Chapter 3
"Well then, goodbye, Oreki-san."
We were at the crossroad, where we would usually part ways.
Just as I turned to walk to the other side, she caught my arm lightly, and I stopped to face her.
"Oreki-san.. thank you. You've always been there to help me.."
Her voice was genuine and sweet, and although her face was shadowed by the lack of light in the afternoon sky, she gave me a smile that made me feel awfully warm inside.
"N-no problem. I.. just want you to be safe. I don't want you getting hurt."
She smiled again, and said, "Ah, that's very kind of you, Oreki-san."
But somehow, beneath the bright exterior, I could sense her voice shaking and trembling.
Gripping the handles of her bicycle, her mouth opened as if to say something, but she hesitated, and left the air lingering, hanging onto something that was barely there.
Maybe I had imagined it, but ..
"Ah, well, I guess I should go now."
She waved me goodbye, mounted on her bike, and rode on to the opposite side of my destination.
Perhaps I was still unable to read her mind.
I walked quickly across the road.
The traffic light was about to turn red.
Beep, beep.
Hurry, before it turns red.
Hurry.
Beep, beep.
Beep, beep.
It's.. two in the morning.
What's my phone doing ringing at two in the morning?
Grabbing my phone from the table just an arm-length away, I grumbled.
Grumbled about who could be calling at this hour ..
Ruining my precious sleep..
But then I saw the name flashing on the screen.
Chitanda Eru
Immediately I answered.
"Chitanda? Are you okay?"
Suddenly I didn't feel sleepy or whiny anymore.
I was anxious, scared.
"Chitanda?"
There was a certain muffling from the speaker, and I held the phone closer to my ear, hoping to hear something, anything, to know that she was alrig-
"Oreki-san?"
She answered calmly.
I let out a sigh.
Turns out there was nothing to be worried about.
"Oy, don't scare me like that."
"Hmm? What do you mean?"
"..Nevermind."
I sat up on the bed, the blanket slithering down my ankles.
Waiting for a response.
"..."
That silence.. it was familiar.
Was she doubting herself again?
Was she thinking deeply about what words were to stumble from her mouth?
I heard her take a deep breath.
"Ah, I .. I was just scared.. that's all."
"Oh."
I looked up at the ceiling.
"Is it alright if.. if you accompany me, Oreki-san?"
"..Yeah. It's fine."
..
"Oreki-san?"
"Mm?"
"Sorry for taking your weekend."
Oh yeah, we made plans to head to the park tomorrow to recreate the scene when Chitanda lost her phone.
Hopefully we would be able to find clues.
"Oh, it's alright. I won't be doing anything if I stay at home anyway."
She laughed quietly, and whispered softly, "That sounds very much like Oreki-san."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
She laughed again.
It was nice, talking to her like this.
But..
"Chitanda. Did you receive any more messages?"
A small pause, then she answered.
"Y-yes.. it's not as bad as the one last night, but it's still.."
I pitied her.
"Chitanda.. are you going to sleep?"
"Oh, I don't think I'll be able to. Oh, but if you are, th-then I-"
"N-no! It's okay. I'll.. I'll stay on the phone with you."
I knew that somehow I would get back at myself for this.
I wasn't being me at all.
But then why... did this feel so natural?
"Thank you, Oreki-san."
I smiled.
She was always honest, I guess I found it a charm of hers.
"No worries, Chitanda."
I'll keep you safe.