Sleeping Beauty, Following Her. Part 1

So, the second day also yielded no noteworthy results.
A pity.
After finishing my homework and exam prep in the library after school, I headed home.
The station was already in the evening rush hour, overflowing with people who looked like they were coming home from work.
Perhaps it was because I hadn’t seen enough of Shigure-san lately.
　My eyes involuntarily scanned the crowd, wondering if she might be somewhere.
I knew such a coincidence was unlikely, of course.
She seemed busy again lately, and bumping into her by chance would be too convenient—
But then, there she was.
Hair softly gathered at the shoulders. Sloping shoulders.
A warm-coloured cardigan, a fluffy long skirt.
From a distance, but there was no mistaking it.
　The real Shigure-san. The actual Shigure-san.
She was leaning against the wall outside the ticket gates, looking at something on her phone.
Unbelievable. Just because we take the same line, such a coincidence could happen.
My spirits, sinking from study fatigue, shot straight up to the ceiling.

“Shigure-sa—”

Just then, Shigure-san looked up abruptly.
My feet, about to start running, stopped dead.
　Where Shigure-san’s gaze fell, there stood a blonde woman.
A tall woman, wearing a cropped top with jeans.
Her profile looked familiar.
Could that possibly be, Yomi Runa?
Suddenly, Shigure-san turned her head.
I instinctively hid behind the vending machine.

“Ame, is something wrong?”

“Ah, no. Nothing at all. Shall we go?”

Perhaps because the clamour had died down, I could hear that exchange clearly.
Eh? No way.
Go where? At this hour?
Just the two of them, where?
A troubling two-character word flashed through my confused mind.
N-no way. But still.
An affair? Are you cheating, Shigure-san?
In my agitation, my inner voice inexplicably switched to polite speech.
The two exchanged a few pleasantries and left the station through the opposite exit.
Then they vanished into the night streets, vanish, my foot!
I pulled two hair ties from my pocket and made twin tails over my shoulders.
I slipped on my spare pair of fashion glasses and quickly tidied my fringe.

“…Right.”

Disguise complete.
From a distance, no one should recognise me now.
And so, I begin my tailing.
If you really are cheating, I’ll cry, Shigure-san!

†

Carrying my unease, I follow the pair.
Before, Shigure-san said she and that woman were nothing.
　Just room-mates, she insisted.
But honestly, I’m a little suspicious.
She might be a friend to Shigure-san, but that doesn’t mean Yomi Runa thinks the same way.
They were in the bath together, after all.
Before me. Before me.
I worried they might go to an izakaya or bar, but they headed for a family restaurant instead.
I waited a bit before entering.

“Please take any seat you like—”

I was told, so I gratefully took a two-seater table next to Shigure-san and his companion.
Using the touch panel, I went for the drinks bar… no, wait, me.
Ordering from the drinks bar in this situation is a bad move.
I’d have to get up, and there’s the risk of bumping into them.
So, I ordered the seasonal “Cherry Blossom and Black Bean Mini Parfait”.
　Not that I was drawn to something sweet or anything. Yeah. Cherry blossom-flavoured sweets are delicious, aren’t they?
Shigure-san’s table and my seat were right next to each other, separated only by a partition.
Just in case, I leaned forward and strained my ears.

“You can’t just say something like that out of the blue…”

What on earth were they talking about?

“This is awkward. It really is the wrong thing to do.”

“I know. But I absolutely must have Ame.”

“You’ll find someone else, someone better than me.”

“No. I can’t imagine anyone else. It has to be you.”

“Runa…”

No, wait.
Wait, wait, wait.
I trembled silently.
This is it, isn’t it?
The so-called getting back together, no, that’s not quite right. They never really broke up in the first place.
　I swallowed hard, sharpening my senses so I wouldn’t miss a single word.
With hesitation in her tone, Yomi Runa said.

“—Is it… a bother, after all?”

Of course it’s a bother, what are you talking about?
You need to shut her down firmly here, Shigure-san.
Say it properly. Tell her it’s impossible because I’m here.

“No, not at all. I’m happy about it.”

I banged my forehead on the table.
Shigure-san said in a voice that sounded like, “Well, what can you do?”

“…Alright. Just this once, as a special exception. This is the only time, just the one time.”

“Really? Ame, thank you—” “NOOOOOO!!!”

I jumped up and screamed.

“No, no, no, you can’t!!”

“Ibara⁉︎”

“Eh?”

I pointed my finger at the two adults staring blankly.

“Shigure-san, even one night counts as cheating!”

“Huh?” “……”

At my declaration, Shigure-san looked as though he’d been hit by a bolt from the blue, while Yomi Runa quickly looked away.
　Yomi Runa. That’s the reaction you give when you’ve got something to feel guilty about.
I glared at Shigure-san.

“Explain what this is all about!”

“…Er…”

Shigure-san exchanged glances with Yomi Runa.
Then she said.

“Ibara, you’re probably misunderstanding.”

And that was it.