When she finished recounting her past, she sat back in her chair deeply with her eyes down.
Her eyelashes are still wet and she looks as if she is about to cry again. At a time like this, a popular guy would send some kind of sweet words to her, but unfortunately, my brain had neither the experience nor the knowledge to do so. So I kept my mouth shut and listened to Alina's words, looking her in the eye. I didn't miss a single word.
She sniffled and let out one big sigh. She was tired of crying.

What can I do for Alina?

Ten seconds after my question, she answered.

I don't know.
'Don't you want to be like this or something? I wish it were this way.

Alina fixes her gaze on the lower right corner and thinks. To me, it looked like hesitation. I guess she already knows what she wants to say. But she seems reluctant to say it out loud.
I can't even begin to guess what she's struggling with. But I'm going to do whatever she asks. I'm going to go out with her as a fellow freak, just like her. We met by some miraculous chance.
I shudder to think what would have happened if Dr. Akakusa had not asked me that day. She would have remained as a foul-mouthed woman in a corner of my memory for the rest of my life, and would have only sublimated with time. How could such a sad thing happen? You can never say that you wish you had never met her.
When we human beings meet others, we are dyed in various colors. We change color in a complex way depending on the number of people we meet. I, too, was influenced by Alina, and like ink spilled on water, a new color was born. That's how I got to where I am today. I can't imagine being anyone else.

'Lend me the courage to tell ...... your mother about the real me.
'I'll help you. Anything you want.'
'Thank you ...... comet.'

For the first time, Alina with her tongue called my name.
Let's say something nasty. My name has the most beautiful sound. I think it's the best in the world.
Alina took my hand and laid me face down on the desk. Her hand was shaking, so weak that it felt like it would disappear if I let go. Our body temperatures melded, and it felt like we were connected. I thought to myself that this expression was perverted.
But I guess God would just laugh at me like this. It's a funny sight, isn't it? So let me, a homecoming student, have a little bit of youth.
That day I touched the real Alina for the first time.




The next day, Makoto went out with Ryuka.
Apparently, Ryuka confessed her feelings to him. And Makoto accepted. I knew it would happen soon, but I was surprised at how quickly it happened.

I'm sorry comet. I decided to leave the comet behind.
'I wasn't accompanying you, so you can go wherever you want.'

He spoke to me in high spirits before morning homeroom began.
He seemed quite happy and wanted to share his joy with me. I gave him my blessing.

'Good for you. Be happy.
'Oh my God, that makes me cry.
'You're my daughter? ......'

Ryuka must be so happy. I'm sure she's so happy that she got her wish and got to be in a relationship.

So, what about the comet?
'What do you want to say to a single aristocrat?
''Aren't you going out with Hinoha?''
'That's not true. All I need is tomato juice.
'You'd better cure your proclivity to get aroused by tomatoes like that as soon as possible.'
'I can't take it back now. I can only hate my sister.
'The only one who's close to Hiu is Comet, so you should be friendly with him.'
'If he wants to, I'll do it.

After all this time, what does it really mean to get along?
It's obvious that I get along with Makoto, but I'm not sure about Alina.
Well, there's no need to think too much about it. As long as we have fun together.


During lunch break, an incident occurred.
Alina came into my classroom. I dropped my sausage because I was so surprised to see her while I was having dinner with Makoto. I had not seen Alina in my classroom since I met up with Shirana after school and she cleaned my classroom for me.
Makoto dropped his chopsticks in surprise. I mean, why don't you eat dinner with Ryuka instead of me? What are you doing?
Of course Alina came to me.

Come to the library.
'Okay. Wait here.

She muttered in a normal tone.
I wondered why she had specified the library instead of the rose garden.
I ate my meal quickly and got up.

'Comet, are you going to die?
'I'm not ready to die yet.
'It's been fun, all this time. I'll be waiting for you.'
You're starting to look a little like me, aren't you?



Before I entered the library, I had a sense of d j vu.
This is where I met Alina, come to think of it. Ms. Akakusa grabbed me by the scruff of the neck and pulled me along. Many days have passed since then.
This is where it all began. I wonder if it means anything that she chose this place. Why would she choose the rose garden when it's so much more private? I was racking my brains trying to figure out why, why, why, but I couldn't put my hand on the door at all, so I shut out my thoughts and opened the door.


Alina was in the same seat she was in when we met.
I sat down across the desk from her. Alina was the first to open her mouth.

'Do you know why I read books?
''Because it's interesting?''
'Yes. Books touch the soul of the author. How can they not be interesting?
'Is that what you wanted to tell me?
'Indirectly. I'm interested in people's nature and source because I'm like this. Is the other child really as different from me as water and oil? Or do we share some of the same spirit, like a subset? I don't think there is a right answer, but when I'm reading a book, it's clear that 'I' am here and 'I' am talking to the author. The one and only me is here. I know that I am having a one-on-one conversation with the author's alter ego. That's why I read books.

She spoke in a voice so soft that one might have suspected it was the other one, not the tongue-tied Alina.

It was like that when I was talking to you. You're not the only one. Both Tsuru and Hakuna can speak with their souls. But that's because of Comet Sakakiki. I trust you.
'Well, I'm glad to hear that.
'Come to my house today.
Oh, really?

The sudden shocking statement threw me off kilter.

If you imagine anything strange, I'll kill you.

I can't imagine anything because my mind is a complete blank.
I can't go into a high school girl's room, or the police will arrest me for that alone.

'Stay with me so I can tell your mother. Please.
'I got it. I'll support you.

Alina smiled carefree.

I assure you. Next to my sister, she's the cutest.