Cinderella wa Sagasanai.

Can I Come to Apologize?

When I placed the tray on the tatami mat, I began to explain the situation - or rather, prove my innocence - with gestures.

It's strange how such a simple story can become so complicated when coincidence is involved.

While Shindo was listening to my story.

"...Yeah."

"..., So what?"

"...Really?"

And gradually softened her attitude.

And beside her, Mai.

"That's a case!"

"Who the heck is the culprit...?"

"It was Onii-chan!"

The room was in chaos as they imitated the popular educational TV show "Puri Puri Tantei" (The Puri Puri Detective).

--A few minutes later.

While eating the pudding together, Shindo turned her eyes down slightly.

"I'm sorry... ...that I was so quick to make that mistake. I won't ask you to forgive me."

I started to say something like a loser in a life-threatening battle, so she shook her head.

"No, I was really surprised too, so we both agree."

What is mutual is unclear, but I was indeed surprised.

I never thought that Shindo lived on the 50th floor.

I was just talking to her at random, but what kind of coincidence is this?

Mai's expression is always smiling.

The top of my head was always "?" mark was floating in the air, but it all seemed to blow away before the pudding.

She is fighting desperately against the caramel sauce and being silent.

Since there was no stopper, it was hard for Shindo to stop.

"I'll bring something to apologize again..."

"No, seriously, I don't want it."

"But I'm not very bright...."

"That's not going to happen with a souvenir like this."

"..., Is that right?"

"Yeah."

It's hard to finish the pudding because of this conversation that goes on with every scoop of pudding.

Eventually, Mai devoured the pudding.

With a mess around his mouth, he placed the drawing paper on the tatami mat and slumped down in front of it.

"Mai. You've had a day off from school, go back to bed."

"Eh! The fever, it's gone!"

"No. You'll come up again at night."

"Because I had so much fun today, ...I'll forget about it if I don't do it now."

I understand Mai's impulse.

She always writes down her happy moments in pictures and keeps them in a safe place.

I wonder how she took the silence in which I was choosing my words -- Shindo said to Mai with a blank expression on her face.

"I'll come back tomorrow to apologize. I'm going to bring a cake."

"What? Really!"

"Yeah..., because I was a misunderstood person...."

How depressed were you?

Maybe it's just some kind of blank expression, but the actual Shindo may be very emotional.

I can't help but laugh.

Mai and Shindo. It's kind of like having two kids.

"I can feel the malice in your laughter right now."

"No, it's not like that. I just thought you had a cute side."

"......?"

Conversations stopped.

Mai raised her hand.

"Onii-chan is a liar! You called Rei-chan "beautiful" instead of "cute"!

"....Did I say that?"

"Yesterday! You said she looked like a princess! You told me she looks a little like our mom!"

"No, is that so?"

Let's not talk about this.

It smells kind of dangerous.

Suddenly I look at Shindo.

Her hand that scooped the pudding has stopped.

However, the scooped pudding was shaking.

"Shin— I mean, Rei, are you okay?"

"What? ...Yeah, I'm okay. I don't understand it, but it's not a problem."

What a mechanical reply.

Mai looks into her face.

"Rei-chan, You've caught a cold! Your face is all black!"

"No, no, it's not. I mean, it's ...spicy. It's been hard."

"...The pudding is sweet, isn't it?"

"It happens sometimes."

"Really...?"

"I'm sorry. I lied... and I will come back tomorrow to apologize..."

"Does the pudding taste sweeter when we all eat it together?"

"I don't know because we never eat together...."

"...? Are you eating now?"

"That's right. That's right."

What a conversation.

It was messed up, but it must be us from Araki family members who are to blame.

The apology can come from us, but let's think of something...

A short time later, Shindo declared that she was going home.

It was as if Cinderella had a time limit, and the curtain came down quickly.

When the picture book ends, the fun adventure ends.

So today is a goodbye.

Just on her way home.

Standing in the doorway, Shindo did not let the story end.

"Um, ..., Can I come back tomorrow to apologize?"

Shindo looking at her feet.

It wouldn't be that nerve-wracking.

But still, 'Can I come over and apologize?' It seems strange to me. There is nothing that requires an apology in the first place.

However, my worries disappeared before Mai's words, "It's all right!"

And so.

What remained on the last page.

"...See you tomorrow, here."

It was just a modest smile from Shindo.

"...Oh, yes."

All I can do is nod.

I lost the desire to say, 'We'll see each other at school.'.

Why?

It was the first time I had ever seen Shindo's laughing face.

It was so beautiful, like a doll that had been made - it looked somewhat fragile, like a living person.