Volume 2 - CH 1.3

After eating all the food and cleaning up the BBQ, we played badminton, frisbee, and ‘throw’ in the mountains, rivers, and grass of the campground until the evening.

These equipment belonged to Sugiuchi, and when I saw that his bag was unusually large, I came to know that he had packed it with games .

After we left the campground, the five of us walked to the nearest bus stop, talking with high-spirit. Even though it was the nearest bus stop, it was still about a 20-minute walk.

Honma, who had apparently called for a ride, got into the car and  wasthe first to leave.

We boarded the bus a few buses before the last one, and after a while, Sugiuchi and Uchinokura-san, who were off going  different ways, waved to us and got off the bus.

“Today was fun.”

When we are alone, Hinagata expresses  her feelings in a formal manner.

I wonder how many times I’ve heard this comment from Hinagata today.

“Yeah.”

I just gave a bland reply.

It was evening and I felt a little lonely, even though I was just going back along the route I had come from.

“We had almost everything we needed.”

The charcoal was bought on the spot, and all we brought was food and drinks.

It was difficult to get on and off the bus, but the cooler box was empty now, so it wasn’t hard at all to carry it.

However, Sugiuchi did a great job finding that place.

I’m sure even I can arrange such things, but the setup and execution for BBQ was very smooth.

“Maybe Sugiuchi is capable.”

“Not capable, efficient.” Hinagata chuckled.

I guess I do like Hinagata afterall.

I’m glad when hinagata laughs, even though it’s an insignificant topic or remark.

I was able to have a normal conversation earlier, but when I think about it, I can’t communicate well.

When we got off at the nearest bus stop from my house, it was already dark outside.

We fell silent and started walking in the direction of our house.

As she was about to say goodbye at the crossroads, Hinagata pointed her finger toward the Tonomura residence.

“Hmm, this is”

“….I like.”

I don’t know what ‘I like’ about it, but Hinagata, who didn’t say anything more, lined up again and our shoulders were touching.

“….I.. you know… Like being together.”

I guess the fun she was having made her feel lonely to be alone. I lightly said, “I see,” and we walked together for a few minutes.

When I got home, I washed the cooler box using the faucet outside with the help of Hinagata. It was dark, so I turned on the light and hung it upside down where it had originally been.

It is a garage and also a storage area , and many of the things that my late father used are still here.

He bought that cooler box when he went camping with my family. I still remember it.

It ended up being used for my dad’s  fishing hobby.

“It’s been a while since I’ve been in here.” Hinagata murmured as she looked around.

When we were little, we used to play in this dusty garage. There were cars, motorcycles, tools on the shelves, and studded tires in the corner. It was a familiar secret base for us as kids.

“Is it that bike?”

One of my dad’s hobbies is riding.

Hinagata pointed to Dad’s motorcycle. Right now, it was wrapped in a dusty seat.

I had seen my dad riding his motorcycle a few times. He took good care of his bike and never let me ride on the back because it was too dangerous.

I had an idea of what Hinagata meant by “that bike”.

Well, I’m sixteen years old. Ahh that’s right….now I’m sixteen years old…

I repeated it in my head as if to confirm it. I didn’t say a word, but as I removed the seat, sweltering in the dancing dust, a familiar medium-sized motorcycle appeared.

The overall color scheme is black, and although it seems to be about 20 years old, it doesn’t look tacky or old.

“It’s cool.”

I agreed with Hinagata’s words, “That’s right.”

There are two helmets hanging crudely on the steering wheel. My feet, which I couldn’t reach as a child, should be on the ground properly now.

No one has ridden it for years since the owner is….. but I wonder if it will work properly.

When I put the sheet back together, Hinagata asked me.

“Ryunosuke …Are you… alone… tonight?”

“Ehh?”

I tilted my head, not sure what the question meant.

“I’m tired….Can I go to…. your room for rest─?”

What does that mean? Perhaps she was embarrassed to say it herself, but Hinagata kept slumping over and not looking at me at all. Her ….ears red.

As I was about to reply, my mom’s car backed into the garage. She was coming home from work.

“Mom’s here today, though you can rest?”

Sometimes she’s away on the night shift, but this evening she’s here.

“No, it’s fine.”

Hinagata, who for some reason became respectful due to her panic, walked out of the garage and hobbled home, even though she had said she was tired.

If my mom wasn’t there, she was going to go up to my room….?　As I was thinking about this and that, my mom came out of the car.

“Was that she Shiroi-chan?”

“Oh, yeah. She helped me clean up.”

I replied absent-mindedly, pointing to the upside-down cooler box.

“Can I ride Dad’s bike?”

“I’m thinking of selling it because it’s out of service and it’s taking space.”

Seriously?

This bike is about to add to my living expenses.

I told Mom to wait before she sells the bike.