CH 34

”Hey, where are we going to eat after all? “

”Well, let’s see. Where should we go?…uh.”

”What’s that? I thought we got off here because we knew where we were going! ?”

”M-my bad.”

Well, the worst is over for now.

I can still keep my promise to Kanna from here.

I still don’t know where she’s taking me, but

I managed to get off the bus to have lunch first.

Though I think it might be a little bit early for lunch at this time.

Just a little bit early…..

”And if you think about it, isn’t it a little early for lunch”

”Yeah, I guess so.”

Well, you’re right. It’s not the time people usually have lunch yet.

But to be honest, that’s not so important right now.

What matters is now. How I’m going to get out of this situation, it’s hard when it’s just the two of us…

And if you look closely, you’ll see that we’re in…

G-gion. 　

(Kyoto’s most famous geisha district)

Anyway, I was thinking too much about getting off the bus that I wasn’t thinking about anything else.

It is inevitable it will be troublesome if I am alone with Karen in such a crowded place…

Already in my sight, I saw a few guys wearing our uniforms here and there, though I don’t know their names…

I guess no one looks at me, but it’s different if it’s Karen.

It’s no exaggeration to say that no student in our school doesn’t know her.

What am I going to do?

But if I get on the bus again, I don’t know where I can get off next…

”Hey, it’s a weekday, and the bus is full of couples…”

And why is Karen so calm …….

”Hey. What… are you doing?”

”Punishment for bad arrangement. It’s not like the usual you!”

N-no, please. Just for a bit…

I can’t let go…

Uh, I can’t let go. Right now, my right-hand rests firmly on her left hand.

And her fingers…

And she’s grinning too much.

”Hey, someone’s gonna see it. Don’t do anything crazy now.”

”Ha? I don’t have a problem with it. You’re the one who minds it. “

And now for what I just said. She looks a little grumpy…

”Hey, you don’t like it? Kazama.”

”No, no, it’s not like that… Why are you asking me…”

I don’t have a problem with it, but something like this is a problem in itself…

”It’s really troublesome…”

”…”

”I mean, you know that better than anyone, right? I don’t have a partner, and you don’t have a partner right now. And there’s nothing wrong with that. Am I doing something wrong?”

Then she gives me her usual cheerful smile from next to me again.

I have to admit that…

I have to admit. But I’m not going to admit it with my mouth. As expected, she already knew…

”No, I made a mistake. I take it back.”

”I take it back…?”

And her eyes, they’re already…

”Hmm, I haven’t broken up with you yet, and I never will. So there’s no problem. Right?”

Ugh…

She’s completely aware of our switch.

”Say something! I won’t leave you until you admit it. If you don’t like it, then you have to dump me. Well, in that case, you’re effectively admitting it.”

Yeah. Totally… She knows.

And this feeling, I don’t think you’re talking about me….

”So, what are you gonna do?”

”Well… I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

I still can’t get my head around it.

I don’t know what to do.

When it comes right down to it, I can’t wrap my head around it.

”So, our relationship will continue as before. If you don’t like it, just let me know. I’ve already gone through a lot of trouble, so that’s what I’m going to do.”

And then she tightens her fingers on my hand even more.

So, that’s how it’s going to be.

I really don’t know what to do…

”Anyway, I don’t know where is the best place for lunch either, so why don’t you ask someone around here? Oh, maybe that maiko over there? I’m sure she knows a lot about the places around here.”

(Maiko, “dancing child” refers to apprentice geisha who are still training.)

Hmm? Maiko?

Ah, yes.

I saw about three maiko in kimono and white paint.

Before I know it, I’m headed straight for those maiko with her hand in my hand…

Well, I should go into a cafe somewhere to calm down. I need to calm myself down.

Yeah. I’ve been through a switch like that.

Something like this shouldn’t be so upsetting anymore.

If you think about it carefully, you’ll see some light, that’s right.

If I’m in a hurry here, I’ll only end up in the wrong direction.

By the way, the girl in the middle.

I can tell even with the white paint. She’s very pretty.

She’s kind of picturesque. She fits Kyoto so well.

Hmm? But isn’t Maiko usually so giddy…?

”Wow, Sayaka. You’re beautiful. Just as I thought! “

”Yes-yes! You really are beautiful. You’re a maiko among maiko. Hey, let’s have another picture taken to commemorate our visit! “

”Oh, no. You’re too beautiful. That’s right. It’s a nice keepsake.”

Hmm? 　

”Excuse me. Maiko over there!”

No, let’s not…

”Wait a minute! Karen!”