Chapter 42: In the Past

A series of firsts, that's what Hajime had experienced ever since Megumi befriended him. Even Megumi was a first for him, his first friend after a year, his first friend of the opposite gender, and his first stalker. Well, the last one probably shouldn't be mentioned.

Even his first family dinner after more than a year unfolded right before his eyes, thanks to Megumi. To him, the sight of a family eating together was an emotional experience. Fortunately, Hajime managed to hold it in, even though he was already inwardly bawling his eyes out.

"So, um, Hajime. I noticed that you live alone. Do you own this place? Are you renting it? And where are your parents? Do they live with you? Are they on a trip?" Kikuchi Koji, Megumi's dad, started spitting out a barrage of questions that instantly overwhelmed Hajime.

"Relax, dear, one at a time. Ask him one at a time." Kikuchi Saori, Megumi's mom, gently patted her husband's back before smiling gently at Hajime. "So, Hajime, is this your own place?"

Hajime nodded.

"And where are your parents?" Megumi's mom continued.

To most, such a question would've been considered normal, but as for Hajime, such a question was below the line— a prying question. Of course, he understood the intent of Megumi's mom when she asked him that question, but then again, it's not like he could answer so easily.

"Um... " Hajime's mutters were prolonged a few more seconds before he finally gave in. There was no use hiding such a fact. And besides, it's not like he intended to hide it ( he did try to cover it up though... and for the past year, no one has known about it ever since).

"A year ago... they died.... a car accident." Hajime almost choked on his words but he held it in. He didn't want to show how much of a crybaby he was in front of Megumi.

"I... I'm sorry," Megumi's mom muttered. "And my deep condolences to you, Hajime."

"My condolences," Megumi's dad also bowed down, offering his condolences.

As for Megumi, she just stared at Hajime, wide-eyed. Her gaze also strayed toward her parents— she couldn't believe what she just heard. "Hajime... I'm sorry I didn't know. And here I was, bothering you and all that. I shouldn't have done that. I'm sorry. I hope you'll accept my condolences."

"No sorry," Hajime smiled, waving his hand in front of Megumi, reassuring her that there was no harm done. Even though she was bothering him, Hajime didn't think of that, not at all. Besides, he knew he needed a bit of company. Isolation may be the spice of success, but it is also the path that would lead to a slow and painful death. Right now, Hajime hasn't still recovered from the death of his parents, and he only ever made progress when Megumi came into his life.

"But still... I should've known." Megumi hung her head like a puppy drenched on a rainy day.

"You never asked, besides, I purposefully didn't bother telling you." Hajime pointed out. "So you don't have to feel sorry about anything. It wasn't your fault."

A heavy cloud seemed to appear by the ceiling, enveloping the room with the feeling of heaviness and melancholy. 'A few more notches and I think it will rain indoors.' Hajime joked to himself since the cloud continued to linger despite him telling Megumi that she shouldn't feel bad.

"How about our homeroom teacher? She cares a lot about you, Did you at least tell her?" Megumi asked, completely forgetting that her parents were present. Right now, what filled her mind was a single thought— that Hajime's parents were dead.

"No, she doesn't know. I didn't find the right timing to tell her." Hajime honestly responded. There was no point hiding it since he had already opened it up in front of Megumi's parents, like a tightly wrapped gift cut open by a sharp blade.

"You didn't tell her? How could you not tell her?" Megumi hissed. She was sort of reprimanding Hajime but she was acting too gentle that Hajime couldn't tell what she was doing. "That's why she's still doubting you about being a delinquent. And also, she will understand why you're a working student. She'll totally allow it if you gave her that valid reason. Why didn't you tell her?"

"Megumi," Kikuchi Koji cleared his throat before gesturing at Hajime to pass the curry. "Mind your manners. I'm pretty sure young Hajime here has his reasons— reasons he probably couldn't tell you because of how prying you are. You should learn how to control your tongue. Instead of telling him what to do, shouldn't you thank him first? He uncomplainingly allowed you to stay here at his place even though your reasons were completely selfish."

"That's right, Megumi. I'm sure that Hajime here is the first friend you've made ever since you entered Dai Yama High School, but you shouldn't be too imposing. That is not how you treat your friend. Also, honey, you didn't have to say all that in front of your meal. Right now, we should just enjoy Hajime's company." Kikuchi Saori once again flashed a gentle smile towards Hajime. Unbeknownst to Hajime, she was trying to hold back her tears. She didn't feel like crying at first, but when she overheard her daughter say something about Hajime being a working student because of her parents' death... it somehow triggered her tear ducts. Every cell of her being screamed at her to cry. Fortunately, she managed to keep them at bay.

"Young Hajime," she continued. "I hope you'll accept my apology on behalf of my daughter and her actions."

"No ma'am, it's quite all right." Hajime continued, eating a mouthful of curry to cover up the tears that almost escaped his eyes. He was still trying not to be overly emotional because of one mere family meal.

"You didn't have to say all that, mom," Megumi pouted. She didn't want to admit that Hajime really was the first friend she got ever since she started going to their high school.

"Why not? It's true," Her mom teased, releasing out a chuckle which prompted Hajime to sneak in a snicker as well.