Kokoro Connect Volume 8: Step Time [Complete] by Sadanatsu Anda

Author:Sadanatsu Anda
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Light Novel, paranormal, completed, anime, comedy, slice of life, body-swap, friendship, psychological, drama
Publisher: J-Novel Club (generated)

That night, we talked for hours.

“I have to admit, I don’t have much experience with this ‘girls’ night out’ stuff.”

“Me either... This is my first time, so go easy on me.”

“See, there you go again with your damn innuendos!”

“You are reading WAAAAY too much into this, Inaban!”

First, we discussed the awkward tension between us the past few days.

“I just... really didn’t want to add more problems to your life. That’s why I told you not to walk me home anymore.”

“You’re not adding problems to my life. Hell, even if you were, I’d prefer that to you suffering in silence. But yeah, I admit I was being kind of a bitch. I just... wanted to believe we were... you know... buddies or whatever.”

“We are! In my eyes, you’re the best buddy I’ve got... or... at least, I’d like it if you were...”

“But...”

What I was about to say was going to make me sound like a total child, and I was already mortified just thinking about it... but I needed to say it. I was sick of us constantly dancing around it.

“You seem happier when you’re with your other friends.”

“About that...” The smile vanished from her face. “Listen,” she muttered quietly.

I was terrified of what she was about to tell me, but nevertheless, I waited for her to continue.

“This is pretty heavy stuff, so I won’t blame you if it makes you uncomfortable, but I want you to know... Growing up, I’ve been through some... traumatic sorts of experiences.”

“You can tell me about it, if you want. I’m all ears.”

“Well, okay... uh... So basically, I have five dads...”

And so we talked until dawn.

“...Man, it’s already four?”

“Wow... This conversation got pretty deep, huh?”

Even Iori was starting to sound tired.

“We should get some sleep... Oh.” Out of the blue, I remembered something.

“What’s up?”

I’d wanted this for so long, yet always kept my distance out of fear. But now I wasn’t afraid anymore.

“This thing we have going on... Is this what people call ‘true friendship’?”

“...I’m not sure.”

Yeah, me either. Then again, perhaps it wasn’t a question we were supposed to ask someone else.

“I guess we have to decide for ourselves, huh?”

It didn’t matter what anyone else thought. How did we feel?

“Well then, let’s decide right now!”

In that moment, Iori’s smile shone brighter than the moon.

“As of right now... we’re best friends forever!”

+++

“...And that’s how the story ended,” Inaba finished.

As she recounted the tale, Iori listened with her eyes closed, basking in nostalgia.

Inaba was her first real friend. And after that, she’d gone on to make a lot of other friends—almost like Inaba had shown her where she’d been going wrong. Not to mention they’d spent the past year dealing with all those bizarre phenomena, through which Iori was able to reflect on herself as a person. As a result, she slowly stopped putting friendships into rigid boxes.

“S-So, um... what happened to the talent scout?!” Shino asked curiously.

“Well... Inaban went down to the agency with a file folder full of documented evidence of the harassment, and... you get the picture.

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