Volume 1 - CH 17

After being shaken on the train for a while, we arrived at our destination. The terminal station we were at was bustling with a lot of people, even though it was a weekday.

I may not look like it… well, no matter how you look at it, I don’t like crowded places. Especially waves of people like this, I hate them. If everyone lined up and marched straight, it wouldn’t be a problem. However, in these types of crowds, most people try to forcefully move in the direction they want to go. As a result, walking becomes more difficult and requires adapting to various obstacles and changes, which is very stressful. Oh, it’s so irritating!

“…You’re making quite a face right now, you know?”

“What kind of face?”

“An idiotic one.”

Apparently, my annoyed face looked idiotic to Hayashi. I slowly returned my face to its normal state.

We continued walking for a while longer.

“Hayashi, where are we going first?”

“Let’s eat lunch.”

“Isn’t it a bit early?”

It was just before 11 o’clock.

“Being early is just right. It gets crowded with people lining up when it’s lunchtime.”

“I see. You’re smart, aren’t you?”

“Yes. Let’s go then.”

Despite being genuinely praised, Hayashi skillfully brushed off my words. I followed her as she walked through the station building, went through a building, and entered another building a short walk away. The beef tongue restaurant seemed to be on the restaurant floor of this building.

As Hayashi predicted, the restaurant wasn’t too crowded at this time. We were made to wait for a short while, but then we were prompted to enter.

We were guided to a clean booth in the restaurant and the two of us looked at the menu together.

“I think I’ll have this.”

“That? This one has a variety of types, you know? You can even do a taste comparison.”

“Mom.”

“Stop with the mom thing. So, what will you do?”

“Then, I guess I’ll have that.”

“Hmm… Oh, look, there’s a free upgrade to a large portion. You’re a growing boy, so that’s better, right?”

“Yeah, Mom.”

“Excuse me!”

Finally, Hayashi accepted my mom calling… or maybe she just ignored it.

Well, if I may explain myself, I didn’t call Hayashi “mom” just to tease her. The way she suggested various items to increase satisfaction or recommended the free upgrade to a large portion was indeed reminiscent of a mother.

Well, my own parents never interfered with me that much. In a way, Hayashi is more parental than my own parents. I even feel that way sometimes.

Hayashi called a waiter and told them our orders for two.

Come to think of it, as a man, maybe I should have been the one to tell the waiter our menu choices.

…Well, the waiter is already gone, so it doesn’t matter.

After the waiter left, we enjoyed our conversation. In about ten minutes, the beef tongue we had been waiting for arrived.

“Let’s eat.”

“Let’s eat.”

“…Delicious.”

“It really is.”

We only exchanged minimal words during the meal since Hayashi had complained that whispering while eating was bad manners. By the way, I didn’t talk much with my family during meals at home either. It wasn’t forbidden; everyone was just absorbed in watching TV and didn’t make time for conversation with the family. It may have seemed like a cold household, but from the perspective of those involved, it wasn’t uncomfortable or bad.

“…Hehe.”

“What?”

“Nothing.”

After a while, Hayashi looked at my face and laughed. She didn’t tell me the reason. Was it retaliation for the teasing earlier? I couldn’t tell, but I checked to make sure I didn’t have seaweed or something stuck to my teeth. There was no sign of that.

Why on earth was I being laughed at by her just now?

I didn’t know, but it was useless to worry about it, so I decided to focus on the meal. It would be a waste to be distracted by other things while eating such delicious beef tongue.

“…Delicious.”

After finishing the beef tongue and grated yam rice, we left the restaurant. Our next destination was the station underground. There were many shops lined up there, and the one we were looking for was a general store.

“…Wow. This looks useful.”

As planned, I was looking at cleaning supplies. Hayashi was behind me. I could tell by her presence.

“…Hey, you.”

While I was admiring the cleaning supplies, Hayashi, who was behind me, called out to me.

“Ah, sorry. I forgot… Have you decided where you want to go?”

“Not yet.”

“I see…”

“…You know, your feelings show on your face surprisingly easily.”

“What?”

“Your feelings.”

My feelings show on my face. Does that mean I can’t keep a poker face?

“It’s a bit surprising. You always seem so guarded, so it’s funny that your face gives everything away.”

Hayashi chuckled, and I finally realized.

At the station when she called my face stupid, at the beef tongue restaurant when she laughed at me, and now… It seems Hayashi finds my facial expressions amusing and can’t help but laugh.

…Isn’t that bullying to some people? Don’t do that to anyone other than me, okay?

“If it entertains you that much, then it’s fine.”

“Ah, come on, don’t be sulky.”

“I’m not sulking.”

“You are. You’re really like a child.”

…Sorry for being childish. I didn’t say it out loud. I thought complaining out loud would seem childish.

“…Well, I’m no different in being childish.”

“Really?”

“Yeah.”

Hayashi nodded, somewhat wistfully.

“Actually, I don’t want to leave your room. In my heart, that’s what I’m thinking.”

“…Huh?”

“Like a whining child, right? Thinking such things.”

That’s not true.

That’s what I thought, but I couldn’t say it out loud. What would happen if I said that? My mind was filled with such thoughts, and I couldn’t even move my mouth.

“Don’t worry. I won’t cause you any more trouble.”

…What will happen?

“So, thank you. You really helped me this time.”

What would happen if I told her now that it’s okay for her to stay?

“…We ended up having a gloomy conversation, huh? Sorry… Shall we go? Are you going to buy something?”

“No, I’m good.”

We left the general store. We spent about 20 minutes browsing inside, but in the end, neither of us bought anything.