Even so, we are living in the present

Chapter 65 – Natsume’s Request

“I see…”

Once Natsume checked the envelope Kyosuke had brought and its complete set of contents, he folded his hands as observed the paper laid out on the table in a sweeping view.

“So, you have no intention of complying with your mother’s instructions.”

“Yes.”

When his gaze shifted from the paper to Kyosuke, who nodded in reply, Natsume cast his sight down again, picked up the boarding pass, and went on, regarding it in a way that was not quite familiar with him.

“So, are you fine with it? From what I’ve learned about your upbringing, you probably won’t have any freedom after you obey them this time.”

If so, he thought it superfluous, and he put the envelope with the letter spread out on the table and offered it to Kyosuke as he brushed it across the table surface. But then, as he tapped the table with his index finger several times, he was reminded of something.

“Ah, I see, they’re going to evict you from your apartment without a second thought too. That means you’ll be rid of your residence… but you can’t become a vagrant either…”

His piercing gaze locked on Kyosuke.

Despite being subjected to the ruthlessness of his own parents, who were like a stranger to him, the boy in front of him displayed neither a hint of anger nor sorrow.

That realization winced Natsume’s expression.

As if responding to the words that have been hung on him, Kyosuke opened his mouth.

“Beggars can’t be choosers… If there is a house where I can live with Yuu, that’s enough for me.”

Both the tone of his voice and the complexion of his face seemed to denote “giving up”. For a while, he stared at Kyosuke as though probing his state of mind, and then tried to be persuasive as he replied to the words that were spoken.

“If you just want a place to live, it won’t be difficult… I have an acquaintance who can rent it to you for a reasonable price. But wouldn’t it be better to have a face to face meeting and draw a line with your parents that ‘you don’t ever want to be involved with them again’?”

“Draw a line…?”

After listening silently to the latter part of the statement, Kyosuke returned the doubt faint‐heartedly.

“Even if you manage to successfully overcome the situation this time, you will invariably be confronted by your parents’ demands once more at some point. Running away is fine, of course, but if you wish to sever the relationship, you must tackle it head on, or your parents will repeat the same pattern over and over again.”

“… Yeah, I guess so.”

With a half-preachy tone but earnest attitude, Kyosuke lowered his sight on Natsume with an expression that showed that he didn’t know what to do.

That was understandable. For a boy who has only familiarized himself with his hometown, it would not be a simple matter to leave his home country. He didn’t even know where his parents lived.

Reading his mind, Natsume put his lips to the teacup and took a sip.

“You can’t simply move to the U.S. and use the ticket your parents sent you if possible…”

“… Yes.”

As if he had peered into his heart, Kyosuke gave a nod and raised his gaze timidly.

“… Kyosuke…”

Yuu muttered his name in concern, who looked vulnerable and hugged him from the side.

“Well, I’m somewhat reluctant, but it’s not like you’re in a dead-end. Let me call my acquaintance for now.”

After saying, “Hang on,” Natsume left the living room with his smartphone in hand. He went upstairs and disappeared into the tatami room where a number of times before he had been let in.

The sound of the sliding door closing resounded softly.

─​───────

Meanwhile, at the dance school that Yuu attended.

Saki was conducting dance lessons for more than a dozen children today.

“Um, Teacherー”

“Hmm?”

When a female student called out to her reservedly while she was demonstrating an example before the mirror, Saki turned around and broke into a kind smile.

“Oh, excuse me, I’m stepping away for a moment, so you can dance by yourselves.”

The students, imitating their teacher’s example, replied in unison with high spirits. Rushing to the female student who had called her, she pointed to her jacket on a hanger and mentioned what she wanted to share with her.

“Teacher, your phone, a call is coming in.”

Following her words, she withdrew her smartphone from her jacket pocket, which vibrated.

With a snap, she flashed a bright smile and gently patted the other person on the head.

“Oh my, it’s true! Thanks for pointing that out to me.”

When she spoke her thanks, the female student smiled bashfully and joyfully as she nodded.

“You’re welcome! Now then, I will return to resume my lesson.”

“Yeah! Oh, and tell them I’ll be back after the call is over.”

“Yes!”

After sending off the girl who cheerfully answered and headed back, Saki hurried to the guest room.

She closed the door and held it to her ear.

“… Natsume, what’s going on?”

To the caller, she asked in her customary soothing tone of voice.

There, she was informed of all the details: Kyosuke’s parents, the envelope that arrived and its contents, and that he would be moving out of his apartment.

Subsequently, Natsume instantly shut his mouth.

After waiting for a while and no words were forthcoming, Saki sat down on a chair and composedly responded.

“… Yeah. I see… well… it is rare for you to contact me like that, isn’t it, Natsume? Is there anything I can be of help with? It’s a bit hard to imagine that you just called me on the phone with the sole purpose of passing on a message.”

That assumption seemed to be spot on, and Natsume finally lifted his mouth from its tight hold.

“…!!”

Her eyes widened and she gritted her rear teeth once as if she wanted to say something to the person on the other end of the phone.

“… Well, Natsume… you do know that I don’t want to contact my parents, right?”

When she apologetically replied, the circumstances were further elaborated upon.

“… Yeah, traveling to the U.S. is a breeze, but do I have to ask my parents directly? Can’t it be done through Tsuzuki since he’s a fine choice as well? Yeah, I understand…”

Having grown sick and tired of her parents’ obsession with money, Saki left her parents’ home of her own volition.

She was on the opposite end of the spectrum from Kyosuke.

Although reluctant to reach out to her parents after all these years, her younger brother was another story.

With Natsume’s approval, she quietly hung up the call.