Me and Ojou-sama Volume 1 Chapter 5

1 – 5
The first thing I thought when I saw that estate was, this was like the Disney land’s haunted mansion.
The expressionless grandpa butler’s that I doubt whether he’s just a wax model or not, opened the door and led us to the reception room.

「Yo, it’s good that you came. The truth’s we are on verge of visiting you ourself.」

Kotono’s father who sat on the sofa smiled and welcomed us.
We sat at the opposite side of the big table between us.

「Um, how about Kotono-chan?」
「She’s still in hospital now. She’s not here, but will come back in a week.」

Mukojima glances at me with a perplexed face.
If Kotono was not here, then why we were called.

「The truth is, Kotono had an accident. Did you know the Plata.n.u.s tree that was planted in the school courtyard?」

Mukojima nodded, I shook my head.
I knew that there was a big tree planted there, but this was the first time I heard Plata.n.u.s tree name.

「Two days summer vacation going to end, Kotono fell from that tree and hit her head really hard. Because of that……」

His dignified face became a bit strained. He holds his hands in front of his nose and blinked his eyes.

「Her retinal section got injured. You know, right? the important section that serves the role to see things. Kotono……」

ーWon’t be able to see anymore. So the doctor said that. From now on she will stay blind.

Somehow I thought other things when the father explained to us with a strained voice.
If it’s her, she would felt more bitter falling from a tree than not able to see anymore.

「So Sasuke, I have a favor to ask of you.」

With blurred eyes, Harukawa Tatsuhiko urged me.

「Please live in this estate, and become Kotono’s friend to talk with.」

This time it was my turn to look at Mukojima.

「I know I’m asking for unreasonable things. However, can you think it as helping her? It’s fine for her to attend the current elementary school, from middle school I will bear the responsibility for her to enter the higher school. And the most important thing, Kotono’s anxious to meet you. The only one she opened up to is only you.」

I remembered several things Kotono had done to me until now.
The most recent thing was, at the closing ceremony she almost forced me to do her j.a.panese morning glory observation diary homework.
Kotono pushed her morning glory to me,

「Here, think of it as me and look after it well. And also don’t forget to do the observation diary, okay.」
「Don’t need it, do it yourself. In the first place how I bring it to my home.」

That exchange.
I doubt Tatsuhiko. In short, she became blind, and he didn’t know how to handle his selfish daughter, so he pushed it to me, for the purpose of that.

「Of course, I know you can’t decide it by yourself, I’ll also talk with your parents properly. But the most respected thing is your will. If you feel reluctant, please say it.」

I once again saw Mukojima beside of me.
She looks forward with a rigid face but her expressions seemed to be absentminded.
I didn’t know what to do but quietly stared at Tatsuhiko.

Probably.
At that time Mukojima still didn’t know, But she seemed to guess the outline why Kotono fell from the tree.

At the hospital Kotono’s bawling,

ーIf I didn’t meet Sasuke, I’ll die!

So she screamed, but I became to know this would be far far later.