CH 14

Chapter 14 – After-school Chat Time

The rendezvous with Urushibara-san was at 17:00 in the park.

That park is on Urushibara-san’s way home and not too far from Dozle’s walking route, so I can go there on my walk.

Incidentally, I learned from our email exchange that Urushibara-san’s house is in my old junior high school’s district. She moved from another city when she was in the third year of junior high school and continued to go to the same junior high school without changing schools.

So I found out that although we came from different junior high schools, Urushibara-san’s house was not far from mine, and I could walk there.

When I returned home, I reported to my mother that something had happened the day before yesterday and that Urushibara-san’s mother wanted to come to apologize to me. Of course, I stressed that the injury was nothing serious.

“So, as far as dates go, they actually wanted to do it today, but I’ve asked them to wait. So if you let me know what day is convenient for you, I will contact the other party.”

“Okay. Then how about this Saturday? As your mother, I’m not going to be angry or anything, I’d rather they just come over and we have tea together.”

“What about the time?”

“Hmm. Let’s just have lunch together. Around 11:00 then, please.”

“Yeah, okay. Saturday at 11:00. I’ll let them know. Thanks, Mom.”

After reporting to my mother and arranging the schedule, I got dressed quickly and took Dozle for a walk. We didn’t go to the primary school today, but headed directly to the park.

It was 4.30pm, so I should be at the park before the appointed time.

When Dozle and I arrived at the park, Urushibara-san had not yet arrived, so I decided to take Dozle’s lead off and let him play freely.

Dozle was full of energy even though it was his first time at the park, and I quickly got tired of running around with him.

“I’m so tired~” I said to myself as I went towards the bench, but Urushibara-san had already arrived and was sitting on the bench.

I rushed over to Urushibara-san.

“I’m sorry! I didn’t realize you were already here,” I apologized.

“Ufufu, it’s okay. I just got here. By the way, Moriyama-kun and his dog get along really well. I’m a little envious.”

“Is that so? But he’s a bit of a spoiled brat (I wonder if Urushibara-san is a dog-lover. Perhaps that’s why she envies me for being so close to Dozle…)”

“That’s fine, isn’t it? I’m so envious (of a dog who is spoiled by Moriyama-kun so much)”

Urushibara-san’s tone of voice was calm and composed like her usual honor student image, as if yesterday’s phone call in which she had been talking fast and furiously had been a lie.

“Ah, bench, can I sit next to you?”

“Yes! Go ahead.”

“Ah, that’s right. Thank you for your hard work today, student council. You stayed in school until so late.”

“Ufufu, thank you very much.”

Then we chatted a lot.

I told her the date to come to my house.

We also planned the date for visiting Urushibara-san’s house.

We talked about my obsession with eating soft noodles in two portions instead of four.

When she went abroad on an expedition for a karate tournament.

The struggles of being in the student council.

The story when Dozle ran away.

As expected of the popular Urushibara-san, she’s a great talker and listener, and I found it very easy to talk to her. Time flew by as we chatted.

After more than an hour, it was already starting to get dark, so after I dropped Urushibara-san at her house, I went home as well.

That evening, Urushibara-san sent me an email saying…

“Thank you very much for today. I really enjoyed our chat. Let’s talk again. Good night.”

And I replied, “Me too, thank you very much. I enjoyed hearing your stories. Good night.”