Chapter 3: Let Him Who Is Not Rejected Cast the First Stone at the Losing Heroines
The sun is already high up before noon.
I opened a can of coffee as I looked at the advertisement board saying, “Roadside Station Mokkulu Shinshiro”.
It takes around a 50-minute drive north from Toyohashi to get here. We’re at Shinshiro Station.
“Why am I even here…?”
It’s hard for me not to complain. A minivan stopped in front of my house with a sign saying “beginner driver”. I gave up everything when Tsukinoki-senpai poked her head out of the driver’s window.
Yanami and Komari are already in the car. Even though I had given up already, I still didn’t expect to be brought outside the city with nothing in my hands.
Shinshiro is the entrance to the mountains of the Mikawa region, which is also called Okumikawa. This is also where the Battle of Nagashino took place.
Well, that’s all I know. Anyway, I’m in the mountains right now.
From what I’ve heard from Tsukinoki-senpai, Yakishio lives with her grandma in Shinshiro. There’s still a long way, so we’re taking a break at the station.
Senpai doesn’t seem to be going in any time soon. So, I’m sipping the micro sugar coffee in front of the advertisement board.
“…Right, senpai sent me the novel.”
It’ll be annoying later if I don’t read it. So, I opened the attachment of the mail.
*
Literature Club Report – Summer Edition
<The Scribes of the Slumbering Forest> by Koto Tsukinoki
[TL: BL warning.]
The warm sunlight is shining on the path within the forest. A man in kimono is walking exhaustedly.
The man mumbled. His tone is displeased.
“Hey, brat, how much longer will we walk?”
Upon closer inspection, a tiny person is dancing in front of the man in mid-air. He’s as little as a light-vented bulbul. There are dragonfly wings on his back.
The tiny person didn’t say anything. He raised his hand and drew a big arc. The man looked in his direction. An exquisite small mansion appeared before the path.
“The place you live in is certainly refreshing.”
The man heaped fake praises as he threw a coin to the tiny leading person. The tiny person with wings and the coin disappeared in a flash.
Kawabata came to this world as well.
Even though he has heard it from Mishima, Dazai doesn’t seem interested. However, he changed his mind after knowing that he had been appointed as the commander in chief of the reincarnated.
It takes around two days in a carriage and walking to get there.
This is a refreshing double-story mansion filled with vines. Kawabata spends most of his time here. However, this house seems too lacking for a commander in chief of the reincarnated.
Dazai waited for a long time, but no maids came out. So, he pressed the doorbell.
Unexpectedly, the person in question answered instead. Dazai fell speechless. He was about to tell the maids to get him instead.
As for Kawabata, he gasped and bulged his eyes toward Dazai.
“Come in. I’ll pour you some tea.”
He said that calmly and turned around.
The inside doesn’t feel like the original world at all.
The room is unusually small. It’s at most 8 tatamis. There’s not even a sofa. Dazai was brought to a chair next to the table.
Kawabata’s clothes are from this world as well. It reminds Dazai of Christian priests. He’s preparing the tea set in the kitchen. His back is facing Dazai.
“There aren’t any maids here today?”
“I don’t think it’s necessary here. I just need some magic and elves.”
Dazai looked around the room. The corner is brimming with colors.
The beakers and glass bottles remind him of a chemistry laboratory.
“Have you heard of a herb called Nirkine?”
Kawabata suddenly said that. His back remained in the same position.
“Never heard of it. Can it cure neurasthenia if boiled in water?”
Kawabata ignored Dazai’s terrible joke. He poured hot water into the teapot.
“It’ll turn into an odorless and tasteless liquid if you refine it with special procedures. A little bit is all you need for a good night’s sleep.”
“So, it’s like a sleeping pill of this world?”
Kawabata didn’t answer. He put the teapot and cups on the table.
“The person won’t wake up no matter what you do. They will be utterly unaware of whatever happened during their slumber.”
“That’s ridiculous. I’m not the best person to say this, but are you sure you’re fine with drinking it?”
“Insomnia is an author’s occupational disease. This works much better than tranquilizers.”
He said that as he poured tea into the cup.
The light brown liquid is steaming. He filled the cup in front of Dazai.
“The leaves are from the Solidia Highlands. It tastes like Ceylon tea.”
Kawabata pushed the cup full of tea toward Dazai. Dazai hesitated to reach his hand out.
During this time, the door was opened with a tremendous noise.
With bird-like chuckles, three young girls flew in joyfully.
“Sensei, you’re not playing with us today?”
“Ah, there’s a stranger!”
“Who?”
The girls’ hair colors are either light green or blue. It’s effortless to tell how outstanding they are.
“Oi, we have a guest. You girls should head back first.”
Kawabata yelled. The girls complained as they made their lively departure.
Dazai looked at the girls in surprise as they left.
“Who are those girls? I don’t think they are elves.”
“You know?”
“They are way too impolite. Even a café waitress has better manners than them, not to mention elves.”
“But they look just the same while sleeping.”
With that, he turned his eyes toward Dazai.
“Disappointing. Here, take a sip before it gets cold.”
“Yeah, sure, but I have a question for you before that.”
Dazai reached his hand to the cup, but he let go of it right away.
“I’ve heard that you know where Akutagawa-sensei is. I’m his kouhai. Can you tell me where he is?”
Kawabata stared at Dazai silently. The latter looked away awkwardly.
“I’ve acquired a power after coming to this world.”
The steaming tea is slowly cooling down as Kawabata speaks. He seems to be diverting the topic of their conversation.
“That power is called ‘Kotodama’. In other words, you’ll do what I say after agreeing with me, no matter what is in that cup of tea.”
Dazai froze. It’s because his hands moved on their own.
“Kawabata, this is?”
“I asked you to drink it. You answered, ‘Yeah, sure.’ That’s how Kotodama is activated.”
His hands aren’t the only uncontrollable things. Dazai ignored his consciousness and poured the tea into his throat and stomach. The hot tea is scorching, yet he can’t stop.
Dazai immediately slammed the cup to the ground. The herb seems to be working. His body is feeling heavier.
“I wish it’s a bit cooler, but this tea only tastes good when it’s hot.”
“Why did you let me drink stuff like this? What are you trying to do to me?”
“Akutagawa-kun won’t be seeing anyone now.”
Kawabata took a sip of tea. His cold eyes are gazing at the wall of the room.
“Even so, you won’t listen to me, anyway. Well, I’ll have to make your body understand then.”
The unbearable pain in Dazai’s throat hurts so much that he can’t breathe. He looked in Kawabata’s direction.
Only that wall is newly painted behind those modernly beautiful sculptures. There seem to be a door and more walls behind.
He finally understood the unusualness upon entering the room.
Compared to the outside, this room is way too narrow. There should be an enormous room behind this door.
“The Nirkine should be working soon.”
“Didn’t you drink it too?”
“I did something on the cups. It’s a waste not to finish the tea.”
“I see. That’s good.”
A sarcastic smile appeared on Dazai’s face.
“What’s wrong, Dazai?”
“Did you not realize it? I changed the cup when those girls were causing a ruckus.”
Kawabata’s eyes bulged. He immediately spilled the tea on the floor.
“Did you believe me? Sensei, you’re unexpectedly honest.”
Dazai’s body is wobbling as he stands up. The tiredness that was ravaging his body disappeared.
“What happened? Don’t tell me you didn’t change the cups?”
“My power is ‘Liar’. It turns a lie into truth as long as the person believes it.”
Kawabata stared daggers at Dazai, yet the latter showed a carefree smile.
“The cups aren’t changed. You’ve been drinking my lies.”
Kawabata kneeled on the floor. Dazai approached him as he rudely untied the belt on his chest.
“Are you taking your revenge on me?”
“I still don’t hate you at this point. It’s more like there’s only kindness.”
Dazai lifted Kawabata’s petite body and opened the brand-new door. It doesn’t match the room at all.
He walked inside. The gloomy room only has a huge bed.
A sweet scent entered his nose.
“Hey, there’s still ample time. Let’s dance to our hearts’ wishes before talking about Akutagawa-sensei.”
*
I looked to the sunny sky after reading it. Which part of this is wholesome…?
I thought about the recent prior restraint laws as I walked toward the building. Yanami is standing before the kiosk next to the entrance with her arms crossed.
“Yanami-san, what are you doing?”
“Oh, Nukumizu-kun, you came at the right time.”
Yanami’s looking at the dozens of freshly baked goheimochi. The so-called goheimochi is made by mashing rice into a straw sandal’s shape, putting it on a wooden stick, adding some miso sauce, and baking it. This is a typical snack served by service areas and roadside stations in the Chubu region.
“Do you want it?”
“….Nukumizu-kun, I’ve thought about the sugar problem.”
“Really? You’ve finally given it a thought?”
“I did. Didn’t humans go from a hunter-gather lifestyle to an agricultural lifestyle around 10,000 years ago? In other words, this is a change toward a sugar-oriented life.
“Eh, is that so? We’re still continuing this topic?”
Yanami nodded naturally.
“After that, sugar becomes the main dish and a crucial part of human history. …You can even say that humanity has become slaves to sugar.”
“So, in other words, you want to eat goheimochi?”
Yanami shook her head.
“It’s time for me to reconsider my views on sugar.”
I’m not sure, but it must be because of that, right?
“So, you got fatter after eating so much somen-“
“I’m not fat. This is Yanami-chan’s 15th nice body after a year.”
Yanami’s gluttony is taking over her again.
“But, Yanami-san, the recent TV shows explained that humans were already absorbing a lot of carbohydrates before the Agricultural Revolution.”
“Oh, is that so?”
“It’s because hunting alone can’t meet the demand. They seem to also collect and preserve plants like acorns.”
Yanami crossed her arms and was lost in thoughts.
“So, in other words, …I can eat goheimochi?”
Do whatever you want, girl. I took out my wallet.
“Wait, Nukumizu-kun, don’t tell me you’re buying goheimochi? You’re standing in front of a girl on a diet.”
“I don’t know about Yanami-san’s diet, but I haven’t had one in a long time. I want to try it.”
She glanced at me.
“…Let me try a bite, …okay?”
“Sharing goheimochi feels…sticky. It’s terrible.”
“Can you not say it like my mouth is sticky?”
“You should go to the hospital if your mouth is dry.”
I feel like I have lost my appetite.
I left Yanami and walked into the building. She’s still staring at the goheimochi.
Let’s end the break here. Senpai needs to hurry up. We’re here to see Yakishio.
Senpai and Komari are standing shoulder to shoulder in the souvenir shop. They seem to be talking about something.
“The plum jam should be on the left, right?”
Tsukinoki-senpai put the jar of plum jam on the shelf.
“N-No, plum jam…is on the right…”
Komari put the jam on the right of the venison curry.
Tsukinoki-senpai gently clenched her fists and frowned.
“Venison curry does give off a strong presence, but it doesn’t feel like it’s on the left side. Doesn’t the plum jam’s sourness gives off a refreshing feeling?”
“Well, well, we should turn right. …T-The world is a-always changing…”
…What are these two doing?
I hesitated to speak up, but Tsukinoki-senpai noticed me. She cleared her throat.
“Nukumizu-kun, it looks like we need to explain.”
“Nope.”
“Listen to me. There has been a ridiculous bias spreading through society. People say fujoshi thinks of top-bottom when they see pencils and erasers.”
Senpai covered her eyes with her palm. She shook her head deliberately.
“Don’t you think it’s really pathetic?”
“Aren’t you two doing the same thing right now?”
“This is a so-called thought experiment, alright? It’s like brainstorming.”
That’s not what brainstorming is.
“To us, we need to quickly create the best couple when a new anime releases. That’s why it’s necessary to stimulate our brains constantly. …Right, it’s like basic training in sports clubs. This is a reasonable hobby for a Literature Club member.”
I didn’t know the Literature Club was such a scary place. I shall reconsider my approach to these people.
“I don’t want to understand, but I understand. Well, what do the left and right mean?”
“Look, in horizontal texts, it’s top x bottom. The top is on the left, right? So, it’s left for the top, right for the bottom.”
Komari nodded repeatedly.
“T-That’s how w-we can talk about this in f-front of people.”
Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.
“So, t-the plum jam is the bot- …no, it’s on the right?”
“What are you talking about? The plum jam is definitely the top.”
“No, the plum jam is r-right.”
Komari’s stubborn opinion made Tsukinoki-senpai squint her eyes. She’s lost in thought.
“So, the venison curry is the top? But isn’t it too cliché for spicy things to be on top?”
Hey, where did the left and right go? Aren’t you two in front of people?
“B-But, the curry’s stimulus will hurt the person. …T-That’s why-“
After hearing that, Tsukinoki-senpai clapped in praise.
“I see…! Even though they want to fall in love, they can’t touch each other because they will get hurt! What is this? It’s getting lit!”
Tsukinoki-senpai was really excited for a moment, but then her expression darkened. She bit her lips.
“But my brain is already fixed on plum jam being the top…”
“T-That can’t be helped.”
Komari nodded. What’s with these two’s conversation?
“Well, anyway, senpai, it’s time for us to leave, right?”
The two fujoshi shot heavy glances at me.
“There’s no way out of this. Nukumizu-kun, you should decide.”
Tsukinoki-senpai nodded at me.
“Oi, Nukumizu, decide.”
Komari glared at me over her bangs.
…What decision am I given here?
“Uh, well, …this will do.”
I randomly grabbed some goods under their stare.
“This is the sudden intrusion of the tonkotsu ramen, right? Sure, Nukumizu-kun.”
“You…are an expert.”
“Eh, did I put the venison curry on something else?”
“If that’s acceptable. Alright, we all agreed, right? Let’s leave-“
“Come here, Nukumizu-kun!”
Tsukinoki-senpai’s eyes brightened up. She pulled me to the shelf at the corner.
There is a lot of persevered food here. Let’s continue here.
“O-Oh, …oh, yamagobo…” [TL: Japanese pickle made from burdock roots.]
“Komari-chan, you’re already on the attack?
“Well, ehehe…”
The two are chatting passionately. I looked at the pickles in front of me dazedly.
Hey, …aren’t we supposed to leave?
*
I looked at the greenery on the mountains over the minivan’s window. It’s been 4 hours since we departed from the roadside station.
“Where are we…?”
We’re supposed to look for Yakishio, but Tsukinoki-senpai doesn’t care at all. Time flies as we’re traveling on road after road casually.
This person will drive until sunset in the mountains if I don’t say anything…
“Senpai, it’s time for us to look for Yakishio.”
The minivan is shaking violently as if trying to cancel out my protest. Tsukinoki-senpai stepped on the brakes as she twisted the steering wheel.
“Uh, you’re supposed to have your lights on during a turn. I think.”
“S-Senpai, i-is this a…wiper?”
“Wait, so this is the right handle?”
“L-Look in front of you…”
This is a hilarious scene after getting a driver’s license.
Honestly, she has been like this ever since we left Toyohashi. Yanami and I at the back are already used to it.
However, Komari can always make refreshing reactions. That’s admirable.
Tsukinoki-senpai looked at me from the rearview mirror.
“Right, Nukumizu-kun, were you trying to say something?”
“Well, are we really heading to Yakishio’s house?”
“We’ll definitely be fine this time. Her house should be near. Trust your senpai!”
Tsukinoki-senpai laughed.
I trusted her for the first time. The consequence is that we’re brought to the ruins of Nagashino Castle instead. I said it the second time, and we were already in the hot springs when I snapped out of it. This is just a tour, but, honestly, I’m enjoying it.
“I’ll leave it to you if that’s the case. You’ve been driving into the mountains, right?”
“Wait, what’s happening? Come to think of it, isn’t this weird? I think we’ll arrive in Nagano Prefecture if we continue driving. Do you know that?”
“Yeah, that’s weird. We can’t cross prefectures.”
I was about to complain. Yet, the minivan suddenly started shaking violently. Yanami opened her eyes. She was taking a nap.
“Uwah, I fell asleep. Are we there yet?”
“Nope, Yanami-san, you’re drooling.”
“…I’m not.”
Yanami wiped her mouth with the paper towels I handed to her.
Right now, the tanned girl is more important than the drooling girl. I leaned toward the driver’s seat.
“It’s almost evening already. Are we still not at Yakishio’s place yet?”
“Relax. We’re almost at her grandma’s house. No, wait, it’s still pretty far away.”
Really? I opened the map on my phone.
“…This place is just 20 minutes from the highway resting station. We aren’t even far from there, right?”
“I say it because it’s you. You’ll definitely rush there if I say we’re close, right?”
Of course, we’re here for that.
“You need to take the long way in life sometimes. To put it simply, I want to have fun for a while longer.”
“I admire that you’re being honest, but the reason we come here today is…”
“No, no, that’s why I don’t like this part of you, Nukumizu-kun.”
Yanami interrupted.
“Your bad point is that you only know saying no. We enjoyed the scenery, got into a hot spring, and ate some good food. Aren’t those all we need to accomplish today?”
Yanami’s chic face still has a grain of rice sticking to it.
Yanami’s pretty happy after having tonkatsu at the hot spring’s canteen. No wonder she drooled during her afternoon nap.
“Yanami-san, aren’t we here to find Yakishio today…?”
“…I think so.”
The unnatural pause. It looks like she has already totally forgotten about it.
No, wait. I’m the only one who’s surprised right now. In other words…
“By the way, Yanami-san and Komari already know today’s schedule? I’m the only one who didn’t know anything!?”
Instead of answering, Yanami and Komari gave me big smiles.
“Alright, alright, stop fighting. You should be mad at me only. Onee-san loves watching Nukumizu-kun’s reaction the most.”
Tsukinoki-senpai laughed after saying that. Whose fault do you think this is?
However, if she has already said she loves my reaction the most, I can’t just give in to her casually. After all, the most effective way to make an annoying otaku shut up is to cut their supply lines.
“Nukumizu-kun, we’ll be there. I already typed Yakishio’s grandma’s address on the GPS.”
“Glad to hear that, but how did you know where Yakishio is? Didn’t she ignore your emails and Line messages?”
“Didn’t I tell you the Girl’s Field and Track Club captain looked for me? I helped her a lot when I was still in the student council. Also, we often talk about stuff, even right now. That’s why we went to see Yakishio-chan’s mom.”
…Student council? Senpai? There’s too much intelligence. My brain can’t accept the information at all.
“I think things will be even more complicated if I ask further, so let’s forget about that first. Simply put, Yakishio’s mom requested us to check in on Yakishio, right?”
“Yeah, close. Yakishio-chan’s mom and grandma are really worried about her right now.”
Tsukinoki-senpai glanced at the GPS screen.
“We’re almost there. This is an emotional reunion, everyone. Did you think about what you’re going to say? Don’t try to prank a girl who has cried before, okay?”
The GPS signals that we’re approaching the destination. The road is getting wider as well. Tsukinoki-senpai stopped at the side.
“Alright, we’re here. Is there anything that looks like a house?”
“…Is this really the right place?”
The sides are covered by dense woods. Yanami opened the window and looked around.
“The sign over there writes ‘Snow Chain Installation and Removal’.”
I don’t think that’s where Yakishio’s family lives.
The two kouhai looked at the senpai. She hastily poked at the GPS screen.
“…Huh? That’s the address I’ve heard.”
“Should we call Yakishio’s grandma?”
“I don’t know her house’s number. The Field and Track Club captain should know.”
After that, senpai took out her phone and made a call, but it wasn’t picked up. So, she could only leave a voice message. Senpai leaned on the driver’s seat forcefully.
“Ah, …I guess we can only wait before she answers me. Is there anywhere you guys want to go?”
Yanami raised her hand after hearing that.
“Can I make a suggestion? There’s a very grammable place nearby.”
“Sure, do you know the exact spot?”
Yanami looked at the map on her phone.
“Let me see. …Follow this road and head north. There’s a branch at the left side of the billboard.”
“Okay, let’s go!”
The minivan’s wheels rustling against the ground signals our second departure. Senpai drives so fast that Komari screams.
Based on Yanami’s guidance, we arrived at the destination within 3 minutes. The minivan slowed down.
“That’s the place, right? I think we can go down.”
Tsukinoki-senpai stopped the minivan at the side of the road.
This is a small path that leads down to the river. Cars can’t get there.
“It looks like there aren’t any parking lots around. I’ll wait in the car. You three should go.”
“Senpai, are you sure you don’t mind being alone?”
“I have to wait for her call, and I have to give Shintaro a call as well.”
“Prez?”
“…Actually, I missed our tutorial class promise with him today, so I have to explain to him.”
I see. Yeah, we should let senpai chill alone. I think she’s pretty soft when it comes to her boyfriend.
The three of us left senpai and came to the river along the path. It’s around 10 meters wide. The water is shallow, but the stream goes pretty fast.
The place we came to is a beach that extends on both sides of the river. The narrowest spot has a small stone bridge built from concrete.
The small bridge doesn’t even have railings. It’s more like a cobblestone path instead.
Yanami handed me her phone.
“Nukumizu-kun, look, it’s that bridge! I’ll go up there while Nukumizu-kun should prepare to be washed away by the river while helping me take the best photo ever down the stream.”
“I’m fine as long as Yanami-san doesn’t mind me bringing your phone down with me.”
“It’s fine. I bought insurance.”
I see. I’m fine with it too, since I have tuition insurance.
Yanami stepped onto the stone bridge and put out a double V pose with a smile.
“Alright, you can take the photo, Nukumizu-kun.”
Luckily, the shot is clear even from the beach too. I went around the stream and raised her phone.
The screen neatly cuts at the bottom of her feet. This looks like she’s standing on the river. It does make a good photo.
“Hey, with the rare opportunity, Komari should come too.”
I looked for Komari. She kneeled and looked at the gaps between the rocks.
“What are you doing?”
“T-There are Sawagani crabs.”
Oh, we have Sawagani crabs too? Interesting. I squatted down next to Komari as well.
“Where? This gap?”
“Y-Yes, …b-be quiet, o-or else it w-won’t come out.”
She’s right. I closed my mouth and watched the gaps between the rocks. …Ah, I think something just moved in there.
A clean “thud” could be heard when I was waiting for it excitedly.
Thud? Do crabs make sounds like that?
I held my breath not to make any noise. This time, I hear something hitting the ground next to my feet.
I turned around dumbfoundedly. Yanami is tirelessly waving on the bridge- and throwing stones at me.
“Uwah, watch out! Why are you throwing rocks at me!?”
“You still ask why? What are you doing when I’m making poses here!? Don’t I look like an idiot for being all excited by myself!?”
I really forgot about her. Welp, I guess I deserve to have rocks thrown at me by a losing heroine.
“Sorry, Yanami-san. I was too invested in the Sawagani crab and totally forgot about you. My bad.”
“Eh, you can still forget about me when I’m making poses in front of you…? Are Sawagani crabs that attractive…?”
Do you know how damn awesome this thing’s pincers are?
Even so, I don’t want to get stoned anymore. I comforted Yanami and took a photo of her.
“Did you take it properly, Nukumizu-kun? I look better than the crab, right?”
“Yeah, you look good. You look good.”
“Nukumizu-kun, I can’t feel any emotion in your words. Ah, Komari-chan, you want to take a photo with me too?”
Komari flinched at the sudden conversation.
“Ehh…? I-I’m good. I-I want to look at the crabs.”
“Komari-chan chooses the crab too…? Why does everyone love crabs so much? Is it because they are delicious?”
Everyone doesn’t just judge crabs based on their taste, okay?
“Alright, calm down, Yanami-san. Let’s record a video too, alright?”
“Oh, you’re smart. Nukumizu-kun starts to understand me too.”
Since when do I understand you? Guess I should watch out.
I calmly recorded a video of Yanami as I enjoyed the scenery around.
I think Yakishio’s grandma’s house is nearby. I wonder what Yakishio’s ancestors look like when they live in the mountains.
….Hmm? Yanami isn’t moving. I’m recording a video for you here.
“Why aren’t you moving?”
Yanami tidied her hair embarrassedly.
“You tell me to move, but I can’t think of a proper way right now. I thought about singing a song, but I forgot the lyrics.”
“How about a nursery rhyme? Like Elephant-san.”
“Don’t you think it’s really pathetic to sing a nursery rhyme in the mountains? Is your brain alright?”
I guess I’m not alright.
In the end, Yanami just waved her hand. What a boring video. Suddenly, another person appeared on the screen.
A petite face wrapped around by short hair, there are tans on her limbs too.
The person is who we’re looking for, …Yakishio.
“…!”
Just as I’m about to yell, Yakishio gives me a mischievous smile and put her finger on her mouth. I guess she wants me to remain quiet.
Yakishio crept toward Yanami. Yanami saw my weird reaction and tilted her head.
“What’s wrong, Nukumizu-kun? Is there a king crab? Or an opilio crab?”
Yakishio gradually approached Yanami. She slowly opened her arms.
“Uh, it’s something even rarer.”
“Really!? Don’t tell me it’s a horsehair crab?”
Yakishio hugged Yanami when she suddenly squatted down.
“…Ah.”
Both of them fell into the river on their backs. Screams can be heard.
…This isn’t my fault, right? The two of them fell on their own.
I even have the video as evidence. I don’t think I’ll be the suspect in any case.
I pressed the “Stop Recording” button and thought about Judo’s ranking as I went over to pull them up.
*
I leaned my body deep into the curved leg sofa and looked at the high duplex ceiling.
We’re in Yakishio’s grandma’s house. Yakishio brought all of us here after falling into the river.
This is a lonely house away from the village. Unexpectedly, the design is after a double-story mansion. Yakishio said that this was rebuilt from a cheap villa.
Since her grandpa works overseas, grandma is the only one living here. I think she’s shopping outside right now.
The second floor faces the hollowed-out patio. There are several doors in the corridor, which means that there are a lot of rooms. Not much furniture is in here.
A bunch of English books is shoved onto the bookshelf at first glance.
At this time, Yakishio and Yanami are taking a bath. I glanced at Komari. Her entire body is buried in the gigantic sofa. Then, I walked toward Tsukinoki-senpai. She’s shaking on the massaging chair.
“Senpai, can we talk?”
“What’s wrong, kouhai? I’m relieving my stiff body. …Phwah, this is where my pelvis…should stay…”
Tsukinoki-senpai looks fully intoxicated.
I looked at the door to the changing room. Yanami isn’t coming out yet.
“Forget about your pelvis. We’ve already found Yakishio. What should we do next?”
“You want me to answer you? Yakishio-chan looks pretty energetic. Isn’t that nice? Ohhhh….”
The chair is smacking senpai’s back. Her body is shivering along with it.
“I’m saying that it’s understandable if she looks clearly depressed, but it makes people feel there’s something wrong with her if she looks so energetic.”
Indeed, based on that model-like appearance back then, Yakishio is a bit too excited. Even though she looks cheerful, I don’t think she’s okay.
“One of your bad points is that you always try to solve something right away.”
“Ha…”
“Being energetic on the surface is still energetic, alright? The first thing we should do is stay with her.”
I can hear the sound of gas being released. The massaging chair stopped moving.
Tsukinoki-senpai came off the chair. She shook Komari’s shoulder, who was taking a nap.
“Alright, the chair’s empty. It’s your turn, Komari-chan.”
“Uwah!? M-My shoulders a-aren’t stiff…”
“Don’t say that. It would help if you got a massage for future reference. Come, sit here.”
Komari was dragged onto the chair forcefully. Her petite body made a deafening scream. This girl’s scream is just as cute as ever.
“Yo, everyone’s having fun. Isn’t this chair nice? I sit on it every day.”
Yakishio came back. She’s wiping her hair with a towel. The simple t-shirt and shorts match her really well.
“Are you hurt anywhere, Yakishio?”
“I’ve told you I’m fine. It’s just that I didn’t expect to fall into the river as well. Yana-chan is heavier than I thought-“
“Remon-chan, what did you just say!?”
Yanami’s voice came from the changing room.
“Nothing at all! I was just about to say it-“
“I heard you! By the way, sneak over here, Remon-chan!”
She said sneak, yet her voice was so loud.
Yakishio whispered with Yanami in the changing room for a few moments. After that, she ran back here and took Yanami’s white bag.
“What’s wrong with Yanami-san? Is she hurt?”
Yakishio waved her hands in front of me.
“Nope, Yana-chan wearing clothes in my size seems too-“
“Remon-chan! Didn’t I tell you to keep this a secret!?”
“Sorry, I forgot. It’s just Nukkun, anyway. It’s fine.”
“You’re right!”
Is it fine, though?
…I listened to their conversation. It’s hard to believe that happened just 4 days ago.
Nothing has happened. Everything is like before. If only that’s true.
Yakishio sat next to me when I pondered about it on the sofa.
I can smell shampoo, soap, and a faint citrus scent.
“Nukkun, what were you guys doing back there?”
“We were…just hanging out there. It’s a coincidence. I nearly jumped when Yakishio popped out.”
“Heh, you’re saying that like I’m a tanuki.”
Both of us laughed after that. Silence ensues. However, Yakishio calmly broke it at the next second.
“Nukkun lied, right? You asked Mom, right?”
“Eh? No, well…”
“Thanks. Don’t worry about me.”
She suddenly stood up. I didn’t even have the chance to peek at her expression.
The entrance door was opened. An old lady came inside.
“I’m back, Remon. We have guests?”
The white hair represented her age. However, she looks brilliant while standing straight. I can’t look away from her.
Her face has wrinkles, but it doesn’t affect her elegance. She must be gorgeous when she was young. This old lady has to be Yakishio’s grandma.
“Grandma! Welcome back!”
Yakishio dashed over and took Grandma’s shopping bag.
“My friends from school came around here. I brought them to our house after wetting my clothes.”
“Remon, did you play by the river again? Did you cause any trouble to your friends?”
“It’s fine. We just fell into the river together.”
Grandma dropped her jaw. Tsukinoki-senpai approached her.
“Sorry for the intrusion. We’re classmates with Remon-kouhai. All of us are in the Literature Club. I’m sorry for our sudden visit.”
“Hiya, welcome, welcome. It must be a long trip. Is the friend who’s fallen into the river okay?”
Grandma reached her hand out. Tsukinoki-senpai held it.
“Yeah, she’s borrowing the bathroom right now. Remon-kouhai was a great help.”
“I’m relieved to hear that. I don’t think this child just dragged you guys into the house, right?”
She glanced at her granddaughter after that. Yakishio rolled her tongue out and shrugged.
“Remon-chan, didn’t you say there’s ice cream after the bath?”
Yanami walked out of the changing room with a towel on her shoulders. Her scorching cheeks look very doughy.
She immediately freaked out and straightened her back after seeing Grandma.
“Ah, sorry for the intrusion! I’m your granddaughter’s classmate.”
“Oh, welcome. Sorry, it seems that my granddaughter is a bit impolite to you all. Remon, did you serve tea to your friends?”
“Yes, yes, yes, I’ll go make them now. Grandma, I’ll grab the ice cream as well.”
Yakishio walked to the kitchen with Grandma.
…Isn’t this weird. Even though she’s Yakishio’s grandparent, Grandma is unexpectedly reliable.
I looked at the grandparent and grandchild’s departure. At this time, Yanami quickly sat next to me.
A sweet scent is tickling my nostrils. Even though they use the same shampoo and soap, how are their scents so different?
“I’ve heard from Remon-chan in the bath. Her grandma used to be a university professor.”
In other words, Yakishio is the granddaughter of a retired university professor.
“How come she turns out like this with such a grandparent…?”
“I wonder why…”
Yakishio and Grandma brought us a plate of wheat tea and ice cream.
“Please enjoy these, everyone. We can have dinner together if you don’t mind.”
Don’t tell me eating dinner here is part of the girls’ plan too? I hesitated to accept the offer. Yakishio’s grandma clapped.
“Right, with the rare opportunity, let’s have sushi, alright? Anyone not like anything?”
“We’re causing you too much trouble- Uwah!?”
A cushion was glued to my face when I tried to reject politely.
“Eat! I can eat anything!”
Yanami used all of her strength and pushed me onto the sofa. She answered with a clear voice.
“H-Hey, Yanami-san, breathe…!”
“Can you remain quiet for a second, Nukumizu-kun?”
…Being pushed over by a girl at 15 years old. I’m planning to brag about this to someone in the future.
*
The sky goes dark really fast in the mountains. The night is already everywhere as soon as the sun goes down from the mountain top.
I sat next to the table and observed the night sky through the skylight.
Even though the moon is out today, I can still see the stars.
“Nukumizu-kun, you aren’t eating? It’ll be all gone if you don’t hurry up.”
Yanami’s cheerful voice interrupted my train of sentimental thoughts. She shoved eel sushi into her mouth. Her hand pressed against her cheeks as she shivered.
“This eel is so soft! Delicious! Ah, can I grab some sweet vinegar ginger?”
Yanami poured a mountain’s worth of sweet vinegar ginger into her plate. After that, she shoved half of that into her mouth.
“Aren’t you reducing your sugar intake? Isn’t there a lot of rice in sushi?”
“I’m just controlling my intake of snacks. Do you know why? Balancing between sugar and lipid is of the utmost importance when it comes to beauty. …By the way, Nukumizu-kun, you can’t even finish sushi in one bite?”
Why are you complaining about how other people eat sushi? I ignored her and put half a slice of egg sushi into my mouth.
"Won’t you get tired with a mouth full of stuff? That’s why people take breaks during meals.”
“Eating…tires people out…?”
Yanami’s face is full of disbelief.
Jesus, how about this? I put a bucket of sukeroku sushi in front of Yanami. [TL: It combines sushi roll and oily tofu sushi.]
“Here, look at this maki sushi. Get it? This is literally too big to finish in one bite-“
“Hmm? What’s this? Can I have it?”
With that, she shoved the entire thing in one go.
Instead of saying I dropped my jaw, it’s more like my mind left my body when I saw how she ate it. Ah, she swallowed it already.
“I guess…it feels nice to finish it in one bite. I should try it too.”
“I don’t really get it, but try your best. Ah, can I have another eel sushi?”
Yanami put another eel sushi into her mouth.
A lot of the sushi buckets around Yanami are already empty…
“You should hurry up too, Komari. The sushi is disappearing faster than I’ve thought.”
As for Komari, she just stared at the salmon roe gunkan sushi without moving.
“S-Salmon roe, …t-this is my first time eating it, …so I-I’m a bit scared…”
I see. Girls should treasure their first time, after all. I should leave her alone.
I sipped some fish Bolognese soup and observed everyone.
Yakishio’s grandma and Tsukinoki-senpai are unexpectedly close. They are having fun talking about cooking.
I can hear the term “bride training” from senpai from time to time. Is she serious about the permanent employment thing she said in the clubroom…?
Yakishio picked some relatively expensive sushi and put them onto Komari’s plate.”
“Here, Komari-chan. You should try these out.”
“S-Sea urchin and…m-mushroom?”
“This is abalone, okay? It’s so soft and tasty.”
“Ohh, …I-I’ve never tried a-any of these before.”
Komari keeps having her first-times taken away. This must be an experience during the summer, right?
I stopped after eating 6 nigiri sushi and a piece of inari sushi. I observed Yakishio as I ate chawanmushi with a spoon.
…In the end, I still couldn’t have a proper talk with Yakishio. Her grandma is here too. I can’t just bring what happened up.
Yakishio noticed my look. She put her wooden bowl of fish Bolognese soup on the table.
“What’s wrong, Nukkun? You’ve been staring at me.”
“Ah, it’s nothing. I’m just thinking about when you’ll go back.”
“I still haven’t decided yet. I’ll probably stay here until the day before the opening ceremony. Ah, I’ll still go to school on time, alright?”
Yakishio put the lid on the wooden bowl calmly and smiled.
…Whatever, I guess that calls a day. I finished the chawanmushi and closed my hands.
Yakishio can communicate properly, and she has an appetite as well. The best out of the worst is that she’s not in the same class as Ayano and Asagumo-san. I can imagine things will die down when the new term starts, right.
Actually, there’s no need for this to be solved at all as well. Reality isn’t a game or novel, after all. No one knows whether there’s a correct answer. Everyone just tries to live their days out in constant confusion.
In Yanami’s words, we only need to let Yakishio knows we care about her. At least that’s the best we can do right now.
*
It’s already completely dark outside.
The sukeroku sushi bucket in front of Yanami is already empty. Komari also bulged her eyes after her first taste of abalone. Tsukinoki-senpai is still chatting with Yakishio’s grandma.
“By the way, Yakishio-chan’s grandma, don’t you feel lonely living in the mountains alone?”
“There’s internet in the house. I don’t feel inconvenient at all. Moreover, my granddaughter brought her friends here as well.”
She reached her hand out and patted Yakishio’s head. Yakishio smiled excitedly and embarrassedly. With the opportunity, I spoke up to senpai.
“By the way, senpai, are we going to be fine going back? It’s pretty dark outside.”
“It’s fine. We’re just going back on the road. Nukumizu-kun surely loves worrying about things.”
Tsukinoki-senpai laughed cheerfully with a teacup in her hand.
I’m perturbed due to what happened during the day, but she’s the only one who can drive us back.
I made up my mind and chugged the tea. At this time, Yakishio suddenly thought of something and yelled.
“How about everyone just stays the night here!? We have a lot of rooms, anyway.”
No one answered. I spoke up.
“I really appreciate it, but none of us has spare clothes for change.”
…No, wait, I started searching my memory.
Yanami changed her clothes after falling into the river. Also, I think everyone but me has a big bag. I looked at Tsukinoki-senpai.
“…Senpai, don’t tell me you girls plan to stay here from the beginning?”
“Didn’t I say it before? Depending on the situation, we may have to stay over, and everyone should bring spare clothes just in case.”
She said that calmly, and then she froze for a moment. Then, she realized something and blinked.
“Ah, did I not tell Nukumizu-kun?”
That’s the first time I’ve heard about this. Come to think of it, this is how this person is.
“I came here with bare hands, okay? Moreover, we’ll definitely cause trouble for them if we suddenly decide to stay here, right?”
Indeed, there are too many things to prepare for a 4-people sleepover.
Yakishio’s grandma will be very bothered.
“Hiya, isn’t that great!? Grandma will be pleased if you guys can stay over!”
Yakishio’s grandma laughed and clapped.
….Come to think of it, we know about this place from Yakishio’s mother. It’s evident that Grandma knows we’re coming too. She must have considered the possibility of us spending the night here.
I sheepishly raised my hand.
“I’m sorry, …but I don’t have any spare clothes.”
“Leave it to Grandma.”
Yakishio’s grandma gave me a thumbs-up to ease my worries.
Yakishio and Yanami also followed and gave me thumbs-up. Even Tsukinoki-senpai did it too.
Komari looked around anxiously. She raised her thumb sheepishly as well.
…Even Komari is doing this.
It can’t be helped. I gave up and raised my thumb too.
*
Yakishio’s grandma brought me to a room on the second floor.
The bookshelf reaches the ceiling. It’s utterly filled with books. Most of them are about engineering, but there are some Japanese books.
“It’s a bit messy. Please spend the night in there today. My husband is always overseas. Make yourself at home.”
She said that as she handed me a stack of clean pajamas and underwear.
“I’ll give you a toothbrush later. Is there anything else you need?”
“No, I’m fine. Thank you very much…”
I can’t even speak properly. Even though she’s my friend’s grandma, I’m really anxious when someone I’ve just met is being so considerate to me.
Naturally, Grandma won’t know what I’m thinking. However, she suddenly lowered her head.
“Sorry for forcing you to stay here.”
“Eh? There’s no need to apologize to a kouhai like me for something so trivial.”
“You guys came here because all of you were worried about Remon, right?”
“Yeah, …we are.”
“Even though I don’t know what happened to Remon. She’s my granddaughter, after all. There’s something that I can’t ask her. I’m glad you guys are here.”
After that, Grandma looks at me like I’m her child.
“You’re Nukumizu-kun, right? You look slightly different from what I’ve heard from Remon, but Grandma will support you. Do your best.”
“…Ah?”
Do my best for what?
“You mean she talks about me in front of you?”
“Yeah, I’ve heard all kinds of things about you before. I didn’t expect for us to meet so early.”
Wait, this is getting more and more ridiculous. Before? Yakishio talked about me?
“Uh, please wait. I’m not Yakishio-san’s boyfriend. I’ve only started talking to her recently.”
“…Really?”
I nodded.
“I guess. Grandma, the person you have heard isn’t me. …It’s because something happened between him and your granddaughter. That’s why she suddenly came here.”
Ayano’s face came to my mind as I carefully chose my words.
Yakishio’s grandma thought about it for a moment. She asked me sternly after that.
“The person Nukumizu-kun mentioned…isn’t Remon’s boyfriend?”
I shook my head silently. The room is filled with an awkward silence.
“…I understand. I feel even more sorry for you guys. Remon really makes other people worry about her.”
“Ah, it’s nothing. In a sense, we’re involved in this matter as well.”
We are involved, but not like deeply involved. However, you can’t say we are irrelevant as well. People like us can’t exist. Well, it’s pointless to say that right now, anyway.
“Well, what do you think then?”
…What do you mean? I was confused. Yakishio’s grandma gave me a meaningful gaze.
“You know, Grandma thinks Remon is an adorable child.”
“Yes, you’re right. She’s popular in school as well.”
I agree in honesty. As for Grandma, she bulged her eyes and gave me a wink like her granddaughter.
“So, you should hurry up too.”
“Eh, what does that mean?”
Grandma didn’t answer. She turned around with a smile and opened the door.
“Anyway, Grandma really welcomes your visit. You should rest.”
*
Yanami’s full clear brought dinner to an end.
Everyone must be exhausted. All of us prepared to sleep right away after doing the dishes.
Yanami’s lying on the sofa with a full stomach. I dragged her into her bedroom. The once lively living room returned to silence.
“Yanami can get full as well…?”
In a light novel, this is like a strong character showing her soft side sometimes. That’s what we call a gap moe.
Moans let out by a satisfied foodie, …does that count as moe? At least, I don’t think so.
I lay on the bed and looked at the ceiling.
I don’t have the energy to tidy up my messy brain. I just turned over and entered dreamland.
*
…I don’t know how long I’ve slept.
The clock is barely visible in the darkness. It’s already the next day.
Feeling thirsty, I walked out of the room and headed to the first floor. We can have as many beverages as we want in the fridge. Well, I shall accept the gratitude.
I was heading back after getting a bottle of mineral water, but I suddenly discovered someone sitting on the sofa in the gloomy living room.
“…Yanami-san?”
“Oh, Nukumizu-kun, are you still awake?”
Her cheerful voice remains the same. It looks like Yanami’s stomach has conquered the sushi already.
I hesitated for a moment before sitting on the sofa.
“I’m a bit thirsty. Is Yakishio in bed already?”
All of the girls should be in the same room.
“She just said she wanted to run for a bit.”
“Right now?”
I couldn’t help but stand up, but I instantly changed my mind.
I’ll just get lost because I’m not familiar with the place. I gave up and twisted the cap open.
“I can’t sleep because she said that as well.”
Yanami stretched her back.
I carefully listened to my surroundings to see if anyone was there.
“Yanami-san, did you tell Yakishio what happened before?”
“About her accidentally confessing?”
I nodded my head while Yanami shook hers.
“I see, but it’s indeed really hard to tell her.”
“Hmm, that’s part of the reason. How should I put it? I feel like I’ll say something bad if I do tell her.”
Something bad…?
“I decided to intervene because I don’t want other people to see Remon-chan as evil, but how should I say this? What I mean is that-“
Yanami looked at the gloomy and tall ceiling as she searched for the right words.
“…I can’t support either side about this.”
“You can’t support?”
Yanami looks serious.
“I understand that Asagumo-san has been very worried about this since the start of their relationship. Her own boyfriend is always closer to Remon-chan than her. He also looks completely different when he’s with her.”
Yanami kept fiddling her fingers and continued.
“But that can’t be helped, right? The boyfriend has spent a lot of time with Remon-chan and has accumulated a bunch of memories, yet the boyfriend still loves Asagumo-san. So, she should tell her boyfriend if she worries about it. Using vague tests to verify their feelings is definitely wrong!”
Yanami took a deep breath and closed her eyes.
“Here’s an example. I think Karen-chan must feel insecure at times after going out, right? She must be able to see part of my shadow when she’s with Sosuke, right?”
…Her shadow. I thought about what she said.
“Eh, don’t tell me Yanami-san also stalks-“
“Why would I do that!?”
Yanami sighed dumbfoundedly.
“This is one of your bad points, Nukumizu-kun. …I’m saying examples like how Auntie reacts when they are going to Sosuke’s house and how Sosuke frequently goes to a small store that boys don’t really go to. Karen-chan must know I’m that person, right? Also, she must be worried when she sees something that’s standing out in Sosuke’s room. Karen-chan can definitely guess either I gave that to Sosuke or we went outside to buy it.”
Well, it’s not like they can’t just throw all of that away.
Yanami noticed something and frowned.
“…Hmm? Have those two gone this far already…? It’s more like they have gone well past that stage, right. Uwah, what am I even thinking in the middle of the night?”
Shit, Yanami fell into the losing heroine spiral.
“Are you okay? Do you need a sugar cube?”
She didn’t answer. Instead, she started counting quietly.
“Uh, …Yanami-san?”
Yanami suddenly clapped her kneecaps.
“Alright, it’s over! I’m already fine!”
Glad to hear that. It looks like she got over it.
“Where were we? Uh, Karen-chan won’t test Sosuke. The possibility of her dragging me into it…is probably minuscule, but she still has her own consideration. She definitely won’t behave like Asagumo-san.”
“The boyfriend has his own issues too, right?”
I interrupted her forcefully.
…Of course, that wasn’t what I honestly thought when I interrupted her.
It’s just that I don’t want Yanami to continue anymore. That unreasonable urge caused me to act.
Yanami’s lips curled down after being interrupted by me. She doesn’t seem to find this acceptable.
“You’re right, but…”
“I know Ayano isn’t a bad person, but I disagree with him getting away with making other people worry just because he’s dense. He’s clearly making Asagumo-san anxious, right?”
“But Asagumo-“
“Stop it.”
I raised my hand without hesitation. Yanami frowned in surprise.
“What’s wrong with you? Nukumizu-kun.”
“No, how should I put it? I just don’t want to see Yanami-san badmouthing others.”
What am I even saying? Even I’m disgusted by myself.
“Sorry, I just said something weird. Anyway, I should be the one to say bad things. Yanami-san, you should-“
“Alright, I got it!”
Yanami suddenly stood up.
“Well, this is what I have to say at last! Remon-chan didn’t hide her feelings properly at all! If she can treat this as an accident, then why didn’t she just confess a year prior!?”
Like you’re the one to talk. Yanami continued presenting her final argument excitedly.
“Whether it’s Asagumo-san or Ayano-kun, both need to properly communicate to ease their worries if they love each other! All three of them are bad! They must reflect on themselves!”
Yanami took a deep breath after saying that out loud.
“Alright, that’s all I have to vent. Now I’m the good child Yanami-chan!”
“Ohh, welcome back, the good child Yanami-san.”
…Her way of talking is a bit over, but Yanami’s right.
In the end, this requires proper communication between Ayano and Asagumo-san.
Also, Yakishio is being too careless for getting voluntarily swept into this incident. Ayano and Asagumo-san ignored others when they dragged Yakishio into this.
“But I’m Remon-chan’s friend. I’ll definitely tell her this if I can.”
The good child Yanami paused for a moment.
“…What would you say?”
I urged her to continue. Yanami showed an expression that I had never seen before.
“I’ll tell her, why don’t you just go out with him?”
I’m staring at Yanami’s unprecedented expression in the gloomy room. I can’t look away from her.
“Why can’t she just take him away? Asagumo-san has mentioned she doesn’t mind giving up.”
“But that-“
“-Isn’t what Remon-chan wishes for, right? Even though I can’t accept this, I still know that she’s right.”
Yanami returned to her chuckles and sat back down on the sofa.
…I chugged the bottle of mineral water at once to cover the awkwardness.
I can clearly feel how much better Yanami is than me at this moment.
Yanami has lost, but she did fall in love. She can tell everyone her opinion without fear. I’m like a child in front of her sometimes. It makes me anxious.
“…I’ll go for a walk.”
“Right now?”
“The moon is quite pretty outside. I just want to walk.”
After that, my heart gradually calms down.
…I couldn’t do anything when I chased after Yakishio. Her lonely shoulders on the bus are still a fresh memory in my mind.
Yanami glared at me silently. She calmly spoke up.
“…There’s a shrine on our way here if you walk down.”
“Why did you bring that up?”
“Remon-chan says she always goes there when there’s something on her mind.”
Yanami rubbed her sleepy eyes. I looked away to cover my embarrassment.
“…I’m not going to find Yakishio.”
“Heh, then I’ll go.”
Yanami looked at me cheerfully. She’s messing with me.
“-and then I’ll turn Remon-chan into a naughty child like me.”
“…Please spare her.”
It’s already enough with a naughty child like you. This can’t be helped. I decided to stand up.
*
The pale moonlight sprinkles along the cobblestone path that I tread.
I scratched the sleeves of my shirt. I just returned to my room and changed into the clothes I wore during the day. Even though I wouldn’t say I like wearing the same clothes twice a day, I don’t want to have a serious conversation in my pajamas.
“Is Yakishio really there…?”
There’s no light along this mountain path. I can’t even see my shoes if the shades of trees cover the moonlight.
After a while, paved roads appeared beneath my feet. I paid attention to my battery as I opened the map. The shrine seems to be ahead.
I left the path and made my way to the shrine. The scenery seems much broader.
There are a few enormous cypress trees here.
The moon is hiding behind the clouds. Heavy darkness covers the surrounding. I just stood there, not moving an inch. Then…
-Sha.
I can hear someone kicking the ground gently.
I faced toward the sound’s direction and waited for a moment. The clouds soon floated away. Moonlight is shining across the cypress forest.
Someone’s in the woods.
-Sha.
The person who kicked off the ground and dashed out was Yakishio.
Then, she quickly stopped and bundled her hair together.
Her sweat is flying off in mid-air and sparkling in the moonlight.
-Gorgeous.
That’s the only thing I can think of right now. I watched the scenery before me dazedly.
Yakishio returned to her initial position. She quickly made a pose and dashed before stopping again.
She keeps doing that repeatedly.
I don’t know how many times I’ve watched her. Yakishio’s already looking at me when I snap out of it.
I feel like someone in a picture is looking at me. It’s strange.
“Ah, Nukkun. What’s wrong? It’s so late.”
Her tone remained casual. She has always been like this. Then, she brushed her hair.
“I’ve heard Yakishio’s going for a jog, so I’m a bit worried.”
“Glad you’re here. I’m practicing my starts. Help me count my time.”
Yakishio threw me a stopwatch. I finally managed to grab it after it bounced several times in my hand.
“I’ll leave it to you. Press it when I pass that tree.”
“Oh, got it.”
The distance is only around 5 meters. Start, and then stop. Rinse and repeat.
“How long did I take?”
“Let’s see. Exactly one second.”
“That’s not what I’ve counted at all. Are you taking your job seriously?”
“Of course, it’s just that humans can’t count decimals at all.”
“That’s impossible. You should at least aim for a single decimal.”
Yakishio laughed as she wiped the sweat off her face with the bottom of her shirt. Even though I can see her tanned stomach, she doesn’t seem to mind at all.
“I’m a bit tired after all that running. Nukkun, do you want to take a break?”
“Yakishio can feel tired as well?”
“Who do you think I am? I get tired as well.”
A tired Yakishio. This is another rare sight after Yanami with a full stomach.
The shrine is in front of the cypress forest. Yakishio walked toward the main hall.
“There’s really no one here. This is the first time I’ve visited this shrine too.”
Yakishio passed through the two torii in the courtyard. She turned around and waved at me.
She feels like she’ll bring me into another world. After that, I passed through the torii as well.
Yakishio sat on a bench and knocked on an empty spot next to her. I hesitated for a moment and sat on the other end.
“Going your way out to visit me this late, do you have- …aren’t you sitting too far away!?”
“Ah, but-“
Yakishio moved closer to me.
“We couldn’t talk like that. Moreover, it hurts me when you purposefully distance yourself from me.”
Yakishio protested calmly. I gave her a genuine apology.
“Whatever, I forgive you. Well, you’re here because of what happened earlier, right?”
“I guess. I know how you feel, but everyone is worried when you just disappear without a trace.”
“Sorry, this is one of my bad habits. I always try to run away when I’m scared.”
Yakishio looked at the sky with mixed feelings.
“I’ve never thought about confessing, but I don’t know what I can do after things turn out like this.”
I understand that you want to run away. After all, that’s a terrible way to represent something you’ve decided to keep deep inside your heart forever.
“I’m thinking whether time can gradually wash this away, and things can return to normal after-“
“That’s impossible.”
Having your true feelings known by a male friend who has a partner, those two’s relationship can never return to what they were before.
Obviously, the two can’t go out alone like they used to anymore.
“I can’t stay next to Mitsuki as a friend anymore? Even though I don’t want to interrupt the two of them?”
Yakishio looked at me with her crystal-clear eyes. I suppressed my desire to comfort her and shook my head gently.
“Yakishio has seen Ayano privately, right? I saw you two coincidentally before.”
“Y-You saw us!? W-Well! T-That’s-“
Yakishio immediately stood up and freaked out. I raised my hands to signal her to calm down. This is my usual gesture toward Kaju when she’s too excited.
“It’s fine. I know. He just wanted to discuss things with you. That’s all, right?”
“…You even know that as well?”
Yakishio collapsed onto the bench.
“Ahaha, …you know everything. That’s a bit embarrassing.”
Yakishio scratched her cheeks to cover her embarrassment.
“Ah, don’t tell me Yana-chan knows too?”
“Hmm, I guess. Also, Komari probably noticed it very early on. Tsukinoki-senpai knows about this too.”
“Uwah, even Komari-chan knows too.”
“Also, there’s no way things can stay the same when Ayano knows your feelings.”
“You’re right, …and I understand as well.”
Yakishio’s head plopped down. After a while, she carefully chose her words and slowly squeezed a sentence out.
“Mitsuki. …He doesn’t know how much distance he should keep from Asagumo-san.”
Yakishio picked up a pebble next to her feet and threw it out.
The pebble seemed to be absorbed by the darkness. I couldn’t even hear the sound of it falling to the ground.
“Look, this is his first time having a girlfriend, right? For example, …how much should he answer Asagumo-san’s request? How should they deepen their relationship? He’s having trouble over these things.”
“No, hear me out. Forget about him discussing relationships with you, asking a girl how to make a couple closer is a big no-no. Moreover, you actually don’t want him to ask you about that, right?”
Yakishio waved her hands dumbfoundedly.
“Listen, I’m not a child anymore. I know they’re going out. I’m a high school student, you know?”
…Yakishio seems to have accepted that very early on.
Although Ayano and Asagumo-san’s progress is minuscule compared to Hakamada and his wife Himemiya (scheduled), they are a high school couple. I bet their relationship will deepen at their own pace.
“Trivial things like holding hands are bound to happen. Not to mention they will-“
“Eh? They have already kissed, right?”
“Kiss!?”
Yakishio quickly reacted.
I don’t know how I should say this. Anyway, Yakishio is trembling and shivering.
“T-They have…already…kissed…?”
Oops. She didn’t know that. Ayano actually does care about Yakishio’s feelings but in weird places.
“Ah, that can’t be helped, right? They are dating, after all.”
“But this is too fast, right?”
“You think I can judge whether that’s fast or slow?”
“…Nope.”
Glad you can understand. Perhaps everyone has forgotten already, but I’m Nukumizu, you know?
“I guess. …They are going out, after all.”
Yakishio hugged her legs and buried her face into them.
“I know, but, but-“
“Yakishio, I feel like the same thing will happen again if you two keep trying to be friends like you’ve used to.”
“…Yes.”
“I don’t mean to say that you two can’t be friends anymore. However, even if your relationship with Ayano remains unchanged, the situation between Ayano and Asagumo-san will.”
“…Yeah, I understand. That’s why I want to listen to Ayano’s trouble as a friend. I wasn’t thinking about anything else. I just tried to convey my kindness to him as suggestions. I thought I had accepted the reality as well, okay? I thought I could do it. But-“
Yakishio’s body straightened up and mumbled.
“…I want him to think I’m cute.”
Cute…? Well, we’re talking about a girl seeing her beloved boy, after all.
“What’s wrong with such a trivial thing like that?”
She shook her head after listening to me.
“Aren’t my hair and clothes always soaked with sweat after my club? Even though I used to go home without a care, I started worrying about whether I smelled when I had to meet with Mitsuki. Yet, I didn’t want him to think I spent extra time preparing myself. So, I went back home, changed my clothes, and went back to school to pretend that I had just finished my club. I even prepared another set of uniforms in the clubroom to avoid getting home late.”
Yakishio closed her eyes and smiled cheerfully. She must have remembered how blessed she was when they were alone.
“At first, I really just wanted to listen to his trouble. However, I felt really excited after seeing each other. …I thought about how good it would be if this could continue forever. Then…”
Yakishio’s lips trembled slightly. She then clenched her fists.
“-Then, one time, and it really happened once only, a bad idea appeared in my mind.”
“A bad idea…?”
“If only they could break up. Such a terrible thought…came to my mind.”
Yakishio started choking before she could finish her sentence.
I dropped my jaw. Yanami’s words flashed in my head.
“Why can’t she just take him away-“
Yanami looked like she was an entirely different person when she said that.
I held my breath and observed Yakishio. She bit her lips and tried her best to hold back her tears.
“Mitsuki b-believed…me, yet I…”
Yakishio wrapped her arms around her shivering body.
“I…I’m nothing but a bad girl.”
A massive drop of tear dripped from Yakishio’s eyes. Then, the dam collapsed, and everything came watering down.
Perhaps she was at her limit. She cried to her heart’s fullest.
“I-I’m…sorry. …I’m r-really sorry.”
Yakishio wept like a child. As for me, I sat next to her silently.
The only thing I can do is stay with her.
-Perhaps Yakishio may forget about what happened tonight.
Yet, I made up my mind. I absolutely can’t forget her tears today.
*
An unknown amount of time has passed.
Yakishio has calmed down slightly. She wept as she wiped her tears with the back of her hand.
“…Sorry, I just keep talking about myself.”
“Don’t worry about it. If anything, I should apologize for forcing you to say something like that.”
Yakishio shook her head. She seemingly said it was nothing.
“Hehe, …you’ve seen my embarrassing side once again. Don’t tell other people I’ve cried, okay?”
She laughed with tears in her eyes. I followed her and chuckled as well.
“I can keep this a secret, but there’s something I want to talk about. Can you listen to me?”
“So it’s like hush money? Sure, what is it?”
I cleared my throat with a cough.
“This happened to one of my female friends.”
“Nukkun, you have a friend…?”
Please don’t worry about that.
“Yes, for real. That friend is just like Yakishio. Her closest boy got a girlfriend.”
“…Yes.”
“She did give them her blessings, and she didn’t try to intervene. However, from my perspective, she seems…”
“…What’s wrong with her?”
“…She’ll swoop in if she even has the slightest chance.”
“Swoop in!? She is a bad girl! Nukkun, you befriended a bad girl!?”
Regrettably, yes.
“Yet, she doesn’t want to ruin their relationship, so she decides to construct a new one. To enable herself to support those two sincerely, she’s still searching for a new distance between the couple. It’s because she doesn’t want to deny her feelings, but she also doesn’t want to deny how much she wants to stay next to her.”
“You try to sugarcoat it, but she’s just looking for an opportunity, right?”
Well, I guess.
“What’s the conclusion of this?”
Indeed, I looked to the night sky and started pondering about it.
“Let me think. Compared to her, Yakishio is definitely a good girl, alright? What do you think?”
Yakishio also stared at the sky.
“…Maybe. I think I feel better now.”
Glad you feel better now. Thank you, bad girl.
Yakishio put her hands behind her. We looked upward together.
“I’m a blessed person, okay? Even though I did something like that, everyone still came all this way to comfort me.”
“Well, you’re Yakishio, after all. Everyone cares about you because they believe in you.”
“…Eh?”
“Nukkun seems really gentle and kind today. What’s wrong? Did you get a cat?”
“Nope, …this is just midnight feelings. Forget about it.”
Midnight is bad. Yanami will absolutely tease the shit out of me if she sees this. I looked around subconsciously.
“What’s wrong? You seem startled.”
“I just think it’s almost time to go back. Yanami-san is worried about you as well.”
“Oh, did I wake Yana-chan up? I did a bad thing.”
I stood up and patted my pants.
Yakishio thought of something when she planned to stand up. She sat down again.
“Hand.”
Yakishio reached her hands out toward me.
“What’s wrong? Did a bug-“
I bitterly smiled in the middle and reached my hands out to her.
Then, Yakishio held my hand and stood up.
“Nukkun is getting reliable.”
“It’s midnight, after all. Yeah, it’s because it’s midnight.”
I quickly stepped forward to cover my embarrassment. Yakishio walked next to me.
“Nukkun.”
“What?”
“I promise I’ll explain this to Mitsuki and Asagumo-san properly.”
“Even Asagumo-san too?”
“Yeah, I met with her boyfriend in secret, after all. I want to apologize to her in person.”
…Yakishio doesn’t seem to know that Asagumo-san already knows this.
Even though I struggle with whether I should tell her, I think I’m not supposed to be the one to say it.
Whether it’s Yakishio or Asagumo-san, the best for both worlds is that they communicate themselves.
“Sure, I’ll help you tell Asagumo-san. She’s very worried about you as well. She even came to me a couple of times.”
“Thanks, I’ll leave it to you. I’ll cooperate with Asagumo-san’s schedule.”
With how Asagumo-san looked yesterday, I guess their meeting won’t go wrong.
“…There’s one more thing. Nukkun, I want you to help me.”
Yakishio lowered her head. Her face seems anxious.
“Sure, what do you want me to do?”
“I’m still terrified if I have to talk to Mitsuki. …I’ll probably run away if no one’s watching me. Uh, so-“
Yakishio grabbed the bottom of my shirt tightly with both of her hands.
“So, can you go with me!? I’m not saying that you have to watch me. I just think that I can muster my courage if someone’s there. Well, I’m really sorry for causing you trouble constantly, but I-“
“Yeah, I don’t mind.”
Yakishio froze for a moment upon hearing my answer.
“…Eh? Are you sure? That’s a half-hearted reply.”
“Just because I answer half-heartedly doesn’t mean I think about this half-heartedly. How should I explain this to you?”
“What do you mean?”
“It’s not that big of a deal. …That’s what I think.”
“Heh, I thought you would say something cool.”
“I only say cool lines at key moments.”
Yakishio put her hands on her waist dumbfoundedly. She even sighed explicitly.
“That’s why I don’t like this part of you, Nukkun.”
Yakishio turned around and strolled forward with light steps.
“Which part are we talking about here…?”
She seems to have heard my mumbles. Yakishio turned around and showed her shiny teeth toward me.
“I’m not telling you.”
After that, Yakishio walked faster.
*
It’s the morning. Yanami clapped her hands and said, “Thanks for the food.” She stacked the plates together sleepily.
“I’m tired. …Nukumizu-kun, aren’t you tired?”
“I’m fine. I immediately went to bed after coming back. Yanami-san, did you not sleep?”
I put the last bit of orange jam onto my last bite of toast. Yakishio’s grandma’s special orange jam’s sweetness is just right. It’s delicious.
“I don’t remember when did I go to bed. I’m so tired that I didn’t even eat much for breakfast.”
After that, she yawned without covering her mouth. Sidenote: this girl ate three pieces of toast for breakfast.
…Yanami waited outside the entrance when Yakishio and I came back yesterday.
The two girls had a small chat, poked each other’s waist while chuckling, and returned to their room. After watching them, I just collapsed onto the bed and slept without even changing my clothes.
Then, Yakishio pushed open the door and slapped me up this morning.
“Komari-chan, you want another bowl of salad? You only finished half of your toast.”
“W-Woke up too early. C-Can’t finish it…”
Yakishio talked to Komari when she was having an uphill battle with the remaining half of the toast.
Yakishio seems just as cheerful and energetic this morning.
Her wobbly feeling from before has already disappeared.
This is probably my one-sided thought. However, even so, I still think that period of time isn’t meaningless.
I sipped some black tea while watching Yakishio and the girls having fun. Then, I saw Yanami’s eyes.
“Oi, Nukumizu-kun. That t-shirt.”
“Oh, this one? Yakishio gave it to me. I have to wash it and give it back to her.”
Remember I said I didn’t have spare clothes? I’m glad she can lend me that.
Then, Yakishio interrupted us when she was still teasing Komari.
“That’s mine. Glad that the size is right.”
“Ah, this is Yakishio’s shirt? Eh? Really? Should I take it off?”
I thought this was Yakishio’s grandpa’s. Even though it’s washed, will I really be forgiven for wearing a girl’s clothes?
“It’s just spare clothes. I was going to give this to Yana-chan yesterday, but the size-“
“Remon-chan!?”
Yanami yelled. Oh, this is the one Yanami tried to wear, but she didn’t fit.
“Didn’t I tell you to keep this a secret!?”
“It’s Nukkun. It doesn’t matter, right?”
“It matters a lot!”
Sheesh, these two are already so loud in the morning. I stacked the plates together after drinking the last sip of red tea.
Just as I’m planning to stand up to tidy up the utensils, I glance at this shirt I’ve borrowed from Yakishio once again.
…This shirt seems too tight for Yanami to wear. There’s no way she has a wider shoulder than I do. In other words, it’s the bust that doesn’t fit…?
Ah, shit. Loads of imagination appeared in my brain.
I tried to calm myself down by remembering Kaju’s face. At this time, a slim arm hugged my shoulders.
“Yo, playboy. You had fun yesterday, right?”
Tsukinoki-senpai hugged my shoulders intimately.
“Please don’t whisper to me suddenly. By the way, can you let me go?”
Please spare me. I barely calmed down. What a waste.
“I think you’re going well. Nukumizu-kun is unexpectedly capable.”
“I didn’t really do anything…”
I changed my mind in the middle.
“In the end, we can only watch over them. Also, can you let me go?”
“Hiya, you’re embarrassed even when it’s me? Onee-san is really happy here.”
Tsukinoki-senpai rubbed my head chicly.
“N-Nukumizu…even s-sexually harasses senpai as well.”
Komari raised her head. She’s looking at me like I’m a piece of garbage. I’m used to it at this point.
“Wait, I’m the one being sexually harassed, right?”
Yes, this is precisely the kind of bias that causes my reputation to plummet.
I ran away and watched the lively girls from a distance. At this time, Yakishio’s grandma came to me with a teapot.
“Nukumizu-kun, do you want another cup of black tea?”
“No, thanks.”
Grandma nodded. Her eyes squinted as she looked at Yakishio and the girls chuckling as if they were too bright.
“Remon has some excellent friends.”
“Not really, right? Girls from literature clubs have a special kind of courage, or you can say the kind that causes headaches.”
“Hiya, I’m actually talking about you, Nukumizu-kun.”
Grandma smacked my back as she joined Yakishio’s group with a smile.
…I finally know why Yakishio loves hitting my back.
I turned from their waves of laughter and walked to the kitchen with the utensils.
Intermission: JR Central Iida Line Hon-Nagashino Station
Hon-Nagashino Station, Iida Line. There’s an SUV parked before
the station. A tanned girl walked off of it.
“Thanks, Grandma. I’ll call you once I get home.”
The person waving at the driver is Remon Yakishio.
The windows lowered. Yakishio’s grandma looked at her
lovingly.
“Remon, I can just drive you home as well.”
“It’s fine. I’m good. I need some time to think about stuff.”
“I see. Well, stay safe on your way home.”
“Alright, Grandma.”
Remon hugged Grandma across the window.
…4 days ago, Grandma suddenly received a call from Yakishio.
Grandma quickly came to the station to pick Yakishio up upon
knowing she was there. At that time, Yakishio looked like a doll plastered with
a smiling face.
As for right now, Yakishio is laughing normally. However, in
Grandma’s eyes, she seems to have grown up a bit, even though she doesn’t know
whether this is just her bias.
Grandma reached her hand out and adjusted Remon’s hairpin.
“Remon, you have made some kind friends.”
“…Hmm, yeah.”
They hugged once again. Then, Yakishio waved her hand forcefully
and dashed into the station.
Yakishio passed through the gate next to the waiting room’s
brown chairs. At this time, there aren’t any staff members inside the station.
She went through the tunnel in the station to the opposite
platform. Only several people are waiting for the train.
…I can’t just run away. Remon-chan patted her cheeks
forcefully.
Her friends in the Literature Club were worried and came to pay
her a visit. At this time, they must be in senpai’s car heading toward
Toyohashi, right?
She must put an end to this by herself, whether it’s her
feelings or her relationship with Mitsuki.
It takes around an hour to get to Toyohashi from Hon-Nagashino
Station.
Yakishio searched for a place to get on the train at the
platform. She suddenly saw someone.
That girl is wearing an orange dress. She’s standing on the
platform with a big hat on her head.
Ba-dump. Her heart pounded for a second. Remon put her hands
on her chest and took a deep breath. Then, she walked toward the orange dress
girl, who was also looking at her.
“…Asagumo-san.”
“It’s me. This is our first time meeting each other alone,
right?”
Asagumo bowed deeply.
Why is she here? Yakishio shook her head self-mockingly just
before she asked.
Of course, she’s here to see me.
“How do you know I’m here?”
“Nukumizu-san has told me that Yakishio-san wants to have a
chat with me. I asked him to tell me your whereabouts.”
“You actually know this station. Even though you don’t need
to come all the way here, we can talk after I’m back in Toyohashi.”
“It’s because I want to talk to you as soon as possible.”
Asagumo took off her hat. She tilted her head slightly and
showed a sweet smile.
“Yakishio, I also have a favor to ask you. Can we have a
chat? I want to know more about you.”
A tinge of worry and fear is hidden below her gentle smile.
Noticing this, the last remnant of caution in Remon’s heart
disappeared.
“…Yes, thank you.”
The noise of the train can be heard from the rails. The platform
made an announcement as well. It looks like the train to Toyohashi is here.
The two of them watched the incoming train subconsciously.
“Asagumo-san, the train is here.”
“You’re right. Should we go back together? Or should we wait
for the next one and talk in the waiting room?”
“What will Asagumo-san do if you miss this one?”
“I’ll take the next train.”
“Then I’ll also take the next train.”
The two looked at each other and laughed at the same time.
With the noise of the train’s break, the carriage stopped
before the girls.
Asagumo pressed the button. The train’s doors opened.
“Please, Yakishio-san. We’ll have to wait another hour if we
miss this one.”
“Thank you, Asagumo-san.”
“No worries.”
Asagumo was about to approach the carriage. Yet, she
suddenly turned around, flipped her dress, and dashed to the platform.
“What’s wrong?”
“Please wait for a moment!”
Asagumo threw something into the platform’s trash bin before
running back.
The door closed behind her. Asagumo put her hands on her
chest and took a deep breath.
“Asagumo-san, what did you just throw away?”
“…This is the last time I’m breaking my promise with
Nukumizu-san. It’s really over now.”
“Eh? A promise with Nukkun?”
Remon-chan’s eyes bulged and blinked.
“Yes, please keep it a secret from Nukumizu-san, okay?”
Asagumo-san put her finger before her lips and showed a mischievous
smile.
Remon followed her and smiled as well.
*
People may never understand each other mutually. That’s why
humans need interactions. Somebody seems to have said that before.
Because of the lack of this mutual understanding, there are many
things a person doesn’t know.
This is the first time Remon thinks she wants to know more
about Asagumo.
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