Ch.253Epilogue. Like a Cat (1)

College life was, indeed, as enjoyable as I had thought.

Whether it was because the level of classes suddenly increased, or because professors hadn’t actually received professional training in education, they sometimes said things students couldn’t understand, but that’s what textbooks are for, right? By interpreting the professor’s words based on the textbook, I could more or less keep up.

Besides, I was still just a freshman.

I also went to the department MT retreat. Since the three of us—me, Koko, and Yuka—almost always hung out together, I surprisingly didn’t feel any fear or anxiety about social relationships.

Above all, Koko and I were “identical twins,” and we looked younger than our classmates who were starting to show obvious signs of adulthood, so we received special attention for being cute.

However, some things were a bit different from what I had expected.

I think I started drinking alcohol as soon as I became a college student in my previous life, but in Japan, the legal drinking age wasn’t “exactly when you become an adult.”

In Korea, “those who turn 19 years old in the current year,” roughly speaking, college freshmen could drink, but in Japan, it was “20 years and older.” Moreover, the adult age standard was also “20 years and older,” so college freshmen weren’t adults yet. Vaguely recalling, I think there was talk about lowering the adult age to 18 in the 2020s, but for now, it’s still the 2000s.

For reference, unlike Korea, it’s based on “actual age” rather than “Korean age,” so you even have to wait until your birthday passes. Unbelievable.

Most students seem to accept this. Though some apparently drink alcohol and smoke cigarettes through unofficial channels, Koko, Yuka, and I decided to follow the legal standard.

Well, you know.

No matter what, giving alcohol to Koko would be morally questionable, so having this excuse to postpone it is fortunate, if anything.

“Being a college student might not be as special as I thought.”

It seemed a bit strange to say that after coming to a university that most people would recognize by name, both nationally and globally, but on the other hand, Yuka’s words made some sense.

If you’re a college student but still can’t do things you couldn’t do in high school, it’s understandable not to feel much difference.

“Maybe it’s because the first digit of our age hasn’t changed yet.”

I said quite seriously.

We’re all still only 18 years old. In Korea, college students are called “20-year-olds,” so you feel like an adult, but even at the same age, being called “18” makes you seem younger.

We’ll be 19 after our birthdays this year, and only become adults after next year’s birthday.

“But we can get driver’s licenses now.”

“We could have done that in high school too.”

“If you wanted a driver’s license before college, you’d have to give up studying that year.”

Since getting a license takes an extremely long time in Japan. Plus, even if you get it in high school, you have to wait until “after your birthday,” which could significantly impact your Center Exam performance.

“Hmm…”

Yuka still seemed unconvinced, groaning.

I wonder if this is really the same Yuka who acted so world-weary just a few years ago. Well, it has been two years since she quit being a yokai hunter.

“Asking your mom to buy it for us… wouldn’t work, huh?”

“Obviously not.”

I answered Yuka’s question while gazing at distant mountains.

Kagami becomes extremely strict about anything related to me. No, not about everything. Honestly, Kagami would have indulged me even if I didn’t go to college or get a job and just lounged around at home.

But for some reason, she was strict only about matters concerning “the law.”

Perhaps she wants me to live normally where I can, even though I haven’t grown up completely normally.

Really, I wonder what kind of person Kagami would have been if I had been in this world from the moment I was born.

…

No, that’s not right.

Back then, Kosuzu would have been alive and well too.

There would certainly have been many problems in various ways. I might have ended up taking over Kagami’s role.

“What about asking your father or grandfather?”

“Absolutely not.”

Yuka answered immediately without any hesitation.

Yes, that makes sense. They would be even stricter than Kagami, not more lenient.

But why is she so eager to drink alcohol anyway? Does she really want to feel like an adult that badly?

“Woo?”

When I turned to look at Koko, she tilted her head while eating ice cream.

Come to think of it, could Koko or I even get drunk?

If we could, how much would we need to drink? What kind of drunk habits might we develop?

Hopefully we wouldn’t melt into a puddle or cause some other disaster.

“Well, how about this?”

After thinking for a moment, I suggested to Yuka.

“Let’s get driver’s licenses and go on a trip.”

Yuka looked somewhat interested at my suggestion.

“That’s… actually not a bad idea.”

“Wouldn’t it be nice to visit various places on the way to somewhere far like Hokkaido?”

This was essentially a privilege that could only be enjoyed as a freshman. As you advance in years, you have more responsibilities. Though we should still have time for short trips.

“Alright, then let’s make getting driver’s licenses our goal for this year!”

Wouldn’t it be better to aim for good grades?

Well, Yuka might consider that just “basic” rather than a “goal”—something that should be done naturally.

After all, she is the protagonist. Protagonists of that era were all strangely diligent.

Driver’s license, huh.

Maybe I should prepare and get one too.

*

All my friends—that is, friends in the same grade—have become college students.

And besides them, there’s one more person who became a college student.

That’s Kagami.

Honestly, I think we’re quite shameless for slacking off for about two years and then studying hard for just one year to get into this school, but Kagami’s case makes me wonder just how brilliant the people in this family are.

Kagami was able to take the Center Exam probably because Japan has a system similar to the high school equivalency test.

Or maybe she somehow managed to graduate from high school. Of course, she couldn’t have graduated normally, but not graduating at all might have attracted too much attention.

Anyway, Kagami entered university by legitimately taking the exam.

She even chose the same department as us, but… perhaps out of consideration for me, she doesn’t cling to me too much at school.

That’s not to say people in our department don’t know about our relationship.

Regarding that fact, no one openly expresses discomfort. Many think the combination of twin siblings and their mother in the same department is extremely unusual, but strangely, most just accept it and move on.

Perhaps they understand that anyone who made it this far must be capable of studying.

Kagami’s appealing appearance also played a part. At university, Kagami dressed quite modestly, but it suited her well enough.

While she didn’t quite look like a fresh-faced newcomer who just entered university, some male students already looked at her with somewhat envious eyes.

For now, no one has personally approached Kagami to become friends.

I understand. Honestly, I would have found it a bit burdensome too. Whether they’ll slowly become friends over time as they attend the same department remains to be seen.

“Hmm, hmm hmm~”

Kagami doesn’t seem to mind the situation much and appears satisfied just being able to attend the same school as Koko and me.

Well, that’s natural. When her two beloved daughters go to school, Kagami would be left alone at home.

Due to circumstances, she never really made proper friends, and the people she was personally acquainted with weren’t the type she could relax and have fun with.

Since I don’t mind this situation either, I just warmly watch Kagami happily eating a jumbo parfait.

“Oh, right.”

Kagami said.

“It seems Yuu’s parents will be having their wedding soon.”

“Yes, I know.”

I got a message from Yuu too.

It’s confirmed they’re getting married this year, and they’re currently coordinating the date.

It seems Yuu will be the bridesmaid.

So you’re finally getting married, Ms. Mori.

How should I put it—she was one of the most uniquely persistent people I’ve ever met. Well, there aren’t many people around me who love someone that intensely.

Mr. Fukuda still seems to have some lingering feelings for Kagami, but perhaps because he never had expectations from the beginning, he hasn’t continued to seek us out. It seems to be a different story from Ms. Mori’s persistence.

“Will you go to the wedding?”

“Well… I’m not sure.”

Kagami made a troubled expression at my question.

“After all, I’m someone connected to his ex-wife.”

Ah, that’s right.

That makes sense.

Yamashita’s ex-wife was Kosuzu.

…It didn’t end well, and although Kagami has maintained connections with that family until now, she’s also Kosuzu’s younger sister.

It might be extremely awkward if someone asks about their relationship there.

“But still…”

“I’m fine.”

“No, I’ll ask about it.”

Wouldn’t it be okay if she went as a “friend’s mother”?

What matters is Ms. Mori’s opinion, but considering that Kagami played Santa at Christmas two years ago, it might not be a big issue.

“Hehe.”

Hearing my words, Kagami smiled happily.