Chapter 7: Forced into Family
A few days after the bathroom incident—
“…What’s this?”
“It’s an Abidos uniform. From now on, Sora-chan’s an Abidos student.”
“…Huh?”
What, out of nowhere?
“I never said I’d become an Abidos student…”
What’s the point of going to Abidos if it just makes dying harder?
“Oh, I registered you as my little sister. From now on, you’re Takanotsume Sora-chan.”
“…Are you even listening to me?”
“Uhe~”
“Haa…”
‘I should’ve just tried killing myself outside…’
Up until the last incident, things weren’t like this, but after that mess, Hoshino’s become way more proactive.
She won’t leave me alone for a second.
“By the way, if you refuse, I’ll lock you up here so you can’t go anywhere. Just so you know.”
“…Fine, I’ll do it, alright?”
In the end, thanks to Hoshino’s threats, I unintentionally became an Abidos student and her little sister.
And then—
“Why do you have bandages on your wrist?”
On my first day at Abidos, that incident happened.
An incident so big I’d only realize its full weight much later.
Something’s off.
“…”
Hug!
Way too off.
“Uh… Shiroko?”
“…Yeah?”
“Why are you hugging me?”
“…”
“Hello?”
“…”
“Haa…”
The morning after I made that deal with the Teacher.
I went to school as usual, but the moment I stepped into the classroom, Shiroko suddenly hugged me from behind and wouldn’t let go.
If I had to guess why, it’s probably because of what the Teacher said yesterday…
Sure, his comment was tactless, and I get being upset, but clinging to me like this? I can’t figure it out.
And to begin with—
‘You asked me the same thing…’
On my first day at Abidos, the first thing Shiroko said to me was, “Why do you have bandages on your wrist?”
She went out of her way to try to see under them, so why’s she acting like this now…?
And then—
“…Don’t do it.”
“Huh? Don’t do what?”
“…Don’t do it.”
“Seriously, what are you talking about?”
“…Don’t do it…”
She kept stroking my arm and repeating “Don’t do it,” which only made me more confused.
‘…Wait a second. Is she telling me not to self-harm?’
“…Shiroko. Are you talking about that?”
“…”
I asked quietly so no one else could hear, phrasing it vaguely.
“…Yeah.”
Shiroko answered just as softly.
“Huh…”
Got it. I think I understand.
It must be that the Teacher mentioning my bandages brought back memories of that day for her.
The day she saw me self-harming.
In short, you could say she’s got PTSD.
That would explain why she’s clinging to me like this, almost like she’s being affectionate.
I turned slightly and gently patted Shiroko’s head, her face looking like she might cry.
“…Don’t worry. I’m not doing it anymore. You know that, right? I promised I’d stop.”
About half a year ago, when the new juniors started joining, I made a request to Hoshino.
I asked her to ease up on the constant surveillance once the juniors arrived.
If she kept watching me 24/7, the juniors would get curious, and if they found out I was self-harming, it’d be a disaster.
Hoshino agreed to some extent, and we settled on me stopping the self-harm as a condition.
Nonomi and Shiroko know about this too.
“So you don’t have to worry.”
Sure, I got caught by Ayane trying to self-harm yesterday, but still! No need to worry.
“…Really?”
“Really.”
“You’re really not doing it?”
“Yeah.”
“Alright… I’ll trust you.”
Thankfully, she seemed to believe me, and her expression brightened a bit.
“Then can you let go—”
“Nope.”
“…Okay.”
…Even if she trusts me, she’s not letting go at all…
Well, she seems really worried, so…
In the end, I had no choice but to spend the time before the Teacher arrived patting Shiroko’s head.
Click
“Welcome to Shibaseki Ramen— Whoa?!”
“Wow~☆ We’re a party of six!”
“H-Haha, Serika-chan… Hi.”
“Hi.”
“How did you all find this place?!”
“Uhe~ I knew you’d be here.”
After spending the morning with Shiroko, I ended up at Shibaseki Ramen, where Serika works part-time, along with the rest of Abidos and the Teacher.
“Hi.”
“Even the Teacher… What, are you a stalker?!”
‘…Looks like he’s keeping my request.’
Seeing her call the Teacher a stalker at this point, he must be following my advice to start winning over Serika first.
“Uhe, the Teacher’s innocent. If you’re working a part-time job, this is the only place you’d be, right? So we came by.”
“It was you, Hoshino-senpai…?! Ugh. Sora-senpai!”
“Whoa, whoa. I didn’t even want to come, okay?”
I’m not exactly a ramen fan, and I felt bad for Serika, so I wasn’t planning to show up.
“Uhe~”
“Hehe☆”
“…”
If only those three hadn’t threatened me with those scary looks…
“Abidos students, huh? Serika-san, stop chatting and take their order.”
“Ugh… Yes, Master. Everyone, I’ll show you to the group table. This way, please.”
Serika kept grumbling, but at Master Shiba’s words, she reluctantly led us to the group table.
“Uhe~ Sora-chan, over here.”
“Yeah, here.”
“…This is uncomfortable…”
We made it to the group table, but for some reason, Hoshino and Shiroko sandwiched me between them, sticking close.
“It’s cramped! Shiroko-senpai, Hoshino-senpai! Stop clinging to Sora-senpai, it’s making her uncomfortable. Give her some space!”
“No problem here. Right, Sora?”
“Uhe~ Exactly. No problem at all~”
“Why are you being shy about it?! There’s plenty of space! Sit properly!”
“Haha…”
‘…Are they still on guard?’
Judging by how they’re staring at the Teacher while keeping me between them, they’re probably trying to keep me from interacting with him.
‘…Looks like you’ve got a long road ahead, Teacher…’
I don’t really care as long as the original story stays on track, though.
“Serika-chan, your work uniform is super cute☆”
“Whoa, Serika-chan, you’re into that? Picking jobs for the uniform?”
“W-W-What are you talking about?! It’s not like that! This place is just a regular spot for us…”
“Serika-chan in her work uniform, huh? I bet a photo of this would sell for a lot. Wanna buy one, Teacher?”
“Don’t start weird side hustles, senpai…”
“How long have you been working here?”
“Uh, about a week…”
“I see☆ So that’s why you kept sneaking off sometimes!”
“Q-Quit yapping and order already!”
“You mean, ‘What would you like to order?’ right, Serika-chan? Gotta be polite to customers.”
“Ugh… W-What would you like to order…?”
“I’ll have the chashumen!”
“I’ll take shio.”
“Uh… Miso ramen for me…”
“Special miso ramen! With extra grilled chashu!”
Everyone was chatting happily, but at Serika’s urging, they placed their orders.
The Teacher and I didn’t, though.
“Come on, Teacher, don’t hold back. Order a ton. This place is great—Abidos’ famous Shibaseki Ramen!”
“Uh, yeah… But Sora, you’re not ordering?”
“…Me?”
‘Oh, right, the Teacher wouldn’t know.’
“My stomach’s pretty small, so a whole bowl of ramen’s too much for me.
I usually eat a bit of Hoshino-san’s, so don’t worry about it.”
Sure, it’s a shame my stomach’s so small, but it saves me money, so that’s nice.
“Yeah, Sora’s stomach is pretty tiny.”
“Uhe~ Exactly~ I wish she’d eat a bit more, though.
I swear, every time I see Sora-chan eat, I worry she’s gonna collapse~”
“I’m fine. I won’t collapse.”
If only I would collapse… And if I could just die right after, I’d have no complaints.
“…By the way, do you all have money? You’re not mooching off Nonomi-senpai again, are you?”
“Hm? I don’t mind☆ My card from home still has plenty of limit left.”
“Nah, I can cover it.”
I’ve still got some cash from my mercenary days, so treating everyone’s no big deal.
“No way. We can’t keep mooching. The Teacher’s paying, right, Teacher?”
“Uh, Hoshino, I didn’t hear anything about that…?”
“Hahaha, you heard it now, so it’s fine.”
The Teacher tried to bolt at that, but—
“Where do you think you’re going?”
He wasn’t faster than Hoshino and got caught in a flash.
“Uhe~ You’ve got that adult card, don’t you? Time to use it.”
“Adult cards aren’t for stuff like this… So this was your plan all along, senpai, gathering everyone to make me pay.”
“Come on, it’s a rare chance to treat your cute students.”
“…Fine…”
Surprisingly, Nonomi offered her card to the Teacher, but true to the original story, he refused.
So we all got to enjoy delicious ramen on the Teacher’s dime.
“…Ugh, it’s too greasy for me…”
Except for me.