Chapter 34
TL: Scaramochi
***
It wasn't an office, but rather a room in an ordinary apartment. It would be more aptly described as the house where Miya-san usually lives.
Perhaps Yamamoto must have thought the same thing. It didn't look like an office to anyone's eyes.
"Miina, here is some water. Drink it."
Yamamoto's steps seem heavy from the sleep in the cab. She is so wobbly that I am glad I was able to carry her safely to her room.
After all, she shouldn't be drinking. Especially in front of a man. Now this girl is like a girl who is brought home after a drinking session at a shitty club in college.
When she drinks, she thirsts like crazy. The only thing in common is that it is a liquid, and this is by no means what makes a person's body. Just hydrating yourself before bed should change things a bit....... I'm sorry for what you're going through, because I know how painful a hangover can be.
She looked like she was about to fall off, but she gulped it down with a gulp. I guess her throat was still parched.
"You have to take off your makeup. Can you do that?"
"I'm sleepy......."
"Oh, my God. Come here."
Oh, right. I guess women need their makeup removed, too. If it were me, I'd have laid down on the bed right away. Without even taking a bath. That act would eventually leave me drunk and tired until the next day.
"Hey, what's that?"
She was about to disappear into the hallway, but then she spun around and looked me in the eye.
"Are you trying to peek at my idol's skin?"
Miya-san rubs her back and was probably about to take her to the bedroom. She says something like that and I can't help but giggle. It's a good accusation.
"I didn't do anything......"
"I have a policy of putting extra stakes in the ground."
That's what I've seen you do so far. That's why I couldn't bring myself to deny it. On the other hand, I have no intention of agreeing with her. I don't know what they would say if I did.
Their backs were disappearing into the bedroom. I felt it was too tiring to stand there for a long time, so I sat down on a chair by the table.
I looked around the room again and saw that it was a bit spacious for a single person. Could she be married? Or a divorced person? I'm sure a lot of things will come up if I look for them, but I don't want to be that delicately dressed. I silently looked down at my phone.
"Sorry to bother you. Hope you don't have a hangover."
"That's okay. I gave her some over-the-counter anti-hangover medicine just in case."
She looked a little tired. But she doesn't want me to leave, so I guess she intends to drink again.
She brings a glass of wine and a bottle of red wine from the kitchen and grins.
"Wine, can you drink it? It's cheap."
"Yes. I'll pour you a glass."
"Sorry."
Then Miya-san disappears back into the kitchen. I hear her open the refrigerator, so I wonder if she has some kind of knob. If it's wine, I want cheese. It goes well with it.
"I only have store-bought cheese, is that okay?"
"Sure. Thank you."
Oh I guess we were thinking the same thing.
She might be quite a pain in the ass to bring a whole case of toothpicks that she doesn't even know if she will use or not. It's easier for me to take care of things if she's that messy.
Unlike in the midst of the bustle, I felt that the toast was more elegant. Maybe it was the wine, not the beer. I was told it was cheap, but it was quite tasty. Is it really cheap? Maybe they are just being modest. I don't really care as long as I can drink it.
"You seem to be on very good terms with each other."
"Don't make fun of me. It's not like that."
Did I have such a longing look on my face? I was just chewing on the taste of adult grapes. Oh, maybe that was the reason.
It was before 9 PM. when I left the restaurant, so I had plenty of time to catch the last train. I was in the mood to go home a little drunker.
"......That girl, I can't take her out for a drink like that."
"I agree with that."
I didn't think that only Miya-san would allow such a thing, but I was relieved that it was as expected. For Yamamoto's sake and for the sake of the girl in front of me, that decision was the right one.
It's not all pretty in this world. There are also men who get people drunk and then violate them. Just imagining such a piece of trash getting her hands on her is unforgivable.
I was thinking the same thing at the restaurant earlier. Come to think of it. Maybe it's more fan psychology than anything else to not want to see her get hurt.
Maybe it's because I slept a little in the cab, but my head is clear. I don't feel like I've sobered up, though.
It was a simple drinking party, with only a bottle of wine, glasses, and some store-bought cheese she had taken out of the refrigerator on the table. And the cheese was individually wrapped, completely toothpick-free.
Perhaps noticing this, Miya-san asked, "Shall I grill some sausages?"
It was indeed a nice suggestion that would look great on the table, but I had no obligation to ask her to go that far. I turned her down softly.
"I knew I would meet you because of her."
She said as she held the wine glass between her fingers and slid it across the table. The shimmering dark purple color reflected well in the white light that enveloped the room. I listened back, pretending to have no idea what the words meant.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean it as it is?"
When a question is answered with a question, the conversation never progresses. I can only sense a sense of composure in her expression. I don't intend to get into a gut-wrenching argument here in the first place. It's too much trouble. It would be easier to have a heart-to-heart talk.
"I'm just...... asking for advice."
"Heh."
What's with the face?
"What's wrong? It's just a girl asking a guy for advice."
......You're probably right. I know that without being told. I guess I just didn't realize it, but there was dance music playing loudly in my mind.
I don't usually listen to that kind of music. When people get carried away, they do things that are out of character. Especially because they know how vulnerable she is, which is special to herself.
"......Easy to understand."
I felt dumbfounded and ridiculed. I had a funny feeling, so I downed the wine in my glass in one gulp. The alcohol hit my head.
"But maybe you're important to that girl."
"Eh, what's that all of a sudden?"
"Because it is, isn't it?"
She was busy denying and affirming. When I was about to pour wine by hand, Miya stopped me. She was going to pour the wine for me.
"There are only a limited number of people who don't mind being seen like that."
"You think she has a thing for me?"
"I didn't say that. It's just a wish."
"No."
I'm a bit of a one-word guy, really.
If they say it's wishful thinking, it's bound to be unnerving, even if it's not me. So it's not my fault. It's just that when that feeling arises, that's what it means. I know.
"You weren't drinking at the launch."
"Um, you're making fun of me. Ever since a moment ago."
"Because you're funny."
The wine is swaying as I finish pouring. It looks like the inside of my mind. Though not as beautifully colored as this.
"It's a strange fate, isn't it?"
"......Well."
Me and you. And you and her.
"......"
"It's like our destiny is revolving around Araki."
I don't think it's that big of a deal. First of all, I am the one who is involved in this, and she is the one who is now drunk and crushed at the center of it.
Oh, by the way, I haven't been smoking. I wonder if she would let me smoke under the ventilation fan or on the balcony.
"What will be it's fate?"
I asked as I stood up to use the restroom. Then she thought for a moment and smiled.
"Miina will be in heaven."
"Then, may I at least see one of your sleeping faces?"
"No. You're so silly."
What the hell? You told me that I was the center of destiny.
And yet, apparently, I'm getting a little drunk.
Ah, I feel light-headed. I guess it was a bad idea to take a nap in the cab. If I could, I'd like to sleep next to her.
Just kidding.