Ten minutes had passed since my father came in to talk to the principal, and he was still as bored as before. Those 10 minutes felt like 30.
By the way, when are Otsuki and her mother coming?
Did Auntie cry that much? Well, I'm not complaining. Let her keep crying, like that...
"Oh, hi, Riku." Stepping out of the doorway into the hallway, Otsuki's mother, Haruka, greeted me, holding her hand low as she waved at me. She seemed to be in her usual good humor, and addressed me with the same humility and warmth she always displays.
...I'm spared from seeing both of them... Do I really have to be such a jinx?
Otsuki was literally behind her mother. She wasn't right next to her, but she looked like she was trying to hide. I don't know if she was really trying to hide or not, but you could definitely see her.
"H-hi." A little nervous, I greeted her in the same way, raising my elbow and opening my hand to shake hers, although definitely not with the same spirit as hers.
Haruka was dressed just as she was at home, nicely, and Otsuki had changed from the casual clothes she had on during the talk into her school uniform, which I was also wearing.
Once he came closer, his mother asked me a question.
"Is your father inside?" Haruka was a little surprised to see me outside, assuming my father was inside the office, talking to the principal.
"Yes. I'm waiting for them to call me, for… my thing, and all that…" I put my hand to the back of my neck, growing more agitated and not knowing what to say. My expression alone made it clear; there was no need to hear my voice or notice the number of pauses I took when I spoke.
Having heard my response, Haruka continued, "Riku, sorry for delaying us. I thought it would take less time to talk to her." With a tone of concern about having caused trouble, she bowed slightly, emphasizing her apology. When she referred to Otsuki, I looked at her for a moment.
She was still behind her mother, but only half of her body was covered by it. On the other half, I saw her looking at the ground and to the side at the same time, avoiding direct contact with me.
"N-nothing's wrong! I don't mind…"
"Mh, if you say it's okay, then I don't have to worry anymore. You see, Otsuki cries a lot, and-"
"M-Mom! I told you not to talk about that!" Hearing what her mother was going to say, Otsuki interrupted her, annoyed and embarrassed that her mother would say such things.
"Ah, mh, that's true. Sorry, darling. I didn't say anything, Riku."
"That, he hasn't said anything."
Haruka continued to maintain her calm and friendly composure, although she highlighted the mistake she made, while Otsuki stared at me, almost into my soul, threatening to kill me if I said anything unnecessary.
"Y-yeah, I didn't hear anything." I nodded several times, fearing for my life. If only it wasn't my first time seeing looks like that…
After that interaction, Otsuki's mother continued the conversation.
"Are you talking about something private? We can wait if that's the case."
"…They haven't told me anything, but I think you can come in."
Haruka stared at the office door for a while as I asked that question. She looked back at me.
"Do you want to come in with us? It's not like you can't come in now, is it?"
I didn't know how to respond to that. Going in now would be much worse than before, since there would be more people. But at the same time, I feel like it wouldn't be as bad. I feel like, with Haruka there, I can feel a little more at ease.
"I-I guess I can, if…" I placed my hands in my lap, pressing them together. I tilted my head to the side, avoiding a glance. Since they came in, I've barely been able to look at their faces.
My eyes hesitate. They look at their faces for a moment, then at the floor, then at the window, and then at their figure, not their eyes. I look at them over my shoulder.
"So, are you coming?"
I took a moment to decide.
I was going to go in later anyway. This wasn't something I could avoid, just something I could delay a little, but eventually I'd have to do it.
If so, isn't it better to do it now? What will they say if I go in now? Are you sure it's okay for me to go in? And if they do say something to me, will anyone try to support or defend me? Will they all be against me?
Unsure of what to do, I raised my gaze. I stared into Haruka's face for a moment.
Trust. It was the first thing I thought of when I saw her. She told me I could trust her, that if someone said something bad to me, she would help me sort of save myself. Help me explain myself. That trust…
"She never trusted you. That's why she kept everything to herself."
It only reminded me of what I wanted to forget.
"…Okay. I'll go." Still hesitating, I stood up from my seat after making my decision. Haruka smiled.
"I'm glad." That's all he said before approaching the door. And that alone was enough for me. That's when I knew I didn't regret getting up. Along with that voice, I remembered those words I shouldn't have heard in the first place.
' If you've done something wrong, you just have to show everyone that you're not that kind of person.'
What if I'm that kind of person?
'Otsuki didn't ask me something like that, why don't you ask your friend?'
"The type of person you are doesn't deserve an answer."
Haruka approached the door and knocked. Through it, a "Yes?" sounded.
"Hi, I'm Haruka, Aitsuki's mother. We came for the meeting. Is this a bad time?"
"No, come in, there's no problem," said a voice behind the door, apparently the director's.
Once inside, Haruka opened the door. Otsuki followed behind her. I hesitated for a moment again. I could see my father sitting, watching behind her as they entered. The principal was sitting in front of his desk, also facing the door.
On the counter were two empty cups, but with traces of what appeared to be coffee.
I don't know what surprises me more: that my father agreed to drink coffee in a situation like this, or that he's already had it.
To get in, I ignored both of their stares. I took a step forward, then another, and another, until I closed the door behind me. I was in. I couldn't leave now, I thought.