Volume 1 - CH 5

“Ahhh, dang it! Curse that Shimono Nanaya!”

After coming home, I buried my face in my pillow, complaining.

“Don’t joke with me! Don’t joke with me! Don’t joke with me!”

Not fair. That’s definitely against the rules! Rubbing a sleeping girl’s head…what the hell?

“What do you mean by ‘Good work today, Touka-san’, huh?! You’ll make my heart squeeze up, it hurts!”

I was indeed sleeping. I was leaning against the table, and taking a quick nap, but that was it. That’s right, it was a REM sleep, basically where I was still half-awake. I could tell that he placed his hand on my head, and I could faintly hear his voice. I was still feeling dizzy at that moment, but now that I’m home, I’m perfectly clear.

What was that about? Calling my clothes cute, saying how beautiful my hair is, he’s a natural-born playboy! I bet he isn’t even aware of it! Yeah, there’s no way. A guy who doesn’t react to me being flirty all the time after leaping back in time naturally wouldn’t be aware of that. Does he even know how hard I was working, how I swallowed my embarrassment just to approach him? Yet he showed absolutely no reaction whatsoever, it makes me lose my confidence as a girl, wanting to throw my head into the sand.

I feel like my heart is going to break. For the first time, I felt the desire to quit something mid-way through, which isn’t like me at all. And yet, look what he did just now. That man…he’s not popular with the housewives at the office just for show. I raised my body from the bed and sighed. Just where am I going wrong? Receiving such treatment is fine and all, but when I would have to respond to these actions, I keep cursing him. Maybe that’s my mistake.

A popular girl would have taken the compliment while reacting in a cute way. That would be the perfect example of an adorable girl, completely different from me, who is stubborn about everything…Yeah, I’m not cute at all. It was the same during Kofuyu-chan’s birthday party the other day. Despite everybody celebrating, I was sulking on my own, complaining, and just being awful.

But…but it was just that big of a shock to me. These words of Shimono-kun, saying that we’re like a newlywed couple…Of course, I’m not that big of an idiot to actually think he was being serious about that. But, not telling me to hold a grudge for a joke is just too much. I get it, I know you were joking…You were joking?! Ahhhhh! Ahhhh I’m going to cry again! Ever since that day, I’ve been imagining so many times about how our honeymoon would go! And yet he completely ignores it as soon as I say it!

But, it’s fine. He rubbed my head. We’re even. That being said, because I took a nap before, now I don’t feel sleepy anymore. I got up from my bed and put on my hoodie. I was thinking of holding back from alcohol until I was an adult, but now I really had the urge to drink something. I might go to the convenience store and buy some non-alcoholic beer. I think a high school student should be able to buy it still. With my casual clothes, they shouldn’t be able to find out either way. According to him, I don’t look like a high school girl after all. I took out my wallet, left my room, stepping out onto the hallway.

“I’m home.”

My older brother came home. He’s five years older than me.

“Welcome back.”

“Leaving now, Touka? It’s already past 10 pm.”

He has the guts to say that despite coming home late. He was probably out on a date with a girl.

“I’m heading to the convenience store.”

“Oh, right. Be careful.” He put his hand on my head.

“Ahh! Onii-chan!!”

“Hm? What’s up?”

Gaah, just the worst! He just overwrote Shimono-kun patting me on the head! Not to mention my older brother! So annoying!

“You know what…forget about it.”

I might just start crying again. Or rather, I was already half-crying as I tied the shoelaces of my running shoes, and stood up again.

“In a bad mood, huh?”

“Shut up. Ah, Onii-chan…if a boy rubs the head of a girl, uhm, w-what exactly do they feel? You must be good with that, right?”

“Ahh, I see. So what, did the boy you like rubbed your head?”

“H-Huuuh?! Makes no sense! Could you properly explain it?”

“Ahaha, you’re so easy to read, Touka. At the very least, I wouldn’t do that to a girl I had no affection for, so you can be happy.”

“Really now. Isn’t really an answer, but whatever.”

“Still, I guess that lad’s worries were needless, huh. No, this might actually be even more trouble…”

“What are you mumbling about?”

“Nothing at all. More importantly, a girl like you shouldn’t be sleeping in a cafe, you better be careful from now on.”

“Huh?! You were there?!”

“Anyway, come home quick, alright?”

“Ah, wait, Yuito-oniichan!”

However, he ignored my screams and disappeared into the living room while raising one hand. I glared at his back and walked out of the entrance. That stupid older brother, if you’re there then wake me up, geez. Well, either way. So he wouldn’t do that to a girl he doesn’t like, I see. Well, not like I really care, but…huh. I see, I see.

I have to say, the early summer street at night was a bit chilly. The streetlights illuminated my silhouette as I skipped in joy while walking to the convenience store.

*

After finishing my shopping trip, I didn’t go home right away, and instead headed to the nearby public park. I sat down at the bench, opened up my plastic bag, and took out a non-alcoholic beer. In front of me was the symbol of this park, a relatively large pond, its circumference a proper running course, which is why a person jogging passed me by. With the frogs striking a hymn in the pond, I enjoyed the sip of beer that gushed down my throat.

“Puhaaaaa! Beer’s the best after all!”

I might sound like an old man, but since Shimono-kun can’t see me right now, and since there’s no alcohol inside of it, nobody should complain. I guess even non-alcoholic stuff can be pretty delicious. I’m feeling great. I’m glad I came to the park here, being alone and outside with some beer isn’t bad once in a while. Right as I went to take a second sip, a couple passed by me. They were probably in their early twenties. This park was frequently used as a shortcut here in the neighborhood after all.

“Hey, what do you like about me, Takkun?”

“What I like about you? Hmm, I wonder?”

Youngsters? Go fall into that pond next to you by a sudden gush of wind.

“Ehh, that doesn’t make sense! I’m ugly, I have a bad personality, and I’m not clever at all!”

If that is true, then that guy should probably break up with you immediately.

“That modest part of yours is what I really like, Miho.”

Huh? Are you stupid? Moron! Dummy! Idiot! How is this modest? Read the mood! Learn the ability to guess the feelings of the person with you!

“Aww, I like you too, Takkun!”

You just wanted to say that from the start, huh! So annoying! Just be honest, you’re wasting everyone’s time!

“Hey, Takkun, isn’t that girl over there looking at us?”

“Stop it, she’s sitting there all alone at such a time, you probably shouldn’t get involved with her.”

Huh? Huh? Oi! I wasn’t looking. You just stepped into my view. If you don’t want me to look, then don’t go around flirting in public! That’s right, that’s my conclusion! Yeah, I can’t say anything, since I’m not much better!

“She’s glaring at us, so scary~”

“Come on, let’s go.”

Yeah, go! Leave! Piss off! Outta my sight!

“Huff, huff.”

I was oddly out of breath and took a third sip while watching after those two lovebirds. Quickly enough, my can ended up half-empty. Let me just forget about these two, and drink some more.

“W-Wait a second, Miho!”

“I don’t care! You’re dead to me, Takkun!”

Suddenly, those two returned. Now hold on, what happened in the few seconds they were out of sight? Well, that’s what you get. Being lovey-dovey only to fight seconds later, love between younglings really isn’t any big deal.

“I just slept with her once, that’s all!”

Wha?

“Come on, Tatsuya! Just forget about that spoiled brat, and come with me. And let alone one time, you’re a slave to this body of mine, and we’ve done it so many times.”

From the back appeared another woman, looking a lot more mature and almost seductive…What?

“I was planning on marrying Takkun. He accepted me despite being ugly, nasty, and dumb, and I loved him for that. I even gave him my first kiss.”

Hey, you shitty Tatsuya! You made Miho cry, damn it!

“That’s…a bit much, you know?”

What? Huh? Excuse me? Is this guy crazy? Then again, cheating on your girlfriend and not even showing any remorse shows that this guy has not a single shred of humanity left inside of him!

“How cruel…You’re so cruel, Takkun…”

Yep! He’s an asshole, Miho! Just break up with him! I’m sorry for before, I got the wrong idea. You’re really cute, really nice, and a great woman. But you should be more careful with the guys you choose, so just break up with him. It’s fine, you’ll find a better guy right away.

“What’s with that potato woman? She’s crying now, so gross. Hey, Tatsuya, let’s just go to a hotel. I’ll make you feel really good.”

You shut up! Miho and Tatsuya are talking right now!

“Yeah, I guess you’re right. I can’t be bothered to go out with such a stupid woman. She would never let me do her, so now it’s just a chore.”

Alright, I’m gonna knock that asshole out right now. I will use my fist, ram it into his face, and teach him a lesson.

“You don’t know how adults date, you brat. Come on, Tatsuya.”

“Yeah, let’s go. I’m not letting you sleep tonight.”

“Oh my~”

“Bye, Miho. Don’t contact me again.”

I stood up and took one step forward while glaring at the two. I’m not letting you go! Not until I punched the ever-living crap out of your smug face!

“Ugh…Waaaah.”

However, I saw Miho breaking down on the ground, bursting out in tears, so I stopped in my tracks. Even if I had a thing or two to say to those bastards, I couldn’t leave a crying girl alone in a park at night. So, I squatted down and offered Miho a handkerchief.

“Are you okay, Miho?”

“……Who?”

Yeah, well, I guess that’s to be expected.

*

“Here you go.”

I handed Miho a can of warm coffee I bought from the vending machine and sat down on the bench next to her.

“Thanks.” Miho still had a sniffle as she smiled at me.

She really is cute.

“Have you calmed down a bit?”

“Yeah, thank you.”

“Glad to hear that. How old are you?” I asked Miho.

“I’m 22.”

“I see.”

She must be in university…or maybe she’s working already at that age.

“What about you, Touka-chan?” Miho called out my name since I just introduced myself.

“I’m 28.”

…Ah! I accidentally told her my real age. I could play it off as being a university student with Assistant manager Nakagawa, but 28 is too much.

“So you’re older than me, huh.”

It worked! It actually worked?! Maybe she actually is an airhead! Or do I really look 28? That would suck!

“W-Well, just forget about that guy. You’re still young, so you’ll find a good guy soon enough.”

“Thank you, Touka-chan. You’re so kind. I’m sorry I called you scary before.”

Likewise, I’m sorry for complaining about you before.

“I don’t mind. I guess I must seem a bit scary being all alone in a public park this late.”

“Do you have a boyfriend, Touka-chan? You’ve got great looks, and you look as young as a high school student, so I bet you must be popular.”

So I look like a high school student after all!

“I don’t. Men are idiots, and I don’t get them at all.”

“Even after turning 28?”

What an air-headed yet sharp retort. That actually hurt. Also, I’m six years older than you, what’s with that nonchalant tone of yours? Well, normally she’d be five years older than me, so maybe I should speak more politely? I drank the last of my non-alcoholic beer when Miho asked me another question.

“Do you have someone you like?”

“Cough cough!”

The beer ended up right in my trachea.

“So you do!” Miho sounded happy.

“I-I don’t.”

“That’s a lie~ You’re so easy to see through, Touka-chan. What are they like? Tell me, tell me!”

Why do girls love talking about romance this much? W-Well, I guess I can tell her.

“Fine then…he’s a bit clumsy, but his smile is really cute…and he’s a very kind person. He easily forgets about himself just to save another person.”

“Wow! So you fell in love with him after he saved you?”

“W-Well…something like that.”

I started to feel embarrassed, wondering just what I was telling a girl I had barely met.

“How did that happen?”

“That’s a secret.”

“Ehhh, come on, tell me~”

“No, that’s embarrassing.”

“Booo!”

Thanks to Miho’s words, I was reminiscing back to the day. The day when I first became conscious of him, and the day I fell in love with him…the day of the election 11 years ago. He caught me as I fell off the stage, and despite being injured heavily, he smiled at me. It must have hurt. He must have been suffering. His face was distorted in pain and riddled with sweat. And even so, he smiled at me and said:

‘I’m glad you’re safe.’

For the first time, I thought of a man as cool, and it didn’t take me long to understand that this was love.

“I’m sure you’ll find a great guy eventually.”

Surely, God is watching such a pure girl like you, and will reward you eventually.

“Hm? Did you say something, Touka-chan?”

“Nothing at all~”

I still don’t understand a man’s feelings. But, I still have to try hard. Even if things don’t work out, even if I break down mid-way, I just can’t give up.

The beautiful stars illuminated the calm night sky. Having made a new friend, I was in a great mood. And during such a wonderful night, the beer tasted a lot better than usual.