When I go out of the school building, I still feel a little chilly, but not even enough to bother wearing my jacket.
But it's still May, and the sun is falling fast.
On the way home, walking shoulder to shoulder, street lights begin to light everywhere.
Just off the hill after leaving school, a short walk away puts into view the shopping district frequented by me and Maple.
For the shopping district, there were many housewives who hung out shopping bags just in time to make money.
In addition to the street lights on both sides, the street is illuminated by the lighting of the store, so you can clearly check the faces of people who are different or working.
"Oh, come on! Aren't you shopping with Maple today?
The road was narrow, and as I walked around and my body didn't bump into each other, the fishmonger, who was calling in customers at once loud in a few shops, called out.
"You old man...... I had a student council job today, so I'm going home"
The shopkeeper I always call Grandma looks good with burnt skin like a summer athletic section, a rough figure at her age, and a white hand plush wrapped around her head on a barren mustache.
When Grandma turned to Kirosaka, who lined up next door, she moved her gaze from head to toe and leaked her breath.
"Ho ho... you're bringing a beauty. You, what is she?
"No."
"You're not... you have to catch someone right now, or you're gonna let them get away with this because your life ahead of you is in danger, right?
"Life is in danger..."
I smile bitterly at my grandma's words that are too direct.
Next door, Kirasaka seems to enjoy my conversation with the store owner.
I feel like some guy in the back stops and looks at her instead of the store fish, but this is something I'm already used to too.
Beautiful Lusaka leaves just a few moments ago, he bows his head to Grandma.
"Makoto is the same class as you, Minoru Misaka."
"Thank you. I always take care of you."
"... are you my father"
I just want this old man to give his father a break.
Sometimes my father is drowning in maples and there's nothing he can do about it, but this guy would be a different type of father.
Sometimes my age is one turn older than my father's, but I'm sure my fists are going to fly when I'm angry, like old drama.
Resistance to verbal attacks is high, but physical resistance is equal to none.
If I get beaten up by such a mucky person, I'm going to break through walls and stuff.
"Is your daughter close?
"Well, he doesn't have many friends, so I have to keep him company."
"Please, I've been worried about that since I was a kid."
When Kirasaka, who has no sign of having a conversation with a boy student at school, rarely exchanges words or two that are very rude to me, Grandma turns this way as if she remembers.
"Speaking of which, Shizukuishi went by about thirty minutes ago, and you were out of school because it wasn't even a uniform?
"Shizuku?... I'm supposed to be resting on business at home."
"That's it, you call it a smartphone? You said you left your phone at home like that board."
Indeed, the models are made thin these days.
So maybe it looks like a board to an old man who only uses landlines.
The first time my father bought me a phone, when I was bent in the opposite direction on the first day, my open mouth didn't get blocked.
But I thought Shizukuishi hadn't responded because she was still at home, but I didn't know she'd just forgotten her smartphone at home.
It's a rare mistake for Shizukuishi.
If it was thirty minutes ago, it would be on the house if I hadn't stopped by.
It will be only a matter of time before I get a reply back.
"Thanks Grandma, I'll be shopping again"
"Goodbye, uncle"
I get unexpected information, and I say thank you.
Kirasaka also finished her farewell greeting and the two of us followed the mall like they were after me when we walked out first.
"Now bring Maple and Shizukuishi too!
Grandma waved off on the spot until she couldn't see me and Beautiful Slope.
The destination park is located close to the mall.
It's about five minutes in time.
Arriving about fifteen minutes earlier than I promised, I look around at the playthings in the park that I haven't visited in a long time.
When I was in elementary school, I used to come and visit frequently, but the parks that haven't come at all since have changed the color of blancos and slides, but they basically remain the same.
"Looks like you were a little early, Makoto. You used to play here, too?
"Well, Maple and Shizuku took me..."
When you stop under a tree in the center of the park, you touch only one thick branch that deviates from the side.
There's a letter of memories there... it can't even be written, it's just a branch.
I often carve out letters and see scenes that still remained if I visited them a few years later, but is there really?
Am I the only one who thinks that if a child plays like every day and a tree is exposed to rainstorms, it's gone?
Except if it's carved with a sculpture knife or something.
"Surprisingly, Maple was playing in the park anyway, Kanzaki."
"He was a much more active girl when he was little."
"Really?
Beautiful Luosaka looking unexpected.
I don't know what else to do, you can't even imagine from Shizuku right now.
I decided to tell Kirosaka the old story because I had to kill the time before Yudo arrived.