スキップとローファー. 1

The story is set at my alma mater. It was so vivid that I was startled—I even wondered if the author was one of my classmates. When I entered high school, having just come out of a long period of truancy, I definitely gave off the vibe of an outcast. Fearing that if my true self were exposed, I’d either be mercilessly bullied or, at best, looked down upon, I dressed up to the nines, joined the dance club, gossiped, got along with the boys as much as possible, and dated a cool guy from the soccer team (*I actually liked him*). . Having been cooped up at home for three years, I had absolutely no idea what to talk about with my classmates, so I engaged in conversations that were completely disconnected from my true feelings. To those around me, I might have seemed flashy at first glance, but I gave off a faint sense of unease, As a result, some of the girls made snide remarks directly to me and directed malice my way. Unable to speak my true feelings and unsure how to act, I was constantly spinning my wheels despite my relentless efforts—this story gently stands by that version of me from the past without laughing at her. This cycle of spinning my wheels came to an end thanks to friends who found amusement in the honest words I let slip—and that reminded me of the group of four, including Mitsumi-chan. I hope my daughter will read this when she grows up (and, if I’m lucky, take an interest in Mom and Dad’s school days).