Chapter 6: Normal huh.

Junior High School Entrance Ceremony

Parents attended the ceremony, both of them.

For now, at least, things remain normal for now.

Even at home, they play the role of a temporary first family.

Since then.

The man who seems to be the real father has been coming less often.

Although the frequency of his visits has decreased, it does not mean that the relationship between his father and mother has improved.

It seems to be worse than before.

Daiki continues to act as if he is trying to maintain some semblance of normalcy.

Even when he is at home, his nerves are frayed.

If it were not for Wakaba, he would have broken down long ago.

He lasted until the entrance ceremony, but it was only a matter of time before the family was destroyed.

After the entrance ceremony, Daiki was placed in class C.

Wakaba was placed in class D and was in a different classroom from him for the first time.

Although he would have preferred to be in the same class with Wakaba, they had joint classes for physical education and other subjects, so that was the only relief for him.

He talked with Wakaba for a while and she said

I couldnt be in the same class with you.

But we can go together in the morning.

Its not much different!

Lets go home together until club activities start!

She said cheerfully as usual.

That alone made Daiki happy.

It can be the same as always.

Today was just the entrance ceremony, so he had to go home with his parents.

Although they came to the entrance ceremony, his parents had only minimal conversation with him.

He went straight to lunch, but even there Daiki and his mother and father did not speak to each other.

They went home and stayed in his room for the rest of the night. It was time for dinner, and there was no conversation there either.

But today was different.

Unlike usual, there was a sense of tension.

Congratulations on your entrance into the school.

His father suddenly spoke to him.

Daiki has finally become a junior high school student.

Listen to me calmly.

Daiki. Im sure you are aware of it.

Father and mother are not getting along well.

Im sorry its right after middle school.

Were devorcing.

The suddenness of the situation was confusing.

He thought he was successfully playing the role of a normal person.

Even so, it was too late.

Im sorryDaiki

I cant be with father anymore.

We cant be together

Im sorry for being such parents

His mother apologized.

No answer.

Not willing to answer any questions.

Daiki said nothing.

You should live here with your mother.

Then you wont have to change schools.

Im sorry, Daiki

we decided on our own own

Im sorry we decided without your permission I talked

it over with your father and we decided on it

That you stay here so that you can live the same life as before

Ill support you.

thats why..

Yet Daiki said nothing.

He couldnt say anything.

Normalcy had been shattered.

After that, his parents said something, but nothing came in.

Daiki was losing his emotions.

He did not want to think about anything.

From the first day of junior high school, the normality that Daiki had cherished was broken.

From the next day, normality changed at once.

His father decided to leave.

Yesterday was the last day to spend with his family.

Thats why they came to the entrance ceremony together.

To spend the last time as a family.

He was carrying a simple baggage, as if he would come back later to pick up his large baggage.

Daiki

Thank you for everything

I wont be able to see you from now on.

But I need you to support your mother well

Good luck at school.

Good bye.

And then he left.

Daiki still didnt understand.

He had just started junior high school, so he hadnt been told the whole story.

He might have told me the reason for his divorce yesterday, but he could not remember much of what he said yesterday.

Of course, about his real father, too.

But, it felt his father knew everything.

The way he looked at Daiki was like the way he looks at other children, like the way he talks to other children

He felt the same way he did when he talked to his friends father like he rarely saw his father anymore.

An inexpressible loneliness came over me.

It had all fallen apart so easily in just one day.

The normalcy that Daiki had cherished and played out while wearing out his heart

So fragile

His mother hugged him and said

Im sorry sorry

and cried.

Daiki did not cry.

He could not cry.

He had become accustomed to suppressing his emotions

He had become so accustomed to acting that he could no longer express his emotions well

Still, he couldnt miss his first day of junior high school.

Wakaba would come to pick me up.

Just as he was getting ready, she arrived to pick him up.

Good morning, Daiki!

She was as cheerful as ever.

That alone was enough to save his life.

It warms his heart.

Good morning, Wakaba.

He greeted her back.

His mother also greeted Wakaba today and told her something.

Wakaba looked surprised and said

Ill take care of it!

She said.

While heading to school

Daiki, its been a hard day

But your relationship with me wont change!

Well be fine and have fun as usual!

Saved by Wakabas cheerfulness.

He might be dependent on her.

Still, if he suppresses his emotions, he can stay as he is.

To keep things normal with Wakaba, lets just go on as usual.

If my feelings of love are also suppressed, things can remain normal

When they arrived at the school, Wakaba and he separated in front of the classroom because they were in different classes.

Good luck, Daiki!

She waved at him.

After entering the class, he went to his friend who had been in the same elementary school as him and waited for the teacher to arrive while talking.

The teacher arrived and introduced himself.

Nervously, Daiki introduced himself and learned everyones name and face.

Daiki became friends with everyone in the class and was able to fit in.

Before he knew it, Daiki had become aware of the ordinary people everywhere he went.

The first day ended without incident.

On the way home with Wakaba, they talked about todays class.

Wakaba seemed to have adjusted to the class.

There was no worry in the first place.

He was sure that Wakaba would be the center of the class.