Kanojo no L Chapter 1

Chapter 1 Sayuri Kawabata Can't Lie

"Masaki, good morning."

When I woke up in the morning and went to the living room, my father was already drinking coffee.

"Morning."

My father silently looked at me, as if calling me for an answer, and after I answered him in an indifferent tone, my father nodded his head in satisfaction, and then turned his gaze to the table. Opposite him was a cup of coffee that no one was touching, maybe that was for me, right?

I sat on the chair and took a breath, my father poured himself a cup of coffee, drank it quickly, and then muttered softly

"Well, I have to go to work"

after that he hurriedly got up.

He didn't even look at me.

"Be careful on the road."

I, as usual, said this indifferently, without seeing him off.

Listening to the heavy sound of the door closing, I took a sip of coffee. The sweetness and warmth are very suitable for the throat, but this temperature is suitable for me who is afraid of drinking hot.

◇◆◇

While holding my hair that was exposed to the sea breeze, I slowly walked along the breakwater. While staring blankly at the vast sea to the right, small fish could be seen jumping around on the sparkling water.

The closest station to the house can be reached on foot in 30 minutes.

The reason I don't take the bus is because I like the relaxed atmosphere.

Hearing the sound of sea waves, from which the body trembles, small crustaceans rustle on the beams of the waves, and the uncle, holding a fishing rod in his hand, yawns leisurely. Walking by the sea with a slightly damp sea breeze is an incomparable comfort.

I stretched hard and took a deep breath. Then I looked up at the sky, dark clouds appeared amidst the blue sky, which had not been there until recently.

"What?"

As I whispered this, small drops of water began to fall from the sky. I often heard people say that spring weather was a fickle thing, but having a vibrating phone in my pocket at a time like this, but I couldn't bring myself to do it right now. Taking the bag, I started using it instead of an umbrella, and at full speed rushed to the station, but I was defeated by the falling rain - by the time I arrived at the station, I was already soaked.

I took out a handkerchief and roughly wiped my body, while involuntarily sighing. Many people gathered at the station, the noise did not stop, and not only office workers in suits holding umbrellas, but also almost all schoolchildren. I don't know if there were many of them, but there were some wet people who were also confused. The same thing must have happened to them that happened to me - they didn't look at the weather forecast.

After recharging my energy, I got into the train, sat on an empty seat, and after waiting for an annoying sound, the train slowly started to move.

Feeling periodic vibrations that made me sleepy, I took my phone out of my pocket. By pressing the unlock screen, the screen clearly shows "father".  

FROM: Dad

“Masaki, good morning. I'll be home late today too. Yesterday I ate the dessert you made with Sayaka, it was delicious, you were amazing. It looks like it will rain today, don't forget to bring an umbrella. A raincoat wouldn't hurt either, there's a new one in the cupboard, if you want, you can take it. Just that."

As soon as I read this message, I couldn't help but smile. If you had told me this in the morning, I wouldn't be wet from head to toe now.

My father, who said most of the greetings at home, always wrote long messages. As an excuse to communicate what is needed, he endlessly talks about something that is not needed. Sending long emails every morning is a bad habit of our Endo family that started from my second year of middle school until now and has been going on for three years now.

Why didn't my father tell me about it directly?

The answer is simple. Because he's afraid of me.

More precisely, he was afraid to talk to me directly.

And he was also afraid that I would see through his lies.

I can see the lies.

Super power? Magic? Or what is called the sixth sense? Even I don't know what that power means. In short, I can recognize other people's lies.

But that's all.

Some people might think that this power is very convenient, but they would be very wrong, because I don't know the truth, I only know whether they are telling the truth or lying. Know that one truth is buried in an infinite number of lies.

Most of human conversation consists of lies, and it is quite difficult to find this only truth.

"Nonsense! I'm wet. All my makeup is gone."

"Yuiko, you are still cute, everything is fine."

In fact, the entire dialogue between the duo of high school girls who were screaming loudly not far from me was a complete lie.

First, this girl named Yuiko, her makeup hasn't changed much. And since she's known for being makeup-free, that means she has to wear waterproof makeup. And the brunette next to her didn't find Yuiko cute at all.

Nothing surprising. Lying is a necessary part of human relationships, and people who lie are hardly evil in themselves. So even if I knew it was a lie, I still wouldn't pay much attention to it, let alone point it out straight away. Even if I hear it, I just think, "Ah, I see", and I don't remember it. I really understand it, I really understand...

"Kotake is much cuter."

"That's not it, Yuiko, you are more popular."

After seeing them lie to each other until the end, the high school duo who I thought felt better got off the train, I swore in my heart.

-Boring.

What's the point of saying something just to please the other party if you do it without sincerity?

"Don't lie" - whoever it is, everyone is taught this lesson in childhood. If so, when did you start accepting lies?

After the end of childhood, when "lying is bad", we meet adolescence, when we cannot live peacefully without hiding behind false words. Compliment your interlocutor with insincere comments, accept two-faced jokes to spice up the atmosphere, otherwise you will be considered unsocial and expelled from the group. Then, when you grow up, you will warn your child that "if you lie, you will grow up a cheater", "the gray hats will come and take the barrel", and then they will talk with the same mouth as if nothing going on about Santa Claus or threatening their baby that if he or she doesn't behave well, an evil spirit will come for their soul.

How contradictory is this, such an absurd action......

What can we say about malicious lies, even frivolous, superficial lies, and even I am deeply disgusted.

Whatever the reason, people who lie of their own accord cannot be trusted.

I sighed a little and after pressing a button, the phone showed the weather forecast, if only I could get it all back.

I understand.

After selecting the forecast that appeared at the top, I pressed send and put the phone back in my pocket.

If my father didn't send me an SMS, but instead directly offered me, "Would you like to wear a raincoat?", then I would have laughed and answered, "I'm already in high school, I won't wear a raincoat anymore." And if he complimented me for the "delicious dessert", I would definitely answer him with a wry smile. "I'm already in high school, I really hope Sayaka-neessan will stop dragging me into her interests."

However, my father didn't want to talk to me, he only sent me long text messages because it was based on father's duties.

Even though my father was a polite cop, he was a liar. That's why he was estranged from me, someone who could see through lies.

And I hate myself for doing this. Obviously, I'm a spoiled person who hates lies and complains to myself when I see other people's lies, but I myself can't stop myself from lying. That's how I hate myself. I don't even trust myself, so how can my father trust me? Therefore, wanting to push me away is also normal.

"Good morning, Endo."

As I stood under the roof of the Station closest to the school, I stared blankly at the incessant downpour, Kawabata called out to me.

He is a second year in fourth grade, my classmate. Kawabata is the best girl in my class, she has snow white skin, long black straight hair, she is really beautiful.

Kawabata and I traveled to school on the same train, so I often met him at the station. Although we didn't wait for each other on purpose, but three or four times a week we saw each other in the crowd, and then slowly walked together from the station to school.

"Good morning, Kawabata."

After I answered like that, Kawabata opened his eyes wide and looked at me.

Even if he didn't say it, I already understood what he was thinking, I smiled bitterly and scratched the back of my head, saying in a low apologetic voice, "I forgot to bring an umbrella". Kawabata slightly curled his lips and asked me with a smile.

"Can we go together?"

"Are you okay?"

Kawabata nodded slowly, walked through the revolving door, and with difficulty opened his umbrella.

"Well, my umbrella is so big that it won't be a problem if two people use it."

Kawabata looked up at the umbrella and raised my head a little higher.

Our heads were completely covered by the umbrella, and our faces were painted the same red as the umbrella.

“…Can I accept it?”

After asking politely for a bit, Kawabata hesitated a bit before nodding gently and handing me the umbrella. I took the girl's umbrella, hesitated a little, and stepped closer to Kawabata. Despite my worries about whether he liked it or not, Kawabata didn't care so I whispered "Thank you" and looking at the tips of his curled eyelashes without makeup, I thought I was lucky it was a red umbrella so my face turned red without realizing it.

When I almost touched Kawabata's shoulder, I became worried and tried to pretend to be calm, moving forward slower than usual.

As soon as we left the station and crossed the pedestrian crossing, we saw a gentle slope leading to the school.

The cherry blossoms are in full bloom on both sides of the road in early April, almost all of them turning into full-leaf cherry blossoms. Fresh green leaves sway in the rain.

Through the umbrella, I could see big drops of rain hitting the umbrella. Comfortable vibrations are transmitted to my palm through the umbrella core, I hold the umbrella handle firmly.

"Endo, aren't you tired? This umbrella is big and heavy, your hands might go numb from an umbrella like that."

"Everything is alright."

The Kawabata umbrella is much heavier than the clear plastic umbrella I usually use. Holding it with one hand can feel like a bit of an arm workout, and as I exclaim like an old man, "Ugh," and reach for the umbrella again, raindrops fall on Kawabata's shoulders.

"Sorry!"

Frantically, I tilted my umbrella towards Kawabata.

"Endo, you're going to get wet."

Kawabata said as he pushed the umbrella back.

"Don't worry about me, I'm already wet anyway."

When the umbrella tilted too far, water droplets fell lightly on Kawabata's long eyelashes. The round raindrops were shiny and very beautiful.

"......You have water in front of your eyes, right?"

Kawabata probably couldn't understand the situation, frozen with a confused expression on his face.

"Wait for me."

I quickly took a handkerchief out of my pocket, but it was so wet that I couldn't find any words.

"……. Sorry."

When Kawabata opened his eyes, water droplets from his eyelashes immediately flowed into his eyes.

"Ah..."

Kawabata made a strange sound and lowered his head. After rubbing his eyes, he suddenly stopped, and his shoulders shook slightly.

"Are you alright?"

Did a drop of water get into his eye? If my handkerchief isn't wet, I can use it to wipe it. Thinking about such things, Kawabata excitedly raised his head.

With a big smile on your face.

Her cheeks turned a pale cherry color, and thin tears appeared from her eye sockets.

"Endo, you're always shy at important moments."

He smiled, took my wet handkerchief without hesitation, and then whispered, "Thank you."

"Endo, very good."

After I sat down, Nishihara, who was sitting in front of me, turned to me.

He adjusted his black-rimmed glasses and smiled proudly.

"......I mean, is it working well?"

I could probably guess even though I didn't have to say it, but I purposely asked again.

"With Ka-wa-ba-ta."

When I heard him deliberately elongate the words syllable by syllable, someone behind me tapped my shoulder. Turning my head and looking behind me, I saw Shimoda standing there with a grinning face like Nishihara.

"I saw it all. You shared an umbrella so harmoniously and sweetly on the way to school, didn't you? On the other hand, you finally have a boyfriend~~ But I don't envy you at all."

As she said this quickly, the arm that was on my shoulder immediately wrapped around my neck and slowly increased its strength.

"Give up, I give up!"

Shimoda is an athlete from the track and field club who specializes in throwing punches. And if he flexes his powerful biceps, which he trains every day, they won't look small.

……I'm serious, this really hurts.

"Actually, you misunderstood everything."

I raised my hands in surrender, pushing the strong hands away from me.

"Misunderstanding?"

I glanced at the two friends who said the same sentence simultaneously as if they had agreed, and sighed softly.

"That's right, you misunderstood. There's nothing between me and Kawabata."

Sighing while muttering, Nishihara started laughing.

"Well Endo is such a coward, at this rate you won't be making any progress any time soon."

"Shut up, how many times have I told you that Kawabata and I don't have the same relationship as you think."

I turned my head to the side, answering like this, and Shimoda asked me with her head tilted to the side.

"Then why do you share an umbrella?"

"......Because I forgot to bring an umbrella and he let me join in."

"Well, yeah, I already thought you were putting on a play."

Nishihara held his chest with both hands, smiled slightly, and muttered, “Mmm,” nodding, Shimoda also started dancing, in the same pose.

"It's not a spectacle...... We're just normal good friends."

It's too childish to talk about relationships between men and women in a romantic way, but for high school students who live monotonous lives, even such things can be a good topic of conversation. Even though these two friends look at each other and laugh about their romantic relationship, they are actually good high school students.

"But tell me, why do you think Kawabata is good?"

"Kawabata is a sweet and wonderful person."

Kawabata sat in the front row of the class near the window, while my seat was in the last row near the aisle. We both sat in the farthest seats in the class. I muttered this very emotionally as I looked at him quietly, the person who was the furthest away in the class.

"I agree, at first glance, she does look pure and innocent with a beautiful face…even though her personality is a bit…"

Nishihara said it.

"How can I say it, he seems to be cut off from the rest of the world. Even though each of his words are sometimes short, but what he sometimes says, pierces people's hearts like some kind of thorn."

After Nishihara said that, Shimoda continued.

"No problem."

After I answered displeasedly, the two of them said in unison.

"Not long ago, I met him on the street and asked him. 'How am I in everyday clothes?', and he picked it up and said. 'It doesn't look good'."

"I haven't said this about myself, somehow I was staring at girls during gym, so he picked it up and told me. 'Disgusting'."

"Well, Nishihara's clothes are not good, and Shimoda is really disgusting, isn't he? This is all pure truth."

After I openly answered them, they once again said in unison.

"That's too much!"

Both of them were completely clueless and didn't realize how good Kawabata was.

I fell in love with him.

Although it's a little different from what Nishihara and Shimoda thought, but Kawabata's long shiny hair, big eyes, and straightforward personality, I like everything about him.

"Well, Endo pushed it, and I'll try to catch up with Sakura."

Shimoda grinned and flexed his muscular arms in a winning position.

"Know your place too! Sakura belongs to everyone in the class... No, she's the idol of the whole school, and how dare you go after her."

"How did you know! Maybe Sakura likes me! Last time I forgot my flyer, she lent me the print……"

"It's just that Sakura is nice to everyone."

I looked suspiciously at the way they argued and mumbled.

"………Sakura, hmm."

And at the same time.

"Good morning!"

A rapid sound, like the sound of a bell, resounded throughout the corner of the classroom.

A slender figure with a bright and sweet face, radiating brilliance, flowing brown hair. Like a cat with a pure pedigree, sweet and noble at the same time, a very sweet girl.

She smiled in front of the whole class, it was the same school idol that Nishihara mentioned, Sakura Narumi.

Her face and figure are 100% perfect, she is intelligent and also has amazing taste.

He always smiled with dignity and kindness to everyone, and his cheerful character, gentle words and deeds created a harmonious atmosphere.

He's still so cute today.

I looked suspiciously at Shimoda, who was mesmerized by it and couldn't even breathe air, and muttered bitterly.

"Kawabata can heal my body and mind much better."

I also agree that Sakura has a cute face, but to be honest, I'm not that familiar with her.

This is what it means to be blinded by love.

Nishihara laughed "hehe" but it had nothing to do with what he said.

I understand that Kawabata is not the kind of girl who would be called in society as "healing", and although she is beautiful, her stunning and impenetrable expression leaves a cool impression on people, she is not wordy and does not often show her smile to people around. Because he is so direct, some people say that talking to him makes you nervous.

But my words about the fact that Kawabata can heal the body and mind, this is an undeniable truth.

Kawabata is not lying.

Not to mention deliberate lies, he never even said challenging words, scenes or jokes that put you in a confusing situation. No matter what the offer was, nothing would shake his mind in the slightest.

For me, there is no one more comfortable than him.

I can't express my feelings for him with a concept like "love".

He is the person I want to protect more than anything in this world, at least I want him to be happy.

This is how I feel about him.

I looked at Kawabata for the umpteenth time, and he seemed to look at me at the same time, our eyes met. After Kawabata opened his eyes wide, he smiled and waved at me gently.

I answered it and Nishihara, who saw this scene, played a trick on me.

"Yeah, you especially showed your affection for him. Quickly confess, quickly go and date."

"I told you, it's not like that, I won't confess to him."

"Yeah, I understand, Endo, so you want him to confess to you!"

"What?"

"The girl I like suddenly said, "Can I take a moment?"

and after I coldly answered her, she blushed and said,

“I need to tell you something in private,” and then we were both alone in a dark place. class. And after he whispered

“I like you”, he brought his face closer to me, then, and then………ahh, like that! This is every man's dream! Romantic fantasy!"

"Shimoda, are you okay?"

I said this with a sigh, but at that time I couldn't have imagined that the words spoken by Shimoda would come true.

◇◆◇

"Endo, can I have a moment?"

After morning class, when I was talking to Nishihara and Shimoda about going to the cafeteria, Kawabata came up to me and started talking to me.

"I need to tell you something in private..."

Seeing him like this, the three of us couldn't help but look at each other, and seeing our reactions, Kawabata immediately pretended to be confused.

"Do you have important things to do? If so, let's talk tomorrow."

Kawabata politely continued speaking, as if trying to hide my voice, I loudly said.

"No, there was absolutely nothing I did!"

"…… Is it true?"

"Yes that's right."

I nodded vigorously, and Kawabata smiled in relief.

"Okay, I'll go."

After I said that, Nishihara and Shimoda, they both grinned simultaneously as they posed for me in a victory pose.

"So where are we going?"

"To the Marine Biology Club auditorium."

"Biology, marine?"

"Yeah, bio-studies in a nutshell. It's a very weak club, so I guess you didn't know about it. The club room is in the farthest part of the academic building, and usually there's no one in it...... so I had lunch there."

I followed Kawabata as he walked straight down the corridor, replaying the words Shimoda said that morning in my head.

———The two of us were left alone in the dark classroom. And after he whispered.

"I like you", he brought his face closer to me, then, and then...

Even though it was daytime, it was already dark because the sky was overcast with thick clouds. What did Kawabata want to say privately in the empty club room at the end of the academic building?

Does he really want to confess to me?

Kawabata, who was cold towards other classmates, just smiled at me. He definitely likes me.

But this is not that "love mood", like that subtlety, it is a somewhat different feeling. This is a trust in a family member or close friend, this person has absolutely no problems with peace of mind. Although arrogant, I think it's more than just a feeling of insecurity, like falling in love, it's a more pure feeling.

But even so, what if he really says he likes me?

I suppressed my nonstop pounding heartbeat and took a deep breath.

Confession of a beautiful girl that I love.

Even if I haven't had any romantic experiences so far, is there any other way to answer this other than "Yes"?

"Endo, we've arrived."

Just as I was thinking this, we arrived at our destination.

Kawabata pushed open the sliding door with force, and a sharp sound echoed in the silent hallway. Taking a step, I was a little surprised that the room was smaller than I thought. There were several boxes stacked in each corner of the room, looking more like a warehouse than a club room. However, in the completely empty space in the middle, there were two tables facing each other, as well as a new chair with iron legs and a small table in the corner of the room. Comfort is not only good, it could even be said to be very enjoyable here.

However, there was something about this room that gave off a very strong sense of presence and made me completely oblivious to everything else.

"…… What's that?"

What I couldn't help but notice was the large water tank placed on a wooden stand.

This should be called an aquarium, right? There are some small fish swimming near the soft pink coral. Perhaps due to the fact that the lights shine from top to bottom, each pop-up bubble shines brightly and exudes a dreamy atmosphere.

In this dusty room, no, in this isolated and closed school, it was as if there was another world.

"This is a sea fish."

Kawabata smiled and gently touched the aquarium with his hand.

"So beautiful, ah, so colorful that it accurately conveys the feeling of southern fish species."

"Here there are not only from abroad, but also from Japan. In addition, there are fish species in nearby waters such as Yamaguchi and Izu, not only from Okinawa and other places."

"Is that so?"

I was surprised that such beautiful fish were swimming in the nearby waters.

I saw the sea every day, but I didn't pay close attention to the water. Although as a child, my father and I used to dive into the sea with goggles, these days I do almost nothing but look at the waters up close.

As I stared at the aquarium in fascination, I suddenly discovered that among the dazzling cluster of orange fish, there was only one slightly larger pink fish.

"Hey, what kind of fish is this?"

When I asked, Kawabata answered.

"They're a type of Sea Goldie fish."

"But it's the only one here, it's different in color and size."

"Because it's manly."

There are so many female fish here, and only one male. Yes, this is a real harem!

You're very lucky.

I silently said this in the bottom of my heart to the fish swimming in the water, and Kawabata, as if just thinking of something, pointed to a chair with iron legs.

"Endo, if you don't mind, please sit here. Oh, would you like some coffee? Even if it's instant."

He rushed to the table and deftly began to boil water. Soon the little old kettle began to vibrate softly, making sounds.

"Why, thank you."

I sat on a chair with iron legs and mechanically nodded at him. Even though it's instant, you can drink hot coffee at school, and that touched me a little.

The room was immediately filled with the aroma of coffee. Kawabata put the cup on the table, just added milk, took a spoon, stirred and whispered.

"......Here, if you want, you can also get yourself a sandwich. You usually buy muffins at the cafeteria, right? Actually I wanted to take you to lunch this morning... so I made you two servings."

[TLN. Muffin = a type of beownie bread]

After looking at me warily, Kawabata took out a large two-story bento box from his bag.

"Wow!"

When Kawabata opened the bento box, I couldn't help but exclaim.

The upper tier is sandwiches with ham, eggs, tuna and other ingredients, while the lower tier is filled with French fries and small octopus hot dogs.

There is another small box containing fruit cut into small pieces.

For me, who always eats bread from the cafeteria, this lunch is too luxurious.

"......It's not like that, at first I wanted to say that cute bentos are better, but you're a man and you have to eat a lot, so quantity is more important than quality."

I shook my head at Kawabata, who smiled shyly.

"I'm very happy, thank you."

For me, who grew up without a mother, I have long dreamed of bento made by myself.

"I made this bento when I woke up in the morning, so please hurry up and eat it."

At his urging, I took the sandwich in front of me and put it in my mouth.

Even though it was a typical ham and vegetable sandwich, its soft taste was completely different from the thin sandwiches I usually bought in cafeterias. Slightly thick soft bread, piled on top of each other with several layers of crunchy green vegetables and juicy ham, one slice was enough to satisfy me. The inside of the bun is covered in mustard sauce, and the slightly spicy flavor adds the finishing touch.

"Very delicious."

When I smiled, Kawabata twisted his mouth and smiled too.

"There are many more."

Satisfied with these words, I concentrated on eating the sandwich and just asked a question.

"By the way, I didn't know you were in a club like that."

In fact, it would be more accurate to say that I didn't even know that this school had a "Marine Biology Study Club".

The motto of Miyama High School where I went was "diversity", so the school was tolerant of club activities. And as long as you have a good reason, you can easily create a club. If you don't get any results, then funding too, and no matter how small the scale, you can get special classes for club activities, which is a very good system for school children. As a result, many unknown clubs emerged.

"I was just invited by a friend, and when I joined, I gave in to the flow."

I glanced at Kawabata, and I thought, "So Kawabata also has friends," which was a very rude thought on my part. It's been almost a month since I ended up in the same class as Kawabata, and I've never seen anyone close to him.

"You may not believe me, but I have friends."

"Sorry."

Kawabata seemed to understand my thoughts, I panicked and tried to apologize, but he smiled indifferently and added.

"Actually, what I wanted to talk to you about was this friend."

Because of the beautiful tropical fish and luxurious hospitality, I had forgotten everything, then again, the reason why he invited me to lunch today was "I need to tell you something in private."

"I understand."

I felt relieved and answered in a low voice that sounded like disappointment.

It seems Kawabata won't talk about romantic things. And I thought. "What should I do if he confesses?" I'm really stupid.

After a bit of hesitation, Kawabata looked at me intently.

"Well, I have a request."

"Request?"

"Can."

Kawabata nodded seriously, then immediately lowered his head.

"You invited me to such a delicious lunch, no matter what you say, I can't refuse."

"That's what I thought, I'll bribe you, so I made you lunch."

I wanted to lighten the polite atmosphere, so I said half-jokingly, but Kawabata just answered lightly without smiling.

After a while, Kawabata raised his head slightly and looked at me.

"I can only ask you for this, really, you won't refuse me… right?"

Her eyebrows were lowered uneasily, her big eyes were wet, her lips were trembling.

I swallowed unconsciously.

When a beautiful girl begs like that, who can refuse?

At least I can't.

"How could I refuse! Besides, you told yourself that you can only ask me for this, you are pushing yourself too hard!"

It would be too embarrassing if he discovered that I wasn't calm, so I answered him in a clearly cheerful voice.

"Is it true?" Kawabata said seriously, and then naturally continued,

"That's why I like Endo the most."

As he said that, he smiled slightly.

"……Eh?"

I couldn't believe that this muffled voice I accidentally uttered was mine.

He likes me the most.

What he said was definitely not a lie.

What is this, a confession? I didn't say that I was looking forward to this before I came here, but how could he say it like that? Taking Shimoda's "male fantasy" out of my head, my heart was already filled with "strong feelings", this was too sudden a development.

I don't understand the situation, why I can only blink with a stupid face. Kawabata looked at me in surprise and seemed to want to say, "Did I say something strange?" looked at my face and lowered his head.

"Because you're the only one looking out for me at school now. When the girls in class reprimand me, when class meetings are held just when I raise objections, you always help me. The same goes for the friend I just talked about. You're definitely not similar , but I see his image in you…… I can, right? I really trust you, I really believe that you are my very important and very beloved friend."

Listening to Kawabata's firm voice, I couldn't help but feel my own helplessness.

Yes, everything is clear. I don't know if it was embarrassment or relief, but my shoulders relaxed. I don't know it myself.

Well, whatever the reason, my favorite Kawabata likes me and that makes me happy.

After I cleared my throat and caught my breath, I answered as gently as possible.

"I think so too, so I won't refuse your request."

"……Thank You."

Kawabata seemed to have sensed something as he slowly said this sentence and then quickly took a deep breath.

For a few moments, silence reigned in the room.

I intended to relax waiting for him to regulate his mood, I took the coffee, which was finally warm, and drank it. It was bitter than my coffee, which I usually drink, and when I drank the last drop, Kawabata spoke firmly.

"My friend, Kobayashi Misa."

Hearing this proposal, I involuntarily lost the power of speech.

……Kobayashi Misa, I didn't expect her and Kawabata to be friends.

"I want to ask you..."

After Kawabata started like this, he slowly said the following sentence.

"......I hope you can join me in finding the murderer who killed Kobayashi Misa."

◇◆◇

I was reflected in Kawabata's dark pupils, with my jaw dropped.

The light bulb was on, but the room was still dark, and only the aquarium lamp was shining brightly under the aquarium, and only the sound of rain hitting the window was loud in the room.

"What do you mean?"

My hoarse voice reached my ears, which made me feel a little embarrassed.

"……Didn't Kobayashi Misa commit suicide? I remember hearing that they found a suicide note on her."

Kobayashi Misa, a fellow student in the same class, committed suicide last month.

I don't know much about his death, not much.

Not because I know him well, but just because he's famous at school.

During her lifetime, Kobayashi Misa was not an excellent student, and I did not know her at all. She was a classmate from the next class, although we never talked, but when I saw her, she gave off a "Tomboy" impression. But that's just because of her short hair, which is very rare for girls, and for some reason she always wears sweatpants under her skirt, but as for her personality, I don't know anything about that.

In one school year, Miyama High School has 400 students, it is a school with a lot of people. Almost all of the students don't know Kobayashi, and I dare say that our relationship is weak, there must be even more students who don't even know his face.

However, the fact that a classmate from the same school and class had died was a very well-known event for high school students who lived monotonous lives. But this was not out of sympathy or sadness, it was like interesting gossip, no, it would be more correct to say that everything was quite the opposite, it was considered almost an event similar to a festival. When she died, everyone would say, "This is a girl from our school", and so on, they told their family or friends from other schools about it.

Thus Kobayashi Misa became famous due to his death.

He died on March 1 at seven in the morning.

It was a cold snowy morning, which could not be called spring at all.

The place where he died was quite far from his school and home, and also in an alley in the residential area of ​​Aohama city where I lived, not far from the Aohama police station where my father worked.

While walking along the road, he was hit by a car.

I heard that he died on the spot.

It is said that the blood spurting from his head turned his snow-white coat with horn-shaped buttons red.

The textbook that fell out of the bag fell next to him, so his identity was immediately known.

Initially, everyone believed that he was the victim of a traffic accident, but shortly after this incident, it was revealed that he wanted to commit suicide before running into the road.

Because the message he wrote to his family was sent to his home.

"I did this entirely of my own free will. It's okay to hate me, but please don't be sad."

I don't know who found it, but now even the contents of his suicide note have been spread all over the campus.

Kobayashi Misa commits suicide.

That's how it should be.

"Misa didn't commit suicide."

Kawabata said without hesitation.

He deliberately showed a face that had no expression, but he was in pain.

It seems that no one knows the details of why Kobayashi Misa sought death.

He doesn't study well and doesn't know how to get along with people.

"A female student who doesn't understand what she thinks, doesn't understand what," she has such a reputation at school.

Judging from the scenes where he caused controversy several times, he definitely had every reason to wish for his own death, such baseless conclusions were voiced by schoolchildren. A classmate committed suicide, and if there was a possibility that someone was somehow involved in this famous case, even if it wasn't big, the students pretended they didn't see anything.

Even people who didn't know Kobayashi were presumptuously speculating in this area, sympathizing with him, insulting him, discussing him as if they understood everything better than anyone else, or just eavesdropping with the corners of their ears......like that, the rumor spread more and more.

Maybe Kawabata couldn't handle this kind of environment?

"Misa and I are cousins, we have lived together since childhood, and she is my best friend. So I know she is not the type of person who would commit suicide."

After Kawabata said this firmly, he bit his lips tightly.

"…… Someone killed Misa."

He forced the sound out of his throat and looked straight at me.

"Endo, please, I beg you, join me in finding out who killed Misa."

I barely know Kobayashi Misa.

When I found out that he had died, I was not sad or sentimental.

Therefore, I didn't believe that when they told me that the death of Kobayashi Misa, who left behind a suicide note, was someone's evil intentions…… not to mention murder……

However, Kawabata was very confident.

No matter what the truth is, Kawabata believes that Kobayashi Misa did not commit suicide. And I know best that he's not lying.

I still want to protect this person, at least I want him to be happy.

Once I had made my statement, I couldn't refuse Kawabata's request.

"Okay."

When I said that, Kawabata breathed a sigh of relief, softened his expression and whispered.

"Thank You."

Then he tightened his face again and added.

"Actually, I have one suspect."

"Are you sure?"

I asked while straightening up, Kawabata nodded with a tense expression.

"I don't know how Misa was killed, but I know that someone made Misa despair."

So, in other words, Kobayashi Misa was intimidated?

I've heard that he doesn't know how to get along with people, but this is the first time I've heard that he's bullied by a certain person.

"……. Who is it?"

When I asked, Kawabata answered in a low voice.

"...Sakura Narumi."

A popular person with his style and a kind, cheerful and sweet person, the idol of the whole school.

So he bullied her?

Was he also the murderer who killed Kobayashi Misa?

Kawabata lowered his head and whispered.

"Sakura Narumi, she is an incomparable liar."

◇◆◇

The bell signaling the end of the lunch break rang at the right time, and I couldn't hear Kawabata's detailed explanation. We arranged to meet after class to continue the conversation and then rushed back to class.

"Finally, you did everything right, this is a great achievement, Endo."

"Well, can you tell us how it went?"

"It's not like that, he just needs to discuss something with me."

After I finally managed to avoid the interrogation by Nishihara and Shimoda with their evil smiles, and right after we sat down, the Japanese class started. Kimura-sensei's class quoted a short paragraph from Rashomon.

"It's true, tearing a dead man's hair might be a bad thing. Boy, the dead men lying here are all worth it."

It was clearly a very intense scene, and it was all ruined by Kimura-sensei's slow tone.

Many of my classmates fell asleep while Kawabata sat upright, listening intently to the lesson.

I stared blankly at his back and at the same time remembered his voice.

...Sakura Narumi.

Kawabata's voice trembled slightly.

It took a lot of courage for him to say that name, didn't it?

Because the suspect is Sakura Narumi.

There's almost no one in this school who hates Sakura Narumi, right?

This is a truly great creature, no matter how smart, beautiful and gentle he is, others cannot have at least some negative emotions towards him.

Humans are animals that cannot be completely rational. Even if you need a good reason to like someone, when you clearly understand that the other party doesn't feel the same way, you can start to feel disgust towards this person. Especially sentimental high school students are a kind of selfish creatures, they hate people who are worse than themselves, and envy people who are better than themselves.

Among such high school students, everyone likes Sakura Narumi.

The reason no one hated him was because he was so good that no one wanted to compare themselves to him. Also, I believe that Sakura's own sense of balance and coordination is also one of the reasons.

No matter the time, Sakura never shows her true self to the outside world.

She always plays everyone's favorite "Sakura Narumi".

Sexy girls with heavy makeup and strong attitudes, serious and diligent library committee members, stupid but athletic baseball club aces, the school is a gathering place for a group of men and women who are different in every aspect, except for their age where they all are peers. Of course, everyone has their own cockroaches in their heads, and the environment in which each person feels comfortable varies. But after Sakura put her hypocritical self inside, she created a space where everyone around her felt comfortable. He tells uplifting jokes, tries to make savory overtures, plays himself into the Harlequin and so on, he has many approaches, but he always uses a brilliant method that allows his character to control every scene.

He is the school idol.

This is the most appropriate title for Sakura.

And what is this idol? This is an illusion.

Sakura Narumi, in the true sense, has nothing to do with "Sakura".

In the eyes of everyone who admires Sakura Narumi, the ideals she shows are only projected.

——Sakura Narumi, she is an unrivaled liar.

Kawabata said it clearly.

However, I already knew it. Perhaps long before Kawabata came to that conclusion.

Wherever she goes, Sakura attracts the attention of students everywhere, and even if I can't be seen nearby, I can still hear all kinds of talk about her. The time when I felt somehow unpleasant with him started in the summer of freshman year, right? Gradually, the reasons became clear to me, and then I realized that almost everything he said was a lie.

Sakura has a hard time telling the truth, she just chooses the most appropriate words for each occasion, I can't see any sincerity in her at all.

For this reason, I don't get along well with him.

"How well do you know Sakura?"

After school in the same club class, Kawabata suddenly asked me that.

“How good…… I don't know much about him.”

But even so, I probably know more than other ordinary classmates.

He is 160 cm tall, blood type A, and his birthday should be in December. He speaks English well, there is no subject in which he is not good. Versatile in sports, but best in volleyball.

This isn't the information I wanted to gather, but I'll hear it even if I don't want to hear it.

My good friend Shimoda mentions Sakura at least once a day, and even if he doesn't, our class is full of Sakura fans.

"You know Sakura from the art club, right?"

"I know."

The topics mentioned by Kawabata are very well known, and of course I know about them too. Sakura also takes part in the drama club, but there she comes as emergency support, and appears there occasionally. I heard that her beauty and taste were appreciated, and the club's curator came to her asking her to join them.

"He seems to be good at painting, I heard that he won several awards."

Appearance, brains, motor nerves, he was loved by everyone, and on top of all this, he had impressive artistic talent.

How many things did Heaven give him before they stopped?

"Sakura is very good at fantasy art, the winning entry has been hanging on the gallery rail for some time, I think you've seen it before. Do you know that picture of a butterfly fluttering in the sea?"

"Huh? Is this a painting of Sakura?"

I'm not interested in painting, but only that picture made a deep impression on me.

The reason for this residual impression may be that the theme is the sea.

Moreover, this might be the sea of ​​Aohama city that I know.

That picture is amazing. The appearance of graceful butterfly wings and sparkling water surfaces is beautiful enough, but the shore is littered with seaweed and debris, which suddenly makes everything look very realistic.

On the gallery pillars in front of the audience, various works of the art community always hang out.

Incomprehensible objects with many hands, large wooden statues, Japanese calligraphy written on snow-white paper, and a number of photos of insects. And among these works, full of individuality, this picture is even more interesting.

But I was a little surprised. I didn't expect that this picture was painted by Sakura.

"Yes, it's a rare beautiful fantasy painting, if only it weren't for the rubbish it was painted on. But is that true? Does the theme of drawing beautiful fantasy and dirty reality match? I don't know how to paint, so I don't know much about it."

Seeing Kawabata's scattered thoughts, I smiled wryly.

"Well, the fact that it's dirty is too much. In fact, no matter how clean the beach is, there is still rubbish. And when the water recedes, it becomes very visible."

"Really? I don't know."

After Kawabata said this with some interest, he cleared his throat.

"By the way, Misa is also a member of the art club."

"Huh? Really?"

Isn't Kobayashi a member of that marine biology club?

Students are not prohibited from participating in some club activities, however, most of the people who deliberately create new clubs are those who cannot integrate with existing clubs. In addition, the art club is a strong club with a large number of members and tangible results, and it also organizes many club events. Apart from Sakura's special status, is there anyone else who can join the boring and time-consuming exploration club in terms of fish breeding?

"Well, although the art club is a big club, but attendance is quite free. However, there are requirements in it. drawing some work four times a week in the morning or evening, and there is no need to draw in art class. Still, there are people who want to see view with your own eyes to immediately copy it, right? Because of that, Misa often paints fish here."

Kawabata said nostalgically and turned his gaze to the painting on the wall.

Floating gold fish drawn on postcard-sized drawing paper. Despite the fact that he was not very good, he had an indescribable charm. This picture clearly shows that Kobayashi really likes this fish.

"By the way, have you seen Sakura's new work, which has been displayed on the gallery pillar since mid-April?"

Kawabata looked serious again, looked me in the eye, and said this.

"I haven't seen it."

I'm not a club member and I only go through the pillar gallery when there's an event at school. The last time I passed through the gallery must have been in early April, and if I'm not mistaken, I was on my way to the assembly hall for the opening ceremony.

After I shook my head, Kawabata whispered, "I see."

"Is there something there?"

When I asked, Kawabata nodded in horror.

"The painting depicts Misa, it seems Sakura called her at night so she will be her model for the painting."

Kobayashi Misa is the model for Sakura's painting? I've never heard of that.

Since the screening didn't last long, perhaps many people hadn't seen it, but even so, people from the art club must have passed by often. And if Kobayashi's theme character is a character descended from the brush of a school idol named Sakura, it's no surprise that she's already the talk of the town.

"Is it true?"

"Can."

After thinking for a moment, Kawasaki said.

"It'll be quicker if you see it yourself, let's go."

Then he took my hand and left.

Before I could see it, the rain had stopped and the pillar corridor was filled with soft light.

A painting of Sakura hangs in the center, as if bathed in some kind of orange spotlight streaming through the skylight.

When I saw this painting, I was speechless. Even though I don't understand art, I clearly realize that this painting is extraordinary. After I calmly pondered the painting for a while, I remembered my original goal, became surprised and opened my mouth.

"......Is this really Kobayashi?"

"Yes that's right."

This is a painting by the sea.

Perhaps, like the previous works, it is the Aohama city sea that I know so well.

The title of the painting is "Sunset and the Girl".

On a quiet winter beach, against the backdrop of a shining orange sunset, a girl in a school uniform stands among all this.

Loneliness enveloped him, but with the awareness of his determination and strong fighting spirit. As if to show it, his entire body radiated the same orange mist as the setting sun.

"This girl is Misa."

Kawabata said directly.

However, what was shown in the picture was only the back of the girl, and there was no reason to assert that this was a specific person. Moreover, the hair on the girl's back, depicted in the picture as long as it was blowing in the sea breeze. I couldn't imagine that Kobayashi with short hair, rarely seen on girls, pushed to her ears was the same person.

"Why do you think that?"

After I asked, Kawabata pointed to a spot on the painting.

Under the sea breeze, the corners of the uniform were rolled up, and the girl's naked side was almost slightly visible.

"Here, did you see the wound?"

As Kawabata said, he has scars.

It was quite small and wouldn't be discovered unless someone specifically pointed it out, but it was actually drawn on him.

"And next to it is a mole."

Kawabata released his finger and continued, making sure I nodded.

There were two small black dots next to the scar, and although these could also be described as moles, I might as well think that they were just dots.

"Both scars and moles, they are exactly the same as Misa's."

Kawabata said confidently, and delicately I asked.

"Isn't the hairstyle completely different?"

I don't know Kobayashi, and therefore I don't know his fine features.

And like me, almost all students who don't know Kobayashi will not think that the model for this painting is Kobayashi.

"This is a fantasy painting, so the girl's hair can be changed as you wish."

After Kawabata bitterly finished saying that, he muttered.

“……Misa, he was very particular about those scars.”

He sighed heavily, "Haa," and continued.

"I don't know the cause of the wound, but it seems to be a childhood trauma. Misa really doesn't like it if anyone sees it, she even hid it from her own family. How could she let Sakura, who is a regular clubmate, show it to her..... . He clearly hates it, but he's withdrawn so clearly that it must hurt him."

Kawabata changed his expression in pain, insisting on his point.

He didn't want anyone to see sunlight hitting his own body, and no matter who it was, there was nothing scarier than that. He can feel so hurt, regretful, so ashamed that he even wants to die.

He must have had many reasons to commit suicide, such words would be said by a group of people who didn't know him at all. Do any of them really want to know the truth and get closer to Kobayashi's feelings? Does anyone know him?

"…And that's why I stole the painting."

After a moment of silence, Kawabata suddenly said this sentence.

I subconsciously turned my head and looked at him, while he stared at the picture.

"I learned of the existence of this picture at the end of first year, around mid-February. When I went to see Misa, who was supposed to be in art class, I saw an unfinished painting. I immediately realized that the model in the picture was Misa, and I didn't hold on. I also said this directly to Misa, but she just smiled and said, 'No problem.' At that time, Misa's expression made me very sad. It was Sakura's work, moreover, even though I didn't understand art, I could still understand that it was a masterpiece. I knew that it would definitely be exhibited to the public and displayed in a prominent place. And when I thought about Misa's feelings at that time, I felt worried...... then I stole the painting."

I couldn't calm down from the sudden confession.

"But isn't the picture here? Have you returned it?"

Now this painting is here, on public display as Sakura's work.

Kawabata wasn't lying. It's true that he stole the painting, but after that he had to return it, right?

"I didn't return it."

Kawabata said weakly.

"I stole this painting and gave it to Misa. I told her. if you want to throw it away, if you want to hide it, do whatever you want. Even though Misa was shocked, she took the painting without saying a word."

"Then what painting is this?"

I asked cluelessly.

"I don't know. Misa died one day, and by the time I found her, this painting was already on display."

In other words…

What does Kawabata mean, Sakura killed Kobayashi to get the painting back?

He looked at me dumbfounded and nodded slowly.

"Now, I also thought that stealing the painting was the wrong decision, but when I ran to ask Sakura everything, she just said, 'What are you talking about?' and tricked me, so…… I really don't know anything."

Saying this in a low voice, Kawabata calmly lowered his head. I watched the shadow of her eyelashes fall across her face, orange from the setting sun, trying to think of something to say now.

A light sound came from a gallery with concrete pillars.

"…What?"

It was a clear sound, like a bell.

Hearing that voice, Kawabata's face stiffened.

"Endo and Kawabata! What are you doing here?"

The person who said this with a smile on her face was the central figure of the topic, Sakura Narumi.

"Maybe you have a date? OK, OK, very enviable! So you two are dating."

Sakura's cheerful voice broke the serious atmosphere and she walked towards us.

"Ah, don't worry! My mouth is closed, I will keep it a secret."

I was very calm when I looked at Sakura, who was making a "peace" sign with her fingers.

And he, as always, chattered on and on, without a sincere word.

Ordinary people can't kill for an image.

But what if it was Sakura?

The Sakura that everyone usually sees is just an illusion.

I don't know what Sakura is really like.

In other words, it cannot be ruled out that he is hiding a sinister nature within him......

"Sakura..."

The person who spoke one step earlier was Kawabata.

"I stole this painting and gave it to Misa, but… how did you get this painting back? What happened between you and Misa?"

Kawabata's speech was rude.

Kawabata just said that Sakura had tricked him several times. From his excited tone, it was clear that he was determined to ask her "now or never".

"What do you mean?"

As if trying to avoid Kawabata's heavy question, Sakura tilted her head in surprise.

"My painting was not stolen, and nothing happened between me and Kobayashi."

After he said nothing, he added another sentence.

"Of course, as members of the art club, we also painted together. But there was absolutely no fighting like Kawabata was talking about."

Unlike Kawabata, who lowered her head after biting her lips tightly, Sakura continued with a sweet smile.

"Then Kobayashi and Kawabata were good friends, right? He's dead, and you're probably...... still in a lot of pain. I can understand that his death haunts you."

After Sakura finished speaking, she paused for a moment, then continued again, as if giving a lecture.

"But I think Kobayashi definitely wants you to move forward. After all, he especially hopes that a good friend like you can be happy. So, don't get hung up on where you are now."

"…What do you know?"

Kawabata's voice trembled.

“You don't know me or Misa…… don't talk nonsense!”

Shouting in an angry voice, Kawabata turned around and ran.

"Kawabata!"

When I took a step, and intended to catch up with him, I just stopped.

"......Aren't you going to chase him?"

Everything Sakura said was, as usual, a lie.

The painting had indeed been stolen and Sakura knew it. There is a deep connection between Kobayashi and Sakura, and they are not just members of the club.

However, I found the only truth in his words.

——But I think Kobayashi definitely wants you to come forward. After all, he especially hopes that a good friend like you can be happy. So don't get hung up on where you are now.

His words of encouragement to Kawabata were his true words.

The relationship between Sakura and Kobayashi is so deep that she can deduce Kobayashi's moods and even speak on his behalf. At least I know that what Sakura said wasn't "nonsense" like Kawabata said.

Sakura knows something, and she's hiding it from us.

"Sakura."

After I called him, he answered a little embarrassedly.

"I'm sorry I disturbed your date. It seems like Kawabata couldn't calm down because his best friend just died…… Apparently he misunderstood me."

Sakura lowered her eyebrows with a sad expression.

She lied as if nothing had happened, that was her, the usual Sakura.

"Can you tell me the truth?"

"What are you talking about? Do you doubt me too?"

From the way he looked at me and asked this with such sadness, most men would quickly deny it, saying "it's not like that", his facial expression was very cute.

However, I looked into his eyes and said clearly.

"…You're lying."

Sakura didn't say anything, her expression didn't change at all.

"…Too many."

I looked at Sakura with a worried smile and continued.

"I know, I knew about it a long time ago. You always lie. Although, it would be better to say that you pay great attention to the people around you, but let me tell you, you are a liar who always hides the truth and deceives the person you are talking to, You are an incredible liar.”

Sakura's eyes widened in fear as I quickly finished speaking.

At some point, the soft light of the setting sun disappeared, and the surroundings became completely dark.

After being silent for a while, Sakura muttered softly.

"—Whooo~"

He raised his eyebrows and then smiled again.

It was not the usual gentle smile, but a cold grin.

"And you're very smart, Endo."

Instead of a naive and cheerful tone, this voice was somehow very mature.

Her facial expression and tone of voice completely changed her image, the usual Sakura Narumi was no longer the same person.

"It's not that I'm smart, but that everyone is too easily fooled. Everyone likes you so much that they don't want to face the truth."

"Does that mean you hate me?"

"Maybe so."

After I nodded, Sakura's expression stiffened as if she had been stabbed in pain.

……Is it a strong blow for you to be hated by me?

"Is that so."

My eyes could only widen after Sakura suddenly laughed.

"I hate you too, Endo."

"……Understandable."

I don't care, it doesn't matter to me.

"Do you really think that I don't notice how you always look at me with extremely cold eyes?"

Sakura looked into my eyes and smiled like a naughty child.

"When I lie, you always look at me from afar with an expression like you already know everything. Even if I openly say something to praise you, you are really unhappy. I thought you weren't very perceptive, but I always thought you saw through everything. "

Even though I was just sitting in the corner of the classroom and being a classmate, she could see my movements, Sakura was smarter than me.

"But it surprised me, no one has hated me in all these years, and not even boys. I believe that boys are the kind of creatures who will love me as long as I smile!"

How optimistic he is!

I really wanted to complain like that, but I could still agree with her overconfidence when looking at her flower-like smile. Sakura is very cute and it is true that most of the boys in class are fascinated by her.

I sighed and said in a serious tone.

"I don't care what kind of liar you are, and how you deceived your classmates, it has nothing to do with me. I just want to help Kawabata find out the truth about Kobayashi's death. All you have to do is clarify it."

That's right, I had absolutely no intention of toying with a creature like Sakura.

I know better than anyone that humans are creatures capable of lying.

It just so happens that Sakura has this tendency more than the others, and I won't make any irresponsible remarks.

I just hope that the only exception is that Kawabata can be happy, nothing more.

"Do you like Kawabata that much?"

"Yes."

I think Sakura misunderstood me, but it didn't matter.

When I lowered my head, Sakura smiled at me and said.

“…Sorry, I definitely would never have told you that.”