Chapter Two: You Are My Disabled Neighbor

Hayamikawa University, during the break between classes, Utaka Kayo sat in his seat, gazing out the window. His fist clenched tightly beneath the desk.

The lingering sensation of tiny limbs gripping his fingers was still fresh, and the psychological weight that followed left a heavy knot in his chest.

Though he knew it was a choice he had to make for Fukei’s sake, the feeling of having personally taken her life still brought him sorrow.

“Fukei? What are you doing here~?”

“That’s Fukei from the Economics Department. Just as the rumors say, she’s stunningly beautiful.”

The commotion outside interrupted Utaka’s thoughts. He looked toward the door, where Fukei stood with her arms crossed, a cold expression on her face, holding a can of soda.

“What are you—”

Before he could finish, Fukei, now wearing white indoor shoes, swung her arms and strode over to Utaka’s desk.

“Stop overthinking it.”

She set the canned orange juice down on his desk without looking back and turned to leave the classroom.

“Hey~ there’s a story here~”

A teasing voice came from beside him. Utaka sighed and turned to see Higashi Mutsurou.

“Even if there’s a story, it’s none of your business. Since you’re not interested in the real world, go chase after your 2D waifu,” Utaka retorted.

Higashi pursed his lips in response.

“Tsk... I’m not interested in most 3D girls, but someone as flawless as Fukei, well... heh heh heh...”

Utaka sneered at the dreamy look on Higashi’s face.

“Wow, you’re quite picky, huh?”

“You bet!”

Joking around, Higashi got up and leaned close to Utaka.

“By the way, Kayo, you really don’t have any feelings for Fukei? I’m telling you, if you do, you better make your move while you’re still in college. Once you step into the real world, girls with looks like hers won’t be within our reach.”

Utaka glanced at him in surprise. He hadn’t expected this bespectacled, anime-obsessed guy to have such insight.

“You actually understand that?”

Higashi crossed his arms proudly.

“Of course. The more you see, the more you understand.”

“Oh? Where do you see this?”

“Obviously in novels!”

“...”

Rubbing his cheek, Utaka admitted that overestimating this guy was an insult to his own intelligence. But then again, it was normal—teenagers often try to impress others by flaunting questionable knowledge and half-baked opinions.

***

During lunch break.

Being handsome was a natural advantage, and this advantage was particularly evident in Fukei. She never had to queue in the cafeteria.

The long, crowded lines were enough to make anyone’s scalp crawl. Fortunately, Utaka, who had helped Fukei a lot today, didn’t have to wait in line. As for the queue, that was all on Fukei!

“Hey, excuse me, I didn’t have breakfast this morning, and I’m really hungry. Could I cut in line?”

With a coquettish tilt of her head, a shy smile, and hands clasped together, the boy in line chose to give up his spot despite the nearly ten-minute wait it meant.

“Thank you~!”

From her seat, Fukei gently thanked the boy, who hurriedly waved it off. Before leaving, he glanced at Fukei and then at Utaka.

“If you need anything, just call me. I’m not far.”

Utaka watched the boy wave goodbye to Fukei, puzzled. He turned to Fukei.

“What did you say to him?”

Fukei tucked her hair behind her ear and popped a piece of tempura into her mouth.

“You’re my disabled neighbor. Your legs don’t work well since childhood, so I asked him to help carry your food.”

“...”

Looking at the overflowing tray in front of him, Utaka knew Fukei was teasing, but considering he hadn’t been served a botched meal by the cafeteria auntie, he forgave her.

“Why so many vegetables? Are you afraid I’ll get fat or grow taller?”

“If I serve it to you, you have to eat it. Lately, every time you see meat, you get disgusted.”

“...”

Utaka couldn’t argue with that. Fukei didn’t press him further.

Both knew the reason Utaka had developed an aversion to meat was because of dealing with his split self.

“If there’s curry rice later, I’ll get you some curry rice. If not, noodles. Is that okay?”

Watching Fukei eat without looking at him, Utaka nodded.

“Alright.”

***

As the day ended, rubbing his throbbing head, Utaka couldn’t understand how those reincarnated or transported guys managed to study so hard.

If he didn’t realize the importance of a diploma in modern society, he wouldn’t force himself to glance at a book.

“By the way, Kayo, I’m curious—since you and Fukei are neighbors, why is it so rare to see you two walking together? What’s going on?”

Utaka glanced at Higashi. He was puzzled too.

They used to walk together, but ever since the incident in Yamazaki Alley during third year of middle school, Fukei not only stopped walking with him but her temper grew harsher.

Fukei had been so sweet as a child, calling him “Kayo-kun” every other word, unlike now, when she was always sharp with him.

“You’re asking me? I suggest you ask Fukei directly.”

“Oh, so since I can’t get close to Fukei, I have to ask you.”

As they chatted, Fukei’s figure appeared ahead, walking closely alongside a classmate. Their eyes met briefly; Fukei glanced at him, smiled, and turned back to chat with her friend.

Outside the school gate, watching Fukei head off to hang out with her classmate instead of going home, Utaka said,

“Now you understand why we don’t walk together anymore, right?”

Higashi nodded.

“Yeah, I get it. After all, someone as beautiful as Fukei naturally attracts a lot of invitations.”

Just then, Higashi patted Utaka’s shoulder.

“We can’t pick the flowers, but Kayo, you’re not bad-looking either. I think Kotori from the Arts Department is really cute. I know her well. Work on it this semester, and get rid of your innocence!”

“Get lost!”

***

Back home, Utaka called out, “I’m back!” to the empty house, then respectfully lit three incense sticks before the family altar.

Gazing at the kindly old woman in the photograph, he sighed.

Out in the yard, after dumping the ashes from the incense, Utaka carefully flushed them down the drain. Suddenly, voices came from the neighbor’s yard—Fukei talking with her grandmother.

“I’m home~!”

“Fukei’s back! Did you come home with Kayo today?”

“No way, who’d want to go home with that idiot?”

“Alright, alright… bring the watermelon grandma bought today over to Kayo.”

“I’m not going!”

“Go on now, be a good girl~”

A few minutes later, dressed in a T-shirt and shorts, youthful and charming, Fukei opened her private gate and, carrying the watermelon, easily found Utaka who was upstairs writing his novel.

“Come over here and eat some watermelon.”