.”
“Don’t go home without me.”
“I got it, really.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’m sure.”
“Alright, then.”
The first time she told me about a confession, I mistakenly assumed she was going to date the person and left without her, which led to her sternly insisting I stay every time since.
That was the first time she’d ever shared the time and place of a confession, so I thought it might be significant, but it turned out I was entirely wrong. I remember vividly how hard it was to get her to forgive me that time. As always, she’s not great with words.
* * *
[Second Year of High School]
By the second year of high school, nothing had changed; Kanon was still getting confessions almost every week. Her reputation had even spread to students at other schools.
Yet she still went home with me every day. I was beginning to wonder if anyone could actually meet her standards.
For the record, I’d asked her once as a joke, and she’d already turned me down.
“You turned someone down again? Do you have any kind of ‘type’ you like?”
“…A kind person.”
“That’s vague for you. Like who?”
“…”
“No one, then. So, how about me?”
“We’re not dating.”
“Haha, you’re harsh.”
“But, I do like you.”
“Thanks for the consolation. I hope you find someone special someday.”
“No need to worry.”
“I see. Well, since you’re popular, I guess I shouldn’t worry either.”
“Mm.”
“I’m sure whoever you choose will be an amazing person.”
She looked so adorable as she proudly said that with a confident smile.
But I guess I really wasn’t the one for her. I always thought of her as a little sister, and the idea that she might drift away someday is a little sad.
Still, I was happy she told me she liked me, even if it was in the way one would say it to a childhood friend. After all, in all our years together, I’d never heard her say that to anyone else, even her family.
* * *
[Third Year of High School]
In our third year of high school, everyone began to think seriously about their future.
Thanks to my past-life experience, I have good grades, and I’m pretty good at explaining things, too. So, I started getting asked for help not only by my friends but even by some girls in our class I’d hardly ever spoken to before.
It didn’t affect my romantic life in any way, so it didn’t make much of a difference to me either way.
"Haruto-kun, if you don’t mind, could you help me study after school?"
"Of course, no problem."
During break, one of the girls in our class asked me for help with studying, and since I had some free time, I agreed.
“Oh, and I already checked with Kanon-chan, so don’t worry.”
“You don’t really need to check with Kanon, you know? I could just let her know I’ll be home later.”
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