🔊 TTS Settings
Chapter 5
Martin appeared a moment later, water dripping from his hands.
Sneaking glances at me, he finally spoke.
“L-Lindsey… I t-tried my best to get it out, but… because it’s white, it wouldn’t come clean very well… W-would it be okay if I bought you a new one by next week…?”
His fingertips were bright red, and in his hands was my handkerchief, still damp from being washed.
For a moment, I was utterly speechless.
“Wait. So you weren’t late because you were washing your hands—you were trying to clean the handkerchief…?”
The more unbelievable part was that when I looked closely at his hands, black ink stains were still scattered across them. Apparently he’d only managed to scrub most of it off.
Watching him stand there like that, I thumped a fist against my chest in frustration.
Martin immediately reached out and lightly grabbed my wrist.
“D-don’t hit yourself… It’ll hurt…”
“No, that’s not what I meant! This handkerchief really isn’t a big deal…”
As I stared miserably at his reddened fingers, Martin somehow looked even more distressed than I did.
“B-but… you were trying to help me… And… it would be a waste to just throw it away…”
If I was okay with it, he said he’d dry it carefully. The weather was warm, so it would probably dry quickly.
The gentle smile he gave me stole away every argument I had prepared.
The more I got to know him, the harder it became to dislike him.
Why does everyone treat Martin so badly?
He’s such a kind and pure-hearted kid…
Was it because he smiled too much?
Because he was too gentle?
Whatever the reason, the more I learned about Martin, the less I understood.
We walked side by side through the hallway toward the library.
Suddenly, as though remembering something, Martin let out a small sound and looked at me.
“L-Lindsey.”
“Hm? What is it, Martin?”
Fidgeting with the damp handkerchief, Martin offered an awkward smile.
“I-I… don’t think I’ll be able to talk to you when the other kids are around…”
I blinked.
What was that supposed to mean?
Matching my pace to his, I turned to look at him.
A warm summer breeze drifted through the open windows.
My black hair fluttered in the wind.
So did Martin’s golden hair.
For a brief moment, his bangs lifted, revealing those clear emerald eyes.
His gaze settled entirely on me.
“W-we’re friends… right…?”
“I thought we were. But what do you mean you won’t be able to talk to me?”
“Th-thank you for being my friend. And… I really like studying with you… and talking like this. But…”
Martin came to a stop.
“I d-don’t want you getting hurt because of me. If I talk to you… th-the other kids will start bothering you too. So…”
He lowered his head.
As if embarrassed by his own words, he began fiddling with his fingernail again.
“Let’s meet like this… after classes are over… when the academy gets quiet. J-just like today…”
I couldn’t answer him.
My throat tightened with all the words I wanted to say.
I don’t care.
I want to talk to you normally, too.
None of that bothers me.
And besides… if it isn’t you, I’ll end up alone anyway…
I wanted to reassure him.
I wanted to convince him everything would be fine.
But Martin had clearly thought long and hard before saying this.
In the end, all I could do was quietly turn away and continue walking.
* * *
In the end, we didn’t write a single word of our report.
Because we spent the entire time scrubbing ink stains off the library floor.
By the time we’d nearly finished cleaning, the librarian approached and informed us that the library was closing.
With a strange mixture of reluctance and awkwardness hanging between us, Martin and I packed our things and headed outside together.
“Martin. Did your family’s car arrive?”
“H-huh? Mine…”
The black car that should have been waiting near the academy gate was nowhere in sight.
Meanwhile, Bill was already standing beside my family’s car, enthusiastically waving at me.
After hesitating for a moment, I couldn’t bring myself to leave Martin alone.
“Since it hasn’t arrived yet, should I wait with you? Or you could ride home with us today.”
“N-no, it’s okay… I can wait by myself… Besides, it’s already close to dinner time…”
“That applies to you too, doesn’t it? Seriously, isn’t your driver being a little irresponsible? How can they leave a young master standing out here waiting? They should’ve come when school ended.”
“I-it’s probably because I didn’t tell them exactly how long I’d be studying… I’m really okay. You should go first.”
Wasn’t that basically the same as saying he had no idea when they’d show up?
I stared at him.
Martin awkwardly scraped the toe of his shoe against the ground.
Unable to watch any longer, I grabbed him and started dragging him toward our car.
“L-Lindsey…!”
“You’re riding with us today. It’s going to be dark soon. If I leave you here by yourself, I won’t feel right about it. Though…”
I suddenly realized I was forcibly holding onto his arm.
Immediately, I let go.
“If it makes you uncomfortable, you can say no. Do whatever you’re comfortable with.”
Martin repeatedly clenched and unclenched his fists.
After a moment of hesitation, he quietly replied,
“Th-then… if it’s only for today… I’ll accept your kindness.”
“Great! Today is fine, and honestly, any future days that end this late are fine too. Come on, let’s go.”
The moment I grabbed his arm again, his body visibly jolted.
I smiled softly at him and led him toward Bill.
“Miss, did you study hard today? What a wonderful afternoon. But who’s this young gentleman…?”
“Oh, he’s my friend. Bill, would it be okay if we dropped him off at home today too?”
“You needn’t even ask. It’s naturally my duty. Please, both of you, get in.”
Bill opened the rear door for us.
Martin and I thanked him before climbing into the car.
“Thanks, Bill. Martin, where exactly is your house—”
“W-Western Wood Street, please…”
As Martin answered, Bill paused halfway through fastening his seatbelt and glanced at him through the rearview mirror.
“Western Wood Street? Young master, wouldn’t one of your family’s drivers happen to be a man named Nelson?”
“N-Nelson? Ah, yes, I know him… But he quit a few days ago.”
At that answer, Bill’s expression noticeably softened.
“Haha, that fellow happens to be an old friend of mine. His mother’s condition suddenly worsened, so he returned to his hometown. I see… so the young master he served turned out to be my lady’s friend. Though…”
Bill tilted his head thoughtfully.
Again and again, he glanced at Martin through the mirror.
Sensing something strange, I quietly watched as well.
“Forgive my rudeness, but may I ask your family name, young master…?”
“M-my name is Martin. Just Martin…”
That clearly wasn’t what Bill had meant.
He’d been asking for Martin’s surname.
But Martin, apparently unwilling to share it, turned his gaze toward the passing scenery outside the window.
Seeing that, Bill offered an awkward smile.
“Haha, my apologies. That was rather intrusive of me. I’ll get us moving right away.”
Once the conversation ended, an uncomfortable silence settled inside the car.
Martin stared out the window without looking away, lost in thought.
Watching him, I pressed the toe of one shoe against the other and suddenly spoke up.
“Oh, right! Martin! What brand was that fountain pen you dropped earlier? Since it happened because of me, I’ll buy you a new one.”
“Ah… that’s really okay. It was my fault for leaving it near the edge…”
“Even if you left it there, it only fell because of me. I want to replace it for you. Just tell me.”
“Y-you really don’t have to…”
After thinking for a while, Martin finally turned toward me.
“It’s from M-Meister. B-but it’s quite expensive…”
“Don’t worry about that! Meister, right? You like the black one?”
“Y-yeah… Black doesn’t show wear as easily, so it lasts longer…”
A faint smile appeared on Martin’s face as he scratched the back of his head.
And somehow, seeing that smile made me smile too.
