March 22 (Tuesday) Yuta Asamura

● March

22

(Tuesday)

7 AM.

Navigating through the throngs of commuters and students, Ayase-san and I finally made it to just before the Shinkansen ticket gate. Hanging above the gate was a display board indicating the names of the trains and their departure times. Today marked the beginning of our three-day graduation trip.

“Hey, over here! Finally made it, huh?”

I turned my face toward the voice.

It was Maru. He seemed to have been waiting in an empty space near the wall by the ticket gate.

Maru was holding a smartphone in one hand and waving the other toward us. Once we made eye contact, he glanced down at his phone and began tapping the screen. It looked like he had been killing time playing a mobile game. Ayase-san and I rolled our suitcases over to Maru’s side.

“You’re early, Maru-kun.”

“Did you wait long?”

When Ayase-san and I asked, Maru replied nonchalantly, “Nah, just about ten minutes.” But considering that we arrived twenty minutes before our meeting time, it meant Maru had gotten there thirty minutes early—too early, indeed. When I pointed this out, Maru shared a sad memory from middle school.

He recounted an event he had been looking forward to, which he almost missed because he left home at the last minute and got caught in a train delay.

“Since then, I’ve made it a point to leave home with plenty of time to spare for things I’m looking forward to.”

“I see.”

“Especially with the Shinkansen, missing it would be a disaster…”

As he spoke, Maru scanned the area with his eyes. Following his lead, Ayase-san and I also gazed at the bustling crowd. Right, Nara-zaka-san still hadn’t arrived. At that moment, Maru’s smartphone beeped. Almost simultaneously, I received a message notification on my phone as well. Ayase-san pulled her smartphone out of her pocket.

“That girl…”

Maru grimaced.

“She’s still on the train, it seems.”

Ayase-san said.

When I checked my LINE, I saw a stamp sent in the group chat.

It was a stamp of a cat running at full speed, with the caption “Whoa!” attached. Nara-zaka-san, I don’t think running on the train is going to get you there any faster.

“Seriously, this happens every time we meet…”

Maru said, looking exasperated.

“Well, well, it’s not even meeting time yet. Besides, after all…”

“Oh, she’s here.”

When Ayase-san called out, Maru and I turned around to see Nara-zaka-san bounding toward us, her red suitcase bouncing along as she hurried over, breathless.

“Sorry to keep you waiting!”

“We weren’t waiting. It’s still before the meeting time.”

As Maru said this, he looked up at the station clock, not pushing the fact that he had been the first to arrive, which was very much like him.

Ayase-san chimed in.

“It’s okay, Maaya. We still have fifteen minutes until departure.”

“Oh, is that so?”

“Here, I’ll hand out the tickets. Here you go.”

As I spoke, I took out the tickets for all of us and handed them out.

We fed our tickets into the automatic ticket gate and collected the ones it spat back out. Even though we had time to spare, it was clear that missing the train would be a disaster. We passed by a shop selling station bento that caught my eye and headed down the escalator leading to our platform.

“Ah, station bento!”

I slammed on the brakes.

Nara-zaka-san, like a moth drawn to a flame, wandered toward the bento shop that had caught her attention.

“Wow! They have charcoal-grilled beef short rib bento! It looks delicious!”

“Hey, Nara-zaka!”

Maru hurried after her.

“Hmm, this thick-cut pork cutlet bento is also tempting. Yeah, yeah. After all, the essence of travel is the bento.”

“Don’t say that. You—”

“Tomokun, aren’t you going to eat? Aren’t you hungry? Huh? Or are you already full?”

“Ah, no. I haven’t eaten yet.”

“Which one do you prefer? Beef short rib or pork cutlet?”

“Balance is important. I’d rather have one that includes both meat and fish—wait, no!”

“Well, I think I’ll go with the beef short rib. Oh, this deep-fried rice also looks delicious.”

“Nara-zaka!”

She turned around with a twirl.

“Yelling in front of the shop is rude, you know?”

“Y-you…”

I tapped Maru on the shoulder, who looked exasperated.

“Calm down. We still have more than ten minutes.”

“We skipped breakfast, so let’s buy four bento here.”

Ayase-san suggested, and we each picked out our favorite bento before heading down the escalator to the platform. Without much delay, our train slid into the station, departing Shina-gawa Station right on time.

We had purchased seats in a two-person configuration, but since it seemed permissible according to the instructions, we turned them to face each other and sat down (if there had been other passengers in the rotating seats, we wouldn’t have been able to move them just for our convenience, so it was important to check if it was okay to do so. Fortunately, the seats in front and behind us were empty, so there was no need to ask).

Nara-zaka-san sat by the aisle, with Maru next to her. I took the window seat across from them, and Ayase-san sat next to me by the aisle.

We placed our bags on the shelf and held our four bentos and drinks, facing each other. The train started moving, barely shaking at all. As expected of the world-renowned Shinkansen. The scenery outside the window flew by rapidly.

Beyond the streets of Shina-gawa, a bright blue sky spread out. The temperature had risen considerably by the time we met, so it seemed like it would be a warm, spring-like day.

“Ah, finally a moment to breathe.”

“If you hadn’t insisted on buying a bento, it would have been a bit easier.”

“Eh? But we need it, right? The bento.”

Nara-zaka-san held up the bento on her lap, showing it off.

“I didn’t say I didn’t want it.”

“You’re not being honest.”

“Well, it turned out just right. We met early, and I gave up breakfast.”

“By the way, I was curious about that. Did everyone skip breakfast?”

As she said this, Nara-zaka-san began loosening the string on her bento.

“Wait a minute. If you’re saying that, does it mean you had breakfast?”

“Isn’t it unthinkable to skip breakfast? It’s not good for your health, you know? Saki at least had something, right?”

“Well… I had half a cut apple?”

Ayase-san said, which was true; she had eaten half of a cut apple. But—wait, Nara-zaka-san, are you really going to eat now?

And indeed she was. Nara-zaka-san properly put her hands together and said, “Itadakimasu,” before inserting her chopsticks into the bento on her lap. The dish she chose was deep-fried rice, which is rice cooked with shellfish and vegetables, flavored with the broth. Nara-zaka-san scooped up the brown rice mixed with shellfish and vegetables with her chopsticks and took a bite.

“Mmm. Delicious!”

The aroma of the broth wafted from the open bento box, making my appetite surge. My stomach growled.

Ayase-san gazed at her bento on her lap.

“It feels a bit early, but if we think of it as breakfast…”

She was getting drawn in.

“I think it’s fine to eat. By the time we arrive, it’ll be time to be hungry again.”

When I said this, Maru nodded in agreement.

“You really do look happy eating.”

“It’s delicious! I’m so happy. Tomokun, you know, the number of times a person can eat in their lifetime is limited, right? Each meal is important. We can’t waste them. Do you understand?”

“Yes, yes.”

“Delicious food, beautiful scenery outside the window, enjoyable conversations with close friends—ah, this is a play on words with ‘friends’ and ‘Tomokun’! Did you get it?”

“Yes, yes.”

“Enjoyable conversations with friends. This is the essence of travel!”

“Got it, so eat. Just eat quietly.”

They were so close. Ayase-san must have thought the same thing, as she said.

“Maaya, you’ve really gotten close to Maru-kun, haven’t you?”

“Well, we’ve been together since the school trip, and it’s been over a year since the four of us have been hanging out.”

Since the school trip?

I almost raised an eyebrow in confusion but then remembered. That’s right; on the second day of our Singapore trip, our group, led by Maru, had teamed up with Ayase-san’s group, led by Nara-zaka-san, and we had spent time together.

We had coincidentally met at the entrance of the zoo and ended up coordinating our schedules to have dinner together at the Night Safari.

“I wish we could have spent more time together back then.”

“Well, we were in different classes for two years. And while Maaya is an exception, I haven’t seen Maru-kun that much.”

“That’s true. You came to the summer tournament, but we didn’t get to talk much. I heard you supported Nara-zaka, but… I should thank you for that now.”

“No, it was my pleasure. The baseball game was quite interesting.”

“You’re being formal.”

“That’s because we haven’t talked that much.”

“Really? It feels like we’ve been hanging out as a group of four for a long time. Hmm, this is delicious! Even when it cools down, it’s still tasty.”

Nara-zaka-san said, munching on her deep-fried rice.

“Well, I feel similarly. I guess Ayase-san is right. I don’t have many memories of having deep conversations with Nara-zaka-san. I only hear about her from Maru occasionally.”

When I said this, Nara-zaka-san nodded as if she understood.

“Exactly! Tomokun and I talked about you two all the time. It felt like we’ve been together as a group of four forever!”

“Really?”

She nodded vigorously. With her cheeks stuffed with food, she looked quite like a small animal.

Oh, she has a grain of rice stuck to her lips.

“Calm down and eat. Don’t talk with rice stuck in your mouth.”

“Huh?”

“Don’t ‘huh’ me. Here.”

As Maru said this, he reached over and plucked the grain of rice from the corner of her mouth, and Nara-zaka-san nibbled it off his finger.

…Huh?

Wait, what?

“Are you and Nara-zaka-san… dating?”

The words that popped into my mind slipped out of my lips before I could think.

The moment I said it, Ayase-san’s expression changed.

Her mouth formed an “O” shape, and she looked flustered. Oh no. Was that something I shouldn’t have said? Maru also looked slightly panicked as he glanced at Nara-zaka-san, but she seemed rather taken aback.

“Yeah, that’s right.”

“…I-I see.”

I was taken aback by her straightforward affirmation.

Maru seemed more flustered, saying, “W-well, it’s because you hinted at it!” as if blaming Nara-zaka-san, but no, I thought Maru’s actions were more…

“Eh, I thought it was obvious! Did you just realize it now, Asamura-kun? I thought it was a double date when we decided to go on this graduation trip!”

I had thought they were quite close. I had thought so, but I hadn’t realized they had become that kind of close.

Ah… I see.

“Maru had been hinting at things because he had heard it from Nara-zaka-san…”

Suddenly, everything that had felt vaguely off made perfect sense. At my words, Maru, unusually flustered, stammered, “Ah, um, well, I’m sorry for obtaining information through unfair means.”

“I don’t think it’s unfair. I don’t mind.”

“Yeah, I don’t mind either.”

“Hmm. I appreciate you saying that.”

Maru said awkwardly, and I couldn’t help but smile. The usually big Maru looked small and embarrassed at that moment. I had always thought of him as honest, sincere, and intelligent, but I also thought of him as calm and unflappable, so seeing him so openly flustered and bashful was a rare sight.

And I found myself enjoying this unexpected side of my friend.

“What are you grinning about?”

“Just thinking it’s surprising. But I don’t mind this unexpected side of my friend.”

“Don’t tease me.”

The slight pout on his face was just—

“Right! You noticed that, Asamura-kun! That’s what makes him cute!”

Nara-zaka-san exclaimed, as if she had read my feelings.

“C-cute? You’re saying that?”

“No, no. The flustered face of someone who usually only says smart things! That’s way too high on the points scale!”

From there, Nara-zaka-san launched into a rapid-fire speech listing all the “cute things,” while Maru wore a sullen expression.

Honestly, I thought making that face would have the opposite effect.

Ayase-san and I continued to eat the remaining bento while listening to Maru and Nara-zaka-san’s budding romance.

To begin with—

When they first met, they didn’t even know they were classmates at Suisei High School.

They had been in a so-called friend state on the same server in a certain game, but since I didn’t play online games, I didn’t quite grasp what that meant.

They had so much in common that when they held an offline meeting—something I knew referred to meeting up in real life to hang out—they discovered they were classmates.

“The trigger was when I was asked to proxy purchase some merchandise from a certain anime. I couldn’t just ask for the address of a woman I didn’t know, so I suggested sending it to a convenience store for pickup, but we both somehow realized we lived nearby. She said it was okay to meet.”

So, he had earned that level of trust. That was very much like Maru.

“But, isn’t it surprising that you didn’t notice?”

In response to my question, Maru explained the reasons.

“Online, I was using a handle, and Nara-zaka had falsely claimed her profile information as an adult female college student. It was a scam, a scam.”

“Don’t say things that sound bad! It was self-defense. There are guys who hit on you just because you’re a high school girl. If you say you’re an adult woman, they’re less likely to underestimate you.”

“Is that so?”

Maru tilted his head, and while I was also curious, I couldn’t outright deny it.

“To pretend to be a different gender means I have to heavily modify my voice with a voice changer, but I can’t use masculine language. I don’t want to be scrutinized at school or anywhere else. It was just a basic form of self-defense!”

“Well, let’s just leave it at that,” Maru said.

So, when we actually met, it was quite a surprise. It seems that neither Maru nor Narasaka-san had been in the same class before, but they were aware of each other’s existence. Come to think of it, I had heard from Maru that Narasaka-san was quite famous. That was around the time when Ayase-san’s family began living together.

As I listened to this candid conversation, the Shinkansen continued to speed along.

By the time Narasaka-san started talking, Mount Fuji was visible outside the window, but by the time she finished, we had already passed Shizuoka.

To summarize the content of their conversation, Maru and Narasaka-san met at an offline gathering, and it turned out that each of them was a friend of Ayase-san and me, which made them feel closer. As they shared information about their mutual friends, they found themselves becoming friends as well. However, it seems they never expected to end up as a couple.

At that moment, the Shinkansen, which should have been quiet, shook for just an instant. The window on our side, which faced the direction of travel, trembled slightly. I think I also heard a faint sound, like a buzzing in my ears. The outside scenery darkened, and just as I was surprised by that—

In a flash, I realized that we had passed an oncoming Shinkansen, and by the time I registered it, the opposing train had already vanished into the distance.

Beyond the window, the tranquil spring landscape returned.

“Wow, that surprised me!” Narasaka-san exclaimed, pressing her hand against her chest.

“You’re too surprised. You’ve experienced trains passing each other on the Yamanote Line countless times,” Maru said.

“It’s completely different! It happened so fast, I couldn’t see anything inside the train!”

“It was packed.”

“You could see well, huh?”

“Don’t believe that. I just said it randomly.”

“What? I thought you were really observant, like a captain of the baseball team.”

“You’re overestimating me.”

“Give me back that feeling of being impressed!”

“I won’t return it for free.”

“Eh? I already finished my bento!”

“I’m not saying you should give me your station bento.”

“What should I do? Asamura-kun, you’re so naughty!”

“Hey! What are you saying?!”

Maru, who had been calm until then, panicked and I couldn’t help but laugh.

“See? You made me laugh.”

“Well, you’re the one making me laugh. Right, Asamura-kun?”

“Ah, yeah, that’s true. I did get a good laugh out of it. It feels like we really click.”

At my words, Maru unusually blushed and looked away. Seeing that, Narasaka-san made a V sign with her fingers and pointed it at me. Ah, yes. I definitely think Narasaka-san has won this round.

However, from what I gathered, it seems they had only been dating for about a year, yet they acted as if they had been together for years. Compared to how these two got along, Ayase-san and I were moving at a snail’s pace.

I noticed Ayase-san, out of the corner of my eye, intently alternating her gaze between Narasaka-san and Maru.

“Is something wrong, Ayase-san?”

“Oh, no, it’s nothing.”

She replied, but there was a hint of redness on her face from staring. Then, she suddenly averted her gaze from Maru and Narasaka-san and began to look out the window. Or rather, she pretended to look. What was that about? I wondered, but Ayase-san continued to gaze out the window without turning back.

By the time we passed Toyohashi, Ayase-san finally returned her gaze from outside. Her expression had returned to her usual cool demeanor.

There was no particular change in the way she looked at Narasaka-san and Maru, and while I pondered what that was all about, I got swept up in the lively conversation and forgot about it.

As per the timetable, the Shinkansen glided into the platform at Shin-Osaka Station.

The plan for the first day was to explore Osaka.

“First, we should drop off our luggage at the hotel, right? That’s okay, right, Asamura?” Maru asked.

I nodded at his words. I hadn’t made a full travel itinerary, but I had jotted down the detailed schedule on my smartphone. Ayase-san and I couldn’t just keep relying on others; we wanted to actively maintain our friendships with Maru and Narasaka-san during this graduation trip.

“That’s the plan. It’s less than a five-minute walk from the station.”

“I’m sorry for leaving the hotel arrangements to you.”

“No, no. This trip was initiated by me and Ayase-san. Just let us handle it.”

Ayase-san nodded in agreement.

“Then let’s hurry to the hotel.”

“Only if we can find our way there. I think we need to get out of Shin-Osaka Station first.”

Narasaka-san gently shook her head, denying Maru’s words.

“What do you mean?”

Ayase-san tilted her head, but I had a feeling I understood.

“I think it means we have to navigate the Shin-Osaka maze before we can reach the hotel.”

“Is it easy to get lost?”

“Exactly.”

It’s common for modern Japanese urban train stations to be complicated due to multiple lines converging. It’s not unusual to think you’re following the signs only to end up in an unfamiliar place.

After going back into the station once, we finally descended the stairs and emerged onto the ground where we could walk. From there, we could see the hotel we were aiming for, and I let out a sigh of relief. We arrived at the booked accommodation in about a five-minute walk.

“I’m already tired!”

“We shouldn’t be tired just because we arrived at the hotel.”

After checking in at the hotel front desk and confirming the room assignments, we found that we had booked two twin rooms, one for the boys and one for the girls. Each of us received a card key. As Narasaka-san examined her key, she casually remarked, “So, we’re not splitting the couples, huh?” Maru immediately retorted, “That would be awkward for tomorrow,” and Ayase-san and I nodded solemnly—he was right.

Just imagine.

When we meet a couple at breakfast in the dining room, what do you think is the first thing that comes to mind? If someone were to say something like the innkeeper from an ancient RPG, it would definitely be awkward, even if nothing happened. And we weren’t at an age where we could convince ourselves that nothing had happened, especially since Maru and Narasaka-san didn’t have the psychological barrier of being siblings like Ayase-san and me.

…Which made me almost imagine that these two were already a couple, and I hurriedly shook my head to dispel those impure thoughts from my mind. If I let myself get caught up in such fantasies during this graduation trip, I would surely end up exhausted.

“Well, it’s also a precious memory with Saki! The girls’ room is nice too!” Narasaka-san said, already shifting her mindset, leaving me behind as my impure thoughts began to swell.

After dropping off our luggage in the room, we agreed to meet in the lobby.

“So, where are we starting from?” Ayase-san asked while looking at the map app.

I checked my smartphone notes to confirm our plans for the rest of the day. Although it was just a rough outline listing places like “Osaka Castle,” “Dotonbori,” and “Namba Grand Kagetsu,” it was still a plan.

Of course, I had checked the locations and routes beforehand. However, I didn’t want a rushed sightseeing experience like a tour. The only place I absolutely wanted to see today was probably “Osaka Castle.”

“After that, we can just explore as time allows.”

“I have no objections.”

“Then, first up is Osaka Castle!”

“Um, for that, we need to take the Midosuji Line from Shin-Osaka Station to Honmachi Station, and then transfer to the Chuo Line to Tanimachi Yonchome Station. From there, we’ll walk.”

Ayase-san confirmed this using the map app.

We almost got lost again at Shin-Osaka Station, but an hour later, we arrived at Tanimachi Yonchome Station. From there, it was a 15-minute walk, which is about a kilometer.

There was a moment when Ayase-san was strongly drawn to the “Osaka Museum of History” and stopped, but we successfully made it to the entrance of Osaka Castle at Otemon. Beyond the gate, a large park spread out to the left.

“The center of the castle is called ‘Honmaru,'” Ayase-san shared her historical knowledge.

“From there, the important areas are named ‘Ninomaru’ and ‘Sannomaru.’ This area is ‘Ninomaru,’ and since it’s to the west of the castle, it’s called ‘Nishi no Maru.'”

“Oh, so that’s why it’s called ‘Nishi no Maru Garden.'”

At my words, Ayase-san nodded, saying, “Probably.”

Narasaka-san, gazing intently at Maru, said, “So, if there’s an East, is it Higashi no Maru?”

“Why are you looking at me when you say that?”

“Well, since Higashi no Maru-kun is currently merging with Nishi no Maru, that means this is the center! Alright, let’s call it ‘Marumaru Garden’ today!”

“Don’t call it that!”

Maru dutifully responded to Narasaka-san’s joke.

If a local heard that exchange, they might get angry.

That aside, this Nishi no Maru Garden, which offers a view of Osaka Castle from the east, is also known as a cherry blossom viewing spot.

“Whoa! They’re blooming!”

The moment Narasaka-san saw the cherry blossoms, her excitement skyrocketed. They were only about two-tenths in bloom, but they were still impressive. According to the tourist guide, when fully bloomed, about 300 cherry trees will be in full bloom, providing an even more spectacular view of Osaka Castle through the blossoms.

“This is how you see it beautifully!” Narasaka-san exclaimed as she rushed under the cherry trees.

“Wow!”

As she tilted her head back to gaze at the blue sky, a gentle breeze stirred, causing a few petals to flutter and dance into the air. Since they had just begun to bloom, only a few of the first flowers scattered, but the way they changed positions against the blue canvas above was like a kaleidoscope. The dancing petals shifted vividly in the blue sky with each passing moment.

As I looked up, I could see the same scene Narasaka-san was witnessing.

“Oh!”

Ayase-san also exclaimed beside me.

“Cherry blossoms are really nice, after all.”

For a while, Ayase-san and I gazed up at the sky together.

Suddenly, I noticed that Narasaka-san had already run to the edge of the park, while Maru was eagerly reading an explanation board set up on the premises. This is where each person’s personality differences became apparent.

“Can I take a picture too?”

“Sure. I’ll keep watching the cherry blossoms a bit longer.”

While waiting for Ayase-san, who was busy taking pictures of Osaka Castle with her smartphone, I leisurely watched the pink petals dancing in the blue sky. Time passed slowly.

After that, we moved to the Osaka Castle keep.

The exterior resembled a traditional Japanese castle, but the interior of the Osaka Castle keep had been renovated into a modern museum. Thanks to the tickets I had purchased online, we entered without having to wait in line at the ticket counter. I wanted to take credit for this preparation, but it was actually Maru’s suggestion. He had told me that nowadays, you can buy admission tickets online, so it’s easier to purchase them in advance.

I’m not particularly good at this kind of smart planning, and I can’t compete with Maru and Narasaka-san, who are social butterflies.

The one who seemed to enjoy the exhibits the most inside the keep was, of course, Ayase-san. However, unlike Maru, who reads every explanation from start to finish, she seemed to be the type to carefully observe the displayed items and photos. She was intently gazing at documents and paintings from that era.

On the second floor, there was a corner where you could try on helmets and battle jackets, and Maru and Narasaka-san were happily trying them on while recording a video on their smartphones. …I wondered if these two would get more views if they posted a video together. They were both a strong, outgoing duo.

“Saki, you should try on a kosode too!”

“No thanks.”

“They’re cute!”

“I’m good for now. I’ve taken enough pictures.”

At her words, Narasaka-san tilted her head slightly, but she didn’t press the issue further. She seemed to know when to back off.

Ayase-san’s “I’ve taken enough pictures” probably referred to the commemorative photos taken in her graduation hakama, but it felt like those were different from this. Still, her response of “I’m good for now” didn’t deny the future, so she was becoming less resistant to being photographed than before.

Perhaps because we took our time looking around, we ended up spending about two hours there.

After leaving Osaka Castle, we headed to our next destination, Dotonbori.

We transferred trains again and got off at “Nipponbashi Station.”

By the way, this is a classic joke, but “Nipponbashi” is pronounced “Nipponbashi.” People from the Kanto region might get confused because it’s different from the familiar pronunciation.

“Isn’t ‘Nihonbashi’ okay?” Narasaka-san asked in her accustomed pronunciation. Maru, with a serious expression, said gravely, “No, that’s not right.”

“That’s the Nipponbashi we know. If you’re referring to the place in Chuo Ward, Tokyo, that’s fine. But here in Osaka, ‘Nipponbashi’ is the native pronunciation.”

“…Yeah. Uh-huh? Uh-huh.”

“Local dialects…”

“When in Rome, do as the Romans do,” they say. That’s why this place is ‘Nipponbashi.'”

“Well, I feel like just the fact that we’re saying it with a Kanto accent means we’re not native, to begin with…”

While we were engaged in this pointless debate, Ayase-san was checking a map app.

“If we walk north from here, we should reach the eastern side of Dotonbori shopping street,” she said.

We strolled together, passing through a narrow shopping street with a roof, emerging onto a slightly wider road. This seemed to be the Dotonbori shopping street. In front of us hung a large model of a crab as a sign for a restaurant. It was a famous place that also existed in the Kanto region. However, as I looked around, I noticed many shops that were unfamiliar, ones I had never seen or heard of before. The sound of Kansai dialect filled the air, vibrant and overwhelming. Mixed in were the various languages spoken by foreign tourists.

As we walked, Maru suddenly remarked, “Isn’t there an unusually high number of three-dimensional signs?”

Now that he mentioned it, I felt the same way. Compared to the completely flat digital signage that surrounded the bustling streets of Shibuya, there was a different sensibility here.

With so many eateries around, and since it was lunchtime, delightful aromas wafted from all directions, tickling our nostrils.

Speaking of which, we hadn’t had lunch yet.

“…Shall we eat something?”

“I’m hungry.”

“It’s almost 2 PM. The restaurants should be less crowded now, so it might be a good idea to eat.”

No one opposed Ayase-san’s suggestion, and we began wandering the shopping street in search of a place to eat.

As we looked around, someone called out to us. “If you’re hungry, come eat!” Turning around, we saw a small takoyaki shop, where a round-faced lady was smiling and beckoning us over. She spoke in a thick Kansai dialect, her voice booming.

Even I and Maru were slightly taken aback by her enthusiastic call.

However, there are always fearless warriors who confront such situations head-on. Unsurprisingly, it was Nara-zaka-san, the most socially adept person from Suisei High School.

“Wow, that looks delicious, lady! I mean, um, miss!” she exclaimed as she dashed over.

It seemed like blatant flattery, but the takoyaki lady beamed and offered her a skewer of takoyaki.

It appeared to be a thank-you for the kind words.

“Yay!”

Without hesitation, Nara-zaka-san accepted it and took a bite. “Wow, it’s strong…”

“It’s delicious! Mmm, I can really taste the octopus! And it feels like the flavor is a bit different from the ones in Kanto! Yes, Osaka’s takoyaki is amazing!”

“Right?” The lady puffed up with pride, boasting about her takoyaki. However, for us, who weren’t particularly knowledgeable about takoyaki, it was hard to discern what made it different from others. Nara-zaka-san, despite not being an expert either, nodded along enthusiastically, occasionally interjecting with her own comments. We were laughing together every three seconds, but I couldn’t quite grasp what was so funny.

We bought four servings of takoyaki.

Since Nara-zaka-san had charmed the lady, she got one topping for free.

Well, the large octopus-filled takoyaki was delicious, so I had no complaints. They had cooked it right in front of us, so it was piping hot.

Maru shouted, “It’s delicious!” while sharing his insights.

“Kanto’s takoyaki is often cooked until the surface is crispy. Compared to that, I think this takoyaki is a bit more subdued. It’s more like a crunch or a crisp.”

I see.

“And the inside is gooey. When you bite into it, the soft batter bursts out. It could burn your mouth, but that enhances the flavor. As you breathe in and out, rolling it around in your mouth, the larger pieces of octopus ooze out from the center, rolling on your tongue, and when you bite down, the taste of octopus spreads wildly in your mouth. Ah, I’m eating takoyaki right now! It’s pure bliss!”

“You’re quite the storyteller.”

“There are those who dance when it’s delicious, and those who talk about it.”

“Is there really someone who dances?”

“Right there.”

Nara-zaka-san was waving a skewer of takoyaki in front of her face, dancing.

…Um.

“Nara-zaka-san.”

“It’s the dance of deliciousness!”

I couldn’t help but look around, but the passersby continued on their way, unfazed by the sight of a high school girl—soon to be a college student—dancing in delight over food. It felt like we were being left alone in a good way.

“Wait… Am I overthinking this… or is it not?”

“Asamura-kun! Expressing how delicious something is is an important duty to the person who made it!”

Oh…

We were eating in a spot that wasn’t obstructive next to the shop, but when I turned back to the takoyaki stall, the lady was looking at us with a happy expression. I noticed Nara-zaka-san had finished her takoyaki in no time, wearing a satisfied smile.

…I see.

“The flavor of the dashi might be different too,” Ayase-san muttered. Now that she mentioned it…

“Oh, Saki, did you notice? That’s because—”

Nara-zaka-san began to explain.

“In Kanto, we tend to use bonito flakes for dashi, but in Kansai, it’s kombu dashi. When you combine that with miso or light soy sauce, it creates this kind of flavor.”

“Wow, Nara-zaka, you’re knowledgeable.”

“Well, my parents are busy, so I often cook for my younger siblings. I watch a lot of cooking videos, so I naturally pick up on things!”

“I sometimes watch videos to learn recipes and cooking methods… but I probably don’t remember much.”

I guess Ayase-san just watches them as a guide.

“This is definitely delicious. I might prefer this flavor,” I said.

“I like it too. I might try making it with the recipe that Maki mentioned. Should I try making it at home next time?”

“Wait, can you really do that? If you can, I’d love to ask you to make it. I want to learn too.”

“Sure. Next time.”

“I’m looking forward to it… Huh?”

Nara-zaka-san and Maru looked our way, wearing smiles that seemed to hold some meaning.

“What is it?”

“Well, it feels like you two are already having a conversation like a newlywed couple.”

They giggled incessantly.

“Don’t tease us.”

Ayase-san said, turning her face away, but I thought that would only make it worse.

By the time we finished lunch, we had entered an okonomiyaki shop.

When we left the restaurant, it was already past 3 PM, and we were headed to our next destination, ‘Namba Grand Kagetsu.’

The ‘Namba Grand Kagetsu,’ a theater specializing in comedy and skits, was just a ten-minute walk south from Dotonbori shopping street. We managed to arrive just in time for the 3:30 PM opening and 4 PM performance. We bought same-day tickets and slipped in.

“This was on the schedule that Asamura-kun showed us from the beginning, right?” Nara-zaka-san mentioned, recalling our video call meeting.

“Tomokun and I really like comedy, but I was surprised that this was included in your plans from the start,” she added.

“Ah, well, that’s true.”

Back then, I had just searched for places to enjoy around the new Osaka area and filled in the schedule randomly. Of course, I had discussed it with Ayase-san after the call. Neither Ayase-san nor I had a particular interest in comedy. Still, I had left it on the itinerary as a tourist spot because—

“But since we’re in Osaka, this is the real deal, right?”

I nodded along.

“Because I don’t usually pay attention to it, I want to know more.”

Traveling is essentially about encountering the extraordinary.

Living beings are fundamentally conservative, so if left alone, they repeat the same things. Their thoughts become rigid, and growth halts. However, animals with brains also fear losing their curiosity, so they tend to seek out the extraordinary intentionally. Especially Homo sapiens. They want to consciously see different landscapes. They want to refresh their minds.

Traveling as a form of entertainment is a chance to experience things that you tend to put off in daily life. If, as a result, your range of interests expands, that’s great, and even if it ends there, you can learn the limits of your interests, which is also valuable.

—Though I might be more driven by the genuine desire to experience authentic comedy.

Shortly after we took our seats, the performance began.

As expected, it seemed that Maru and Nara-zaka-san recognized the comedians who came on stage, but most of them were unfamiliar to me. However, there were a few comedians I vaguely remembered seeing when my dad had the TV on.

The comedy performance, filled with stand-up and skits, was enjoyable enough for beginners like me and Ayase-san. I found myself genuinely laughing, and when I glanced at Ayase-san, she was covering her mouth, her body bent in a ‘ku’ shape as she tried to hold back her laughter. It seemed embarrassing to laugh out loud like Nara-zaka-san, but she couldn’t help it, trembling as she clung to my shoulder, saying, “Sorry, I can’t hold it in, that was too funny.” Well, I thought it was perfectly fine to laugh out loud like Nara-zaka-san.

By the time the performance ended and we stepped outside, it was already night.

It was just past 6 PM, and the street in front of the theater was still lit up by the shops. Looking up, the sky was dark, and the stars were nowhere to be seen. The light from the stars is faint, so in places with a lot of light, they become invisible. It felt like a black velvet curtain had been drawn, and I found myself wondering what kind of play would begin when that curtain rose.

As we decided to take one last walk, Ayase-san remarked that it had been a long time since she had laughed so much. In the end, she had finally burst out laughing uncontrollably. I suddenly realized that it might have been the first time I had seen Ayase-san laugh out loud.

“Was it really?”

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen Saki laugh with her mouth wide open either.”

“I don’t do that.”

“No, no, laughter is the source of health! You should laugh more actively, Saki!”

“Indeed. Laughter boosts the immune system and reduces stress.”

Nara-zaka-san and Maru were enthusiastically encouraging Ayase-san, and it was clear that these two really loved comedy.

“Skits and stand-up are great, right?”

“Well, I thought so…”

“You’re wasting the opportunity to have a partner right there.”

Could that partner be me?

“Living under the same roof is the best environment. You can do skits while living together!”

“No, no, why do we have to do skits while living together?”

“When Tomo-kun and I are together, it’s always like that, you know?”

“Right?” Nara-zaka-san said, looking at Maru, who nodded in agreement.

Is that so…?

“Well, Nara-zaka has a lot of silly puns. I just laugh along because I have to.”

“What did you say?”

“What? A pun?”

What is that? Ayase-san tilted her head, so Maru and I had to explain.

A pun is a type of wordplay. It’s a game where you replace an existing phrase with words that sound similar for fun. For example, “shita kirisuzume” (a sparrow that cuts its tongue) could be replaced with “kita kirisuzume” (a sparrow that wears the same clothes all the time).

The point is to see how far you can stray from the original image using words that sound similar.

“Seriously thinking about it takes quite a bit of brainpower, but Nara-zaka’s are just simple puns.”

“The path of art is strict. Amateurs start with puns!”

“Where are you aiming for…?”

“Um… So, does that mean Maru and Nara-zaka-san always have those kinds of conversations when they’re together?”

They both nodded in unison.

…That’s a high hurdle.

Speaking of which, at Nishinomaru Garden, they had said something like, “Then, Tomo-kun is the East Maru, and together, you’re the Perfectly Round Garden…” It was a silly pun, but Maru had diligently responded to each one, and I wondered if that was how these two communicated.

“Oh, Tomo-kun, look! There’s no line over there right now!”

“Hey, we’re about to have dinner… Wait, hold on!”

Before Maru could stop her, Nara-zaka-san dashed over to a small shop.

What kind of shop is it? …Egg tarts?

“Egg tarts are tarts that have spread across Asia. They’re made with flour, butter, sugar, eggs, and milk… Why are you surprised?”

“Well, I didn’t have the impression that Ayase-san made sweets.”

“Well… my cooking is for self-sufficiency. As long as I get nutrition three times a day, that’s enough. It’s important that it doesn’t take much effort. But when I look up recipes, I come across them, and I’ve seen regular tart recipes, so I can imagine what ingredients are used when I see the finished product.”

Even so, for someone who has never made a single pancake, being told I could tell just by looking seems like a superpower.

“That’s an exaggeration.”

“Is it?”

As we talked, I searched for egg tarts on my phone. Apparently, in 1989, a British man named Andrew devised a recipe that added his own twist to a Portuguese tart, which became popular in Macau. I see, that’s why the shop has that name…

Nara-zaka-san was still demonstrating her exceptional communication skills, chatting amiably with the shop staff. She was being offered one, saying, “How about one for you and your boyfriend?” It was refreshing to see Maru blushing at being called her boyfriend. And before we knew it, they had bought two each. Two tarts before dinner… how can they eat so much?

“You know, the kind of exchanges that feel like skits or stand-up…”

Ayase-san murmured softly. I turned to her.

“Like the ones you have with Shiori at your part-time job, right?”

I hadn’t intended to perform a skit.

“I thought you two had great chemistry.”

“It might just be that the senior from Yomiuri is good at catching the tail end of words and making jokes.”

“You two seem to match well.”

“Wait, wait.”

I faced Ayase-san directly and spoke. It felt like the right thing to do.

“Being able to do manzai isn’t the proof of being lovers, is it? What Narasaka-san was saying is that couples can use laughter as a way to playfully interact with each other. Of course, there are people who are suited for it and those who aren’t, and I believe there are couples out there who find comfort in silence.”

On that note, I added with a slight smile, raising the corners of my mouth.

“If being able to do manzai together means you’re a couple, then everyone who performs in comedy duos would have to be considered lovers, right?”

Ayase-san fell silent at my words, looking up as if deep in thought. She was probably recalling the comedy duo we had just seen.

“All of those people…”

“Exactly, lovers. According to your theory, Ayase-san. They were a well-matched pair, weren’t they? At the end, they all came out for a curtain call and formed a huge heart shape together.”

“…Pfft.”

She let out a small laugh before saying, “Stop it.” Even if she asked me to stop, I was just applying Ayase-san’s theory.

“Asamura-kun, why do you come up with such strange things?”

“Thanks for responding with a comeback. Well, I think it’s good enough that you can properly engage with me like that.”

Ayase-san opened her mouth in an “ah” shape, then pondered, “Hmm.”

“But this is because Asamura-kun is making the jokes, right?”

That was true.

“But you sometimes make jokes too, Ayase-san.”

“Me!?”

She really didn’t seem to realize it.

“Sorry to keep you waiting!”

Narasaka-san and Maru returned.

“We’re about to have dinner, but are you okay with that?”

“Absolutely, let’s go!”

Narasaka-san then surprised us by entering a Chinese restaurant and finishing a bowl of ramen in no time.

And so, the first day of our graduation trip came to an end.