Classmate wa Isekai de Yuusha ni Natta kedo, Ore dake Gendai Nihon ni Okizari ni Narimashita - Chapter 9
Chapter 9: A Model Student’s Recollection
――Side: Fujisawa Haruna
It all started with a trivial argument.
Something about that fight rubbed both of them the wrong way.
Before long, my parents were arguing constantly, until eventually, they stopped speaking to each other altogether.
Even so, back then, at least they still cared—even if just a little—about me and my younger brothers.
One day, not long after I started middle school, my father didn’t come home.
If it had been just that day, neither my mother nor I would’ve thought much of it.
But then, he didn’t come home the next day.
Or the day after that.
Or the day after that.
He never came home again.
◇◇◇
"…Phew."
As my online class ended, I closed the school-issued laptop and put on my apron to start making dinner for my younger brothers.
It had already been a year since my father disappeared and my mother lost all interest in us.
By now, I was used to taking care of everything.
I opened the fridge, trying to come up with tonight’s menu, when I suddenly heard the front door creak open.
(…Great. Just what I needed.)
Peeking into the living room, I locked eyes with a woman sprawled out on the couch, drinking beer.
"Oh, you're here? Perfect. Go buy me some beer from the convenience store~."
That woman—the one I hate to admit is my mother—slurred her words, her face flushed red from alcohol.
"I’m underage. I can’t."
"Oh, whatever. Then just get me some snacks or something~."
There was no reason for me to listen to her.
But I couldn’t stand being in the same space as her for even a second longer.
"…Fine. I need to get groceries for dinner anyway, so I’ll be back in twenty minutes."
"Okaaay~."
Getting changed was too much effort, so I decided to just go as I was.
As I reached for my wallet, something felt off.
It was lighter than usual.
"…Mom, did you take my money?"
"Sooorry~! I just reeeally needed it, so I kinda used it~."
(…Die.)
Once a Month, the Money Father Leaves Behind
That money is the only lifeline keeping me and my younger brothers afloat.
But my mother steals from it constantly, wasting it on alcohol and luxury items.
Because of her, our household is always on the brink of financial collapse.
It’s infuriating, and I want to scream at her, but what’s the point? She’s too far gone to listen.
"Oh yeah, by the way, Kajiwara-kun is coming over today. So, y'know, be nice~."
The moment those words left her mouth, I felt my blood run cold.
"…!"
Grabbing my bag, I stormed out of the house, slamming the door behind me.
"…Haah."
I left, but what now?
I can’t just barge into a friend’s house unannounced, and if I stay out too long, my mother might sober up and do something even worse.
I have to go back eventually.
But if that man is coming over…
"…Ah."
Before I knew it, I had already arrived at the supermarket.
Oh well. Might as well kill some time here.
"—Fujisawa-san."
"Huh? Iori-kun?"
I turned around at the familiar voice, finding Iori looking at me with a serious expression.
"Uh… what’s up?"
"…Nothing, it’s just—you looked like you were struggling. Are you okay?"
…So my face really did look that awful.
"It’s nothing. I’m totally fine."
"…Hey, do you have my little sister Kana’s number?"
"Yeah, I do. Why?"
"Could you call her today? She’s been wanting to talk to you."
Kana-chan and I used to get along well at the dojo.
I’d love to catch up with her sometime.
But if we talked now, I might accidentally let my guard down and vent to her.
"I won’t force you, of course. But Kana wants to be someone you can rely on. So don’t overthink it—just lean on her if you need to."
"!"
It felt like some of the weight on my shoulders had been lifted.
"Alright. I’ll give her a call."
"Good. Well, I should get going. See you tomorrow."
"Yeah. See you tomorrow."
After parting ways with Iori, I bought the snacks my mother asked for and the ingredients for my brothers’ dinner, then wasted a bit more time before heading home.
"Welcome baaack~. Did you get my stuff~?"
"Yeah. Here."
I pulled out the dried snacks from my bag and handed them to my mother.
Then, after making dinner for my brothers and storing it in the fridge, I headed to my room.
I pulled out my long-neglected phone and tapped the call icon.
"Suu… haah…"
Taking a deep breath, I pressed on 'Kana-chan' in my contacts.
"…Hello?"
『Eh? Ah—Senpai!?』
"…Yeah. Do you have time to talk?"
『Of course! I can’t believe I get to talk to you again…!』
My earlier hesitation disappeared instantly.
I lost track of time, talking to Kana about all sorts of things.
…Which is probably why I didn’t notice it sooner.
"Tsk, tsk… That won’t do, Class Rep. Ignoring me like that…?"
"K-Kajiwara-sensei…?"
The Man Who Had Entered My Room Before I Knew It
Before I even noticed, that man had slipped into my room.
Kajiwara.
My homeroom teacher, whose face I was forced to see every day in online classes.
Without hesitation, he snatched my phone from my hands and ended the call.
Kajiwara had a reputation—there were rumors about him getting into a violent incident at another school.
But to me, he was something far worse.
My mother’s second man.
A vile, abusive bastard who frequently barged into our home just to take his anger out on me.
And I knew.
I knew that his real target wasn’t my mother—it was me.
And worst of all…
I knew that my mother didn’t care.
"Tsk. Guess I have no choice. Time for your lesson."
"Stop—!"
I trained in kendo, but no amount of skill could make up for the difference in size and strength.
Despite my desperate struggle, he overpowered me, shoving me down onto the floor.
"Come on, Class Rep. Why won’t you just understand? I’m only thinking about your future."
"No…!"
He gripped my arm tightly, sending a searing pain through my body.
I don’t want this.
I can’t take this anymore.
Please.
Somebody—somebody, help me—!
And then—
A shadow suddenly appeared out of nowhere, tackling Kajiwara with full force.
With a loud crash, Kajiwara was torn away from me and sent slamming into the wall.
What… just happened?
I sat there, stunned, unable to process what was going on.
Then, the shadow turned to face me—
"Fujisawa-san, run!"
"…Iori-kun?"
The person standing before me—
The one who had saved me—
Was none other than Iori-kun, the boy I had just met earlier today.
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