By Request: Nijiiro Days [Chapter 38]

[Free Talk: Request by ichiban, kona and others]

Both of Mari’s parents are working so she is always alone at home when she was young but she doesn’t feel lonely because of her brother. She perks up when her brother comes home. From the balcony, his friend greet him goodbye. The girl calls out the brother’s nickname and says that she’ll text him later on. Mari imitates how the girl called her brother and it made him laugh. Her brother comes home early for her. He’s cool and kind unlike the guys in her class. She feels at ease with him. She likes him the most. During junior high, she is always being picked on by some delinquents. She is disgusted with guys and couldn’t trust girls so she is always alone but she doesn’t care. Then, she perks up upon returning home and seeing her brother. She asks him how come he’s home and how about work. He says that he’s on vacation. Just when she is going to suggest that they go shopping, Mari notices that her brother is packing his things. To her surprise, he says that he’s moving out after he gets married. She couldn’t believe that he has a girlfriend. He says that he didn’t bring her home since Mari is there but next time, he’ll bring her to eat together with them.

Her brother tells her that she’s the one who called his nickname when he was in high school. He tells her to take care. Mari is teary-eyed for what’s with that and she doesn’t understand for she already likes him the most. During high school, her classmates try to flirt with her but she shouts for them to shut up. The guys start saying that she’s mean and scary. Then, she notices a girl in front glancing at her. At home, Mari laments over things haven’t changed even if she is already in high school when obviously her brother looks very happy. His brother texts her how was high school and did she made any friends. Mari mutters how can she make friends.. She basically does not need them. Her family member has already abandoned her and left for some other place. So, what’s the meaning of having friends. They are only friends on the surface and it is thoroughly nonsense that she doesn’t want to do it. Anyway, one day, it will become troublesome. Speaking of that, she hasn’t met someone who wanted to be with her so it is good for her to be alone.

She only has to show a totally nasty attitude and yet it just attracts strange people who won’t dare go near her again. This is good and more relaxing. She already does not want to get hurt again so everyone shouldn’t mind her again. During PE class, they have to group into pairs. To her surprise, the girl before asks if she is alone. The girl asks if they can group together. The girl tosses the ball and Mari kept on failing to catch it. The girl asks if she isn’t good at volleyball. Mari shouts yes, she got a problem!!? The girl says there’s totally no problem for she thinks that it is inevitable if she isn’t good at it. She suggests that she practice more to become skilled at it. Mari is angry over the girl’s ‘know-it-all’ tone. During cleaning duty, some girls are goofing off and complaining. This irks Mari as well as the guys who are just chatting. To her surprise, the girl before, helps her. The girl suggests that they get the others to throw the trash. Mari tells her to forget it, she’ll do it by herself. The girl offers to go with her. Just when Mari is asking why and she can do this small thing, the girl says that she wants to go with her. The girl says that her skin is white and beautiful, hair is curly and cute, and her things are so feminine which she longs for.

The girl says that she doesn’t understand those things and how come her nails are shiny like that. Soon, Mari accompanies the girl to go shopping. Mari notices that the girl looks quite happy. While having a snack at a café, Mari asks her if it is okay for her to stay with her for people say she’s scary and had a nasty attitude. She is hated by everyone so doesn’t she thinks so, too. The girl says that she is very happy and besides, she thinks that Mari’s a very kind person. Mari is so moved that she calls the girl’s name, Anna. Anna is so happy that she calls her by her name. So, upon meeting Anna, she realized that being with someone is such a happy thing. Happy and at ease. Finally, she found someone who acknowledges her, understands her, accepts her and won’t hurt her. She likes Anna the most and they’ll be together forever. End flashback. While sitting on the bench, Mari was given a bottled tea by Tomoya. Mari complains that she wants to sit in a café so how come they are outside. Tomoya says that it cannot be helped for the place is crowded. He asks her if her hair is always curly since elementary so how about letting him see her picture.

Mari shouts for him to shut up and it has nothing to do with him. After drinking, Mari says that it wasn’t easy to find a person whom she treasures but in the end, it is the same with her brother. Right now, Anna’s brain is all about that guy and she basically has no energy to think of her. Tomoya looks at her so she tells him not to look at her that way. For the time being, she had also thought of it. Generally speaking, people would definitely think first of the happiness of the person they like. But, she hates those guys who go near Anna that she’ll go hinder them. It is the same with her brother. She felt that he betrayed her so her attitude towards him is very bad. She wonders how come she’ll only do this kind of action and she’s very perplexed.. but knowing that short monkey’s sincerity and seeing Anna in such pain, she felt that she must do something. Even if that guy has made a firm resolve, she hindered that guy before he can confess. But in the end, she is only blindly think of herself. Obviously it is good for her to not mention it to Anna and silently protect her but she couldn’t do it. Her head is a mess.

Mari starts crying as she says what’s up with falling in love with someone. She had thought over it but she still couldn’t find the answer, and she is fed up with everything. Everything is in a hideous mess and it is simply baffling.. so tell her, he should be used to this kind of thing. What should she do when obviously, she only wanted to become the most important person in that person’s heart and that’s all there is to it. As Tomoya hugs crying Mari, she says that she will become how she currently is, and she knows that everything is retribution to what her past self had planted. Even if she knows but she couldn’t do it, she has no way of treating other people nicely. Slightly pulling her away, Tomoya asks if she recalls what he told her before that he likes her. While wiping her tears, he says that it isn’t the same with liking a family or liking close friend. It is more special and it means that he hopes that she can become his most important person, understand? Mari sobs and says that she doesn’t understand.

Tomoya says that she isn’t only thinking of herself, it is because she is also thinking of Anna. She wants to tell Anna before Natsuki steals her. Mari says because..I.. Tomoya says see, isn’t she very nice for a truly unkind person won’t think of that kind of thing, just like him. Mari says no..he is very nice. Tomoya says that he’ll always wait for her and perhaps there are many things that will make her feel sad and pain but after everything has ended, just like before, he will make it up by pampering her until she can no longer take it. ..so. She says, ya. While he holds her hand and hugs her, Mari mutters is he kidding.. She thinks that perhaps, she is really always searching for her loved one. Always looking. So, in the end, will Anna agree to listen attentively to her willfulness? She thinks that doing this would perhaps surprise her or make her feel hurt but it is definitely okay because Anna has that guy beside her. Tomoya and Mari go back to join the others. Mari waves to Anna who immediately went to Mari. So, it was already sunset when they went back. With pleasant memories and also a few small worries, the school trip has ended as the plane flies up the sky.

Quote of the day:

Memories are hard to forget. Caring for someone is hard to regret. Losing someone is hard to accept, but even with all the hurt I've felt letting go and moving on is the most painful yet. ~ Author Unknown