Ke Ai: Growing up with Xiao Ai

Episode 11: "Mitsuhiko will definitely hesitate when asked, 'Which is better?' Genta will hesitate just as much. However, the question is, 'Which is better?'

"A locust tree... "

A month ago, Dr. started walking for two hours every evening for the sake of health. I thought it was just three minutes of heat, but after trying it, I found it very comfortable, and I have persisted to this day. Even on my days off, I was dragged out of the house. Well, I thought this would be filial piety (?), after all, walking with the doctor. "Filial piety, when you want it, your parents are gone... Although in my case, the real parents did not exist, the doctor was more like my father than the parents I remembered. "Oh, oh... I'm glad to hear you say that. And so, on the park path where the locust trees fall in late autumn, when the doctor seems to recall his first love in elementary school. First love. When was that for me? While thinking about it, the doctor and I suddenly had a big scene...

"Kudo-kun, excuse me, do you like it, do you have a relationship with me!" On

a day off in late autumn, at four o'clock in the afternoon, I was shocked by her words when I was told by Ayumi to come to the park. Ayumi blushed, a little excited, closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and said so. "Hey... I

was dumbfounded. I know Ayumi has a crush on me. But I always thought it was just a faint emotion from elementary school. No, I've been fooling myself. Even deep down, I thought they were just kids... But I know best that the Young Detectives are no longer children. Ayumi didn't seem to hesitate in the slightest in order to muster up her courage. And I, too, froze without saying a word.

"Mourning... Is that... "

Shhhhhh

The doctor and I hurriedly hid out of their sight. Ayumi's expression was serious. When I saw that moment, my heart was also shaken. I haven't been able to go out of the field, the field of lack of courage, so small Ayumi is gone. Yes, she is small. I've always thought so. I knew she liked Kudo-kun, but I always thought it was just a faint longing that was unique to elementary school students. Why, for some reason, tears flowed down my eyes. Looking at the worried doctor, I hurriedly wiped away my tears. But it may be because I don't have the courage myself, so I'm very frustrated. Because I think she's still a child, I think it's ridiculous. Even so, I didn't take a single step. I just continued to be a spectator.

"I'm sorry... Suddenly... I

just listened blankly to Ayumi's slightly calm voice. "Answer, it's okay to talk about it next time... Goodbye, then!" she said and left, and I couldn't say a word. What should I do... In the midst of my hesitation, I felt that there was someone behind me. I hurriedly turned around to see a smiling doctor and Gray Yuan with an indescribable expression on his face standing there. "You're so popular, Detective-kun?" ... Well, unexpected... "Shinichi, what are you going to do? "Ahh Under my vague answer, Gray Yuan said in a mocking tone, "Then try dating, you don't hate Ayumi-kun, do you?" Try dating?" "Yes. Otherwise, Ayumi-kun will be sad. "Are you serious?" I

was taken aback by his tone. "Ayumi is serious. And you, how about you? You're neither in a relationship, nor do you hate it, but you don't want to associate yet?" Our quarrel became intense. "Well, don't you care? Isn't it because you broke up with Lan?" "Lan has nothing to do with it. What I'm saying is that such an attitude is an insult to the Ayumi who came up bravely. "So what? aren't you going to dating?" "Well... "Forget it, Ashbara. I thought you could be more considerate of others. He had a serious expression. I'm beginning to regret what I said lightly. But what came out of my mouth, which was never very flattering, was, "Why are you crying, Rang Mei cried, anyway, you broke up with Lan, didn't you?" "It has nothing to do with Lan." What I'm saying is whether this attitude towards Ayumi is an insult. "So what? I'm not dating now, I'm not hating, but I don't want to be in a relationship yet?" I met with a tough counterattack. "Phew, whatever you want!!"

he finally yelled at me and turned away.

The only ones left were me and the doctor.

"Wai-kun, I can understand your feelings, but what you said just now may not be good... "

I know, I know... "

I burst into tears again, overwhelmed by his roar and possible disgust, even though I stood in front of the doctor, I forgot to even wipe my tears, just froze.

That night, I was alone in my room and worried.

Although I noticed that the Doctor sometimes stood in front of the door worriedly, I deliberately pretended not to see and never walked out of the room. Why did I say something like that?

"Try dating?" "In retrospect, I was so bad. For Ayumi's sincerity, I dealt with things casually. No, that's actually jealousy. Jealous of Ayumi's courage, frankness, and her cuteness. But what should I do? Should I have a relationship with him, or with her? I don't know, I just know that the tears can't be stopped. This kind of painful emotion, I have never experienced before.

The next day. I went to school as usual. I'm going to give Ayumi a clear answer.

On that day, Gray Hara called in sick. The doctor said he had a cold, but I didn't believe it. What I care about is the attitude of Gray Plains yesterday. There is no doubt that he sometimes laughs at others, appears cool, and is emotionally numb, but he never ignores the feelings of Ayumi and his friends. So why would he say something like that?

"What's the matter, little Conan?" Mitsuhiko looked at me with a worried expression.

"It's okay... Nothing happened. I said this and stopped thinking for a moment.

After school. I was at the back of the school building and made a clear rejection of Ayumi.

"... I'm sorry, Ayumi. I have someone I like... "

"... Ayumi looked like she was about to cry. Maybe it lasted two minutes, maybe even three minutes. Ayumi and I didn't say a word, but....

"Alright, Conan-kun, I see. Sorry for making it difficult for you. However

, Ayumi also seemed to be worried about me in the morning.

I'm thinking about Ayumi's confession, and I'm unconsciously suffering from gains and losses, but I haven't made it clear. "Hey, Conan-kun, is the person you like Sister Lan?"

"It's not... I stammered back.

"That man... Calm, usually elusive, always carrying everything by himself, and not showing weakness... But that's why I want to protect her... "

If it were for elementary school students, I would probably think so.

However, I don't think so about Ayumi.

Therefore, I said this in earnest.

"Understood, it's Wai Jun. "

Wow, I was discovered....

"If it's Mourning, there's no way.

Ayumi said with a distant gaze.

"I adore Sister Lan and want to be like her. I've been working hard to achieve this goal. So, if Conan-kun likes Sister Lan, I can also... Have faith in yourself. "

It's true that Ayumi and Ran have a lot of similarities, especially in elementary school.

"However, Gray Plains is different, completely different from me. I don't know how to describe it... He exudes a completely different vibe. "

Definitely. In terms of color, maybe it's the difference between red and blue.

"Got it... It's the gray plain...

Ayumi looked lonely, but at the same time there was some happiness.

Then we fell into silence again.

Fallen leaves flutter on the campus, and children in the lower grades frolic in the distance.

"Gray Plains, are you okay with a cold?"

"Hmm... It's okay, it's just that the doctor is too worried... "

In the afternoon, Tsuburaya-kun came to visit me.

Although I didn't take the initiative to call in sick, I decided to take the opportunity to pretend to be sick because Dr. Kobayashi had already called in sick, so I wore a mask. Actually, I wasn't sick.

So, when someone came to visit, I felt sick in my heart.

"... By the way, Tsuburaya-kun, are you alone?"

"Yes, Conan-kun and Ayumi also have something to talk about, and they went home early. Yuan Taijun is also with other friends. "

Big topic. He may have intended to respond to yesterday's confession.

How would he reply...?

After a while, someone came again.

"Who is it...?Ah, Ashbara-san is sleeping.

Tsuburaya-kun said this and stood up.

The person who came was Ayumi.

I couldn't help but be nervous, and the expression on my face stiffened. I don't know what I'm going to do to meet her. How could she guess his answer from my expression?

"Wai-kun, are you alright?" "

Well, it's okay. "

She's still the same as usual. The conversation was also business as usual. It was impossible to read from her expression what kind of reply he had received.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Because I was going to cram school, I quit first.

After saying this, Tsuburaya-kun left.

What should I do? When the two of us are alone, my tension is even worse.

"Hey, Wai Jun. I confessed to Conan-kun yesterday. "

Oh, confession. Then, how did he reply?"

"Yes, he said sorry. "

Oh, yes. However, if you meet him again at school tomorrow, you will have to blame him. "

... Yes, I pretend to be normal. Inside, I'm glad they won't start dating.

... It's just too bad.

"...... Mourning, do you like Conan-kun too?"

!!

what's the matter? she already knows...

"What are you talking about? Didn't I say a long time ago that he wouldn't be interested in me?"

"That was a few years ago. You should be more frank.

"Well, this....

"There's a point, though.

Ayumi seemed to turn into a little devil's expression.

"The person Conan Jun likes seems to be Sister Lan. "

"......

"Sister Lan is very gentle, strong, and beautiful, and I definitely can't compare to her. "

... Well, she said a lot to me, but I believe it was just Conan's kindness.

Actually, I like Ran.

"But, Ayumi you're also gentle, and you're also brave. "

Hmm.

Ayumi took my hand tightly and pressed her forehead to mine.

"I give you my courage. "

"......

"If you're brave, go and confess to Conan-kun now!"

"But, but, I..."

"Is it okay? If not, Conan-kun may end up pursuing Sister Lan... "

If nothing is done.

This sentence stung me deeply.

Don't you do anything?

Don't I have the courage?"

"Okay, I'm leaving.

She said, and I took a step.

Not what she said, but my own step.

I also... I've always liked him, Kudo-kun.

The next step is to go further.

Because of the fear of being preempted, because of the fear of losing him.

This is just an opportunity.

I will convey my heart to him...!

"What's wrong with Wai-kun...?"

the doctor walked into the room.

"It's okay, he's gone to find Conan-kun.

"Oh, I see.

"Then I'll go back too. I

said this and left the doctor's house. Looking at the beautiful sunset, it was amazing that I didn't cry.

"... Is that a good thing?

Mitsuhiko-san walked out of the alley. It seems that the statement that I was going to cram school was a lie.

"Good.

"That's what you say.

"Because for the two of them to be happy, for everything to go well, I have to do this, so that I don't feel sad. "

Well, the corners of my eyes are hot.

"Isn't that so?"

"Yes, you're right.

"Otherwise, I'm ...... A

feeling of relief appeared in the blink of an eye, and it suddenly became clear that Mitsuhiko was there for me until I stopped crying.