Interlude: Setting a New Goal
"Welcome, Kurusu. You’ve come again, huh?"
When I stepped into the infirmary, the always-cool teacher greeted me as usual.
With a cup of coffee in one hand, she sat with her legs crossed.
Every time I saw her like that, I couldn’t help but think, I want to be as cool as her someday.
I took a seat next to her, pulled out my tablet, and wrote down [Today’s Happenings] before showing it to her.
"Heh. Looks like you had fun today too. Alright, let’s hear it all—tell me everything."
The infirmary had become a familiar place for me.
At first, I used to come here to consult her about things, but lately, it’s been more about reporting what’s been going on in my life.
Like how I’ve made more friends, stories about my class, stuff about my studies—and, well, about Kaburagi-kun too.
Whenever I talk to Mochizuki-sensei, she always listens with a smile.
She’s always so kind, and when she playfully ruffles my hair while I’m talking, it’s a little ticklish, but it makes me happy.
"Kurusu, how’s it been recently? Have you gotten used to your new class?"
[Every day is fun.]
"Ha! That’s great to hear."
[I’ve been talking to more people, and I’ll keep doing my best.]
"You’re such a hard worker, Kurusu. That makes me really happy too."
When she laughs, it makes me happy too.
It’s been a few months since I transferred schools. At first, things were tough, but now everything feels so fun.
And with the new class, it’s become even better.
It’s all thanks to Kirisaki-san and Kaburagi-kun.
Because of their help, I feel like I’ve gotten so much better at talking with others.
That’s why I need to do my best too—for everything they’ve done for me.
Not just relying on them to carry me or hold my hand, but so I can walk alongside them.
──Taikyuu no Tomo (An Eternal Friend).
That’s the goal I want to aim for—the kind of friendship I envision.
I’ve told Kaburagi-kun this before, but…I still don’t feel like I’ve reached that point yet.
I still rely on him too much.
Even though the mentor-student relationship between us has ended, Kaburagi-kun still worries about me.
It makes me happy, and I feel like leaning on him more, but…I believe that I can only truly call us friends once we’re equals.
That’s why I need to keep pushing myself.
I want him to think, Kurusu is someone I can depend on too.
"Kurusu? Is something wrong?"
I must have had a serious look on my face while I was deep in thought because sensei leaned in with a concerned expression.
I hurriedly wrote [No problem] on my tablet, and for some reason, she gently patted my head in response.
…I need to be careful not to make others worry about me.
Before getting lost in my thoughts, I need to look around me first. Alright, better jot that down.
"Taking notes, huh? Well, you’re just getting started. If you keep building on it from here, you’ll be fine."
[Thank you so much, sensei.]
"I only gave you a little push. The one who worked hard was you, Kurusu."
Sensei’s unreserved smile reminded me so much of my dear friend that I couldn’t help but stare.
The resemblance was uncanny—it made me realize again that they’re truly siblings. Even their way of speaking is oddly similar, which is kind of amusing.
"Hm? What is it? Is there something strange about my face?"
[The way you talk is identical.]
"Ahaha! Well, I am the older sister, you know. Whether I like it or not, there are bound to be similarities."
[I’m jealous of how close you are.]
"Come on now. A little brother with such an age gap is more like a child than a sibling."
[You’d make a great mom.]
"…I know that’s supposed to be a compliment, but it doesn’t sit quite right with me."
Sensei gave a wry smile and downed the rest of her coffee in one gulp.
She opened her notebook and began flipping through the pages.
Midway through, her hand suddenly stopped.
"Hey, Kurusu. Are you planning to go for the report this summer?"
[Yeah.]
"I see. In that case, I’ll head out there too," Sensei said.
[Thank you, Sensei.]
"Don’t mention it. Two people are better received than just one, after all."
As she said that, Sensei gently patted my head.
When I looked up at her face, she was smiling softly.
I kept staring at her, and after a moment, Sensei cleared her throat, as if to shake off the slightly solemn atmosphere. She let out an exaggerated "Ah~," almost like she was doing vocal exercises.
Then, she looked at me again, this time more directly.
"Hey, Kurusu. Are you glad you transferred schools?"
[The best.]
"That’s great to hear. You’ve achieved your goal of making friends, but have you decided on your next one?"
[Yeah, I’ve got my next goal.]
"That’s the spirit! Then you’d better work hard to make it happen."
I nodded, squinting at the sunlight streaming through the window.
──Bright, joyful days, every single one of them.
And that’s why my next goal is to become even closer to everyone.
To make that happen, I need to work hard and catch up to the backs of those far ahead of me.
Studying, relationships, and more—there’s so much to do.
Once I can manage it all, once I’ve gained more confidence…then maybe…
"Hm? Your face looks really red. Are you feeling okay?"
Snapping out of my thoughts, I shook my head quickly.
Ugh, how embarrassing… Why did I even think about that?
I let out a small breath to reset my thoughts.
Then, I firmly resolved to do my best, so that one day, I’d truly be acknowledged.
Interlude END
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