The vending machine beside the store sounded softly in the quiet street.
Tsukada-sensei pressed a button, and with a clatter, a warm can of coffee dropped into the tray. He handed it to Haruki.
"Here. You might need it."
"Ah- no, it's fine.."
Haruki said, a bit awkwardly.
"Why not? You like it right? A small treat from me."
Tsukada-sensei had a friendly, warm smile on his face.
Haruki hesitated for a moment but took the can.
"Thanks.."
They both sat down on the narrow bench just outside the store.
Tsukada-sensei cracked open his own can.
"So? What's the matter?"
Haruki didn't respond right away.
He stared at the can in his hands. His gaze darkened slightly.
Haruki glanced down at the can in his hands, then slowly looked up.
"Do you know Kanzaki-san from our class?"
Tsukada-sensei tilted his head slightly.
"Kanzaki? Yeah, of course. Is something wrong with her?"
Haruki nodded quietly.
"Yeah... something is."
Tsukada-sensei grew a bit more serious.
"Actually, I kind of sensed something like that too. She always seemed a little off... withdrawn. I even asked her once if everything was okay, but she brushed it off."
Haruki took a breath, gripping the can a little tighter.
"Actually…."
Haruki explained everything.
Tsukada-sensei's expression turned grim.
"What?!. That's…quite serious. She should've told us sooner!"
"Yeah. But… she was scared. Too scared to even share it with anyone. So it wasn't really her fault..."
A moment of silence passed.
"So...where is she now?"
"She's at my place. She said she didn't want to go home… and I couldn't let her go back like that."
Tsukada-sensei gave a slow nod, his voice calm but firm.
"I see..."
Haruki looked up, eyes steady.
"I want to help her. However I can."
"Haruki… you've already done a lot. You gave her a place to stay. You listened. That alone takes courage. Now, let us adults take care of the rest."
But Haruki didn't look comforted. He lowered his head, eyes heavy with guilt.
"No… I didn't do anything. I knew for more than a month and I stayed quiet. I kept waiting for the right time… while she suffered every day. I stood there doing nothing. So… whatever I do now...it's still not enough."
Tsukada-sensei looked at him silently, sensing the weight in Haruki's voice.
Tsukada-sensei leaned back on the bench, exhaling quietly before speaking.
"I know what you're feeling right now, Haruki. And to be honest… yeah, you're a little at fault. A month is a long time for something like that to go unnoticed, unspoken."
Haruki stayed quiet, his grip tightening on the can.
"But I know you well from childhood. I've seen you grow. After all, I am your cousin before teacher right? You've always been a bit slow to act, yeah… but you always had that fire in you, that quiet determination. And that's what really matters."
He turned slightly toward Haruki.
"So, think back. What did you do in those days? You two became close, didn't you? Was she sad… or was she smiling around you?"
Haruki looked up a little.
"That's what counts now. There's no use drowning in regret over what you did or didn't. Focus on what you can still do next. And as for those days… I don't think Kanzaki regrets them. Not one bit."
He chuckled gently.
"Well… you can ask her yourself, anyway."
Haruki stays silent for a moment, staring down at the can in his hands. Then, he finally lets out a quiet breath.
"…So what do we do?"
Tsukada-sensei's smile faded, replaced by a calm seriousness.
"Tomorrow, we talk to her together. If she's ready, we go to her house. I'll be there as her teacher, and as your family too, to make sure she's not alone when she speaks up."
Haruki nodded slowly.
"And then?"
"If what she says confirms everything… we'll involve the school, and from there, the right authorities."
Haruki's lips pressed together. A flicker of hesitation.
"Will she be okay?"
Tsukada-sensei placed a hand on Haruki's shoulder.
"She will be. You've already taken the hardest step. You stood beside her when she needed someone. Now we just have to make sure that help reaches all the way."
Tsukada-sensei glanced at the quiet street before speaking again.
"By the way… tomorrow was supposed to be the project presentation day, right? So, no class tomorrow. And I don't think you two made anything for that anyway."
Haruki blinked.
"Huh…?"
Sensei gave a small shrug, sipping his coffee.
"Which means, for you two… it's just another weekend now."
He turned to Haruki more seriously.
"Use that. If you're going to confront her family and settle this, tomorrow's your chance. You'll have the time, and she won't have to face anyone at school right after. I'll come with you."
Haruki slowly nodded, gripping the can tighter.
"Yeah… Tomorrow."
Tsukada-sensei checked the time on his watch, then looked back at Haruki.
"Talk to Kanzaki when you get home. We need her approval, after all. This isn't something we can decide for her."
Haruki nodded,
"I will make sure she's okay with it."
Sensei stood, stretching his arms slightly.
"Good. Just let her know… we're on her side."
Haruki stood up too, clutching the empty can quietly in his hand.
"I will."
The two exchanged a brief, firm nod.
By the time Haruki returned home, the house was quiet. He slipped off his shoes and stepped inside, only to be met by his mother.
"She's asleep. She looked completely exhausted, so I didn't try to wake her up."
she said quietly.
Haruki glanced toward the living room, where a blanket had been draped carefully over Kanzaki as she lay curled up on the sofa. Her expression was peaceful.
He murmured in low voice,
"I see..."
He just stared at Kanzaki a moment longer before softly nodding.
Guess I'll talk to her when she wakes up. Let her sleep peacefully for now...
It was midnight but Haruki was still wide awake. He gets up slowly from his bed, went to his room's balcony and looks up at the sky. The night sky was gazing with stars and the moon hung low. Actually, Haruki was thinking about their decision. His thoughts drifted like the clouds above. There was some slight uncertainty in his mind.
Tomorrow... we're really doing this. What if it goes wrong?
Just then, a faint sound interrupted the silence.
The faint creak of the floor pulled Haruki's attention. He turned his head.
Kanzaki stood there, half-hidden in the dim light of the hallway, holding a glass of water.
"I didn't mean to peek, your door was open…"
she said softly.
Haruki offered a small smile.
"It's alright. You can come here."
Kanzaki hesitated, then quietly stepped into the room, joining him on the balcony. The night air was cool but gentle.
They stood side by side in silence, gazing at the pale moonlight.
After a moment, Haruki spoke.
"I went to Tsukada-sensei tonight,"
he began, voice low.
"We talked about… everything. About you."
Kanzaki was a bit shocked but regained her composure right way. She stayed quiet, eyes still fixed on the sky.
"He said tomorrow's just project day at school. No real classes. So… we thought it might be the best time to talk to your stepmother. Properly. With you by our side."
She stiffened slightly.
Haruki continued,
"We won't do anything you're not ready for. But… if you're okay with it, we'll be with you the whole time."
Kanzaki didn't answer. Her fingers clutched the edge of her glass a little tighter. A small breath escaped her lips. Not resistance but not quite acceptance either.
Haruki looked at her, concern in his eyes, but said nothing.
After a long stretch of silence, Kanzaki finally spoke,
"…I'm still scared."
Haruki turned his head toward her, listening.
"I don't know what she'll say… or what she might do, but…"
She looked at him then,
"…I want to believe. In you. And in Tsukada-sensei."
Her fingers loosened around the glass as she exhaled.
"So I'll do it. I'll help."
Haruki let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. A subtle relief washed over his face.
"…Thank you, that means a lot."
They stood there a little longer. The night air was calm. Both Haruki and Kanzaki looked up to the moon.
Haruki glanced at Kanzaki, then back at the sky.
"The moon is beautiful, isn't it?"
he said softly, but clearly to her.
Kanzaki turned to him with a subtle hint of surprise in her eyes. She glanced at him, saw the calm on his face, then looked back at the sky.
A faint smile touched her lips.
"…It sure is."
At Morning
Haruki and Kanzaki went to Tsukada-sensei's store. Sensei took the day off from school. Tsukada-sensei was already there, standing outside with a warm can of coffee in one hand and knowing look in his eyes. As they approached, he gave a small nod to them.
"So.. you're ready?" he asked. His tone was gentle but direct.
Haruki gave a slight nod.
But sensei's gaze shifted to Kanzaki.
"Kanzaki, are you okay with all of this?"
Kanzaki paused and stood still for a moment, her fingers curling slightly at her sides. Then she took a deep breath and calm down slowly.
"..Yes. I am okay. T-thank you so much....Inoue-kun, Tsukada-sensei...."
Kanzaki said all that with a gentle smile on his face and shed a tear from her eyes.
Haruki looked at her and grabbed her shoulders and said with a brave face,
"It's okay.. You don't have to suffer anymore. Believe in us, hehe." He said with a strong smile. Kanzaki seemed to be relaxed from seeing Haruki's bright face and hearing those words from him.
Tsukada-sensei looked at both of them for a second longer and smiled faintly. The respect in his expression quiet but undeniable.
"Alright then. Let's go."
After a while, they arrived at the doorstep of Kanzaki's house. Haruki and Tsukada-sensei stood in front of the door but Kanzaki stood a few steps behind them. Her eyes were lowered, her fingers clutching her sleeves. Tsukada-sensei calmly reached out and pressed the doorbell.
*Ding-Dong*
The door creaked open after a moment. Kanzaki's stepmother appeared with her thin, painted smile.
"Ah, Tsukada-sensei! How come? and Inoue-kun too, I see....."
Tsukada-sensei offered a polite bow.
"Good morning. Um can we speak to Kanzaki for a minute?"