Chapter 175:

Chapter 175:

Still, with unfocused eyes, Tadano looked at the man speaking to him.

Who is this? Is he a station attendant?

At that moment,

Zzzt!

Ugh.

A sudden, sharp pain shot through his head. Tadano couldn't precisely describe the sensation, but it felt as if needles were piercing through his head.

Tadano, wincing in pain, grabbed his head, causing the station attendant to be surprised.

Why, what's happening? Are you okay?

Unable to respond immediately due to the intense pain, Tadano clutched his head. After a while, when the pain subsided to some extent, the station attendant, looking concerned, asked,

Why, what's happening? Are you okay?

Tadano couldn't answer immediately because of the pain. After some time, when he became somewhat accustomed to the ache, he asked the station attendant,

Where is this?

This is Sapporo Station.

Sapporo Station?

As if not understanding the words, Tadano inquired with the station attendant. Then, he strained his eyes and looked around. As the station attendant had mentioned, there were several signs with a map of Sapporo and the words Sapporo Station' in various places.

It is Sapporo Station. But why am I here? What reason do I have to come to Sapporo? Oh.

Deep in thought, Tadano recalled why he came to Sapporo.

"Yeah, I was on a trip with the headmaster. I planned to return to Tokyo right away, intending to catch the first train tomorrow morning. But why am I sleeping here?"

As Tadano woke up, memories started to return vaguely. The headache had mostly disappeared by now. Still confused, he felt he could move.

Tadano stood up, picking up his belongings.

"What time is the first train to Tokyo tomorrow morning?"

"At six in the morning."

"Six in the morning I see."

Nodding slightly, Tadano headed toward the exit of the station. Watching his back, a station employee shouted,

"Don't miss the train tomorrow!"

"Hmm?"

Hearing the words from behind, Tadano tilted his head, finding it odd. Yet, he didn't pay much attention, thinking it was addressed to someone else.

Outside the station, it was considerably cold compared to the inside. Tadano zipped up his jacket, surveying the surroundings.

"I need to find accommodation until tomorrow morning. But before that I should grab a meal."

Being close to the station, there should be plenty of places to stay. Tadano decided to focus on having a meal first.

Even though it was quite late, many restaurants near the station were still open. However, they were crowded and noisy.

"I don't care about the taste; I just need to find a quiet place."

"Oh, don't say that. Since you're here, why not have a meal and enjoy it? And today is our monthly special ramen day. It would be a shame if you left without trying it. You've been coming quite often lately, and I can tell you like our ramen."

Lately coming often?'

While Tadano was puzzled by the waiter's words, the waiter led him to a small table inside. As Tadano awkwardly took his seat, the waiter spoke.

"Well then, we'll serve it as a full course. You usually enjoyed our Miso Ramen, right?"

"Yes well, that's fine."

"Great! Please wait a moment!"

As Tadano placed his order hesitantly, the waiter immediately responded and headed toward the kitchen. Tadano looked at the waiter's retreating figure with a somewhat doubtful expression.

What's going on?'

It was natural for such questions to arise. Tadano was seeing this waiter for the first time, yet the waiter treated him as if he were a regular customer who had visited several times before.

It seemed a bit strange, but he decided not to dwell on it. It wasn't something particularly important.

Tadano closed his eyes tightly and rubbed his temples. His head had been aching strangely today, both at Sapporo Station earlier and now.

Am I catching a cold?'

However, he didn't have a fever, unlike a typical cold. Perhaps recent stress from various events was the cause.

I should just take it easy when I get home.'

As Tadano was contemplating this, the waiter who had made the odd remark spoke awkwardly.

"Um sir?"

"Hmm?"

"Since all the seats are taken right now, could we ask you to share a table? It's Yomi-san; you've sat together a few times."

Yomi, who sat with me a few times?'

Even now, Tadano couldn't understand what the waiter was saying. Considering the waiter's previous statements, he might be confusing Tadano with another customer.

"Yes, that's fine."

"Oh, thank you. As a token of our appreciation, I'll add one more of our house specialties, Mozuku, on the house-."

"That's enough."

As Tadano replied coldly, the waiter, as if expecting such a reaction, shrugged and stepped back. Immediately, a woman sat in front of him and struck up a conversation.

"Thank you for allowing me to share the table. I usually eat here before going to work. Uh but you're a new face, right? It's interesting. Only regulars come here."

""

Tadano paused at the woman's words. There was something, or precisely, he felt like he had heard the phrase somewhere' before. However, he couldn't recall it exactly. It was like a sentence from a textbook he had seen just before an exam.

When Tadano looked at himself with a slightly puzzled expression, the woman smiled brightly and said, "What's the matter?"

"Well, it's just"

"Just?"

"nothing."

"It's not nothing. Tell me. Did you fall in love at first sight or something?"

At the woman's words, Tadano looked genuinely puzzled, tilting his head.

"Me, with you?"

"No, There's no way I'd fall for you."

Tadano couldn't help but wonder where she got such confidence with that ordinary face. Such questions filled Tadano's mind. He sighed, thinking that he might only end up hurting his pride by delving into it further.

"Let's just eat quietly. I don't feel like talking now."

"Why? Did something bad happen? Well, you did come to this place for some reason."

"Something bad? On what basis are you saying that?"

"Well"

The woman pondered something for a moment. Then, as if recalling something, she smiled brightly and continued speaking.

"This place attracts a lot of people going through tough times, like you and me. Other customers too. It's strange, isn't it?"

"A lot of people going through tough times? What a nonsensical thing to say."

"When I first heard it, I thought the same. But it's true. Only people with stories come to this place."

"How do you know whether I have a story or not? How can you make such remarks?"

"Oh, you can tell by looking. I had that exact face too. I had the same face as you."

Tadano expressed a bewildered expression at the woman's words. It was inevitable. A woman he just met was speaking as if she had known him for a long time.

Whether she knew that Tadano was having such thoughts, or she didn't care, Yomi reached out with a grin.

"This meeting is fate, so let's at least exchange names. I'm Yomi. Haruna Yomi."