文凭大考验8.0

"But I scared you. I was yelling at you and then you ran away and I'm sure you don't want to be friends with somebody like me."

"Ryouta, stop worrying so much. It's fine. I'm fine."

"Really? Because it looked like you were really scared when I saw you."

"Look, whatever happened before was between me and your father. Nothing more and nothing less."

Ryouta stares at Kiyoshi for a while, trying to figure out whether he believes what he just said. Eventually, he lowers his head and nods.

"Okay."

"Alright."

The two of them stay quiet for a moment. A slight awkwardness fills the room and it feels like they aren't in the same place anymore. Before Kiyoshi can think twice about it, Ryouta speaks up again.

"You know, I never thanked you for saving me the other day."

Kiyoshi turns his gaze away from Ryouta and focuses on the wall again. He doesn't understand how he's supposed to react to the sudden change of subject. Shouldn't Ryouta have been thanking him instead?

"It's all right," he replies softly. "If it was anyone else, I would've done it for free. But I know you didn't do anything wrong."

"Still, thank you. And I promise that next time I'll be nicer to you. Okay?"

Kiyoshi doesn't respond, still focused on the wall opposite him.