CH 2

CHAPTER 2:

It was Saturday, the next day. The day after Tachibana gave the nod.

Naturally, nothing happened after that. The rumors had now vanished without a trace, and I was able to get my normal days.

My calm days… Welcome back.

Let’s go to eat something delicious to celebrate.

I guess I should go eat at kaiten-zushi as a luxury.

It’s a famous chain store quite near to my house, right in front of the station.

It is quite crowded because it is lunchtime as well as a holiday, but it does not really matter to me.

“Kaitori-Zushi”.

Such a place that most common people avoid is quite common for me.

Rather, you don’t have to come with a companion to eat delicious food.

If you sit at the counter, you will have to wait less and see all the good things to try.

I sat down at the very end of the counter where I was immediately guided and given brewed hot tea.

I was lucky, as the seat next to me was vacant.

I don’t take off my hat even in a store because I like it.

I am not worried about how it looks in public.

It’s my favorite.

I grabbed a plate of tuna sushi that was passed to me. I add the soy sauce and quickly eat it.

The sushi is delicious as usual.

It’s so delicious and it costs 100 yen. You can’t really say Kaiten-Zushi is too expensive after tasting it.

When I finished with my second plate, a customer finally arrived in the seat next to mine.

Whenever there is a person next to me, I also feel a bit uncomfortable.

This might as well be the only drawback of the counter seat.

However, it should be given that sitting alone in a big place is much more uncomfortable.

Tilt your body slightly on the wall to secure your personal space.

I took a quick peek, the customer next to me seemed to be a young girl.

Maybe even a student.

Visiting Kaiten-Zushi, a young girl, and alone too.

Just who is it?

“Oh, It’s Kusuba-san?”

“… Let it be my imagination,” I whispered to myself.

I looked again.

It was not my imagination, rather, it was Tachibana.

Tachibana looked down at me with a face I couldn’t tell what she was thinking.

(TN: She was standing.)

She was wearing simple casual clothing, with no frills. An appearance that was different from the usual school uniform.

A long green skirt and a simple white top were too beautiful.

Tachibana in casual clothes was much more beautiful compared to in school uniform.

But…

Just why…

It was supposed to be a celebration of coming back to my everyday life.

“Hello, Kusuba-san.”

“…Why are you here?

“Hmm…? To eat sushi of course.”

“…Why are you alone. It’s rare for a girl to go and eat outside by herself.”

“Do you need a companion to eat something? And, even you are alone.”

I could not refute.

On the contrary, what Tachibana said was exactly the same as my thoughts.

Tachibana nimbly sat down next to me and started to sip her tea.

Strangely, those actions suited me, so I started to involuntarily stare at her.

“… what is it?”

“Hm…? Oh, nothing”

“Really?”

Damn, I shouldn’t have come to eat here.

Tachibana took a plate of sushi and started to eat.

The expressions on her face relaxed, and the small, chewing mouth smiled faintly.

It looks like Tachibana was really looking forward to eating sushi.

She doesn’t seem to care about the people around her, rather happily eats her sushi.

I feel like my views in life were right.

Even if you are right, you are happy to see the proof in others

(TN: His views in life, as in previous chapters, were being displayed by Tachibana)

Though it’s a common thought process, I can’t help but think that way.

“Are you not eating anymore?”

“Hmm…? Ah… I am.”

I take the sushi plate in front of me and start eating.

I then look at Tachibana and say,

“…I’m sorry.”

“Sorry for what? What do you mean?”

“I heard a lot of rumors regarding us. It brought you unwanted attention.”

“Yes… now you mention it, there were such rumors.”

“That’s why… I’m sorry.” 

It was something I had been worried about in the back of my head.

I think Tachibana’s image was scarred because of a background mob-like me.

I think I interacted with too much in the open.

I had thought I would apologize to her if I ever had the opportunity. 

“That’s quite alright, there is no need for you to apologize,” she said. “Anyway, the people who should apologize are the ones who started the rumor, it is not Kusuba-san’s fault.”

“Ah… That’s right, but…”

“Besides, I do not care about the rumors. They have just been created from curiosity and jealousy. I do not think of them.”

“That true…”

Apparently, what Tachibana said was absolutely right.

I think like that as well.

However, this thought process is very rare, and not easy to accomplish.

Only someone like me, who has given up on youth from the bottom of my heart, can think like that.

So why would a beautiful girl like Tachibana say such a thing?

I had unconsciously begun to be interested in Tachibana.

“I am not blaming Kusuba-san, and I do not hold any grudge.”

“… well, can I ask you a question?”

“What is it?”

“That guy… the one who confessed to you, did he try anything after that?”

“After that, huh.”

“He was a bad person, right? Even though he might look like the quiet type, they can become dangerous sometimes. I was wondering if something happened afterward.”

If anything happened to Tachibana, it is half my responsibility.

Thinking in that way, I couldn’t help but worry.

To that question, Tachibana answered with a light tone, the usual and expressionless face.

“He had tried to retaliate, so I went to my friends. I don’t think he will try anything anymore.”

“Revenge?”

“Yes.”

As soon as I heard it, my mind exploded.

The gap between her voice and cute face was too much to handle. She laughed as she looked at me.

“…strange person,” so I thought.

“Sorry… I didn’t mean to laugh.” 

“…It’s alright”

I didn’t care now, so I started with my sushi again.

Tachibana seems to be a little different from the one I had heard and thought about.

We shall not be involved anymore.

However, I was lucky to know such a side of Tachibana.

“By the way, Kusuba-san,”

“Yes?”

“Why are you wearing a hat in a store?”

“…No reason”

Tachibana was giving me a strange look while tilting her head.

My Kaitori-Zushi trip failed its purpose due to the encounter with Tachibana.

And… to make it worse, the relationship between me and Tachibana, which was supposed to have completely ended, has also built back, just a little.

But it couldn’t be helped.

Just who can predict that a beautiful girl will come to Kaiten-Zushi, alone, and sit next to me?

It was definitely an accident.

Just an unexpected accident.

So I convinced myself, improved my mood, and came to eat out yet again.

But this time, I came to a different place.

“Hello, welcome.”

It was a privately owned Tsukemen restaurant that was near the urban area around the station.

(TN: Tsukemen is similar to ramen)

The seafood tsukemen here is very delicious.

The price is a little high, ¥1000, but the taste is good enough for it.

The chances of Tachibana coming to this kind of store is null.

The atmosphere here is far too different. As far as I know, most of the frequent customers are old men.

I took a counter seat yet again.

So… welcome back, yet again, to my normal daily life.

But…

“…What are you doing here?”

I wanted to punch myself a few times while talking to the female customer next to me.

And again, next to me was Tachibana Rika.

And today, she looked even more casual than last time.

To be more precise, she was wearing a black shirt with denim.

She looked like a boy.

Such a beautiful girl, that doesn’t even lose any cuteness with such clothes.

But it is not that I was checking her fashion sense…

“Looking at the one wearing such clothes, I should be the one asking that.”

“I was first, but what do you mean?” She said.

“I mean, why are you here?”

“The same question? I came to eat the seafood tsukemen, it’s quite delicious here.” 

“Oh, it is delicious, the seafood tsukemen.”

Huh? Wait. That’s not what I wanted to know.

Why is she in the same place as I am again?!

“I will not give up,” I had said to myself.

And I can’t even stay away from her.

And I ended up choosing the shop because I thought it would be impossible to meet here.

But…

“Oh, wait a minute for the Tsukemen. Tachibana-san comes very often, so I’ll give some extra.”

“Thank you,” she said.

She’s also a regular…

Moreover, even I got a bonus for the first time…

“And, thanks to Kusuba-san as well. Yes, another bonus”

“…”

There is one possibility.

It is a coincidence that the views and path of life are similar.

That is the only possibility.

But is that really possible?

This situation, the coincidence. And that too, 2 in a row.

“…We are quite similar, right?”

As soon as she said that, I had a flashback.

The line I had ignored when we were eating lunch on the stairs.

I remember the words that I pretended I couldn’t hear…

Because…

There is absolutely no way that we are the slightest bit similar.

I’m just a mob. Student A. The person who spends all the time in the background.

On the other hand, Tachibana is a ridiculously beautiful girl, with stylish friends, and huge popularity.

“Are you not eating?”

“I am…”

“If the tsukemen gets cold, the taste is changed.”

“I know that.”

It’s impossible for us to be similar.

Even if you just try to think of it, it’s completely wrong.

So why did Tachibana say such a thing?

But more than that, what was she trying to do by saying that?

“Well, it’s still quite delicious.”

“…It does look so.”

“Yeah, I know. Because of that, I am wearing old clothes, so even if I get dirty, I can eat comfortably.”

“Oh, so that black shirt was for that?”

“Yes, that’s right. Kusuba-san’s shirt is for the same reason? That shirt is for tsukemen, right?”

“No, these are my casual clothes.”

“Eh…?! I’m really sorry!”

“Hey, don’t apologize. That just makes it worse.”

Sorry that my casual clothes look dirty, I thought to myself.

Tachibana continued to eat her tsukemen happily.

She did not have the cold atmosphere as she had at school, but was just enjoying what she liked from her heart.

I also ate my tsukemen. 

It is much more delicious if more people eat together.

I have heard that line many times.

But, I don’t agree with it.

It’s much easier to eat alone.

You can also focus more on the taste.

It is not about the company.

I don’t think eating alone is bad, but I know I am one of the few who think that way.

But maybe Tachibana thought the same way…

“That was delicious.”

“Gochisousama.”

We finished eating our food almost at the same time as we put down our bowl.

After drinking water, we took a deep breath.

“Umm… Tachibana.”

“Yes, Kusuba-san?”

“Do you think eating together with people makes the food tastier?”

“No, I prefer to eat alone. That way I can focus on the taste more.”

Tachibana gave that reply in a serious tone.

I mean, she was right…

“There are times I want to eat with my friends, of course. But that’s more about talking rather than eating.”

“Is that so? I was cross-checking as I don’t have anyone to talk to.”

“… you don’t have anyone to talk to…”

“Hmm…? EH! Stop looking so sorry! My bad, my bad.”

Tachibana giggled as I said that.

Her appearance and expressions were many times more attractive than the usual cold-hearted personality, who always turned her shoulders and squinted her eyes.

“Usually people eat with company. Even when they want to focus on the meal, they usually eat with company.”

“Well, I also understand that feeling. Though people like us are much more unusual.”

“Anyway… Doesn’t Tachibana-san care about the eyes around her?”

“Not that much. After all, it usually happens. And it’s not too crowded here.”

“… That’s true…”

Maybe Tachibana and I might be just a little similar.

There’s nothing more to it.

Though I am not going to say it loud.

“Oh, by the way, Kusuba-san.”

“Yes?”

I don’t expect much.

I possess absolutely no useless hopes.

“Though I said earlier, today’s tsukemen with Kusuba-san was perhaps more delicious than usual.”

“…I see.”

“That’s all.”

That’s why I am not excited at all.

(TN: By Tachibana’s words)

After a few days, I ate tsukemen with Tachibana…

I came to a public bath in my neighborhood to clear the instability in my head.

Alone, as expected.

Have any complaints?

Public baths are good.

It gives me the feeling that my unstable heart and bad luck will get washed away.

Though it would have been better the nude old men wouldn’t be here.

Wash your head, body, and soak in the water.

It seems like I am reviving.

…But these days have been strange.

Now, our relationship keeps getting closer and closer.

The complete opposite of a mob-like me, a ridiculously beautiful girl.

The relationship between us was supposed to end quickly.

But now her impression inside me was changing.

Tachibana doesn’t seem to as a “normal” high-school girl as I had thought.

There seems to be more to her.

Otherwise, it should be impossible for her way of thinking and paths to overlap this much.

No, it’s just that we have a similar way of thinking.

It’s nothing special.

Just an unusual coincidence.

And that’s all.

I stand up and leave the bathhouse.

I changed my clothes. Then I bought a coffee, paid my fee for the bath, and left.

Yup, it’s not something to worry about.

It’s all over now.

Whatever Tachibana is, it is not related to me.

“…As I thought, I am getting a dangerous feeling”

“…Me too”

I have stopped being surprised now…

Tachibana Rika, with slightly red-dyed cheeks, was standing in front of the bath with an alluring posture.

Her hair is also wet. Seems like even she came here to take a bath.

“…why are you here?”

“For taking a bath. Isn’t that obvious.”

“…That’s…”

Isn’t that obvious?

As expected, it’s practically impossible to say it’s a coincidence.

“Don’t you have a bath at your house?”

“Of course, I have. But the bath at the bathhouse making my heart clam and feels as if all bad things will get washed away.”

“…Are you reading my mind?”

“hmm…?”

“Nothing, nothing”

We just stared at each other for a moment and walked out.

Let’s just go home.

I can’t help but worry about what has happened.

And it’s 10 o’clock at night.

If anything, It’s getting very late.

If that’s the case, should I walk her home?

But, won’t it be annoying, if a dark, background mob is following you home?

Also, Tachibana might not want me to know where she lives.

…Let’s just stop thinking of it.

It’s obvious…

Such a thing that should be done by a “good-looking” guy can’t be done by me.

“Bye. Be careful on your way home.”

“Yes, you too.”

I had put a little cool in my line, but it got a simple response.

What a shame.

“…”

“…”

“…”

“…”

“Hey…”

“This…”

We stopped at the same time and looked at each other.

“…Why are you following me?”

“That’s my line. Why are you walking with me?”

“It’s because my house is this way, I always walk this way.”

“Even I am on my way home…”

“Me too…

Her words rung in my head.

“Eh…?”

Hey…HEY, give me a break…

While facing me on the route at night, Tachibana had a wry smile on her face. 

Perhaps, even I had such an expression.

“Well… if you think about it, we had also met in Kaiten-Zushi. It’s a possibility that that’s close to your home.”

“True, it is. Even tsukemen restaurants don’t work well unless they are in the neighborhood.”

There was a brief pause.

And then, at the same time, we exploded with laughter.

Tachibana, who was usually calm and composed, was holding her belly and laughing.

It seems that she lives nearby.

Well… seeing all the coincidences up till now, it seems obvious.

“Now I understand. Let’s go home together till our paths divide. Or it’ll get weird.”

“It would, it’ll become strange if one of us takes a detour for no reason.”

I nodded while I was a bit stunned, then Tachibana and I started walking again.

We walked side by side, at a leisurely pace.

Whatever happens in the future, I feel like I could get along with Tachibana for today.

Suddenly, a gentle night breeze blew.

Tachibana’s hair fluttered in the wind.

The scene was just beautiful. As if it was from a scene in a movie.

“…Kusuba-san.”

“Eh?”

I came back from my thoughts with a sudden call from Tachibana.

My strange reaction caused her to tilt her head a little.

“Why don’t you have any friends?

“Well… why do you ask?”

Is it my aura?

Is my aura leaking?

“You had said that you didn’t have anyone to eat lunch with, didn’t you?”

“Oh, now that I think of it, I did say something like that.”

Good… It was not my aura…

I was so relieved that I wanted to pat my chest to soothe my heart.

“It’s not I can’t make friends, rather, I don’t.”

“Yes, I am asking why you don’t.”

“Huh… oh, yes…”

I feel regret for saying that.

I tried to justify myself, for no apparent reason.

“I prefer one person’s company rather than many.”

“Why so?”

“It’s much easier to have only one good friend. Socializing is tiring. And if you’re alone, you don’t have to get along with or quarrel with anyone.”

“Do you get into arguments often?”

“I don’t. I don’t really have anyone to…”

“Then, you don’t know what will really happen, do you?”

“I don’t think so, it’s always been that way.”

Up until middle school, I had some people who I could call friends.

But as we talked and played together, they all moved away from me.

And the cause for that?

“My personality is not suitable for socializing. I have a bad personality.”

“Bad personality…”

“To cut it short-“

“I do not think so…”

“…Eh?”

“…”

Tachibana was silent. She had a different expression, her fingers on one side of her beautiful face.

(TN: Translation here was a bit weird to just, Japanese-English. Basically, Tachibana had her fingers on her jaw, like she was stating a fact. She was not covering her face or blushing, probably.”

I also didn’t say anything more.

Well… I’ve reached home.

So, I stop in front of my apartment.

Let’s just say our goodbyes again and move on.

But, for some reason, Tachibana was looking at me with a difficult expression.

“What…?”

“…there is another building of this apartment at the back, right?”

“Hmm…? Yes, Building B. That’s right.”

I mean, I have hardly ever noticed it before.

And I never interact with any residents over there.

Wait… Why does Tachibana know that…

“…That’s my house.”

As she said so, she let out a wry laugh.

“EH? Next door?!” 

It was lunch break the following day.

As I spoke about yesterday’s incidents to Kyoya, he shouted in a dumb voice.

“Idiot, What are you shouting for?”

“Huh? Ah, sorry.”

“Geez…”

Fortunately, no one heard the words that were shouted by Kyoya. Though there was one person who looked over, but he just glanced and didn’t seem interested.

Was it really a good idea to tell Kyoya…?

I feel like I really shouldn’t have told him…

“Not next door, at the back. The apartment has another building at the back separated by a fence. Though you can easily pass through using the back door.”

“The same apartment? How did you not notice?”

“The entrances are different for each building. Mine is on the south, while Tachibana’s building is on the north. And you just have to go straight to reach school.”

“You used a different street to go to school? I get it now…”

“Maybe that’s it. The public bath was on the south street. So, the way back was covered.”

“Haaaa…”

Kyoya seemed very impressed.

But that quickly became a mischievous grin.

“So… In other words, there’s still a possibility for you to get along with Tachibana-san, right?”

Kyoya whispered to me, as he came and our shoulders touched each other.

The skinship is the same as ever.

And he still hasn’t given up…?

“No, there is no such possibility. I don’t something like that”

“Don’t lie. If that’s true, why did you tell me this story in the first place?”

“Uhh…”

Seeing me struggling with an answer, Kyoya scanned me with an unpleasant gaze that seemed to see through everything.

“Well, Ren, I don’t think you have such a bad personality,” he said. “Tachibana-san is grateful to you so don’t think much about it.”

“That relationship of favors is long gone.” I replied. “Don’t keep bringing up that story.”

“The only thing that’s gone is that relation regarding the favors, right? The feeling of a person once changed doesn’t disappear so quickly.”

Kyoya replied to my remark with a dazzling smile that seemed to make me angry.

He speaks as if he understands.

To give me useless expectations, what does this guy want to do?

“Ren, it’s my dream, to go on a double date with you.”

“…If you’re serious, that was really disgusting.”

“I’m not joking! I’m serious!”

“If so, keep dreaming. That will never come true in your entire life.”

“Oh? Keep watching, I’ll definitely make it happen.” Kyoya laughed carelessly.

So…This guy is an idiot after all.

It looks like it’s useless no matter what I say.

“But, it would be nice if Ren got along with Tachibana-san, right?”

Listening to his words, I immediately thought of Tachibana’s face.

The ridiculously beautiful and perfect face…

A joyful expression while eating sushi…

A curious face, while tilting the head on the side…

Every Tachibana was beautiful without a doubt.

I wonder if a person exists in this world who can say he doesn’t want to get along with Tachibana.

“…”

“See, you can’t even deny it.”

“No… I mean… I’m just confused…”

“Really?”

I don’t like Kyoya’s pushy attitude.

No, I’m not.

I’m not the kind of person who can face others properly like you.

Expectations while approaching them, then you fail and hate yourself.

That’s the usual pattern.

But I can’t handle the stress coming on me because of my opponent, so I’m giving up.

“Well… I wouldn’t force you either. If you don’t want to get along with her, you can give up.”

“…Really?”

“Yes, but if you want to get along with Tachibana-san, I will support you with all my power and help you out.” Kyoya said while giving me a thumbs up.

At that moment, the school bell sounded and the break ended.

Kyoya stood up to go back to his seat.

“What a selfish guy…”

But if he wasn’t I might have never been friends with him.