Boundary EP.7

A few days after the bathroom commotion, "...What's this?" "It's the Abydos uniform. From now on, Sora-chan, you're an Abydos student." "...Huh?" Suddenly? No, wait. "I don't remember saying I'd become an Abydos student..." Going to Abydos would only make dying even harder, so why should I go? "Oh, I registered you as my little sister. From now on, you're Takanashi Sora-chan." "...Are you even listening to me?" "Uhehe~" "Haa..." 'I should've just killed myself outside...' She definitely wasn't like this before, but after the last incident, Hoshino became much more proactive. She absolutely won't leave me alone. "By the way, if you refuse, I'll just lock you up here so you can't go anywhere. Just so you know." "...Okay, I'll do it, I'll do it." In the end, due to Hoshino's threat, I unintentionally became an Abydos student and Hoshino's younger sister. And then, "Why are you wearing bandages on your wrist?" On my first day at Abydos, that incident occurred. The major event that I would come to understand much later. * This is strange. "...." Squeeze! It's too strange. "Um... Shiroko?" "...Yeah?" "Why are you hugging me?" "...." "Hello?" "...." "Haa..." The morning after I made the deal with Sensei, I went to school as usual. But for some reason, as soon as I entered the classroom, Shiroko hugged me from behind and wouldn't let go. The only reason I could think of was Sensei's comment from yesterday... Sure, Sensei's comment was tactless, and I understood she is being angry about it, but I couldn't fathom why she was clinging to me like this. And besides, 'You asked me about it too...' On my first day at Abydos, the first thing you did was ask, "Why are you wearing bandages on your wrist?" and tried everything to see under my bandages. So why are you reacting like this now? Moreover, "...Don't." "Huh? Don't what?" "...Don't." "No, I mean, what shouldn't I do?" "...Don't..." She kept stroking my arm while repeating "Don't," which only confused me more. '...Wait a minute... Is she telling me not to self-harm?' "...Shiroko. Are you talking about that?" "...." When I asked quietly, so no one else could hear, "...Yeah." Shiroko answered softly. "Huh..." I see, I kind of understand now. Maybe Sensei's mention of the bandages unintentionally brought back memories of that day for Shiroko. The memory of seeing me self-harm. Simply put, she's having a PTSD episode. Now her clingy, affectionate behavior made sense. I turned around slowly and gently stroked Shiroko's head, who looked like she was about to cry. "Don't worry. I won't do it anymore. You know, right? We promised." About six months ago? It was around the time new students would be joining, so I made a request to Hoshino. I asked her to refrain from monitoring me all day if new students came. If she kept watching me, the new students would notice, and if they found out I self-harmed, it would be a disaster. Hoshino agreed to some extent, and we came to an agreement on the condition that I would stop self-harming. Nonomi and Shiroko also know about this. "So you don't have to worry." Of course, I did try to self-harm yesterday and got caught by Ayane, but anyway, she doesn't need to worry. "...Really?" "Really." "You really won't do it?" "Yes." "Okay... I'll trust you." Fortunately, Shiroko's expression seemed to improve, as if she believed me. "Then let go now..." "No." "...Fine." ...Of course, even if she said she trusted me, she didn't show any sign of letting go... Well, I guess she was really worried... In the end, I had no choice but to let Shiroko cling to me and stroke her head until Sensei arrived. * Creak. "Welcome to Shibaseki Ramen... Whoa?!" "Yay~☆ There's six of us!" "Ah, ahaha. Serika-chan... Hello." "Hello." "H-How did you all know I was here?!" "Uhehe~ We figured you'd be here." After spending the morning with Shiroko, I ended up visiting Shibaseki Ramen, where Serika works part-time, along with Sensei and the rest of the Abydos group. "Hello." "Even Sensei... What, are you a stalker too?!" '...Looks like he's following my request.' Seeing as she called Sensei a stalker, it seems he's targeting Serika first, as I asked. "Uhehe, Sensei's innocent. If Serika-chan's working part-time, it has to be here, right? So we came to see." "Hoshino-senpai...!! Ugh. Sora-senpai!" "Whoa, whoa, I didn't really want to come, you know?" I don't particularly like ramen, and I felt sorry for Serika, so I didn't plan on coming. "Uhehe~" "Fufu☆" "...." If only those three hadn't threatened me with their scary eyes... "Are these the Abydos students? Serika, stop chattering and take their orders." "Ah, uh... Yes, Master. Customers, I'll show you to the group seating. This way, please." Serika was angry until the end, but she had no choice but to guide us to the group seating at Master Shiba's words. "Uhehe~ Sora-chan sits here." "Okay. Here." "...This is uncomfortable..." We went to the group seating, but for some reason, Hoshino and Shiroko sat on either side of me, sticking close. "It's cramped! Shiroko-senpai, Hoshino-senpai, Sora-senpai's uncomfortable with you two so close, so move away a bit." "It's fine, right, Sora?" "Uhehe~ Right, no problem at all~" "Why are you being so reserved? There are plenty of seats here! Sit properly!" "Haha..." '...Are they still being cautious?' Seeing them look at Sensei while sitting on either side of me, I guess they're trying to prevent me from interacting with him. '...It's going to be a long road...' Well, as long as the original story stays intact, I don't really care what happens. "Serika-chan. Your part-time uniform is really cute☆" "Wow, Serika-chan, is that your thing? The type to look for jobs with uniforms?" "W-What are you saying?! It's not like that! Th-This is our regular place..." "Serika-chan in a work uniform, I could take a picture and sell it for a high price. How about it? Want to buy one, Sensei?" "Don't start weird side jobs, senpai..." "Since when have you been working part-time?" "F-For about a week..." "I see☆ So that's why you've been sneaking off sometimes!" "S-Stop talking and order!" "You should say, 'What would you like to order?' shouldn't you, Serika-chan? You have to be nice to customers." "Ah, uh, uh... W-What would you like to order..." "I'll have the chashumen (chashu-men)!" "I'll have the shio (ramen)." "Um... I'll have the miso ramen..." "I'll have the special miso ramen! With extra grilled chashu!" Everyone chatted happily, but eventually, Serika urged them to order, and everyone placed their orders. However, Sensei and I didn't order. "Come on, Sensei, don't hesitate, order a lot. It's really delicious here, Abydos' famous Shibaseki Ramen!" "Ah, yeah... But Sora, aren't you ordering?" "...Me?" 'Ah, right, Sensei wouldn't know.' "My stomach is really small, so one ramen is too much for me. So, whenever I come here, I eat some of Hoshino's portion. Don't worry about it." Of course, it's a shame my stomach is small, but it's good because I can save money. "Yeah. Sora's stomach is definitely small." "Uhehe~ That's right~ I wish she'd eat more though. I worry if this old lady will collapse every time she sees Sora-chan eat~" "It's fine. He won't collapse." I really wish he would, though... And if he just died on the spot, I'd have no complaints. ".....Um, by the way, does everyone have money? You're not going to rely on Nonomi-senpai again, are you?" "Huh? I don't mind☆ I still have some left on the card I got from home." "No. I can pay." I still have money left from my mercenary work, so treating everyone isn't a problem. "No. We can't rely on you again. Sensei is paying. Right, Sensei?" "W-Wait, I didn't hear Hoshino-sensei say that...?" "Wahaha, you heard it now, so it's fine." Hearing that, Sensei tried to run away, but "Where are you going?" He couldn't outrun Hoshino, so he was caught instantly. "Uhehe~, you have the adult card, right? This is your chance to use it." "Adult cards aren't meant to be used in places like this... So, you gathered everyone for a meal just to make me pay." "Come on, it's a chance to treat your cute students. It's not every day you get an opportunity like this." "...Fine..." After that, there was a moment where Nonomi offered her card to Sensei, but just like in the original story, he refused. We are able to enjoy delicious ramen, paid for by Sensei. "....Ugh, it's too greasy..." Except for me.