“Yes, the other two have left, saying they have to get ready for the day after tomorrow, and they’ve taken their things with them, so they won’t be back today.”
“Okay.”
Nodding, I sat down in my chair in place.
Natalie spread out a pile of paper and wrote.
I look at her like that.
“It’s about time.” I’m talking about the social events, of course.
“Yeah.”
Natalie replied shortly, concentrating on the paperwork.
After the short conversation, silence prevailed and time passed.
Normally I’m a man of leisure, but lately I’ve been busy preparing for the social event.
The sounds of writing on documents and turning over papers echoed in the quiet space.
We barely spoke to each other as the evening wore on.
“It’s time to go home”, I said, putting my strength into my shoulder blades to relieve my stiffness.
In my previous life, I worked at a desk a lot, so my shoulders were always stiff.
My shoulders are not so stiff now, probably because I’m young, but I turn both shoulders as an old habit.
Then, after a big stretch, I stood up.
“Have a good day.”
Natalie nodded, “Yes,” and put down her pen.
“I’m coming home with you.”
She looked at me and said.
“I’m a little surprised to hear you say that.”
“You’re not going to stay late today, are you?”
“It’s because I can afford it.”
For a time, Natalie was busy moving around on her own.
But she’s learned to rely on us and seems to be calming down a bit.
I don’t know what kind of change of heart it was, but the atmosphere in the student council improved a lot because of it.
When I left the school building, it was dusk outside, and the dusk in the cold season was somewhat lonely and melancholy.
I rubbed my arms to warm myself and white breath spilled from my mouth.
We started walking towards the dorms.
For the first time in a long time, I feel like I’m going home with Natalie.
“We’ve done a lot of preparation, but …… I’m still worried.”
“We’ve done all we can.”
Natalie blew into her hands to warm them, as if to warm her bare hands.
“It’s almost over.”
In response to Natalie’s murmur, I question and ask back.
“The social event hasn’t started yet, though?”
“No, I wasn’t talking about the social event.”
Natalie made small movements, shaking her head slowly.
“School life.”
She said, staring at the sky in the distance.
Under the cold sky, a sky full of stars is twinkling.
“It seems like a long time, but …… it all happened so fast.”
On such a cold evening, I felt a trace of desolation.
“Hey, Owen.”
Natalie called me and then stopped walking.
Then I took a step in front of her.
When I turned around, I saw Natalie standing there all alone.
“Do you want to go to the commercial area now?”
“At this hour? We have school tomorrow. ……”
“No?”
Natalie nods her head slightly.
I’ve been busy lately and Natalie and I haven’t been able to talk much.
So I thought it would be nice to do that once in a while.
The social event is coming up soon, and it’s not a bad idea to have a two-person kickoff party.
“Yeah, let’s go!”
I shook my head.
And so it was decided to head to the commercial area in a hurry.
The direction we are walking remains the same, aiming for the commercial area beyond the dorms.
Natalie is shivering coldly and rubbing her bruised hands to warm them.