“Shino-kun, can we meet now?”
It was immediately after the last class of that day that my vibrating phone was showing a message notification from Tendou Tsukasa.
I’ve already read it before I even thought about pretending not to see it, so I suppose I can’t even ignore it now, and I sent a reply giving my OK.
“Shinocchi, not going home?”
“Sorry Kamiyan, I got a call so I gotta head out a bit.”
A friend in my circle who imitated a live steamer he seems to be obsessed with lately asked, “how’s it for realsies?” in a slightly lowered voice.
“For realsies… What’s with that way of speaking also for realsies.” I chuckled at the too light of a question, but I can tell from his face that he wasn’t asking simply out of curiosity either.
Anyhow Kamiyan a.k.a Kamiya Daisuke looks sloppy and is one of the few understanding friends that I have who calls me by my family name—a good person in other words; quod erat demonstrandum.
“Isn’t the rumors saying ‘bout Tendou-san incredible? Like not sounding like someone we virgins can handle, but you just suddenly got engaged. You sure you’re not tricked or something?”
“So direct, but well, I got what you’re saying.”
However, even that Kamiya was saying this about Tendou’s notoriety. Moreover, there are also aspects where I can’t say that it’s unjust suspicion.
Tendou’s reputation within campus is not a malicious misunderstanding or anything like that; it’s mostly true facts. Even me, I surely would’ve thought the same before the engagement.
“It’s a bit complicated, but the engagement is family circumstances so I’m not tricked. Besides, Tendou’s not such a bad girl, probably.”
“Serious? Ah, so the rumors involving men fake news? I guess they must’ve been jelly cuz she’s a beauty.”
“Nope, that part is not exaggerating for real, though.”
“What is ‘not a bad girl’?”
Even if it’s retorted with ‘isn’t it contradicting?’ or something, there’s just no other way to put it, I guess…
And now that I’ve got to know Tendou’s nature, I don’t mind defending her a little bit, but I’d have to go into a fair amount of personal circumstances to explain it in detail, and also it seems a little too much to do so without the presence of the person in question.
Oh my fiancée, you sure are someone hard to deeply touch upon.
“Anyway there’s nothing to worry about, but thanks.”
“Well all right then in that case. Wait then, you’re marrying into a rich family, huh. Already settled a life winner there. What about the wedding? I guess you’re gonna wait till graduation?”
“Hmm nah, I’m gonna have the engagement itself called off. Tendou was so insisting so right now I’m just reluctantly tagging along, but well, I guess it’ll be until fall at most.”
For a while after that, Shino Iori savage hearsay was whispered about among my friends, and I think it was probably my fault.
When I was heading to the location I’ve been told, Tendou was with girls, which was rare, really rare.
She was sitting on a wooden deck, and three people were having a deep talk about something while standing around her.
For a moment I thought that maybe she was being subjected to kangaroo court or something, but the voices I could hear were calm.
Welp, I have the image that girls would be smiling even when they’re in a fight, though (prejudice).
“Tendou.” I got no courage to gallop my way into the center of it; that said it’s also embarrassing to be seen flustered by others, so I called out to her from a little distance away.
“Ah, Shino-kun.” Having noticed me, Tendou lightly raised her hand up, and all the girls with their backs on me now turned to me all at once. I bowed my head amidst the pressure of the unfamiliar group of girls.
““Hello.”” Two people in casual outfits returned a greeting, but a blonde in a jacket just gave me a little sharp glance.
Eh, she’s just plain scary, though. Why’s she acting like that to someone she met for the first time?
She, who has a bit of a Tendou-like vibe, immediately looks at me from top to bottom and snorts.
“Nothing? …Then Tsukasa, we’re leaving now. Later.” The blonde, who had truly acted rude to me, looked away from me as if she had lost interest with that, and then in a complete reversal, spoke to Tendou in a gentle voice. I tell you what, I’ve got your face saved in my head already.
“Okay, bye-bye.” With a face different from the usual, one that is intended towards friends, Tendou looked just slightly childish.
After seeing off the trio on their loud and merry way, Tendou made a slightly apologetic face.
“I’m sorry. Eri is, always like that with guys whenever it involves me.”
“Ah… I see.” And then I’ve also got your name memorized, blonde haired Eri.
Considering Tendou’s past, I’m sure there also have been lots of good-for-nothing men, so this is the embodiment of friendship, huh.
Welp in that case I get it, but even though it’s not like I wanted it, I’m a proper assistant apprentice candidate fiancé, though. Or maybe the hard look was precisely because of that reason.
“Well that’s fine, it’s not something you have to apologize for in the first place. That aside, you’ve got female friends, too, huh.”
“Hey, that way of speaking is just plain rude.”
“Well I mean, I’ve never seen you with one before.”
“Wasn’t that just because I was often with guys?”
And they’re bunches who are wholeheartedly looking for sex to boot. I don’t think there are any who are just that bad in our college, but I guess normal girls wouldn’t want to get actively involved unless they’re of the same kind.
“And then you yourself were not that interested in me, I suppose.”
“Rather than ‘not that interested,’ I guess it’s ‘not at all’.”
“Sorry, my bad,” I apologized on the spot since she said it in a for-real-tone low voice. “Uuh, so what do you need?” starting afresh, I tried to ask Tendou, and then Tendou made another indescribable, complicated face.
When an impressively beautiful person makes that kind of face, it’s making me restless like, ‘huh? Have I done goofed?’ but I’m not gonna bend to undeserved pressure. So I hope she will quickly reply.
“My, I can’t call you unless I need something?”
“Eh? Yep.” I deeply nodded without thinking, and Tendou froze up.
“…Fu, fufufu. You’re saying things like that? Don’t be like that, you’re ALWAYS free anyway so you don’t have any kind of plans, don’t you!?”
“Why so cruel.” What a thing to say. Welp, it’s generally like that, though. “No but, I was thinking of going to a net cafe downtown; with a friend.” To be specific, I was thinking it’s about time to start reading a certain nationwide-known pirate manga since the volumes I haven’t read have piled up.
“Do you have a friend, Shino-kun?”
“How could you call me rude just earlier…”
“I know, this much talking back is fine, right? And so, what kind of imaginary friend is he?”
“Wrong, don’t just go ahead of yourself trying to spin my friend as the product of fantasies. Also why did you say ‘he’? You think I only have guy friends?”
Even I have at least one or two female… friends… I’ve got like high school classmates or acquaintances, but if I’m asked whether they’re friends, it’s questionable, huh.
Directing a sidelong glance at me, who was grinding my teeth and shaking in humiliation from not being able to talk back, Tendou carefreely got up.
“You were planning to go to a net cafe, right? If that’s the case I’ll accompany you in place of your friend.”
Tendous’s expression, which was like saying ‘happy?’ is of a face that is extremely above average, and at the same time evokeed a rebellious spirit that says: Don’t let everything go her way.
At the reception desk of the net cafe we had arrived at after succumbing to Tendou who stubbornly wouldn’t listen in the end, I once again understood how it would mean to be accompanied by Tendou in the public eye.
As if to say ‘is this guy for real?’ the eyes of the employee seeing me, when I said back “aren’t separate seats better?” to her who had requested a couple-seat, were cold.
I see, certainly as someone you see for the first time she maybe is just a woman with a good face, but in reality she’s an article with quite the circumstances!
Furthermore, I was overcome, and we got the couple-seat in the end. I am, weak (today’s second defeat).
“It’s my first time coming to a net cafe, but it feels brighter than expected, doesn’t it,” having said a princess-like statement and not even knowing my inner thought, Tendou was looking around with curious eyes. Somehow she looks kinda having fun.
“Nah, it varies from place to place. For the affiliate here it just feels like this.”
I’ve never been there, but among them there seems to be places remaining that are giving a cramped, dark, smoky, and underground feel.
“Hold up Tendou, you’re going too far.”
Perhaps because of curiosity, she had walked past the booth, and I stopped her.
From around us, I could hear conversations between men and women who seem to be couples talking with a slightly lowered voice, and the secretive-like atmospheres, which are different from mere liveliness, is somewhat unsettling.
I opened the sliding door, and a slightly large-ish sofa for two people welcomed us with a bang. The PC and TV were placed on the table, and there is a footrest under it; there is literally plenty of room to stretch out your legs.
“—Somehow, it feels kinda lewd, isn’t it?” Having sat on the sofa ahead of me, that was the thing that Tendou said as she looked around inside the booth.
“Isn’t it just bad that that thought comes out just because it’s a private room?”
Well, I kinda thought about something similar as well, but not that explicit.
Moreover, Tendou was just kinda like, ‘ah, looks like you could secretly do it here,’ and it’s just strangely graphic. Is it prejudice?
“Is that so? I think I heard high schoolers are using it instead of a hotel, though.”
“Just why do you know so much only about things like that… I’ll scream if you do anything weird, you hear?”
“Are you really saying that line…?”
With your abundant track records, you’re the one fanning up the sense of danger, though.
Well, and continuing this subject any further also seems to only lead to more nonsense.
Wanting to quickly get to my purpose quickly, I put my bag down on the sofa without entering the booth.
“Alright, I’m gonna go get books, so come check around, Tendou. You know how to use the drink bar, right?”
“It’s okay, I’m not that ignorant about the world. It’s similar to a family restaurant, right?”
“Yeah, and then the safe for valuables is there. I won’t be using it, so you can go set the numbers yourself.”
“Well then,” I said and turned around, and then she returned back a, “have a safe trip.”
Whether it’s calculated or spontaneous, whatever it is, it’s sneaky. I will not be swept by it (will of steel).
When I returned to the booth holding the last volume I have read for a quick re-read, for now three volumes I haven’t read, and then a cola, Tendou was still nowhere to be seen.
While thinking, ‘I would’ve liked to be on the aisle side where I could run away immediately, though,’ I took up position on the deeper side of the sofa. As I was flipping through the already-read volume while recalling the story, there’s a knock on the door; Tendou has come back with a magazine and a cup.
“I’m back. You’re back early, Shino-kun.”
Like earlier, I wonder what she’s thinking, bringing out this strange cohabitation-like feel…
A fresh smell of citrus fruits drifted gently from Tendou, who has taken a seat with a light ‘pomf’ sound next to me.
With that as the trigger, it makes me strangely conscious once again that we two are alone in such a small space, and it instantly makes me feel a different kind of pressure from this good-looking girl.
“Ye~es?” Tendou slightly tilted her head while tucking back her hair, which has fallen off when she looked up, behind her ear.
Why does every single thing she does always turn out picturesque?
“Please don’t come past this here; it’s my seat and all.”
“Hey, isn’t that reaction just weird?”
When I said it while pointing out the border of the sofa with my finger, her beautiful face turned stern in one go.
“Well, ‘cause it’s necessary. If you lean on my shoulder, put your hand on my thigh, or caress my hand, I’ll call the place’s employee, you hear?”
“I mean it, why are you talking like a girl having her guard up!?”
I got yelled at in a whisper, but it’s precisely because you seem you’ll attack with guard-penetrating offensive without batting an eyelid that I’d have to have it nailed down immediately.
I might get laughed at for being overly self-conscious, but if I neglect it, the seams will come apart. I don’t really get it, but I’m sure about it.
“Actually if you got no plan to, it’s not something you’d backlash against so much.”
“…I mean, it’s just rude. In the first place about what you just mentioned, you don’t like it that much?” She looked away, and it convinced me that my worry wasn’t unfounded.
Rather, well, I have such a piled up faith that it would be unnatural for this Tendou Tsukasa to not be plotting anything inside a booth with a couple-seat. What is faith?
Well, from the exchange just now where Tendou, an honest person, didn’t even once say clearly that ‘she won’t,’ it’s gonna be a sure thing…
And then for a while, we both looked down at our own book to wait and see what the other might do; the finishing outcome of truly fruitless faints where I’d reach for the cup in order to concoct an alibi that ‘I’m not looking,’ was that I finished my cola before even finished reading a single volume.
At the same time, the cup that Tendou placed on the table made a light sound clearly indicating that it was also empty.
“It’s fruitless so let’s call a truce. I will believe you, so promise me that you won’t do anything weird.”
“—Right, I wasn’t planning to from the start, but I promise.”
The stifled laughs coming from the surroundings were as if they were directed at us.
At the very end of the conflict, where there would be nothing to gain even when winning, what we obtained in exchange for the feeling of wasted effort was some degree of mutual understanding and a moment of peace.
For example, like the manga I’m reading right now, Tendou also got to know of the plot from borrowing it from a friend back in middle school, or like the magazine she is reading is a women’s magazine that even I know the name of.
“So, you read stuff like that too, huh, Tendou.”
Of course it isn’t a magazine where it would be weird if she’s interested in it, but somehow it feels unsuitable for Tendou, who is persisting in her own way in addition to being a wealthy young lady.
“I don’t buy it myself since there’s Grandmother’s eyes, but now is a rare chance.”
That’s why I could accept that reply. It’s probably like wanting to eat nothing but instant food banned at parents’ home once starting living alone. …Is that it? I feel like it’s different.
“By the way Shino-kun, between this and this which make-up do you prefer?”
“Well, I’m not sure I’m the right person to ask, though.”
Firstly, I don’t even know how they differ!
“It’s fine, just give back your impression.”
“In that case, I guess the first one…”
“Uhuh,” Tendou said, but I just said it by looking at the model rather than the make-up, though… Wait, is it possible that this was the same person?
“In that case…” Tendou smiles a smile resembling that of a predator of the feline family and places the magazine just right at the boundary of the sofa so that I also can easily see it.
It’s hard to end the conversation by like, ‘I’m not interested anymore,’ since I was the one who initiated the conversation.
Not sure why she’s smiling when reading that, but putting that aside, she got an interest in a magazine that she usually doesn’t have the chance to read.
“Then what about this matching? How is it?”
The first thing that caught my attention at the page shown were the prices of various items written next to the model.
“Eeh… Why is it that expensive just for pants? The digits are different, but the shoes are strangely cheap. Is this a typo?”
“Of course it’s not, also that’s not the part you should be looking at, geez… By the way, I thought you might like something like this, though.”
The first thing I’d been shown was, if I had to say, giving off a stylish feel that seemed to suit Tendou, whereas the next thing she pointed out was a girlish outfit that was a total contrast.
On the catchphrase even the word feminine or whatever was written.
“You have made a great mistake if you’re thinking that all unpopular guys like long skirts.”
“It’s not like I was, but why are you self-torturing, I wonder…”
“And then for this one, aren’t just the sandals and bag strangely expensive? Why is it unbalanced like this?”
“It’s mule, and that’s just how it is. So, which do you think is better?”
“Hmmm… Don’t pants suit you better?” I answered while tilting my head, thinking: I totally don’t get fashion.
And then to me, “that’s helpful,” Tendou replied with a suggestive smile.
And after that we also talked as I absorbed the three volumes I’d prepared; afterwards, my phone vibrated indicating the time.
“The time is almost up, but I’m going back now.”
“Eh, it’s already three hours? Okay, but can you have a psychological test with me? There’s this feature, you see~”
“Psychological test, huh…”
Girls sure do like that, don’t they. Well, plenty of guys also do, though.
“Can I give the answer two years later?”
“You’d also definitely forget it then; answer in three seconds.”
“There’s not even time to think…”
“What a not so great reaction. Well I won’t force you if you don’t want to, though.”
“Nah, it’s fine, it’s not like I absolutely don’t want to.”
I’m just kinda, not so fond of the very thought of testing and categorizing people’s minds. It’s just my naive opinion, though.
Well there’s also still time before we’d have to pay the extension fee, and I urge her to go ahead while I tidy up the booth.
The first thing Tendou brought up was the story of two lovers living on the opposite side of a river.
The woman who was worried about her lover’s safety during a flood tried to cross to the other side of the river despite knowing the danger, but the first boatman demanded a large sum of money so she passed him up. In heartrending grief, she complied with the second boatman’s demand to cross the river with her body as the price.
But her lover found that out, was raged and bid his farewell to the woman. Then another man who had seen the whole thing showed up in front of the heartbroken her, and the two got together—
“These two, on top of not understanding each other, they also just don’t talk enough considering they’re lovers. They seem like they’d break up over something anyway even without this whole thing.”
“That’s reasonable, but that’s not the point. Guys sure do like butting in like that, don’t they.”
If anything, wasn’t that a serious reply?
“So, err the most forgivable and unforgivable person, was it? I guess the forgivable one is the boatman who demanded money, and the unforgivable one is the man who showed up in the end.”
The boatmen and the couple each have their own reasons and arguments, but the last man is just, giving off the impression that he was purposefully turning a blind eye simply to get intimate with a woman. Crooked, isn’t it crooked?
“This claims that it’s ‘to know what you find important.’ In your case Shino-kun, it looks like home & family are important, and money tends to be made light of.”
It doesn’t feel like it’s obviously off the mark, but I wonder if such a psychological test like this is anything great…
“By the way, Tendou, how’s yours?”
“Mine is, the forgivable one is the woman, and the unforgivable one is the woman’s lover…”
Welp one way or another I’ve been feeling her answer would be like that (prejudice).
“What’s important is love, and morals are made light of… Morals, huh.”
Truly an answer that makes you think about lots of stuff… Actually morals and love, can they be at odds with each other? Isn’t love without morals already just desire?
“Err…” Tendou looks complicatedly awkward, but I’d like her to give it some thought and start asking questions.
In a sense, I’m also the victim here.
“L-let’s go to the next one, okay? Let’s see, the person you like showed up in your dream. However, a part of their body is missing. Where is it? Please choose from the eyes, hands, legs, and heart.”
“I’ll make this the last one, so answer at least one more question with me.”
It’s gonna be difficult in just about everything without eyes. Without hands also looks like it’s gonna make day to day life rather hard. If there’s no legs you can manage with an artificial one or something, and if there’s still hands, you can somehow make it up with a wheelchair. In case of no heart, doesn’t that make it ‘the person I liked’ already?
Actually I ended up thinking things like this. Psychological test, you, I’m not so fond of not being able to quickly come up with an answer also.
Or maybe it’s a question that takes into account even thinking about something like that.
“—Well, the legs, I guess?”
“So the legs. As for this, it says it shows the kind of possessiveness you direct at them. You’re the type who wants to monopolize freedom. So it’s like, you always want to know what they’re doing.”
“Eeh? I feel like it’s the same with eyes and the like, though. That’s not wrong, is it?”
“C’mon, there’s just no end if you start bringing up something like that.”
I ended up getting rebuked by Tendou with a wry smile, but I do think that without a doubt the legs would have the smallest impact on day to day life compared to the rest.
I knew it, we don’t hit off, psychological test! (The second time; in a short time).
“Besides, look, isn’t a location tracking app installed on your phone?”
“That’s something installed because you wanted it to. I haven’t opened it since the first day it’s installed, y’know?”
I want you to stop generating harmful rumors; I’m even willing to sue, okay?
“—By the way how’s yours, Tendou? For that question.”
“Mine? For me it’s heart. Looks like it’s societal possessiveness. The type that’s like wanting to get married and hog them by themselves.”
“Oh my, we’re engaged so it’s not like it’s a bad thing, right?”
“Yeah sure, alright it’s time to pack it up and go home.”
“Hey, why did you look so displeased just now!”
For mental health reasons, I think it’s better if she doesn’t hear it, though…
I avoided doing the unnecessary of saying ‘were you assuming me as the person you like?’ which could lead to needless problems, so I wish Tendou would also conduct herself just a bit more cleverly.
By the time we left the net cafe, the sun had completely set. There were many people in suits going home from work on the street to the Nishijin Subway Station where I’m accompanying her, thinking that it would not be a good idea to split up on the spot even though the distance isn’t that great.
Perhaps it overlapped with the train arrival, but we’re avoiding the river-like crowds of people and making our way down the stairs.
“Somehow I’m feeling crazy tired…”
“Your impression of being in a small space for three hours with a beauty like me is only that?”
I held back saying, ‘It’s because it was with you, though,’ and just waved my hand.
Speaking of, I wonder why Tendou is so lively. Is it the difference between the cheery and gloomy people?
Her face looked like she’d go, ‘grrrr,’ but when she looked at me, she relaxed and smiled softly.
“But, today was fun. Thanks.”
“Ah, you said it was your first time to a net cafe, didn’t you? In that case well, glad to hear that.”
She just followed me on her own, but it’s making even me feel better if I got told this than to have been told that it was boring or something in the end.
“Look, I told you before, right? That I wanted to go out after classes also.”
“Ah, yeah, you did, I think.”
Come to think of it, even a net face is something she should be able to go to with friends, but I wonder if she had strict curfews or something back in high school. And as I thought this, something caught my attention.
Something something and so on after classes is, come to think of it, in what kind of setting did I hear it about again?
“Until here is fine. Before the ticket gate it’s crowded and all.”
Before I could remember that, Tendou stopped in front of the ticket machine.
“Thanks for seeing me off, then see you tomorrow.”
“Sure thing, see you tomorrow.”
On the noisy station premise, even though Tendou wasn’t speaking in an especially loud voice, I was able to hear her words strangely well.
“Let’s go somewhere else for our next date.”
In a daze, I saw off Tendou as she went and disappeared beyond the ticket gate with no time for me to stop her.
At that time, finally, I remembered the remarks that Tendou had said previously, which was along the lines of: If she’s engaged to me, we can even go on a date after classes.
And then today, if seen from from an outsider, well, it was probably almost like a date at a net cafe.
At least, even myself cannot dismiss it as just nonsense.
“Ehh… What in the hell has she done…”
Having finished the first date of my life unknowingly in a surprise attack, I went home after a stress eating.