Ch.126Chapter 20. Request (1)

We were guests, and Yuka’s bed was too narrow for two people.

Yuka tried to give up her bed to us as she always did when I stayed at her house, but even I have some sense of decency.

I borrowed a blanket to lay down, and I lay with Koko.

Well, it’s not like we fell asleep right away.

We played around in Yuka’s room until late at night.

We ate the snacks Yuka brought up, played with Kuro, and watched TV.

“When it comes to food, meat is the best.”

I don’t remember how we got onto this topic, but we were talking about what we liked.

“I like vegetables too. Fruits are good too. But I think meat is the most delicious thing to eat with rice.”

“I agree.”

“Wow!”

Well, I guess that’s too obvious.

As you get older, the proportion of vegetables in your diet tends to increase. Unless you’re someone with an extremely childish palate who’s determined to eat only one thing, the proportion of things other than meat gradually increases.

I came to really enjoy side dishes that come with meals, and in my case, I particularly liked wrapping ingredients like lettuce. I’m not sure why.

After coming here, I went back to having a palate that goes crazy for “meat.”

Is it because I’m back in a teenage body? No, it’s probably a reaction to not being able to eat meat in the early days after coming here. Back then, I would follow anyone who just mentioned meat without questioning anything.

It’s not that bad now, right?

“Movies? Movies… Well, I do like action-packed ones, but I prefer quieter ones. You know, movies with deep stories.”

Perhaps because she herself lives in something far from ordinary, Yuka said that.

She says the same about dramas. Rather than sword-fighting, she seems to prefer sweet stories where handsome male leads and pretty female leads fall in love.

Even better if the setting is a school.

Though she didn’t explicitly say it, it’s as good as directly telling me that she longs for an ordinary school life.

…I see.

I stared blankly at the ceiling and thought.

What would it have been like in the original work?

If we’re talking about the end of a light novel… Well, even novels with similar settings can have wildly different endings, but if we’re talking about the standard formula, it would make sense that these abnormal phenomena would end at the conclusion.

Or at least “the greatest threat has been averted.”

If there was a character named Kotone Kurosawa in the original work, that’s surely what would have happened. A Kotone driven mad by her misfortune would go berserk, and the protagonist and heroine would stop her… The villain with a tragic backstory would die while spewing words of resentment, and the overly kind protagonists would grieve together—isn’t that the cliché?

Thinking about it that way, I can somewhat see why someone up there brought me here.

I know about the novel but not its ending, I’ve already experienced depressing things so I won’t go berserk over trivial matters.

And I’m not the type to desperately struggle to avoid that end.

“What about you?”

“Huh?”

While I was lost in thought, Yuka addressed me.

“What kind of movies do you like?”

“Me?”

I…

I don’t think I was particularly picky about genres.

I just liked most of the popular types of movies. Not that I was a movie buff who frequently went to theaters; I would just absentmindedly flip through channels on my days off and end up watching a movie from the middle to the end on a movie channel.

So I don’t really know the complete stories of many movies.

But I do have a preferred ending.

“…Happy endings.”

I like movies where the protagonists go through various hardships but ultimately reach a happy ending.

It’s too sad and depressing to go through all that trouble and gain nothing.

No matter how harsh reality is supposed to be, there’s no need for the ending to be sad in movies too.

The end of life is sad enough as it is. Humans all die and live through partings.

At the very least, I’d like the stories I hear to end at a happy point.

“…”

“…Yuka?”

When Yuka didn’t respond, I called out to her.

“Oh, yes?”

As if she had been thinking about something else, Yuka answered with surprise.

“I, I see. Happy endings… Yes, I like movies with happy endings too.”

Yuka said.

Among the games Yuka gave me, there were a few with gloomy endings. Well, I don’t think Yuka bought them knowing all the endings.

To begin with, popular media tends to have more happy endings. The game market back then wasn’t as big as in the 2020s, so even if developers mixed in their half-baked philosophies, there weren’t many platforms to express dissatisfaction.

Or was it the same in the 2000s?

Philosophy, realism—I don’t like any of it.

I know it’s hypocritical of me to say this after talking about elementary school palates that only like meat, but still.

“…What about Koko?”

Looking at Koko, who had been quiet for a while, I saw she was breathing softly with her eyes closed.

She was holding Kuro tightly in her arms.

Kuro’s eyes glinted in the faint light from outside the window.

Aren’t cats nocturnal? This might actually be Kuro’s active time according to his biological rhythm.

“She’s asleep.”

I don’t understand how she can fall asleep before us when she’s clearly not in a human body.

Well, it doesn’t matter since she’s cute.

Perhaps to avoid waking the sleeping Koko, Kuro remained still in her arms despite looking very uncomfortable. He really isn’t an ordinary cat.

When I reached out and gently stroked his head with my fingertips, Kuro looked at me with very dissatisfied eyes.

…Maybe he hadn’t made any sound because he was listening to Yuka and me.

I wonder if the entity attached to Kuro also heard my story.

“…Shall we sleep?”

Perhaps feeling a bit uneasy because I wasn’t saying anything, Yuka’s voice came from the upper part of the bed.

Then there was a rustling sound, and Yuka looked down at me from the bed.

“Yeah, let’s sleep.”

Seeing that I was just playing with Kuro, Yuka seemed somewhat relieved. It wasn’t for any serious reason that I had stopped talking.

I’ve shown Yuka too many unsightly scenes. Even when we weren’t fighting, Yuka would worry about my body to the point where it might seem a bit sensitive.

…If the first real friend you make ends up like that multiple times, I’d probably be the same.

If I saw Yuka getting hurt as much as I do—

“Good night.”

When I said that to Yuka, she nodded with a smile.

“Good night. See you tomorrow.”

Even though we were in the same room, Yuka said that.

“Yeah. See you tomorrow.”

Yuka’s body disappeared back onto the bed.

There was a bit of rustling, and then only the sound of breathing could be heard, as if she had fallen asleep quickly.

Yes, let’s sleep.

We have to continue the cultural festival tomorrow.

We’ve already distributed half of the literary collection today. Maybe it will be a proper achievement to report to the student council after the festival.

Thinking that, I closed my eyes.

*

The second day of the cultural festival.

The boss and Miki came quite early.

“Oh, this is impressive. Is it because it’s a wealthy school?”

The boss said with a big smile.

From the way he was talking, it seemed he had already wandered around before coming up to the literature club.

He was also holding a paper cup with karaage in it. …Are they allowed to sell those? Well, in Korean university festivals, they even sold pancakes.

“It’s because the kids are quite passionate.”

I answered while looking a bit incredulously at the boss who was casually taking a seat in the club room.

Without waiting for any guidance, the boss reached for a snack and opened the packaging.

Miki also sat down next to the boss.

…She looked a bit intimidated.

Ah, that’s right, she mentioned she had been to a juvenile detention center.

She said she was about my age.

If she was involved in a crime during middle school… From what I’ve heard, there are juvenile detention sentences that last a few months, so if she received such a sentence, it would mean she just couldn’t attend high school.

And if she lived like that for a year, well.

…It’s understandable if she has mixed feelings about coming to a high school full of well-off kids. If the boss told her about Koko, she might feel even more intimidated.

“…”

Only after thinking about this later did I regret my comment about the students being “passionate.”

But what can I do? Words once spoken can’t be taken back.

And apologizing here would only make things worse, so I chose to say nothing.

“Ah, that’s right!”

Clap.

Whether she was trying to lighten the somewhat darkened mood or she genuinely just remembered something.

Kaoru clapped her hands and exclaimed as if she had forgotten something.

“They’re taking photos in the next room. Why don’t you two go and take some together?”

“Photos?”

The boss showed interest.

Obviously, the boss isn’t wearing a maid outfit right now. Naturally, Miki wasn’t in her bar attire either. She wasn’t wearing the thick makeup she usually does.

So she looked incredibly young. Looking at her like this, she could seem close to my age. Still, she looked about two years older than me.

At least, it wasn’t a look that would be bad for taking photos.

“Yes. The photography club has really good cameras, and most importantly, it’s cheap. Instead of printed photos, they’ll send you the files.”

“Hmm…”

The boss pondered for a moment with a dorayaki in his mouth, then,

“Miki, what do you want to do?”

“…I’ll do whatever you want, sis.”

Miki said a bit shyly.

“Alright, then.”

The boss said, getting up from his seat.

He looked very pleased.

Well, since he hadn’t seen Miki for a long time, it’s understandable that he’d be happy about being able to take photos with her again.

This is the first time I’ve seen the boss looking so excited.

Even Miki, who had been feeling down until just now, couldn’t help but have a slight smile appear on her face when she saw her sister’s expression.

*

“…Here you go.”

I handed a copy of the literary collection to the boss.

“Oh, thank you.”

The boss accepted it with a smile.

He seemed to be in a good mood after going on an outing with his sister after a long time.

“I’ll treasure it.”

Well, since we made it, I’d be happy if he keeps it for a long time. To be honest, I don’t have high expectations. It’s not a crisp book made with particularly good paper.

With this, we’ve distributed over six copies. Excluding the sample, we have four left.

“Ah, that’s right.”

The boss glanced at the inner part of the club room, where we sit, and leaned slightly towards me.

I followed his gaze, and I saw that Kaoru was now happily chatting with Miki.

She had an occult magazine open on her lap. Is she telling scary stories?

Honestly, I don’t think Kaoru’s scary stories would be very frightening. In fact, Miki was listening to the story with a smile.

While Yuka and Koko weren’t scared at all, only Izumi was terrified, covering and uncovering her ears with her hands. She seems to want to listen but doesn’t have the courage to do so.

Aren’t there many eerie novels among detective stories too? I haven’t read the books Izumi reads, but many of them had covers not much different from horror novels.

…Well, it doesn’t matter.

What’s important is that Miki, who was initially intimidated, is now smiling.

“Thanks for returning the lunchbox that time.”

“…”

Ah, that.

Right. I did return it. So it was Miki’s after all.

“Well, you know. She doesn’t seem to be thinking about going back to school yet.”

The boss whispered in a very small voice.

“But, there might be a use for it somewhere. We could buy a new one, but…”

If it has memories attached to it, that might be better.

I think I understand why he packed food for us in that lunchbox.

“…”

I looked up at the boss for a while, then slowly opened my mouth.

“Next year.”

“Huh?”

“Next year, we’ll have a sports festival again. How about coming to watch it together then?”

“…”

The boss’s mouth opened slightly.

Did I interfere too much?

I don’t know if I’ll still be working at the boss’s shop next year. I’m not a regular employee, just a part-timer.

And such relationships tend to grow distant after quitting the job.

…Above all, I don’t know if I’ll still be here then.

But… yes.

This is an extremely selfish wish, but.

I hope there will be someone who cares for Koko if she’s alone then.

She’ll have friends, and Kagami too, but… the more people like that, the better.

In my previous life, I never expected anything in return when helping someone. Well, I did receive a salary, but that salary came from taxes, so if the people I helped paid taxes, did I get something in return in a way?

Well, regardless, when I helped others here, I didn’t really think about what I’d get back.

…But, if there’s someone who can receive it in my place.

The boss looked at me for a while, then closed his mouth. And nodded.

“Alright, then, I’ll bring an incredibly luxurious lunchbox. Would a 5-tier lunchbox be enough?”

No, I didn’t ask for that much.

Hmm, I wonder if Koko would like it.

To the boss who was grinning, I just gave a slight nod.

*

It didn’t take long to clean up the literature club’s “exhibits.” That’s natural. They were just a few boards after all.

The remaining literary collections, including the sample, were exactly five copies.

“Let’s each take one.”

Izumi said, distributing one copy to each of us.

“Oh, Koko and I…”

“Even if you’re sisters, you’re both literature club members.”

Izumi said with a smile.

Well, although Koko doesn’t seem to have any intention of it, siblings rarely live in the same house for their entire lives.

But we’d be fine with just one copy—

…

No. Let’s just accept the kindness.

Instead, I took the book that had been designated as a sample. It had a hole in the corner with a string tied through it as a theft prevention measure, which was an unnecessary worry, and it was a bit wrinkled from being flipped through by a few visitors, but I liked it more because of that.

It was a trace of our time together. It was also a trace of someone reading my writing.

“Goo—d.”

Kaoru said, stretching her arms high above her head.

“With this, is the 2004 literature club activity wrapped up?”

December was still left, but we’d all probably be busy. There are final exams.

I didn’t really care much, but shouldn’t I at least pretend to study?

“Kukukuku…”

Suddenly, a sound imitating a cartoon character’s laugh was heard, and when I looked in that direction, Izumi was covering her mouth with one hand and laughing playfully.

With half-closed eyes looking at Kaoru, Izumi said,

“So you finally admit that you’re a literature club member.”

“Wh-what?”

“You said ‘literature club activity’ is over, right?”

“Uh.”

As if her brain had momentarily stopped working, Kaoru stared at Izumi with a blank expression, then,

“N-no, I didn’t!”

She shouted.

“Occult club! I was talking about the occult club!”

“It’s too late to change your words now~”

It was a moment where Izumi got one over on Kaoru after a very long time.

Or is it “for the first time”?

Whatever.

I looked at Yuka and Koko.

Yuka was laughing as if she couldn’t believe it, and Koko was beaming with a delighted smile.

Yes.

Whatever.

If we can laugh, that’s all that matters.

*

Today, I returned home with Koko.

We had let Kuro loose in the school’s backyard. Kuro, who had been hiding well, quickly approached when we called, and we hid him in our bag and returned to Saitama.

There wasn’t enough space in the school bag for a cat, so we had to borrow a bag from Kaoru. Though she was no longer in the track and field club, she still had a duffel bag in her locker for gym clothes and sneakers.

Even if we had left him at Yuka’s house this time, he would have found his way back to our house on his own, but seeing his sullen eyes, he seemed displeased, so I couldn’t treat him too roughly.

Yuka seemed a bit disappointed, but we can’t rely on her forever.

So, returning home with Koko—

“…Kagami?”

—Kagami was waiting in front of the house.

She was holding a plastic bag. Through the semi-transparent white plastic, various groceries could be seen.

Why?

That was the word that immediately came to mind, but I had enough sense not to say it out loud.

“Woo?”

Instead, Koko tilted her head in confusion.

Kagami seemed just as awkward; she didn’t say anything for a while even after our eyes met.

“…May I come in?”

“…Have you been waiting long?”

Asking that, I approached the door.

Click.

I took out the key and opened the door.

“No.”

For someone saying that, her voice seemed to tremble a bit.

Well, she must have timed it right. This is Kagami we’re talking about. I firmly believe that some of the people I’ve been seeing around me lately are from the social circle.

They should be able to know my movements in advance.

As soon as we entered the house, I opened the bag and let Kuro out.

“Meow.”

“Sorry.”

Perhaps uncomfortable in the cramped bag, Kuro meowed in dissatisfaction and then slipped into the room.

“…It’s cold inside.”

“…It’s fine if you’re under a blanket.”

When Kagami entered behind Koko and said that, I answered.

“Should I get you a kotatsu?”

I was about to reflexively refuse, but I managed to nod.

Yes. If I don’t accept it from Kagami, Yuka might buy one and bring it herself.

At my words, Kagami gave a slight, very awkward smile.

It was like the expression of someone who doesn’t quite understand what smiling is, trying to draw one based on just a description.

…

No, she usually smiles just fine.

Did she try to make a less suspicious smile and end up with a disaster?