Volume 2 - CH 1.4

Chapter 1 - Reunion (Part 4)

After leaving the train station, we boarded the bus and got off after a 30-minute ride.

At the bus stop where we got off, there was a hut. These are the kind you often see in manga where the protagonist and heroine make out, or in slice of life manga where girls have fun talking to each other. That was the first time I saw it in person. It was strangely exciting. I was moved almost to the point of romance.

"Come on, Pochi, let's go."

"Who are you calling a dog, huh?"

I hurriedly ran after Kana as she walked down the street. If she left me, I would be lost. As I walked, I looked around and sighed in awe. I was surrounded by nature in all its splendor. To the right was a forest and to the left were rice fields.

Looking ahead, I could see a few houses, but it would be more accurate to call it the countryside.

I once watched an anime about the countryside, and this environment was just like the one in the anime.

"Hey Kana, where's Hoshimiya's house?"

"Wait a minute. I'm checking it out right now..."

Kana walked away staring at her phone. Then she looked up and said, "It seems far away from the area where the houses are clustered. It's near the mountains. It's surrounded by a more natural feeling." She showed me the screen of his cell phone as she said this. It was Hoshimiya and Kana's chat room. There were some pictures of directions and videos that seemed to be actually taken by Hoshimiya.

"The countryside is beautiful. It feels free, and I miss living in the country."

"In fact, I hear it's inconvenient to shop and difficult to socialize."

"Don't say things that aren't true. ......Oh, there's a place that looks like a grassland. I'm sure it would be fun to run around in a place like that."

"Pfft, you're like a dog."

"......Yono and Hoshimiya also told me that I look like a dog."

"Well, I can understand that. I mean, if I had to say it. Changing emotions. You can directly express what you think ..... Riku is like a dog."

"Don't lick me, okay? I'm still human, you know."

"I'll give you a candy ball if you give me your hand. Strawberry flavor."

"Woof."

I quickly put my right hand into Kana's, which was lightly grasped. I like strawberry flavor.

"Oh my God, that's kind of cute. I wanted to make fun of you, but you're so cute. You're so stupid."

"Hurry up and give me the candy."

"It looks like a dog, or maybe it looks like Riku."

Without making fun of me, Kana said happily with a smile on her face.

Maybe it was the natural atmosphere, but it was bright and cheerful as we continued our journey.

"By the way, have you ever seen a vegetable vendor?"

"Yes. I saw it when we were on the bus, right? It was unattended."

"I didn't see it. But I wonder if someone will steal it."

"There are no such bad guys in the country, are there?"

"Maybe. But I bet no bad guys would rob a grocery store or something like that."

"Please don't say that, it sounds like a flag."

We didn't talk about anything else and finally arrived at the house where Hoshimiya lived.

It is a two-story wooden structure built on a small hill at the foot of the mountain. The blackened roof tiles made it look old.

Behind us was a forest leading up to the mountain, and tall grass grew thickly on the ground.

Instead of being surrounded by nature, this house gave the impression of coexisting with nature.

The power poles near the house seemed out of place.

"Let's go, Riku."

"............"

"Riku?"

"Uh, yeah. Alright ...... let's go."

Thinking that I was about to meet Hoshimiya, I was really nervous. What was I going to say? My feelings were so far ahead of me that I didn't think about what I would say later.

I didn't tell her that I was coming, and of course I wanted to surprise her, but I wondered if I would cause trouble later?

Now I found myself asking questions of common sense.

Before I could think of anything else, Kana was already standing in front of the house.

I took about three steps back and stared at the frosted glass sliding door of the front door.

"Then I'll call her, okay?"

"Yes!"

"You're so tense. Good luck, Riku Kuromine."

Smiling and shouting encouragement, Kana turned to the doorbell and gently touched it - and pressed it.

Ji───

The electronic sound continued to ring.

"............"

The beads of sweat on my hands broke away from the summer heat. I took a deep breath to calm myself.

The sound of footsteps approached from behind the house.

Through the frosted glass I saw a figure. It was a woman.

There was no way I could mistake her for anyone else with that height, stature, and demeanor.

She was instantly recognizable, even though she wasn't clearly visible, as if she were a mosaic.

Yes, it is Hoshimiya.

With a rattling sound, the frosted glass sliding door opened.

Sure enough, the person who appeared was Hoshimiya────.

Her hair was dyed light brown, and the atmosphere was the same as before.

I saw that she was wearing a white T-shirt and gray shorts, which were loungewear.

Hoshimiya, who hadn't noticed my presence, looked at Kana and smiled.

"Kana! It's been so long - I missed you!"

"Ayana?"

"Yes? What's wrong?"

"Ah, nothing. It's been a long time. I missed you too."

Hoshimiya was more energetic than I had imagined, and Kana was annoyed for a moment, but quickly responded with a smile. Of course, I was confused as well. She was as happy as if nothing had happened.

Then the two of them let go of the longing and started to talk.

"Kana, did you enjoy your summer vacation?"

"Um, yes, I guess. And you, Ayana? It's pretty far out in the country, but is that a problem?"

"I was a little confused at first, but now I'm having fun. Everyone is so nice. I'm sure Kana will like it too. ......Oh, you're staying here for a few days, right? I have a room for you."

"Yes, it's nice to meet you. But, you know ............ what about the other one?"

"Hm?"

The main topic is not about their meeting. It's about me and Hoshimiya.

Kana shifted to the side to show what I looked like and drew Hoshimiya's gaze to me.

"Ah."

Our eyes met and a voice came out of Hoshimiya's mouth.

────!!!

Goose bumps rose all over my body.

Hoshimiya's eyes - the emotion behind his eyes - was something I did not know.

The bad premonition gave me goosebumps even more.

My heart skipped a beat, like a warning sound.

My limbs went numb, and even my sense of reality began to fade.

There was no way out now.

Hoshimiya smiled with that charming smile I love so much....

"Um, nice to meet you ...... huh? Are you Kana's boyfriend?"