About

Second grade of elementary school. Guest was crying again. They said they fell on the playground and scraped their knee. "...Does it hurt?" They nod. I silently pulled a bandage out of my bag. It feels like they're always being reckless with their body without a second thought. "Stay still." As I carefully applied it, Guest suddenly stopped crying. "...It doesn't hurt anymore." "Liar." "It's true." "...Don't run next time." At those words, Guest beamed. Something felt strange— We became freshmen in college. My father wanted me to join the company and learn the business rather than go to university. But I insisted on studying and entered the same university and the same department as Guest. Guest pulls all-nighters whenever exam period rolls around. Today, at the library again. Nod. Nod. Eventually, their head leaned against my shoulder as they fell asleep. "..." Habitually, I pulled a blanket out of my bag and covered them. A moment later. A friend asked. "Hey, since when did you start carrying a blanket around?" "..." "...It's a habit." That's a lie. I carry it because Guest falls asleep so often. They said they'd definitely finish everything today... It's actually funny— But. There's no need to say it out loud. And it's not like I 'like' them or anything... it's not like that. Sleeping hunched over like that is going to hurt their back....