Chapter 173:

Chapter 173:

Tadano sat on the ground, staring blankly into the sky for a few minutes. His mind was filled with only one question: why was he here?

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"Yeah... right. I was trying to go back to Tokyo yesterday, but there were no tickets, so I decided to take the train this morning. But it feels like I've forgotten something important..."

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Furrowing his brow in deep thought, Tadano couldn't recall the memory. However, no matter how much he contemplated, the memory eluded him.

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"Well, if it was important, I would remember. Let's just take the train and get going. Since I bought the ticket yesterday, we can head straight to the train."

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Tadano rummaged through his pockets to retrieve the ticket he bought yesterday. However, to his surprise, the ticket was nowhere to be found. He checked every pocket, even patting down his innermost one, but it was futile.

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"Did someone steal it? It doesn't seem likely, considering I still have all my cash."

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After fruitlessly searching his pockets, Tadano decided to buy a new ticket. The cost of a train ticket was a trivial matter for him.

He headed to the ticket counter where the same station attendant from yesterday was selling tickets.

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"Welcome. Where are you heading... hmm? Weren't you the one who bought the Tokyo-bound train ticket yesterday?"

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"Yes, that's me. I lost the ticket."

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"How did you manage to lose the ticket?"

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"No need to explain. Just give me the fastest one to Tokyo, please."

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Avoiding unnecessary conversation with the station attendant, Tadano spoke coldly, just like yesterday. The station attendant nodded approvingly and handed him a new ticket.

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"Here you go. It departs in three hours."

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"Isn't there a faster one?"

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"No. There aren't many trains from Sapporo to Tokyo, and this is the fastest one."

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Sighing lightly, Tadano reluctantly accepted the ticket. Without any further acknowledgment, he walked to the central area of Sapporo Station, where a few passengers were waiting for their trains, and a janitor was sweeping between them. Tadano surveyed the seats and placed his luggage in the least crowded spot.

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"There's nothing to do, might as well get some sleep."

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It was still early in the morning and combined with the fatigue from sleeping on the ground the previous night, Tadano quickly felt drowsy. Clenching his fist and settling into the chair, he soon succumbed to the embrace of sleep.

That's when it happened.

Tap, tap.

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"Excuse me. I need to clean this area, could you please move your feet for a moment?"

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Somewhere, a voice, vaguely familiar, reached Tadano's ears. But when he opened his eyes, he saw a woman he had never seen before.

More precisely, she was the cleaning staff he had seen before he fell asleep.

Awakening from a short nap, Tadano frowned slightly and spoke to the woman.

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"Why here, exactly, in this vast space? People are sleeping here."

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"Yes, sir. I need to clean this area."

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For some reason, the woman's voice had a peculiar charm. The more he heard it, the more familiar it seemed. Curious if he knew her, Tadano scrutinized her face again, but she was entirely unfamiliar.

As Tadano stared at his face, the woman spoke with the same calm voice as before.

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"Why are you looking at me like that, sir?"

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"Well, I thought I might know you by your voice. It sounded familiar. I apologize if it made you uncomfortable."

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"Huh."

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In response to Tadano's words, the woman chuckled as if finding it amusing.

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"You looked at me because you thought you knew me?"

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"Yes. I mentioned the voice felt familiar. If it made you uncomfortable—"

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"You didn't go to Tokyo? Did you miss your train because you were sleeping?"

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The station staff's words brought Tadano back to his senses, but he was still not fully awake, and the situation wasn't clear yet.

Or perhaps, there might be another reason.

Tadano, still groggy from sleep, couldn't fully open his eyes, and the station staff continued speaking.

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"Sir? Please wake up. Sir? We're closing the station now, and you need to leave."

"What... did you say? Station?"

"Yes, sir. Have you had some drinks by any chance?"

"Drinks? No, I didn't drink any alcohol."

"Not drinking, huh? Seems like you had quite a bit. Anyway, please leave quickly."

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The station staff grabbed Tadano's arm and helped him up, leading him outside the station. Until then, Tadano was not fully aware, so he just followed the station staff's lead.

When they arrived outside the station, a chilly wind brushed against his cheeks, and only then did Tadano fully regain his senses.

As Tadano opened his eyes wide, the station staff smiled and said,

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"If you plan to take the train to Tokyo, come early tomorrow morning. Don't try to catch the next one like today."

"Train to Tokyo... Ah."

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Hearing that, Tadano remembered.

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"Oh, right. I came to Sapporo because the headmaster told me to go on a trip. I was going to go back right away, but there was no train, so I decided to take the morning train tomorrow."

"Ah, yes. Thank you."

"Yes, then I'll go back in."

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The station staff went back inside, and Tadano observed the surroundings outside the station. There were not many people inside the station, but there were quite a few outside.

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"I'm hungry. Should I grab a meal? But the restaurants seem crowded. I don't like noisy places..."

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While contemplating, he glanced at a nearby establishment.

Then, he heard the voices of passing revelers.

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"Otani-kun! How about just one more drink somewhere quiet?"

"Oh, Lieutenant, are you sure? You came in late yesterday. Wouldn't Mrs. feel upset?"

"It's okay, it's okay! I'd rather have another sake with you, Otani-kun!"

"Haha... Alright. Let's go to a quiet street vendor nearby."

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The subordinate led the manager toward the inner alley.

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"A quiet street vendor in the alley. It should be decent for a quick meal."

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Tadano, keeping a suitable distance, followed the men. As they entered the inner alley, the crowd diminished, and near the gathering of street vendors, there was hardly anyone.

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"Any place would be fine, but I shouldn't go where those men are heading. That manager, drunk as he is, will be extremely noisy."

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Tadano entered the shabbiest place right next to the small eatery where the two men had gone.

Once inside, he realized he had walked into the wrong place.

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"Hahaha! So when I said I'd take responsibility, you know what the boss said? Suddenly praising me for being manly, saying if he liked it, he would take care of it himself!"

"Hu, huuhuk... I miss Sasaki..."

"Owner!! Three regulars here! And five for Mozuku!"

"Yes, sir!"

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The inside of the place was noisy. Tadano, who had come inside seeking a quiet spot, didn't want to eat here.

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‘I should leave.'

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Tadano turned to leave immediately.

But then.

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"...Why are you here again?"

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A woman questioned him, staring directly at him.