After that, we stayed in the literature club room.
Kagami went back, and Kaoru and Izumi went off to enjoy various things as I said.
They told us we had already played a lot in the morning, but it seemed there were still some lingering feelings.
Thinking that guests wouldn’t come for a while, we took the seats Kaoru and Izumi had occupied and started munching on various snacks.
After a moment of that—
“Koto Ne.”
Suddenly, Yuka called me.
“Hmm?”
Chewing on a bit of dorayaki and enjoying the texture of the pancake, I looked up at Yuka.
Yuka was looking at me with quite a serious expression.
“Sorry. I was going to let it go, but somehow I can’t help but be a bit concerned.”
Yuka glanced back and forth between me and Koko as she spoke.
“Have you… reconciled with your mother?”
“……”
I knew she would ask.
Since I didn’t say anything, I thought it would just pass by.
Well, if I were Yuka, I would have been very worried too. After all, Yuka usually cares a lot about me.
I briefly fell into thought.
Reconcile.
Reconcile, huh… there’s nothing to do.
I haven’t had a fight with Kagami.
In fact, I’ve been the one who has been rather rude in our relationship. Up to now, we’ve had more of a contact relationship where we don’t talk unless I need something.
In a way, it seems both of us were avoiding unnecessary interactions.
From Kagami’s point of view, I must look like a suspicious being.
Recently, she has been bringing up socializing and collaborating but…
It seems they were the ones to drop their guard first.
“…A little bit.”
The problem is, I still haven’t told Yuka the truth.
Not just Yuka, everyone around me… except Kaoru and Izumi, thinks that I’m an abused child from a bad family.
Have I gone too far to tell them the truth?
I looked at Yuka.
Her eyes were full of worry.
If I tell someone like Yuka that all this time has just been a facade, would she be disappointed?
Perhaps it would be better to leave it to Kagami—ah.
…Is that so?
Unconsciously, I was trying to push everything onto Kagami again. I seemed to have gotten too comfortable passing things off like that.
“I see.”
Yuka let out a small breath.
She seemed a bit relieved, but it looked like she didn’t know what to say next.
It’s difficult.
It’s only natural to feel relieved if the abusive parent turns over a new leaf.
But then, what about the crimes that parent committed up until that point? In many subcultures, they gloss over it by saying that there were sad parts about that parent too, but from an outsider’s perspective, it’s still quite unsettling.
However, I can’t just let Kagami take the fall to make myself feel better. She might be involved in some crimes regarding social relationships, but at least she doesn’t have any allegations about “child abuse” against me.
…Though, I wonder about Koko.
Koko doesn’t seem to care much about it either.
In the end, we couldn’t find words to continue the conversation.
Knowing that she’s worried about me warmed my heart a bit, but at the same time, it was incredibly awkward.
I thought about trying to say something—when suddenly, I realized I didn’t know much about what Yuka usually liked.
Our usual conversations don’t include “pop culture.” Since coming to this world, I have hardly watched TV.
I’ve seen Koko’s shows a lot from the side, but they weren’t subjects that high school girls would be interested in.
We don’t go to the theater, and she doesn’t seem to collect anything or search for great places to eat.
“……”
If we naturally became friends, we would usually know those kinds of things by now.
Ah, right.
But still, I did know something.
Yuka liked games from her childhood.
I don’t know if she still does, but I enjoyed the game she left at our house.
If I brought up those games, maybe I could naturally segue into conversation—
—As I was thinking that.
Squeak.
A sound came from the old hinges that needed oiling.
Yuka and I turned to face the door at the same time.
The literature club room door was slightly ajar.
“Hello? Is anyone there?”
“Wait, Harumi, don’t push—”
“Did I hear some rustling noises—”
As those voices rang out, one of the three people behind the door seemed to accidentally touch the doorknob wrong, and the door squeaked loudly as it completely opened.
On the other side of the open door were three distinctly characterful spirits.
One was a gal spirit with long blonde hair who was imitating a Sadako-like appearance.
Another was a short-haired spirit with a triangular headband typically seen on Japanese ghosts, which looked a little foreign to my eyes.
And the last one, wow, if you’re going to claim you’re a ghost just because you’re wearing a white dress, couldn’t you at least wear a wig that resembles it a little more?
That’s right. It was Mako and the gang.
“Oh, you were in here.”
Mako said awkwardly with a smile.
“I thought the door was shut tightly, so I wondered where everyone went. What’s up?”
Fukuda, scratching their head, added.
“…It’s quite serious, huh?”
Yamashita, seemingly surprised that we were prepared for this, said.
Well, out of the three, Yamashita had actually been present during our club activities. Though, to be fair, all they really did was sit.
Perhaps they thought we hadn’t prepared at all.
Yuka and I turned our heads back to look at each other.
And then, at the same time, we chuckled slightly and stood up from our seats.
“Come to our literature club exhibition.”
Yuka said.
I picked up three copies of our publication that were piled by the door and handed them to the three.
“Here, our publication.”
“Wow.”
Mako beamed brightly as she accepted the publication.
“Did you guys write this?”
“We did stretch some things to fill up the pages.”
That was true. Both Koko and I had written much longer pieces than what we originally showed Izumi. Though they didn’t differ by a whole page.
“What’s this standing here?”
Yamashita asked while glancing at the printed materials we had set up.
“…I thought we should put some decoration.”
“Can we sit and read it?”
Mako pointed to a seat and asked.
“Sure.”
Yuka answered, and I pushed the snacks we had been eating to the center of the table.
“Oh wow!”
As everyone gathered around the table, Koko exclaimed.
It seemed she was glad to have these three who usually treat her as cute join in on the fun. Well, those three were also dressed in complete festival attire. Fukuda ruffled Koko’s hair and took a seat.
Mako opened up the publication.
Seeing them like that, they seemed to fit quite well with the literature club.
The three, who seemed like they hadn’t engaged in club activities yet, I wondered if I should invite them to join.
……After thinking that, I felt like I had fully become a part of this club.
*
“Everyone’s so passionate.”
It was only when the festival was nearing its end that Yuka’s grandfather arrived.
I had thought it might have been too late, but then again, he probably wouldn’t be too interested in the ghost house or anything like that. Yuka’s father, who came along, seemed to be the same.
Perhaps he was just curious about how his granddaughter was enjoying her school life.
Even Kaoru and Izumi, who had been laughing and chatting moments before, were now sitting respectfully.
As her grandfather looked around the club, perhaps it was just me, but his eyes seemed slightly misty.
……His granddaughter, who used to wander around here and there for work, was finally enjoying school life properly after meeting friends.
When her grandfather carefully examined the exhibits we set up, he picked up a publication.
“May I take just one?”
“Yes, of course.”
Izumi replied very politely.
Her grandfather smiled lightly and nodded before taking one publication.
Thus, a total of five publications had gone out today.
Since one out of eleven was reserved for the club, the total quantity distributed was quite a lot more than half of what we prepared.
It was an unexpected success.
Above all else, I felt relieved that the people taking home the publications would cherish them.
……I hadn’t thought much of it when it was first completed.
Well, the writing I had written there is a mark of my existence too.
Was it okay to think that the first day of the festival was a success?
When Yuka’s grandfather and father arrived, it marked the end of the first day of the festival for us.
The literature club didn’t have any specific clean-up to do. We just needed to throw away the packaging from the snacks we had eaten.
It was natural for the five literature club members and Yuka’s father and grandfather to come together.
“Goodbye.”
“Thank you for visiting today.”
Kaoru and Izumi bowed politely, and her grandfather smiled kindly, waving at them both.
We waved back at the two and walked alongside them.
“Shall we go together?”
Yuka asked.
She probably meant that she would give us a ride.
I shook my head.
If I lived somewhere nearby, I might have gratefully accepted the ride, but I live in Saitama. That’s like asking to be driven from Cheongdam to Goyang City in Korea. No, considering the size of Tokyo, it could be much further than that.
“It’s fine. We’ll take the train—”
“In that case, how about staying over tonight?”
As I was about to decline, Yuka’s father said with a smile.
“……”
Since I’ve been over before, he probably said it naturally.
But I—
I’ve received too much already.
“Sure. Since it’s come to this, let’s stay over for the day.”
Yuka said with a smile. There was a subtle gleam of anticipation in her eyes.
“We’re planning to have grilled meat for dinner tonight.”
“Wow!”
Her grandfather punctuated with enthusiasm, and Koko raised her hands in a cheer.
“……”
Seeing the anticipation shining on Koko’s face made it difficult to refuse given the atmosphere.
I wondered if I had become comfortable enough to take it easy. Back when I had just come here, I would have followed right away, hyped up for the meat.
“……Then, I’ll be in your care.”
“What do you mean by in your care?”
Her grandfather nodded with a smile.
It felt strange.
It was somewhat ticklish, and though it was clearly chilly weather, it somehow felt warm.
Perhaps it was such a long-forgotten feeling.
It’s been a while since I felt that warmth and, unconsciously, I just found myself following behind.
*
The yakinikku tasted quite similar to the grilled meat I had in Korea.
Yet there was still something somewhat indescribably different about it, which was pleasant.
Afterwards, I changed into some underwear Yuka had picked up for me and borrowed some of her clothes.
Actually, the size wasn’t quite right. It was a bit loose for me, but the waist was elastic, so it was passable enough to call it a loose fit.
“I’ll step out for a moment.”
“Want to come with?”
“No, just a quick moment.”
At my words, Yuka blinked.
This is just my guess, but had it been just a few months ago, Yuka wouldn’t have let me go.
She would often cut her wrist. Though she still does now.
“Okay. Don’t take too long. It’s cold.”
But Yuka nodded and said that soon after.
Trust.
……My side is filled with lies, so it’s her overwhelming trust in me.
But at least, what I just said wasn’t a lie. I had no intention of running away somewhere far from here.
Unlike the area where I live, this place felt a bit brighter. I wasn’t sure if it was because there were genuinely many light sources or just my mental perception.
But thanks to that, it wasn’t too eerie walking the streets in the middle of the night.
Even when stepping into the dark shrine, everything was decently illuminated.
I took a leisurely walk toward the fortune box.
And in front of it, I hesitated for a moment.
I had only seen it in Japanese manga; I had never actually visited here to drop money into a fortune box while traveling.
No, even after starting to live in Japan, I had never done it.
Was there some method or sequence involved? Was there a minimum amount I should put in?
After staring at the fortune box for a while, I shrugged my shoulders and rummaged through my pocket.
I pulled out a 500-yen coin.
Staring down at the coin, I pondered briefly, then dropped the money into the box.
In truth, I don’t believe in gods.
Even after witnessing the existence of yōkai and coming to terms that there is an afterlife, I still haven’t thought of relying on a divine being out there.
So even now, what I did was less of a solemn action and more for my own peace of mind.
“……”
Well, even if there’s a minimum of 5,000 yen it could be considered an amount of more than that.
I dropped the coin into the fortune box. I hesitated, reaching out to pull the rope attached to the box to ring the bell.
Then, I clapped my hands twice, mimicking an animation I saw before.
I joined my hands together, closed my eyes…
…I selfishly prayed that after this situation, Yuka would forgive me…
Without knowing what kind of deity I was praying to.
After standing like that for a moment, I slowly opened my eyes.
I lowered my hands and took a deep breath.
The cold night air filled my lungs a little clearer now.
If a deity exists beyond it, would they grant my wishes? Surely they wouldn’t decline because I was an alien being from another dimension, would they?
I unconsciously shrugged my shoulders and turned around—
“……!”
And I was startled.
It was purely coincidental that I didn’t scream.
“Ah, sorry about that.”
The person hidden in darkness said with an awkward smile.
“Did I scare you?”
It was Yuka’s father.
“……No.”
I shook my head.
I was surprised, but I couldn’t really say that to him. He was much older than me.
“I came back to check on something I left behind, and I saw you here, so I decided to wait a moment. Is that okay?”
“Oh, yeah. That’s fine.”
He was actually holding a yellow envelope in his hand.
Even though it’s a religious facility, since money goes in and out, it’s reasonable that they must take care of some official business. I needlessly accepted that.
I felt like I had to say something, and since it was a bit awkward, I just decided to throw out some random comment.
“…Is there a specific way to make a wish?”
I asked, recalling that he must have seen me wishing.
As the shrine keeper, he would surely know about that.
“There are established procedures.”
That made me feel rather embarrassed. I had prayed like a fool.
“But even if you don’t follow it strictly, if you prayed with a sincere and respectful heart, they probably would have heard you.”
I nodded.
Yuka’s father turned as he spoke, and I began to walk too.
“Do you feel a bit at ease?”
“……Yeah.”
As someone who doesn’t believe in the divine, I merely mimicked the act, but that in itself had eased my mind a little.
I had a lot of worries that I couldn’t share with anyone.
“Right.”
Thankfully, Yuka’s father didn’t pry further.
We entered the warm room and went up to Yuka’s room.
“Mew.”
And the first thing I saw upon opening the door to Yuka’s room was Kuro, looking plump and staring up at me with a disgruntled expression.
“……”
Ah, right.
Since I found out that this one isn’t an ordinary cat, I have felt a little less worried.
“…What’s she?”
Yuka asked incredulously.
Since we often leave for a while, our house is usually stocked with food for Kuro.
Every morning, I also empty the bathroom immediately.
Unlike ordinary cats, she doesn’t scratch around when left alone; who would have thought this cat was possessed by gods?
“…Actually, I don’t know well either.”
I picked up Kuro.
By the time I sat on the floor and put Kuro on my lap, Kuro, who had a disgruntled expression, began to narrow her eyes as I scratched behind her ears, becoming drowsy.
“It seems she’s not an ordinary cat.”
“Right.”
Yuka said incredulously, and I nodded.
“…Was she like that in Kyoto too?”
“Yeah.”
As Kuro yawned wide, I handed her back to Koko.
“Wow!”
As Koko took Kuro, she immediately hugged her tightly and lay down on the blanket spread on the floor.
Kuro shot me a resentful glance from Koko’s arms, making me chuckle a bit.
“Is she dangerous?”
“Probably not.”
I still don’t know who or what Kuro is attached to.
But at least, I didn’t feel threatened as I did while talking to Nirlas.
In fact, in that dream, I felt quite at ease.
So, it’s probably fine.
……I’m not even able to take care of her properly, so why is she going out of her way to help me this much?
I watched Koko tightly hugging Kuro with a warm smile before I stood up to find my phone.
Click.
Then I captured Koko in a photo.
Yuka also hurriedly grabbed her phone as if she just thought of it.
Click click.
Even though Kuro had a disgruntled expression throughout the photoshoot, it oddly looked quite comfortable.
……I hope these kinds of days together can continue on for a long time.
I was slightly worried that I might not be able to turn this memory into the past.
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