I, who advocate giving up, feel like a disqualified person

"But how did you know she was missing?"

...Ahh, I forgot to notice this...

"Yes... that editor told me last time... She thought I had a good relationship with Kurumiya, so she wanted to ask if I had any ideas... or something."

"I see... Well, do you have any idea now? Do you know where she is?"

She took a step closer to me after asking a question, which made me feel that she was a little too impatient... But it's understandable, after all, in this kind of thing... it's easy for most people to think of the worst.

"Don't worry, even if she encounters something bad, she won't use low-level methods to solve it." I tilted my head back and drank the drink in the can in one gulp. "She's just confused temporarily, it's okay."

"...Um."

She nodded.

"So, can you tell me where she is?"

Looking at her expectant eyes...I felt a little reluctant to tell her that I had no idea yet.

...................

What... Is it possible that my expectations are too high?

The hot air was about to disappear, and the sun hanging high in the sky began to move gradually to the west.

It won't come... So I was wrong...

“Ah, that’s right…”

Everything is actually just my own wishful thinking.

He wouldn't even notice...

"Oh, why do you have that expression... Didn't anything good happen to you?"

“.....!”

He...appeared.

Although the first sentence was a cliché from another person, but... that expression, that dress, it was definitely him...

Sure enough, it came...

"Hey, why aren't you talking... Aren't you hoping to find someone to talk to?"

As he spoke, he turned around as if he was stretching, then looked back at me with a meaningful smile.

"Maybe you really have something to say to me, but before that, there's someone else looking for you."

"!"

Wait, what is he talking about... There's another person? Who is that? Why didn't I notice...

"Hey...Miya."

Still the familiar voice appeared in my ears.

"...Do you remember what you said to me?"

. . . . . . . . . . . .

"It's okay if we don't have a clue. It's better for us to guess where she's going than to think about it alone."

After I told her the truth, her reaction was... a bit unexpected. I thought she'd be a bit more assertive.

"Well, in your opinion, what kind of person is Kurimasa? Friendly? Or is he difficult to approach?"

"...I don't know what impression you give to others, but I think you're a very good person...What's wrong?" She looked at me with some confusion.

"How should I put it..." I scratched my cheek, thinking about what to say, "If we're just talking about finding her, I already have an idea just now."

"Really? Where could she be? Tell me!"

"So calm down first..." I pushed away her hand that was accidentally on my shoulder.

“Oh…I’m sorry…”

She seemed to realize something and quickly put her hands behind her back.

"Alas... I understand how you feel. But in this situation, simply finding her won't do anything. Without understanding what she's thinking, even if we try to persuade her, it won't be effective. It might even backfire."

"Ah...it seems to be true."

Do you finally understand? This guy surprisingly has no train of thought...

"So, what should we do first?"

She started asking me what to do right away... Well, I didn't want to get into an argument with her.

"Hmm..." I thought for a moment, "Why don't you just tell me what you know about writing? Like, what happened yesterday, how she felt, and so on."

"Ah... Now that you mention it, I seem to remember...the possibility that the teacher might be in trouble."

"....Really?"

I always feel a little bit unbelievable.

If you understand it very thoroughly

"You mean, she became a little strange after listening to your speech?" I confirmed with her again.

In just a few minutes, she had already recounted the entire situation... and it seemed to align with my suspicions. But what really caught my attention was... they were also working on something related to comics. After some thought, I decided not to expose myself.

"...Yeah, now that I think about it, it seems like it was my fault..."

"Don't worry, this isn't a mistake."

Besides... life is a process of constantly correcting mistakes. There's nothing wrong with speaking your mind.

"Even though I said that... I still can't help but feel uneasy... And since you already know where she is, why don't you just go find her?"

"Ah... didn't I tell you everything already? Before that, I need to clarify a few things..."

"What do you want to clarify? Could you please explain it to me?"

"...Well, you'll know when the time comes."

"This is really suspicious. Could it be that this is just a lie you made up to comfort me?"

It seems like he's a bit impatient with me...he's even questioning me. But explaining it clearly is too much trouble.

"Tell me quickly!"

Is it the heat? Or are they just really close? Honestly, I still find this attitude a bit off-putting.

"I'm not so carefree as to lie to others. Besides...if you really want to ask for help, this kind of attitude won't work."

Well, it's a good thing that I'm surrounded by people who speak bluntly, otherwise I wouldn't be so good-tempered.

After I finished speaking, I stopped and looked at her. An uneasy expression appeared on her face.

"...If...if it's my attitude that's wrong, I will apologize. But...if you want to be convincing, can't you at least provide evidence first?"

...You are clearly in the wrong, so why are you still so tough?

"Ah...you two really look alike..."

They all have very tough personalities, even though the guy in front of me appears to be the gentle type.

"Why are you talking about this all of a sudden?"

"No...it's nothing." I scratched my hair. "Anyway, if you're worried, just follow me...I don't know if it will be effective at this time..."

"Where are we going?"

"...You'll know when the time comes."

It feels like the conversation is coming full circle...

Chapter 25: A thorough understanding of the words

I have to say, happiness is something that is quite easy to generate... For example, when you have been walking for a long time under the scorching sun and suddenly see a vending machine.

Yes, I found another one.

So, I started to move closer to it.

"Hey...where are you going?" Jiumuting beside me seemed to be afraid that I would run away halfway, and stared at me nervously.

"...Aren't you thirsty?"

I had already walked over to the vending machine and put in the coin.

"Of course I'm thirsty... Who do you think it's because of me? I walked such a long way in such hot weather, and I'm a girl..."

"Okay, what do you want? Can you have the same one as before?"

I've heard this kind of complaint so many times before that I just ignored it.

"Of course I can... No, that's not right! Now isn't the time to be so leisurely, is it? Didn't you say you wanted to..."

"Well, go on."

I said as I gently tossed a can of drink towards her.

"Oh... do..."

I caught it beautifully... What a surprise.

"Yeah." I nodded and affirmed her performance just now.

"Uh what... didn't you say you were going somewhere? Why are you buying drinks here?!"

"...Of course it's because I need it. Didn't you just say you were thirsty?"

"But we haven't reached our destination yet. Is it really okay to be so carefree? I don't know what you're feeling... but please don't treat me with such a nonchalant attitude..."

"As for the location, we've already arrived."

I felt my throat moistened before I slowly interrupted her.

"...well?"

"What are you saying... This is our destination." I looked to the side and saw an iron gate that looked quite grand. Through the fence, I could see the elegant building inside.

"...here it is..."

She quickly ran to the door and finally understood where she was.

"This is Disiya...a private school...what are we doing here?" She looked at me with confusion.

"Well, it's also the school your good friend, Kurimoya, attends. Didn't she tell you?"

"...Ah." She looked at the scenery inside the door again. "It's not even on the same level as our school... It really is something that ordinary people can't attend."

"Although I agree with you, but...our school is the best among ordinary high schools." So please be a little more confident.

"I'm not complaining... I'm just sighing."

"...Well, whatever." I said and prepared to approach the door.

"Hey, wait...what are you going to do?" She quickly grabbed me.

"...go check things out."

"Are you here to verify?" She took a look. "Do you think the security guard will let you in? Even though it's a holiday..."

"As long as you show a valid ID, it should be possible... like a student ID." I took it out from my pocket.

"Why do you carry this with you..."

"You can get a discount at the barbecue restaurant if you show this."

“…Wow…”

What does this "woowa" mean... Is it shameful to be frugal? Hey, it's not just girls who like discounts!

"Anyway, I'm going to go talk to security first. If they don't let us in, I'll take you straight to her." I glanced at her, "Do you want to come?"

"Forget it. I get shy easily when talking to strangers."

She said, loosening her grip.