CH 7

Chapter 7 – Thank You

Translator: Hayashi

Editor: Ryuubii

Proofreader: SevenTails

“I’ll go prepare some tea… please have a seat and wait.”

After Senpai said that, she went to the kitchen.

Now that I am alone with the grandma, I feel the need to say something.

What to talk about…

“So… your name is Takanashi-san?”

“Yes, my name is Takanashi Kazunari.”

Grandma initiated the conversation first as we faced each other and exchanged firm greetings.

Looking at grandma again, I noticed the calm and gentle atmosphere around her.

On the contrary, Senpai was always sharp, and giving off the opposite impression.

But that’s just my opinion.

“My name is Sachie Satsukawa.”

Grandma said in a polite manner.

“Would it be fine if I call you Sachie-san?”

“Yes. Even so, the world is so small. To think that you were Sara’s friend.”

Sachie-san started talking happily.

“The world really is a small place”, I thought the same thing.

“I was surprised too. To think that such coincidence could happen…”

“We had a small gathering that night, so I had to do more shopping than usual. I have done that much shopping in the past, so I always take a break on the stairs before taking it up all in at once.”

Hearing her story, it was apparently a common occurrence.

I wondered if it was unnecessary for me to do so… in other words, did I act like someone who is expecting gratitude in return .

“No, that’s not true. It’s no doubt that carrying things up is hard, so I really appreciated the help.”

When we had reached that point, senpai came back with a tray in her hand.

She seemed to have brought some tea and sweets as well.

“I’m sorry to have kept you waiting. Takanashi-san, please take this one… and this one for Grandma.”

“Thank you very much.”

“Thank you.”

After serving the tea and sweets on the table, senpai sat down next to Sachie-san.

“─ Once again, I want to express my gratitude to you for helping grandmother. Thank you very much.”

“Thank you very much.”

When senpai thanked me in a polite manner, Sachie-san followed suit and thanked me as well.

I felt uneasy, so I had to answer firmly.

“No, it was a whim, or maybe I just couldn’t ignore her… In any case, please don’t worry about it anymore.”

“…Yes, if you insist, Takanashi-san, then I will thank you another time.”

“It’s okay. I’ve already received enough thanks.”

“I’m sorry. I know it’s selfish of me, but I’d like to at least give you something in return.”

Senpai seemed somewhat apologetic, but she didn’t seem to want to back down, so she made it clear to me.

And as if to match that, Sachie-san said.

“Takanashi-san, this girl doesn’t back down once she’s made up her mind… I’d like to do something to repay you, but I don’t want to inconvenience Takanashi-san… Sara-chan, can you please do it for me?”

“I understand. Therefore, Takanashi-san, now that this has happened, I will do whatever I can to pay you back.”

If you say that with such a serious expression on your face…

I’ll have no reason to say no, and if that’s what senpai wants, I’ll accept it.

Now I just feel somewhat reluctant to admit that I was only acting under some mysterious obsessive-compulsiveness.

It would be rude to reject her any further.

“… I understand. Then at least, please give something simple.”

After I gave in, senpai looked slightly relieved.

“Yes, then I’ll think of something that won’t cause you any trouble and give it to you.”

“Thank you very much.”

“I’m the one who should be thanking you.”

Senpai replied gently.

“Even so, I can’t believe Sara-chan would be showing me her boy friend.” (TN: 男の子のお友達 = young man / boy + friend)

“Grandma, it’s not that I don’t have any friends… and I feel bad for Takanashi-san for calling me something like a friend…”

Senpai said somewhat perplexedly.

However, judging from the way she said it, does it mean that she doesn’t feel bad about being thought of as my friend?

“Ara? What do you think, Takanashi-san?”

“It’s no problem, if that’s what senpai thinks… Either way, from my point of view, I really respect senpai.”

When I answered honestly, senpai gave me a troubled, yet happy look.

“Are you okay with that? Takanashi-san.”

“Yes. As long as senpai is okay with it.”

“… Really?”

“Yes!”

“… Thank you.”

And just then… I saw her make a meek smile.

I was also pleased to know that she didn’t think badly of me.

But still, I think of her more as a “senpai” than a friend.

However… When it comes to dealing with grandma, senpai takes on a rather friendly tone.

To be honest, I think I’m seeing a pretty rare sight.

“Takanashi-san, how did you become friends with this child?”

“Hmm, well, it was pretty much a coincidence.”

I told her the general gist of our encounter in the flower garden up to today.

What made me happy was that senpai described the story with me, supplementing and agreeing with me in places.

And then I realized that a lot of time had passed.

“I’m sorry, I’ve stayed longer than I expected. Sorry for the inconvenience, I’ll be excusing myself now.”

“Ara, you can take your time, okay?”

Sachie-san told me so, but it’s about time for dinner.

I should leave before I get in the way.

“It’s okay, I have some shopping to do too, so if you’ll excuse me.”

“I see. You’re always welcome to come by for a cup of tea.”

“Thank you very much.”

After I put on my shoes, I said my goodbyes, and senpai accompanied me to the stairs.

“See you tomorrow, Takanashi-san.”

“Yes. Then farewell, senpai.”

As I descended the stairs of the shrine, I looked back on a whim and saw senpai who was still looking at me. She then gave me a small wave.

Behind her expressionless face, I can see that there were many other faces of senpai.

Why is senpai so strict with others… and so cold?

Why does she treat me in a normal way…?

I was reminded once again that I didn’t know anything about senpai at all.

However, I had forgotten all the bad feelings I had before coming to the shrine.