NOVEL NEXT chapter 29
29
11. The Reversal of Promises
The surgery was a success.
Trembling with joy, I activated the messaging app on my smartphone.
It had been several days since I last used it.
I couldn’t wait to see what kind of messages Toyotomi-kun had sent me.
“…Huh?”
I froze as I looked at the messaging app screen.
“There’s nothing… not a single message…”
My reward for getting through the surgery was just a chat screen showing that the messages we exchanged before the summer vacation had been read.
Wondering if the app had stopped, I restarted it and even updated it.
But there were no messages from Toyotomi-kun.
I had received messages from my parents.
Neither my smartphone nor the app was broken.
It was just that Toyotomi-kun’s messages were not sent.
I had also received a few missed call notifications from my friend Minako.
The last one simply said, “Can we meet somewhere?”
I didn’t want to be distracted by messages from Minako while hanging out, and I just wasn’t in the mood to play.
My mind was completely blank.
“Sorry, please leave me alone during the summer vacation.”
It might seem rude, but that was all I could type.
I received an ‘OK’ stamp, thinking I would apologize after the summer vacation was over.
“Maybe it’s not so bad to send a message first.”
Toyotomi might be more clueless than I thought.
Perhaps he’s worried about me not seeing his messages and that’s why he doesn’t send any.
“I’m safely discharged from the hospital (*´∀｀)”
“I want to see you, Toyotomi.”
“…No read receipt.”
I sent two messages and half a day has passed.
But even after midnight, he hasn’t even read my messages.
“Why wouldn’t he read my messages…?”
I search on my smartphone for reasons why someone wouldn’t read messages.
“Signs of cheating,” that was the first reason that came up.
“But, it’s not like I’m dating Toyotomi… If we’re not dating, it can’t be cheating, right?”
So, what is it?
What’s happening…?
“Toyotomi, is something wrong? I’m not mad that you’re not sending messages. I’m just anxious.”
“No need to reply. Could you at least read this message?”
“Do you want to go window shopping? Just walking around town would be nice.”
“I want to see you.”
“It’s been hot lately, I want to eat something cold like soft serve or ice cream.”
“I saw on TV yesterday, there’s a new taiyaki shop in the next town. Do you want to go together?”
“The day after tomorrow is the fireworks festival. Do you remember our promise to go? It’s okay if you can’t make it, just please send a reply to decline.”
“Tomorrow is the fireworks festival! I’m going to invite Minako and go.”
“I can hear the fireworks.”
“School is starting again soon. It’s usually a bummer, but this year I’m looking forward to seeing you at school, Toyotomi.”
“Please reply.”
“Even a read receipt is fine.”
“I like you.”
“Will you go out with me?”
“Toyotomi.”
“…………”
Before I realized it, sending a message every day had become part of my daily routine.
I don’t mind if our roles have reversed.
“Please, let’s go to the movies on the final day tomorrow! You can come anytime! I’ll be waiting forever, I’ll send you the URL of the cinema.”
“…He’s not coming.”
I’ve been waiting since morning.
I’ve seen dozens of families enter and leave.
I’ve been watching couples on dates as well.
If only Toyotomi-kun were there, I could give up.
“Ah… that’s right, you can make calls with LINE. …I’ve been careful not to bother him, but it’s okay for the last day, right?”
The ringing continues without end.
I press my ear to catch every single call.
And then, the ringing stops unnaturally.
“Is that you, Toyotomi-kun!?”
“Currently, the phone is either out of service area or turned off.”
Toyotomi-kun won’t even answer the phone.
“It’s gotten dark…”
It’s time for the night show.
But Toyotomi-kun doesn’t come.
I got a message from my mom.
“School starts tomorrow, come back home. Or are you feeling unwell?”
“I’m sorry, I got lost so I’ll take a taxi.”
I’ve been feeling sick all summer vacation.
I might start to dislike Toyotomi-kun a little.