「Speaking of which, we don’t talk much in class. Do you prefer being alone?」
「…I wonder.」
I think about Sophia’s question for a moment.
I certainly like being alone. But it’s not like I don’t enjoy talking with Sophia like this now.
…It’s more accurate to say I like both.
「I like being alone, too. And I’m enjoying talking with Sophia like this now.」
「Ehh? I-I see…」
Sophia lowered her gaze slightly and scratched her cheek.
I recall my previous words.
Ah… Did she think that was creepy?
Sophia, her cheeks slightly flushed, clears her throat and looks at me.
「Honestly… You’re getting back at me for teasing you, aren’t you?」
「…No, that’s not what I meant… I’m not very good at joking… I meant everything I said… I’m sorry if it made you uncomfortable.」
「…Ahh, geez. Yuuto, your family runs a dojo, right?」
Sophia asks another question, her face red. I feel like she changed the subject a little forcefully, but I’m glad she dropped the “eavesdropping” topic.
I also go along with Sophia’s question to avoid returning to that topic.
「That’s right. It’s pretty plain compared to your house, though.」
「Not at all… Just because it’s flashy doesn’t mean it’s better. Besides, I think a dojo is cool. I heard your father is a very strong person, so you must be strong too, right?」
「…I wonder? I’ve only trained to defend myself. I haven’t tested it against anyone. I train every day, so I think I’m stronger than the average person.」
I basically only spar with my old man, so I haven’t compared myself to others.
…Well, I sometimes help people who are being harassed on the street, so I think I’m stronger than someone who does nothing, but that’s something obvious.
「I see. So… is your dream for the future to inherit the dojo?」
「I’ve never… thought about that kind of future.」
It’s not that I dislike the dojo, but I don’t particularly like it either.
I don’t have any strong feelings for it, so I’ve never thought about inheriting it, and I don’t think my father would force me to either.
He probably thinks it’s fine as long as his child carries on the Doumyouji style.
「You haven’t thought about it? Isn’t it tough with both your mother and father being so amazing?」
There was something slightly off about Sophia’s words as she said this while playing with her hair.
It’s true that both my parents are in respectable positions and have successful careers.
But her words just now felt like they were directed at someone else rather than me.
And that someone is probably──herself.
「…Is it tough for you, Sophia?」
「Eh?」
──Light Novels──
──Read Here──
I blurted out what I thought as it was. I regretted it as soon as I said it.
It would be extremely rude if I was wrong.
That’s why I usually think before I speak…
Sophia’s eyes widen slightly, surprised by my words. Her already slightly slanted eyes are further emphasized, and she glares at me sharply.
Ahh… I messed up. This is completely my fault.
「Me? Why would it be?」
「…No, I’m sorry. I don’t have any basis for it, I just got that impression. I’m sorry.」
I’ve done something I shouldn’t have…
As I put my hands together, disgusted with my lack of communication skills, Sophia seems to realize something and starts scratching her cheek.
「…No, I’m sorry. It was my fault for the way I said it earlier. Don’t worry about it.」
Sophia said this, returning her eyes to their normal shape and giving me a smile.
Even if she says don’t worry about it… I can’t not worry about it after hurting Sophia like that.
To somehow dispel the heavy atmosphere, I answer Sophia’s previous question.
「My parents are like, “Do what you want to do”. So, I’m doing what I want to do… I haven’t really thought about the dojo or my parents.」
「…I see.」
Sophia seems to ponder for a moment before shaking her head.
Then, she starts putting away her textbooks and other things on the desk and smiles.
「Sorry. I just remembered I have something to do, so I’m going home now.」
「…O-Okay, got it. It’s getting brighter these days, but be careful on your way home.」
「Yes, thank you. You be careful too.」
Sophia said this and left the library. The smile she showed as she left seemed forced compared to the ones she had been showing before.
…I guess it was bad of me to point things out like I did earlier.
I did it again.
Nothing good comes from saying what’s on my mind…
I’m not a very talkative person to begin with, but it’s not like I had no friends at all.
I had close friends in junior high and elementary school. But when the topic turned to something I liked, and I spoke my mind… people around me were put off.
At that time, I spoke about what I wanted to convey in a rapid-fire, otaku-like way… It couldn’t be helped, though.
It’s the same with what just happened. I conveyed my honest feelings and ended up hurting Sophia.
Even if my response was a little delayed, I should have thought more carefully before asking.
I put my hand on my forehead and sigh.
…I’m really bad at communicating with people.
Looking back now, I feel like most of my conversation with Sophia was problematic, and I’m filled with regret.
…If I stay here and do nothing, I’ll probably end up remembering more things.
I put away my study materials and left the library as if running away.