Volume 1 - CH 19

The Sea Bass connecting Yokohama Station to Yamashita Park was the boat Hayashi suggested, but we ended up boarding the Marine Rouge that arrived while we were waiting for the next Sea Bass. The Sea Bass is a boat that can also be used as a means of transportation, while the Marine Rouge is a sightseeing boat that goes around Yokohama Port. Although it’s a bit more expensive, if we’re going to ride a boat, we might as well see some unusual scenery. To her surprise, I was the one who made that suggestion.

We boarded the boat from the port and discovered for the first time that there was a restaurant on the boat. If we had known, we could have come here for lunch instead of eating the beef tongue. We laughed about it.

We hurried to the Sky Deck. The sky was perfectly clear and blue, giving us the illusion that it was celebrating our upcoming boat journey.

As we sat down on a seat on the Sky Deck and people started to gather sparsely on the deck, the boat set sail. At the same time, the large robot at Yamashita Park began to move. It made a loud noise and raised its index finger to wish us well as the boat turned and left the port.

“Wow!”

Hayashi was impressed next to me.

The boat’s announcement played as we passed Daikoku Pier and headed towards the Bay Bridge. Looking up at the Bay Bridge from below was breathtaking.

After passing several piers, the boat offered a panoramic view of Tokyo Bay.

I refuse to accept a sea with an opposite shore.

Despite my proclamation, the view that unfolded before my eyes was beautiful even with an opposite shore. The deep blue sea, fishing boats and container ships freely navigating the waters, and the Aqua Line, which appeared tiny in the distance. All of these sights were not something we could see in our daily lives.

“It’s an amazing view, isn’t it?”

“It really is.”

As I became absorbed in the view from the Sky Deck, I eventually noticed that most of the people who boarded the boat and came up to the deck were couples. It made sense that they would want to share the memory of looking at the sea from a boat with their loved ones. It’s quite a charming idea.

I’m sure the people here, unlike us, didn’t board this boat on a whim. They must have carefully planned their date with the intention of pleasing their partner and ended up on this boat.

With that in mind, I felt a little guilty for boarding this boat so casually. However, there’s no need to apologize, so naturally, I won’t.

“…How about it, Hayashi?”

Still, that’s what I thought.

Right before experiencing the most impressive event of the day, I wondered what she was thinking.

Of course, we didn’t plan this outing like other people who aim to entertain their partners. As before, it would be fine if I enjoyed it myself. Hayashi and I are not a couple, after all.

But still, I asked Hayashi.

“…Are you enjoying yourself?”

We’re not exactly a couple, but I want her to have fun too. I want her to see the irreplaceable scenery on this boat and have her eyes sparkle. That’s what I was thinking.

“…Yes, I’m enjoying it.”

“I’m glad.”

“It’s not just because we came here.”

“…Huh?”

“…Ah, sorry. It’s partly because we came here.”

“Which is it?”

“…Well, I mean… I’m glad I could come here with you.”

My heart jumped.

“…I’m glad I could come here with no one else but you.”

I couldn’t say anything.

“How about you?”

…Being here with Hayashi… what do I think?

It’s the same.

It’s exactly the same.

Right now, I’m feeling the same way as Hayashi, being here with no one else but her.

…In other words.

“Well, it’s not bad.”

I’m glad I could come here with Hayashi.

My response didn’t sound quite as I intended, but that was due to the embarrassment raging within me.

“I see. It’s not bad, huh?”

Hayashi smiled happily.

It was as if she had received an unexpected and delightful word from me.

As if she was overjoyed that her feelings and mine were the same, she smiled happily.

I decided to immerse myself in the scenery. If I kept looking at Hayashi any longer, I felt as if I’d develop inappropriate feelings towards her. Specifically, I didn’t want her to leave my home.

It was a feeling I had experienced before.

But it was a feeling I had shaken my head at, denying its validity.

However, this second time, the feeling demanded an answer from me.

Why couldn’t I let her stay at my home? It demanded an answer from me.

No satisfying answer came to mind.

Of course not.

After all, she doesn’t interfere with my hobbies, and she helps me with housework in my room. There are problems if she leaves, but no problems if she stays.

But I still think she shouldn’t stay in my room any longer.

…Probably.

I probably thought it would be no good.

It wasn’t her.

I thought I would be the one to fall apart.

In high school, I disliked her. But after three years of high school life, I had come to accept her, despite her occasional arrogance like a queen.

Knowing she was struggling, I couldn’t bear it and took her into my room.

I thought I was protecting her.

But lately, I’ve been feeling more like… like I’m the one being protected by her. I even feel like I’m taking advantage of her dedicated kindness.

…After all.

It turns out, my high school self was right.

She isn’t a queen. She’s… a little short-tempered, scary when angry, kind, and stubborn.

Well, in a sense, she is a queen.

Not a tyrannical queen, but a queen like a nurturing earth goddess, symbolizing kindness.

There is no reason for her to be by my side any longer.

“…Good luck with living alone from now on.”

I sent her words of encouragement.

“Well, it’s my second time, so I’ll manage.”

“If you have any problems, contact me.”

“Sorry. I’ll probably need your help again.”

“…Take care.”

“…Yeah.”

I had no regrets. I thought I’d regret it a little more.

But having had a clean break, what more could I wish for?

Uncharacteristically, I smiled gently. I quietly prayed for her lifelong happiness.

The boat slowly cruised around Yokohama Port.

The sunlight reflected off the swaying surface of the sea.

Hayashi squinted her eyes, as if the light was too bright, but she looked happy nonetheless.

…I probably will never forget this scene unfolding before my eyes.

That’s what I thought.

The next morning, Hayashi left the house a little early.

Today, she was heading to the real estate agent to sign a contract for a room she had previously inspected.

This room would be more spacious, too.

With such thoughts in mind, I waited alone for her to return.

“I’m back.”

Probably Hayashi’s last greeting.

“Welcome back.”

I replied to her.

“How did it go?”

Hayashi’s face as she entered the room.

I thought…

…Probably.

I probably won’t be able to forget her face right now, either.

With a bitter smile.

With a troubled look.

Hayashi was looking down.

“Eh, what’s wrong?”

“…I have something to discuss.”

Hayashi said.

“I couldn’t sign the contract for the room.”

“What?”

“The joint guarantor… you know, I’ve been disowned by my parents, right? And I’m underage.”

Hayashi made a helpless face with a bitter smile.

As for me… I was taken aback, understood the meaning, and then…

“Ahaha.”

I was laughing.

“Ahaha. I see. Joint guarantor. Ahaha, right, right… Ahahaha!”

“Hey, you’re laughing too much at someone’s misfortune.”

“Sorry, sorry. Hehehe… Sorry. Really, I’m sor… cough, cough.”

I choked from laughing too much, and Hayashi rubbed my back with concern.

“What are you doing?”

Hayashi’s voice was unusually cold.

“Sorry, sorry. Ahaha.”

“Are you still laughing, you?”

“It’s not like that. It’s not like that… Man, I worried for nothing.”

Hayashi looked puzzled at my face, wiping away tears of laughter.

“…Yamamoto, do you know what I was about to discuss?”

“Hmm?”

“Before, you said no, right? At first.”

Before… that must be the conversation at the police station. At that time, Hayashi was searching for a place to hide because she was living with her boyfriend. After various discussions, she ended up hiding in my room.

However, that was the result, but I had opposed Hayashi hiding in this room until the very last moment.

Hayashi is saying it.

Provocatively, she’s saying it.

…At that time, Hayashi had said she would do anything.

Since coming to this room, she had indeed kept her word. She took care of all the housework and never disturbed my hobbies.

Her request.

That means, she’s asking to stay in this room again, like before.

And she’s asking.

Is my answer yes or no? That’s what she’s asking.

…I thought.

She shouldn’t be in this room. Because she’s not the kind of person who should be by someone like me.

But the reality is… she’s a girl who can’t even rent a room properly. If I refuse to let her stay, she will be left helpless and vulnerable.

Well, in the end, this is nothing more than a pretext.

I won’t let her be left helpless. The pretext I didn’t have before has fallen before me, and I’m trying to take advantage of it, shelving my previous words and thoughts. That’s all there is to it.

…However, I know.

With a pretext, people can do anything.

And people… I can only live a self-serving life.

“Until you find the next place.”

I smiled.

“…Thank you.”

“…I’ll ask just in case, but you’re okay with it, right? Living with someone like me must be nothing but trouble.”

“That’s true. Well, it was tough.”

“Hey.”

“But, more than that… it was fun.”

It was fun, huh?

I didn’t think she felt that way. I thought that living in my room from Hayashi’s perspective was just a process of elimination, nothing more.

“…I see.”

“Were you happy?”

“I guess it doesn’t feel bad.”

Did Hayashi understand the meaning of my words?

“If that’s the case, then I’m glad.”

Hayashi was smiling, seemingly exasperated.