It is Nice Weather Today
“—Onee-chan
Hikaru waited for a while, but since there was no reply, she decided to go inside her sister’s room. In the dimly lit room that was relatively cold because of the air conditioner, she approached the window and opened the drapes. The morning sun, which promised a clear day, flooded the room with light.
When Hikaru glanced at the bed, sure enough, Ame was still asleep.
In contrast to Hikaru, who was an early riser, Ame would wake up late despite hitting the stack early.
Nevertheless, her sister had no alarm clock. After all, no matter how loud it blared, she wouldn’t wake up.
In her sister’s own words, ‘Sounds without emotion shall never reach the heart.’ Left as it was, Ame probably wouldn’t wake up.
So how did Ame usually get up?
Although Ame was deafened to alarm sounds, she’d wake up to a human’s voice. At some point, waking her sister up had become a routine to Hikaru, so she didn’t think of it as a burden.
Thus, Hikaru peered into her sister’s face but found herself stopping.
She entertained the thought of watching her sister sleep for a bit longer.
Within the cocoon of the satiny blanket, Ame was sleeping peacefully. Her long hair strewn across the bed, giving off a sense of elegance. Like Sleeping Beauty, her face seemed so innocent and without worry.
“—So beautiful.”
Hikaru was fascinated by her sister.
She’d always wanted to take a picture, but always second-guessed herself at the last minute.
Prevailing over her urge to keep staring, Hikaru gently whispered into Ame’s ear.
“Onee-chan, wake up, it’s morning already.”
“...Hm.”
Ame’s eyelids fluttered open, and her eyes soon reflected the world. Hikaru withdrew a few steps, while her sister leisurely sat up, tilting her head from side to side, still half-covered in the blanket. Her peculiar, nonchalant look showed a tinge of anxiety as she looked around somewhat timidly.
It was as if she had no clue who or where she was, akin to a foreign entity that had just been thrown into this world.
With a slightly disoriented expression, Ame seemed to be desperate and gradually remembered her situation.
Given that it was also her usual behavior, Hikaru calmly observed her.
After 30 seconds, Ame came to terms with her surroundings and finally greeted her little sister.
“...Good morning, Hikaru-chan.”
“Good morning, Onee-chan. Are you fully awake?”
“I am.”
Like a small child, Ame softly nodded.
Due to her slightly oversized pajamas, she looked even smaller.
“I made breakfast, so let’s eat together.”
“Alright.”
Ame slowly got up from the bed and lurched into the hallway after Hikaru.
“Onee-chan, you’ll stumble onto the wall.”
“...Oh, it’s a wall.”
“You’re hopeless.”
Hikaru took Ame’s hand and gently escorted her. Being considerate of Ame, Hikaru slowed her pace, while Ame cautiously followed her. Her precarious gait was akin to a toddler who’d just learned how to walk.
Ame’s motor nerves were so outstanding to the point Hikaru was awestruck, but for some reason, they were out of use in the morning, as if having a difficult time processing the unfamiliar system.
While others might find it strange, as far as Hikaru could remember, Ame had always been like that. So, it was kind of like the norm for her.
If anything, Hikaru was glad that her dependable sister was overly reliant on her in the morning.
“Be careful, Onee-chan, don’t rub your eyes.”
“I know, sorry...”
For a moment, it was as if their roles had been reversed, so it was fun.
Upon reaching the first floor, the two headed for the dining table. Even though the curtains were drawn, and the room was brimming with sunlight, their mother was still asleep. Similar to Ame, their mother wasn’t a morning person.
Considering that today was Sunday and that it was 7:30 in the morning, it was only natural that she was still asleep. By the way, their father was currently away on a business trip.
Breakfast was already served by Hikaru on the dining table. Sunny side up egg and salad, coupled with yogurt. It was simple, but everything was neatly arranged. After helping Ame sit down on a chair, Hikaru sat across from her at the dining table. She reached for the remote control and turned on the TV. Switching the channel to weather, Hikaru inserted two slices of bread into the toaster. While the bread was fried, Hikaru went to the kitchen and opened the refrigerator.
“Onee-chan, which do you prefer, milk or apple juice?”
“...I want something sweet.”
Hikaru placed milk in front of herself and apple juice in front of Ame, before checking the bread.
Holding the cup with both hands, Ame took a sip of her juice.
Obstructed by her long bangs, the direction of her gaze was difficult to ascertain, but she was probably looking at the weather forecast.
Of course, there was a reason why they got up early even though it was Sunday.
Hikaru had a karate dojo practice early in the morning, while Ame said that she had an appointment with someone.
After taking out a crispy brown bread and buttering it, Hikaru put it on Ame’s plate.
“Thank you.”
Ame bowed and took a bite.
While watching her sister with a smile, Hikaru spread butter on her toast as well.
“I’m glad. It’s going to be sunny today.”
“I see.”
“Since this is Onee-chan we’re talking about, I’m not that worried. But things have been dangerous lately, so you need to be careful, alright?”
After enjoying the toast and picking a cherry tomato from the salad plate, Hikaru turned her attention to the TV.
The screen changed from the weather forecast to the news, which reported yesterday’s incidents. The highlight was the bus hijacking incident by a drug addict. The passage was quick to subdue the culprit, who turned out to be a middle schooler.
Experts believed that the prevalence of drug abuse among younger individuals had been on the rise. The victim may even still be in elementary school. The prime minister commented that it was a deplorable situation. In addition, the annual number of suicides was likely to surpass the previous year, while the number of crimes committed by foreign criminal organizations had increased.
They were all dismal news of frequent occurrences.
Compared to Hikaru, who had been feeling dejected since the morning, Ame calmly watched the news. The feelings of her older sister were a bit complicated for her to understand.
“Oh right, when I checked the mailbox earlier, there was another letter from Kosaka-san.”
“I see.”
“Would you like to see it?”
“I will.”
Not interested, Ame was immersed in watching TV.
“...I guess that’s fine. Onee-chan, would you like another slice of bread?”
“Yes.”
As Hikaru placed the bread on her plate, she drank her cold milk, and a thought soon occurred to her.
Hikaru nonchalantly asked.
“...By chance, are you having an appointment with that guy?”
“Who?”
Ame gave her a look of, ‘Who are you referring to?’
Reluctantly, Hikaru uttered his name.
“—Jyuuzawa Jyuu, are you going to see him today?”
The name was akin to a magic spell to Ame. Almost all of her cells were activated in an instant, her posture straightened, and with a charmingly elegant gesture, Ame quietly nodded.
“That’s right.”
If the voice had colors, then her reply would’ve been rainbow-colored
Ame’s cheeks were painted with a reddish hue as she nodded. While nodding, Hikaru swore to herself—
—The next time I see him, he’ll suffer my wrath!
***
What am I doing here?
Jyuu decided to look back on what happened up until that point.
It was the first day of the second semester after the conclusion of the summer vacation. Jyuu agreed to tag along with Ame, partly because he felt remorseful for having wasted her precious summer vacation. Moreover, he owed her one, so he thought of indulging her whims for a bit.
When Jyuu asked where she’d like to go, she replied that she wanted to visit a used bookstore. The two then visited a grand second-hand bookstore in Shibuya.
He was amazed by the vast arrays of books this store had to offer. Both the scale and variety of the store, which specialized in manga, was beyond what Jyuu would expect of a used bookstore. Jyuu was impressed by how effortlessly Ame sauntered between the countless row of bookshelves.
At the same time, he was also relieved.
Unlike your average high school girls, Ame showed no interest in shopping for clothes and jewelry in downtown areas, relaxing at leisure facilities, or watching popular movies. But Jyuu didn’t mind. If instead, Ame had expressed her desire to go shopping with ice cream in hand, he’d be under so much pressure.
While Jyuu didn’t ask how she felt, Ame seemed happy that Jyuu accompanied her. With a manga in one hand, Ame spoke of various things. To be honest, Jyuu didn’t really care, but he was comfortable with his role as a listener.
This isn’t so bad.
On their way home, he came across Hikaru.
“How long are you going to follow my Onee-chan around!?”
“...”
“Just because my cute Onee-chan was silent, it didn’t mean that she was happy!”
“...”
“Bastard—! Prick—! Scummy pervert—! Lowest of the low—! Grated Natto—!”
“...”
“Hey, why aren’t you saying anything?”
“No, I was just wondering if your curse comes with variations.”
“Your head is full of silly things!”
“It can be a mirror to someone’s character.”
“Ugh—”
“Shouldn’t you come up with something new?”
“—Gross! Moron! Molester! Stinky feet!”
“Hey, what’s the last one about!?”
“Use your head!”
Although there was some squabbling, they managed to sort it out, and when Jyuu was about to part with Ame, he didn’t forget to ask about her plans for the upcoming holiday.
Seemingly free, Ame shook her head.
“If there’s a place you want to go, I can go out with you again.”
“No, I’ve already been blessed with Jyuu-sama’s benevolence today. It was very dream-like! I’m unworthy of such an honor!”
Ame interjected at once, placing her hand on her chest and closing her eyes.
Inwardly, her sense of duty and desire might be conflicting with each other.
Apparently, Ame was extremely grateful because Jyuu—the person she swore to follow—went out of his way to accompany her instead.
Should I stop her?
The silence lasted for a while before Ame finally snapped out of it.
“Even if I were to die at this very second, with these memories, I’ll be able to surpass even the demons of Hell!”
“You’ll win, huh...?”
“Of course.”
When Jyuu asked in awe, Ame nodded firmly.
“Then, I shall make my triumphant return from Hell and protect Jyuu-sama for the rest of his life as his guardian spirit!”
I’d rather you not—but Jyuu refrained from saying it out loud.
“So, you don’t have any plans?”
“That’s correct. You don’t have to worry about me. Please do whatever you see fit, Jyuu-sama. I’ll accompany you anywhere.”
Ame made a light fist pump.
Smiling wryly at her resoluteness, Jyuu thought about what to do next. Up until that point, he barely planned anything for the breaks. He didn’t mind going alone, but at the same time, he’d feel bad if he were to turn down Ame after her recent bravado.
After pondering for a bit, an idea suddenly popped in his mind.
“Then, please come with me next Sunday.”
“Of course.”
—Thus, Sunday arrived.
***
The weather was nice. The air was clear, and the blue sky spread as far as the eyes could see. It was as if the sun was shining directly into his heart, and any unpleasant things soon went forgotten. The temperature was chilly, and the cool breeze caressed his skin.
The weather on a Sunday in September couldn’t have been better.
It’d be perfect for a family outing. It might be a wonderful idea to go to a nearby park, amusement park, or even the sea.
Last but not least, hanging out with friends. On such a sunny day, it was impossible to not have fun.
“Hey, move aside.”
A man behind him called out to him, so Jyuu went to the side. A punk man with permed hair and sunglasses squeezed his way to the back. To not get in the way, Jyuu stuck to the wall. From there, he could see the entire store.
He didn’t know if the expression ‘inside the store’ was correct. After all, there were no sign boards or price tags to be seen. The place itself was a warehouse on the second basement floor. Unshaded light bulbs hung from the ceiling, becoming the primary source of light for the spacious space underneath, which could’ve been used for a baseball game. Numerous, open cardboard boxes were carelessly strewn about.
Those were probably the products, while the man who was screaming into his phone while holding a calculator was the clerk. The products consisted of PCs, DVD players, video, and digital cameras. There were other stuffs, but Jyuu didn’t know what they actually were.
According to Ame, that place was an electronic store. On Sunday, Jyuu and Ame visited Akihabara to find a VCR. His old one got a few video tapes tangled up recently, so it was about time to buy a new one.
“Do you know any cheap stores?” Asked Jyuu, to which Ame confidently nodded. “Leave it to me.”
Trusting her, Jyuu followed Ame as they made their way through the main streets of the electronic district, away from the crowds. Just when Jyuu started to suspect that something was off, Ame stopped in front of a certain building.
Jyuu was rather intimidated by the appearance of the dimly lit building, but Ame casually went inside. After passing through a shutter that was only a third of the way open, proceeding through what looked like a pitch-black parking lot, and descending a long flight of stairs, he found himself in a wide, open space. It turned out to be the store’s warehouse.
Ame spoke, “It’s a lesser-known store.”
It doesn’t have to be such an obscure store, Jyuu thought.
No matter how he looked at it, it wasn’t a standard store. Most of the customers were foreigners, while the local customers weren’t ordinary office workers or students, but people in the same line of business. Ame said to Jyuu, who pointed out that the place smelled fishy.
“Don’t worry, they don’t sell guns, narcotics, explosives, or other contrabands here. That’s a different kind of store. All of the products are genuine, and on top of the bargain prices, further discounts are possible depending on how well you negotiate. The security is also airtight, so there are fewer issues compared to your average stores. The lighting is rather poor, but it’s otherwise an authentic store.”
If it was someone else, Jyuu would think that they were making fun of him, but Ame wasn’t that kind of person.
Instead, she must’ve decided that store was the best. Besides, he was the one who entrusted the search to her, so he mustn’t complain. He didn’t know much about VCR models, so when he told Ame about what features he wanted and his budget, she immediately started looking.
The lack of price tag had him asking if she knew the price. Ame walked past a foreigner who was as lanky as an American footballer, and arrived in front of the shopkeeper. The man didn’t only wear a mask, but also had a nasty glint in his eyes. It wouldn’t be strange if he had a knife tucked in his pocket. Ame nonchalantly started bargaining for discounts, ignoring the fact that the shopkeeper was glaring with the look that said, ‘What’s with this kid?’
Where does her confidence come from?
After a while, Jyuu’s doubt dissipated.
At her skillful negotiation, the stern shopkeeper gradually relented.
“It looks like it’ll take a while. Please wait outside, Jyuu-sama.”
Noticing Jyuu’s discomfort with the atmosphere of the store, Ame paused the negotiation and said so.
“Leave it to me.”
Jyuu didn’t really like the claustrophobic sensation of the basement. After all, when people die, they’d be buried under the ground, where the light didn’t reach. As long as he lived, he’d like to remain on the surface.
Under the constant stream of blue sky. Endless supply of fresh air. Amidst the hustle and bustle of the city, where he could see a flock of crows perched up on top of a building. Even if it was loud, it was a hundred times better than an underground warehouse.
Looking at the clock, it was still early in the morning. Once they were finished, he’d go eat somewhere else. If the price was cheaper than expected, he’d treat Ame to reward her efforts. Who’d go to the crowded electronic stores district on the weekend, anyway?
No, more importantly, how did she find out about this store? Did she often come here alone?
He felt as if he was being taken care of.
Jyuu yawned, and at that time, he heard a voice behind the vending machine.
When he looked over there, he saw a man talking to a young girl, who seemed like a kindergartener.
Despite the girl’s abject refusal, the man relentlessly made an advance on her. Jyuu wouldn’t mind if it was done by a normal couple, but in this case, he couldn’t overlook it. He didn’t think the man was automatically a sex offender for making a pass on a child, but it was still a revolting sight. In the next moment, the man reached into his pocket and took out a suspicious vial.
Jyuu sprang into action. He grabbed the man’s arm, snatched the vial, and threw it away.
“What’s your problem!? Leave me alone!”
“Begone.”
Jyuu glared fiercely at the man, causing him to falter. On the way home yesterday, he stopped at the barber shop and dyed his hair blond like before.
When Jyuu released his hand, the man ran with his tail between his legs. The thought of beating him up did occur, but Jyuu decided against it.
Unnecessary violence.
Besides, a guy who didn’t understand words was unlikely to get it even if he got beaten.
Jyuu turned around and was greeted by the girl’s round eyes. The red pochette hanging from her shoulder and her frilly skirt made her appear very young.
“When a suspicious guy approaches you, don’t bother responding.”
When Jyuu, as an elder, warned her so, the girl looked up at him and said.
“Gold...”
“Huh? ...Oh, do you mean my hair?”
“Are you a foreigner?”
“No, I’m a native Japanese.”
Jyuu never met any of his relatives, nor checked his family tree, but he was sure of it. Besides, of all the school subjects, his English was the weakest.
The girl faintly bowed her head.
“Thank you.”
“Be careful.”
Given that Jyuu was taller than her, the girl strained her neck to look at him. In order to match their eye level, Jyuu kneeled in front of her.
“Where’s your Papa and Mama?”
“I wouldn’t refer to them that way.”
The girl corrected him, seemingly dissatisfied that she was being treated in such a childish manner.
Alright, my bad. Apologizing, Jyuu smiled wryly.
“Are you lost?”
“No. I just got separated from my parents.”
“In other words, you’re a lost child.”
“...I’ll be a freshman next year.”
The girl protested, saying that she wasn’t childish enough to get lost.
She must be at an age where she didn’t want to be treated like a child.
“I’m Jyuuzawa Jyuu.”
“‘Jyu’? As in, the number ten?”
The girl opened her hands, showing ten fingers.
“Yes, that’s right.”
“My name is Kagami Sakura.”
She fished for a name tag from her pochette. It was unknown whether she always had it on hand, or her parents made her carry it in case she got lost. On the tag that she probably wore in kindergarten, the name ‘Kagami Sakura’ was written with a black felt-tip pen.
“Hey, nice name. It’s cool.”
“Cool?”
“You can take it as cute.”
Delighted at the praise, Sakura grinned from ear to ear. Upon seeing that, Jyuu was filled with a tinge of nostalgia. As a person grew older, he’d eventually forget how to smile so earnestly.
According to her, Sakura went shopping in Akihabara with her parents, but got separated on the way and was in trouble. Sakura traced the path she’d walked, and searched everywhere she could think of.
For a six-years old to try to find her parents all by herself, without shedding any tears, Jyuu felt rather proud of her. Realistically speaking, Jyuu knew how difficult it was to do such a thing. Not only was it crowded due to today being Sunday, the town was full of parents and children. Exhausted, Sakura decided to get away from the crowd, and that was how she arrived here.
They might be more similar in nature than he thought.
When Sakura remarked about her thirst, Jyuu was about to buy juice from the vending machine, but Sakura requested for oolong tea instead.
“I’m on a diet.”
But you’re still a child.
In spite of that, Jyuu did as she asked. Thanking him, the girl received the drink and reached for the pull-top. However, it was difficult for her small fingers to open it.
Jyuu opened the can for her, and the girl meekly accepted it.
“...Bitter.”
I guess she isn’t old enough to understand the flavor yet.
Back in the days, Jyuu would only eat something sweet, too. Despite her underdeveloped taste bud, her reaction was honest. When it came to something they disliked, children wouldn’t mince words. Unlike adults, who seek complex explanations or depth.
Sitting next to Sakura, Jyuu opened his canned juice. As he drank the ‘Pulpy Orange Juice’, he sensed a pair of wistful eyes on him. Jyuu casually offered the drink to her, thinking that she would refuse since it was half-drunk. Unexpectedly, Sakura didn’t complain and drank it with gusto.
“Is it good?”
“It’s pulpy...”
Jyuu’s gaze softened at the sight of the girl taking a sip of juice while holding the can with her small hands.
Children could be said to be his weakness. He didn’t think he liked children in particular, but he couldn’t just be stern with that young, immature, and delicate child. Perhaps because words and deeds that hurt a child also hurt an important part of himself.
Sakura took out a small bag of snacks from her pochette and gave it to Jyuu. Maybe, it was her way of showing gratitude for the canned juice.
“Jyuu, open it for me.”
She said smugly. Despite being called directly by his name, Jyuu still opened the bag, before returning it to Sakura. Sakura munched on two sweets, before presenting the bag to him.
“I’ll give you some.”
“Thanks.”
Jyuu reached into the bag and popped the snack into his mouth. It had a cheap taste that children would prefer.
“Jyuu, are you on the side of justice?”
“Huh? Where is this coming from?”
“You just helped me.”
“That’s nothing. Anyone will do the same.”
Sakura stared at Jyuu’s face for a while, but eventually diverted her gaze in embarrassment.
“Jyuu, you’re cuter than Kensuke-kun.”
“Who’s that?”
“A boy in the same group as me. He’s always mean to me, but my mother said that’s because he likes me.”
“I see.”
“If he likes me, why is he so mean?”
“It might be because he wants to talk a lot with the girl he likes. He wants you to think about him a lot.”
“A lot?”
“Yeah, probably.”
His answer was rather vague due to his lack of experience. He didn’t remember much about his kindergarten days. At the same time, he was fairly sure that he had neither close friends nor a crush. He recalled how he loathed being separated from his mother, and that weekday mornings were depressing. Not wanting to go, he’d clung to the hem of her clothes and cried. If Benika were to tease him about those days, he wouldn’t be able to say anything.
Suddenly, a crow perched on the nearby electric wire cried loudly, startling Sakura. She grabbed his clothes and leaned in.
Then, she glared hatefully at said crow.
“...I hate crows.”
“Why do you hate them?”
“Because it’s black. I hate black because it’s dark. I prefer bright.”
Back in the days, he used to be afraid of the dark for no reason, too. A child’s imagination was most active when there was nothing. After the crow flew away, Sakura seemed relieved, but she didn’t move away from him.
Sakura spoke while clutching his clothes.
“Jyuu, is there anyone you like?”
“Well, I wonder about that...”
It wasn’t something that he really thought about.
Sakura seemed dissatisfied with the ambiguous reply, but Jyuu forcibly changed the subject.
“How did you get separated from your parents?”
“I was watching TV.”
Apparently, Sakura lost sight of her parents because she was immersed in watching the large LCD TV displayed in the storefront of the electronic store.
“So, you weren’t paying attention.”
“...Because it was showing ‘Pretty Pair.’”
“Pretty Pair...?”
In response, Sakura showed an anime picture printed on her pochette. Two girls, each wearing black and white outfits, were striking a pose. It seemed to be an anime for children. If her favorite anime was airing, no wonder she lost sight of her parents.
“I really enjoyed it. I like White Princess, she’s adorable like a princess, and good at drawing...”
She seemed to be a fan of the show. Sakura also said that she started drawing after watching that anime. To prove it, Sakura took out a small sketchbook from her pochette and showed it to Jyuu.
Jyuu flipped through it. She was surprisingly good for a 6-year-old. A cat napping on a cradle; a single cloud drifting in the sky, resembling a soft-serve ice cream; she even drew her school with crayons. Her illustration of a large, cherry blossom tree in full bloom showed how talented she was at mixing colors.
“That cherry blossom tree belongs to my grandpa’s garden. When spring arrives, many cherry blossoms will bloom, and when their petals fall, it’s really, really beautiful.”
If it was a huge cherry blossom tree, it must be quite old, and should be cherished. Perhaps, even Sakura’s name came from that tree.
Sakura stared expectantly at the silent Jyuu.
Seeing that, Jyuu finally spoke.
“You’re talented.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.”
Jyuu was neither talented at painting nor had a hobby of appreciating paintings, but that was his honest impression.
Sakura smiled somewhat bashfully.
“Did you know? This is how you hold a crayon. Your fingers should be like this...”
“I see.”
Then, she suddenly said,
“I’ll draw a picture of you!”
“No, there’s no need—”
“—I’ll be sure to draw it!”
Even when he refused, she wouldn’t listen.
The one who rescued Jyuu out of that situation was his servant. Ame emerged through the half-open shutter. Judging from her somewhat feeble gait, it seemed that the negotiations didn’t go well.
Full of regret, Ame deeply bowed her head to Jyuu.
“Forgive me. The shopkeeper only agreed to give us a 50% discount, and adamantly refused when I tried to push for more...”
“...You didn’t have to go that far.”
“Rest assured. I know of other hidden stores such as this. Let’s go to the next place.”
Ame seemed motivated all of the sudden. To not be a spoilsport, Jyuu decided to follow her.
Sakura curiously watched the conversation between the two.
“Who is this Onee-san?”
“I’m Ochibana Ame. I’m Jyuu-sama’s slave.”
“Slave...?”
“A slave is, in other words, the property of the master—”
As Ame’s dubious explanation was about to begin, Jyuu scrambled to interrupt her.
He explained to Ame that he happened to meet Sakura there.
“Well, we’re heading for another store, what about you?”
As Jyuu stood up and turned to look at her, Sakura stashed the sketchbook in her pochette and walked away.
Apparently, it was to throw the empty can in the trash. Then, in what sounded like a grown-up tone, she told them.
“I’m going to look for my father and mother.”
“Why don’t we search together?”
“No need.”
Sakura probably refused because of her pride. She wanted to do it by herself, without anyone’s help. Even children had their pride. Was it fortunate that Jyuu hadn’t forgotten that feeling? Therefore, he didn’t dare to say the truth. He didn’t dare say that she was unlikely to find them by herself.
Instead, Jyuu asked Ame the location of the police box, and had her explain it to Sakura as concisely as possible.
“Do you understand?”
“Yes.”
“If you’re in trouble, go to the police box. They’ll help you out.”
“Are they the heroes of justice?”
“Not quite, but pretty close.”
Sakura tilted her head in confusion, but when Jyuu spoke in a serious manner, she eventually understood.
“I’ll give you the drawing next time we see each other again.”
“But that’s really—”
“—It’s a promise.”
She stuck out her left little finger, so Jyuu had no choice but to wrap his own around it. Satisfied, Sakura skipped away.
They probably wouldn’t see each other again. Despite that, she still promised him.
Jyuu remembered the many promises he made during his childhood. Back then, he found the concept of promise strangely appealing.
But as he grew older, he forgot why.
Was it because he deemed it unnecessary, or was it a sacrifice for growth?
While following Sakura from a distance, Jyuu and Ame also went to Akihabara.
“Jyuu-sama is amazing.”
“What do you mean?”
“No matter how kind you try to appear, children won’t listen to you if they’re instinctively disgusted or wary of you. Adults think before they act, but children feel before they act. However, that girl paid attention to you. It means that the child’s instinct has accepted Jyuu-sama.”
“Are you calling me a brat?”
“I wouldn’t dare.”
Ame smiled, and Jyuu diverted his gaze to the sky.
For now, the sky was clear.
***
On the holiday, the Akihabara Electric Town, which was a pedestrian paradise, became even more so during lunchtime. Other than couples, there were many parents and children. He also saw quite a few groups that seemed to consist of elementary schoolers.
Jyuu thought of making sure that Sakura arrived at the police box, but soon decided against it. Not only was it unnecessary, Sakura would surely be hurt if she found out. Her parents must be panicking as well. If she had reached the police, the parents and child may be reunited sooner than expected.
Changing his mind, Jyuu decided to head to the next hidden store that Ame mentioned.
“You seem to know a lot about this area.”
“Yes, I often visit this place to buy doujinshi or used DVDs.”
“Do they sell doujinshi in Akihabara?”
“That’s correct.”
Come to think of it, there were many shops that fit the description around here. To Ame, the town must’ve been quite accommodating to her hobbies. From the speakers installed in the storefront, what sounded like an anime song was blaring, accompanied by the sound of an arcade game coming from inside.
Jyuu found the hustle and bustle which filled the crowded street unpleasant. He’d never been a fan of noise. Even at school, when everyone was excited, he alone would be quiet. At the same time, he’d be lying if he said that he was fine with his inability to fit in.
The next place Ame visited had a similar atmosphere. However, someone stood watch near the warehouse’s shutter this time, making Jyuu wary. Seemingly advised against making contact with a potential customer, the guard simply let them through.
Unlike before, the negotiation was swiftly concluded. Ame was as aloof as usual, but she eventually cornered the shopkeeper and finally reached the desired amount.
After making payment, he was given a receipt instead of the actual product. There were certain rules they had to adhere to regarding the product. With that in hand, they went to a store on the main street.
Along the way, Jyuu praised Ame for her unyieldingness. Their destination was next to second-hand game stores and other miscellaneous stores. The first floor was basically a tobacco shop, and when they were about to doubt if they were in the right place, they were told to go upstairs. Somehow, the atmosphere of the second floor was reminiscent of a pachinko parlor.
Jyuu had intended to go by himself, but Ame offered to go instead, so he entrusted that to her as well. She seemed to take pleasure in helping Jyuu.
Jyuu sat outside on the guardrail and vaguely looked out over the crowded street. He saw many couples around their age. From the outsider’s perspective, he and Ame might look the same. Although that wasn’t actually the case, what was the difference between a friend and a lover? It shouldn’t just be about having physical intimacy. Even children could be considered a couple, so it wasn’t that simple. The issue was whether or not one was conscious of the other person as the opposite sex.
Does Jyuuzawa Jyuu see Ame as a woman?
I don’t know. I wonder about that. I didn’t even consider it before.
He didn’t know how long the master-servant relationship would last.
Jyuu looked at his watch. Only three minutes had passed since Ame went inside the store. Which reminded him—had Sakura been safely reunited with her parents? She must’ve been so lonely after she got lost, that much was obvious. Jyuu had a similar experience in the past. Long ago, he’d burst out crying when he lost sight of Benika.
To what extent is one’s consciousness involved in the priorities of memories?
While pondering about such things, he kept staring at his watch.
No wonder how many times he glanced at the clock; the flow of time didn’t change.
Suddenly, someone called out to him.
An unfamiliar girl sat beside him on the guardrail.
Two things caught him off-guard. Firstly, he never sensed her presence at all. Secondly, her appearance was too eccentric.
“Since only humans have the concept of time, perhaps only humans can manipulate it.” The girl smiled.
“Good afternoon.”
Jyuu could only smile awkwardly at her greeting.
The girl was dressed in a kimono that looked like something out of a period drama. The girl wore a headband that said ‘Ganryujima’ on her forehead, and a pair of geta. Meanwhile, her long hair was tied with a plain, white ribbon.
Noticing Jyuu’s gaze, the girl said with a smile.
“My bust is 84.”
“Huh?”
“You were staring, after all.”
“I didn’t mean to come across that way—”
“My hips are 83. I’m proud because it means easy child delivery.”
“No, like I said—”
“Oh, as for my waist, it’s a secret. I’m a bit unconfident.”
The girl, who looked far from obese, smiled shyly.
“Today, there was a mini photo session nearby.”
“Photo session?”
“That’s right. A cosplay photo session. By the way, I’m cosplaying a character named ‘Layla Hayato Robinson’, the protagonist from ‘Mobile Suit Gants Knight’ Born in California, Layla admires traditional Japanese culture. But I think there’s a slight confusion. I believe that when Japanese hear of the word samurai, they’d picture a full-fledged warrior, while foreigners picture the idealized westernized version of it.”
The girl’s costume suited her, and although Jyuu had no prejudice against such things, he didn’t want to get too involved.
When he didn’t budge;
“Hey, are you listening?”
“I don’t.”
“Ahaha, how honest you are.”
Jyuu’s blunt attitude didn’t seem to offend the girl.
“Kimono is surprisingly airy. It’s perfect for today’s weather.”
“...Hey, what are you doing here?”
At Jyuu’s question, the girl’s eyes went wide as she nodded happily.
“What am I doing here? What a philosophical question. I’ve never thought about it. To answer that, I guess I’ll have to talk about my background. It’s going to be long.”
Jyuu ignored it and she spoke of whatever came to mind.
“...I’m waiting for someone, though?”
“Actually, I’m meeting someone here, too. So, do you mind if I stay with you until then?”
When asked in such a way, Jyuu couldn’t find it in him to refuse.
The girl, who understood that she’d been given permission, took out a mobile phone from her pocket and called someone.
“Uh-huh, the photo session is over, and now I’m outside. It’s sunny today, so it feels better to wait outside than inside. Kimono feels so nice, as expected of Japanese clothes... Oh, don’t be so angry. Well, where am I right now...?”
It seemed that she contacted the person she was supposed to meet.
The girl’s appearance was so conspicuous that everyone would stop to look at her. But as soon as they saw Jyuu, they quickly looked away.
Out of habit, Jyuu would glare at them back. Though, as a result, no one dared to approach her.
Did she use me to avoid flirts?
As Jyuu thought so, the call ended. A girl almost as all as Jyuu, with a sport bag on her shoulder, appeared. Her hair was boldly cut short, while her face showed an androgynous charm. Her jeans accentuated her slender legs, while her gait was gallant. If it weren’t for the bulges on her chest, she’d be mistaken for a boy. She was probably around the same age as him, too.
The moment she laid eyes on Jyuu, she scrunched her face in disgust. As she approached them, she kept her eyes on him. Removing her ear phones, she turned to look at the cosplayer girl.
“Who’s this guy? Another flirt?”
“No, no, look, this is the person I told you about. We met by chance.”
“The person...?”
“He’s that blond-haired and sour-looking man, Jyuuzawa Jyuu-kun. Didn’t you see his picture before?”
“Oh, that guy...”
What are they talking about?
Suspicion arose within Jyuu as he experienced a nagging feeling.
After all, he’d never introduced himself.
“...Who are you guys? How do you know my name?”
When he said that with a cautious tone, the cosplayer laughed, as if making fun of him. Jyuu didn’t like to be made fun of. As Jyuu began to get annoyed, the cosplayer gave the tall girl a sidelong glance.
“Jyuuzawa-kun, I wonder if you behave the same way as you appear in the photo.”
“Nice timing. Shall we try it out?”
“Yes, we definitely should.”
“For your sake, I won’t hold back and destroy you.”
“Then, I’ll be number two. Of course, only if you’re still standing by then.”
What are they saying? What “number two”?
Suddenly, the tall girl advanced while the cosplayer retreated behind.
Before he knew it, the girl’s right leg was about to land on the side of his head. If not for his wariness, he wouldn’t be able to block it with his arm. Even so, his upper body almost gave up, while his arm went numb. Among the kicks he’d taken so far, hers was in the top three.
“Hey, what are you doing, suddenly!?”
Ignoring Jyuu’s protest, the girl attacked again. Closing in on Jyuu, the girl’s leg curved like a whip. His hospitalization during the summer break had left him somewhat sluggish, but the numbness in his arm was a nice stimulus. With intensified focus, Jyuu relied on his instinct. He dodged the kicks that came in quick succession.
—Lower, middle, upper...
The girl’s ability to deliver multiple kicks without losing her balance was terrifying. Even more so considering that she was carrying a sports bag on her shoulder. The entire time, he could only block.
“So, you’re agile.”
Muttering so as if to confirm it, the girl leaped up and twisted her right leg. To receive it, Jyuu immediately crossed his arms. However, upon receiving her kick, his feet were no longer on the ground. Her power was comparable to that of Benika, Jyuu’s archnemesis.
To think that someone like this exists...
“...Well, he’s no weakling.”
When Jyuu braced himself for her incoming attack, the girl withdrew behind him. The cosplayer who was watching the entire fight took her place.
“Now, it’s my turn. I’m glad I brought it just in case. Madoka, give it to me.”
The tall girl opened her sports bag to find a certain item. Once she found it, she tossed it to the cosplayer, who single-handedly caught it. In the next moment, all traces of a smile vanished from the cosplayer’s face. Her atmosphere changed dramatically, as her whole demeanor changed into a composed one.
She was holding a knife. A small, undecorated knife with a blade length of around 10 centimeters. The cosplayer wrapped her hand around its handle and stared at him. Her gaze was so chilling that Jyuu unconsciously backed away.
“E-enough, already...”
“Silence.”
An emotionless voice. With a graceful step, the cosplayer swung her knife. Jyuu retreated in an instant, but the tip of her blade made away with a few strands of his bangs. If not for the knife in her hand, he’d think that she was simply dancing. Jyuu desperately tried to escape. Almost by instinct, he jumped backwards. At the same time, her knife flashed in front of him, only missing his nose by a hair’s breadth.
With how elegant and nimble her attack was, it was difficult to believe that she was wearing geta sandals. Despite treading on the asphalt, she didn’t make any noise.
She was on a completely different level than an amateur who was flailing their knife around.
“I see, not bad. Let’s get serious.”
Without a hint of emotions, the girl declared. Was the fact that she could soundlessly step on the asphalt while wearing Geta sandals the proof that she’d mastered her gait?
How was he supposed to fight against such an opponent with his bare hands?
Something flashed across his mind, which was about to be tinted with impatience.
“Don’t be scared. It’ll be over before you know it.”
The cosplayer advanced, extending her slender arm at an incredible speed.
Yet, he didn’t move.
Not because of fear, confusion, desperation, or the likes.
He simply chose not to.
Right before the knife was about to pierce his throat, the girl halted.
With the knife in hand, the girl asked.
“...How did you know that I was going to stop? Am I not menacing enough?”
“I just thought that you aren’t foolish enough to kill someone in broad daylight.”
The three of them were surrounded by peanut galleries that mistook their fight for some kind of promotional attraction. Some even had their cameras out, so it must be worthwhile. To those people, the fight led by two extraordinary beauties—who could even be mistaken as idols—was probably just for show, with the knife being a prop.
The cosplayer looked at her surroundings.
“Alright, maybe I’ve attracted quite a crowd...”
“What are you trying to pull with such a silly game?”
“A game? What makes you think so?”
“Of course I’d know.”
During their confrontation, Jyuu didn’t fail to notice that they were holding back. His intuition, honed after numerous fights, told him that was the case.
“Heh, I thought you’d be boring, but you aren’t.”
Seemingly impressed, the girl spoke while twirling her knife. The tall girl standing beside her seemed to share the sentiment.
Since the crowds were still waiting in anticipation, Jyuu fiercely glared at them to disperse them. No one dared to defy him, and eventually, only the three of them remained.
“Isn’t it about time you tell me who you are?”
“Don’t be so hasty. I finally had a lot of fun after a while...”
The cosplayer wouldn’t give him a straight answer.
The tall girl rushed to the cosplayer’s side and snatched the knife away.
“Ah, hey—! Give it back—!”
The cosplayer jumped up and down, trying to get the knife back, but the tall girl held the knife high, out of reach for her.
On closer inspection, Jyuu could see that there was rubber stuck to the bottom of her getas. Is that why I didn’t hear any footsteps? Jyuu felt somewhat disappointed.
The cosplayer flailed her arms around like a toddler, protesting with her whole body.
“Give it back—!”
“No, I’ll confiscate this. Just get changed already.”
“B-but, I still haven’t—”
“—No.”
The tall girl assumed the attitude of ‘no objections are tolerated.’
The cosplayer slumped her shoulders with a dejected look on her face.
“Ugh, I mean, Layla also wields a knife, so it’s a perfect fit! I went out of my way to dress like this, it’d be meaningless if I’m unarmed! Besides, you also want to play with me more right, Jyuuzawa-kun?”
“Not at all.”
“Uwah, aren’t you a bit too cold? Cold boys are unpopular! Girls prefer kinder ones...”
“Who the heck are you anyway!? How do you know my name?”
Jyuu asked in an attempt to break the cosplayer’s one-sided conversation.
Immediately, the cosplayer shut her mouth and looked up at Jyuu’s expression.
“Are you... Angry by any chance?”
“Obviously?”
“Then I won’t answer!”
Jyuu’s face twitched a bit, but he decided to hold back for now.
“...I’m not angry, so answer me.”
“...Really?”
“Yeah.”
“Then try saying it tenderly, ‘I’m not angry anymore.’ As if you were whispering it to your beloved!”
“...”
“U-uwah, those eyes are scary, seriously.”
“Answer me.”
“Okay, okay, I’ll answer, we are—”
—Just as the cosplayer was about to reveal the truth, she looked behind Jyuu, “Hey!” And shook her hand while screaming.
Jyuu also turned in that direction and saw Ame walking down the stairs. A cardboard box with a plastic handle tied to it was in her right hand.
Ame was surprised by the presence of the two girls next to him, but didn’t forget to bow her head to Jyuu.
“Jyuu-sama, I apologize for making you wait.”
“Thank you for your hard work.”
At Jyuu’s words of gratitude, Ame showed a slight smile. Finally, Ame acknowledged the two people beside him.
“What are you doing here?”
“I happened to come across him after participating in a mini photo session.”
“I was accompanying her and carrying her luggage. I had free time while waiting, so I went shopping outside.”
“Is that so?”
Ame was immediately convinced, unlike Jyuu.
“Do you know them?”
“Yes, these two are my friends.”
“...Friends?”
‘So you do have friends?’ Jyuu swallowed those words.
Still, the truth came as a shock to him. Even though people like Jyuu, whose friendships were in tatters, were rarer. Therefore, it shouldn’t be that unusual for Ame to have friends.
If anything, Satsuki’s insane development just made more sense, considering that she was also one of Ame’s friends...
“Nice timing. Let me introduce you two.”
Jyuu asked if they should really introduce themselves, to which Ame nodded, saying there was nothing to worry about.
“These two have a flexible way of thinking. We won’t waste our breath on unnecessary words.”
Well, I wonder about that. But Jyuu didn’t feel like correcting her again.
Whatever, he relented.
He kind of hated himself for getting used to Ame’s momentum.
The two girls also introduced themselves.
Ahem! The cosplayer began speaking.
“My name is Kirishima Yukihime (斬島雪姫), the æ–¬ (zan) in my surname stands for ‘cut,’ as in ‘Any evil that dares to come near me will be cut down.’ 島 (shima), as in ‘island,’ or as the Captain says, ‘There exists an island in the East, where plenty of gold lays hidden.’ My first name, 雪 (yuki), means ‘snow,’ as in ‘The Sapporo Snow Festival.’ Although, the amount of snowfall is too little, so I’m disappointed. 姬 (hime), like the poor Princess Cinderella, who marries the prince and rides on a palanquin, yet is unknown whether or not she’s happy!”
“It’s a bit excessive...”
“If it’s difficult to say, just call me Yuki!”
“No thanks.”
“Jyuuzawa-kun’s reply is so fast! You and I seem to get along well! Fusion!”
Jyuu ignored Yukihime, who stuck her fingers out and beckoned him to join her.
After unhappily puffing her cheeks, Yukihime urged the girl next to her to introduce herself as well.
“...Endo Madoka.”
The tall girl didn’t even make eye contact with Jyuu and curtly introduced her name.
Seeing how those two behaved, the fact that Ame had friends didn’t sound so strange anymore. Both of them deviated slightly from the norm.
Birds of a feather flock together, don’t they?
Just as Jyuu became convinced of that, Yukihime drew closer and whispered in his ear.
“Jyuuzawa-kun, please keep what happened just now a secret?”
“Are you telling me not to say anything to her?”
As if to match that, Jyuu also became quiet.
“I don’t care, but please explain why you did that.”
“Well, I happened to meet her real-life husband, Jyuuzawa Jyuu, so I was really excited. I’d seen your photo once, and had been interested ever since. So, since a normal face-to-face meeting would be boring, I decided to spice things up a bit. Did you enjoy that?”
“Are you kidding me?”
“Well, I’ll forgive you, and you’ll forgive me in return. It’s a win-win! This is Ooka’s[1] Judgment!”
While saying so, Yukihime patted Jyuu on the back.
Ame watched the exchange with a suspicious look on her face, but Jyuu opted to remain silent.
“Hey, hey, Ame and Jyuuzawa-kun, what are you going to do after this?”
Ame glanced at Jyuu as if asking for instructions, so Jyuu answered.
“Eat lunch.”
“Then, please let me and En join you.”
Jyuu thought about refusing, but Yukihime added. “Oh, did I perhaps interrupt your date?”
Therefore, to deny that, the four of them had lunch together. Of course, they didn’t forget to tell Yukihime that she needed to do something about her appearance no matter what.
“Aye, Sir. Well then, I’m going to change my clothes.”
Endo handed Yukihime the sports bag, but after rummaging around for something, Yukihime stopped.
“What are you doing?”
Jyuu was a bit wary, thinking that she might draw out some weapons again.
“Uhm, actually, take a look at this...!”
Yukihime took out a book from her bag and handed it to Jyuu with a smile.
“I just bought it. Please take this as a symbol of our first meeting.”
Jyuu reflexively accepted it, but when he saw the cover, he tensed up. It was a doujinshi with an illustration of a half-naked girl. The girl, who was clearly an elementary schooler, had tears in her eyes.
“Why would I need such a thing!?”
Jyuu shoved the doujinshi back to Yukihime, who tilted her head.
“Oya? Isn’t lolicon the latest trend these days? Or does Jyuuzawa-kun prefer big breasts?”
“That’s not the problem! Why do I have to accept erotic book from a woman!?”
“Hey, that’s discrimination.”
When Jyuu glowered at her, Yukihime raised her hands as if to surrender.
“This is a book from a popular circle.”
“Yukihime, please don’t tease Jyuu-sama too much.”
Unable to bear the sight, Ame sent a rescue boat from the side.
“Jyuu-sama is a lofty person. He has no need for such things.”
“Yeah, I don’t need them.”
...Actually, there were many nude photogravure books in his house, but that was a secret.
Yukihime nodded in agreement.
“In short, he’s a naturalist?”
“I don’t get it.”
It was a troublesome encounter.
Inwardly, Jyuu let out a sigh.
***
After waiting for Yukihime to finish changing into her civilian clothes, the four of them went to a nearby family restaurant. Since it was lunchtime, the place was crowded, but as soon as the four-person seat by the window became available, Jyuu and the others sat there.
Jyuu and Ame sat next to each other, with Yukihime and Endo right across from them. The air conditioning worked well in cooling down the heat from their body, making Jyuu feel calmer. After each of them made an order, Yukihime drank the ice water that the waitress had left for them, and then immediately opened her mouth.
“I’m really glad I met Jyuuzawa-kun today. One day, to my surprise, Ame suddenly said, ‘I found the person I should serve.’ But I didn’t think of stopping her. After all, when Ame sets her heart on something, she’s rarely wrong. So, Endo and I decided to wait and see. We’ve been distant for a while now. I planned to spend a lot of time with her during summer break, if not for you...”
“...It’s your fault.”
“You stole Ame from us.”
“How frustrating.” Yukihime said, laughing for some reason. As usual, Endo avoided making eye contact with Jyuu, while Ame remained quiet next to him.
Apparently, the three had known each other since middle school, and although they went to separate high schools, they still met occasionally. Their friendship stemmed from their love for anime and manga.
Jyuu was envious of the girls who could get so passionate about something.
Yukihime, with her chin resting on the table, spoke with a mischievous smile on her face.
“May I take this opportunity to ask you a few questions, Jyuuzawa-kun?”
“I don’t mind.”
“Do you like virgins?”
“Ha?”
“Look, it’s just the basics.”
“What kind of basics!?”
“Do you like them? Or do you dislike them?”
“What are you going to do with the information?”
“What would you want me to do?”
She’s a crazy woman. Jyuu lost the motivation to respond seriously.
Undeterred by Jyuu’s displeased silence, Yukihime asked a new question.
“Then, let’s change the question. Jyuuzawa-kun, in this life, how many times have you wanted to die, and how many times have you wanted to kill someone?”
In my life, how many times have I wanted to die and how many times have I killed someone?
“I don’t understand the meaning of the question.”
“I want to gauge your humanity. I want to find out if you’re the right person for Ame, or if you’re scum.”
“What would you do if I turned out to be scum?”
“What do you think?”
Yukihime maintained her mischievous smile.
Jyuu concluded that the girl was quite manipulative. She’d say various unexpected words, then calmly observe the other party’s reactions. She was obviously enjoying it.
“You don’t have to be so scared. I won’t do anything just yet. Although, I do wonder how long I can hold it...”
“Yukihime.”
“What?”
Through the gap between her obstructing bangs, Ame’s sharp gaze was directed at Yukihime.
In response to that, Yukihime smiled.
“If you become an enemy of Jyuu-sama, I’ll become your enemy too.”
Despite the declaration of war, Yukihime maintained her smile.
“Oh, that’s interesting. A new option? The future has expanded.”
There wasn’t the slightest hint of nervousness in both Yukihime’s voice and attitude. Yet, Jyuu still felt tense, as if he’d suddenly stepped into enemy territory.
Truthfully, he wanted to leave that place, but Jyuu decided to stand firm.
How could he stand being looked down on?
Crossing his arms, he took a deep breath. Conscious of his tranquil blood flow, he fixed his gaze on Yukihime.
“Hee... Someone’s staring.”
Without breaking her smile, Yukihime was about to say something when a hand flew to strike the side of her head. It belonged to Endo, who was staring outside of the window the whole time.
“Hey, En, it hurts!”
“Stop playing pranks. No matter how funny his reactions are, there’s no point in teasing him so much.”
“But...”
“Do something about your habit of taunting someone you like.”
Endo turned to look at Jyuu, looking irritated.
“Sorry about that. Yukihime has always been like this. She loves to test people.”
“Test?”
“She’s very picky about people. So whenever she’s interested in someone even a little bit, she’d do all sorts of things, including acting like the bad guy. She’s pretty clumsy, though. She doesn’t know when to hold back, so I have to interrupt like this once in a while.”
“Did you hit me just because of that!?” Yukihime protested while rubbing her head.
Seemingly in a lot of pain, she was a bit tearful.
“Let me make this clear, I don’t like you. It’s not your fault. I dislike men and broccoli. That’s just how it is, so don’t worry.”
With that said, Endo stared outside the window again.
Endo glanced at Jyuu as if she was resentful, and then Yukihime composed herself and said.
“People often say that the more we fight, the more we get along, right?”
“So?”
“So that’s why Jyuuzawa-kun and I are now good friends.”
“You...”
“Right?”
Jyuu couldn’t stand a chance against Yukihime, who asked for his consent with an innocent smile. Or rather, Jyuu didn’t know how to win against that kind of person. Perhaps it was because Yukihime’s aura resembled that of Satsuki Miya somehow.
Next to Jyuu, Ame also seemed perplexed, but didn’t say anything. Despite fully knowing that Yukihime was that sort of girl, she interjected because Jyuu was involved.
—If even that was within Yukihime’s calculations, then she wasn’t to be underestimated.
“First of all, Jyuuzawa-kun, do you like virgins?”
“...We are back to that question?”
“Because you haven’t answered. By the way, there are three virgins among us three. Now, who’d that be?”
“I don’t care about that.”
The waitress placed the orders on the table, and the four of them began eating.
Apparently, Endo went to the same karate dojo as Hikaru. She had long hair until she was in middle school, but cut it off when she entered high school to avoid being flirted with. Yukihime tried and failed to establish an anime study group in middle school and high school. He heard many other stories, but it was mostly about Yukihime.
Jyuu pondered. He never thought he’d be having lunch with girls his age after shopping. Until recently, he was in such a dire predicament. Therefore, could he afford to be happy in his current situation?
Change and stagnation.
He was probably leaning towards stagnation, but now, Jyuu felt like he was starting to lose confidence.
At the end of the meal, Endo had no choice but to meet Jyuu’s gaze out of obligation.
“I didn’t even want to meet you, but there must be some meaning in us meeting like this. The same goes for your encounter with Ame, or with Yukihime.”
“As if.”
“What a boring man. You should think of it that way. Otherwise, wouldn’t it be sad?”
Jyuu didn’t believe in fate, let alone a preordained outcome.
However, there were times when it seemed like the series of events that happened since he met Ame had some kind of meaning.
There’s no meaning.
‘Then find the meaning.’
A voice echoed in his heart.
Surely, it was his optimistic self, which was usually dormant.
[1] Ooka Tadasuke was a historical figure known for his role as a magistrate and for his reputation for fair and just judgments during the Edo period in Japan.