Episode Forty-One

Christmas had passed, and the year’s end drew near.
When it comes to the end of the year for adults, it’s obviously that thing.
The year-end party.
The other day, Haru, a friend from art college, summoned me: “I’m having a drink with Kumoko, so you should come too.”
　Having bailed on the reunion and ended up completely plastered after a one-on-one drink, needing looking after, I had no right to refuse.
Or rather, I was actually quite surprised she invited me at all.
It sounded like it would be genuinely fun, so I agreed immediately.
I can’t hold my drink particularly well, but I do enjoy drinking with friends. And good food too.

　I wrapped up work reasonably early, hopped on a train heading uptown, and headed to an izakaya in a certain bustling district.
Tonight’s spot was Chinese. The name included “Authentic Sichuan”, so it was bound to be spicy.
Come to think of it, Hibari-san liked spicy food. Neither Haru nor I disliked it.
“Kumoko” was a nickname Haru had arbitrarily given her; her real name was Hibari Kumokumo.
　Me (Amami Shigure), Haru (Hyūga Haru), and her together form the Weather Trio – a group name Haru arbitrarily came up with. Opinions on the name are divided, but I’m rather in favour of it.
Still, it feels like ages since the three of us drank together. Probably since last New Year’s Eve, if anything.
Now that Haru, with her organisational skills, has moved to Tokyo, we’ll likely have more chances.
Three minutes’ walk from the station to the shop.
　In the semi-private booth we were led to, Haru and Hibari were already seated.
They were nibbling on a platter of honeycomb tripe and preserved mustard greens at a round table with a turntable.

“Oi, here comes the sex offender.”

“Hold on a minute.”

Starting off with such a nasty remark right from the get-go.

“What are you on about? It’d be a crime if you laid a finger on a minor.”

“But I haven’t, have I⁉︎”

“Ha ha!”

Haru, her face red, chuckled heartily. This girl doesn’t believe me at all.
Or rather, Haru’s already pretty well lubricated. The contents of the glass in her hand must be Shaoxing wine. That explains it.
The long-haired woman sitting with them gave a soft “Fufu”.

“Oh dear, did you go and get involved with a minor, Ame-chan?”

“Hibari-san, it’s a misunderstanding.”

“But you are living together, aren’t you? I heard it from Haru-chan.”

The woman giggling softly was the last member of the Weather Trio at the University of Marine Sciences, Minami Kumokumo Hibari-san.
　She’d taken a gap year and was older, so they naturally addressed her with ‘-san’, but the depth and length of their relationship was almost identical to Haru’s.
Black hair, fair skin. She looked pure and fragile, with an air of a young lady who spent her days off enjoying afternoon tea at a three-star hotel or walking her dog (a toy poodle). But inside, she was completely different.

“And she’s still a high school girl, too.”

“Hey. Ame-chan, here we go.”

After downing a visibly strong drink on the rocks, Hibari-san remarked wistfully.

“It’s great, isn’t it? High school girls. My girlfriend four years back was still in school, and I’d occasionally get her to wear her uniform. It really gets things going, that.”

“What on earth are you talking about all of a sudden⁉︎”

“Eh? Well, obviously sex—”

“You’re jumping the gun! I’m still sober, you know!”

“The highlight of a girls’ night is complaining and dirty jokes, you know~”

Without changing her expression, Hibari-san ordered another round.
Hibari-san is generally this sort of person.
A playgirl, perhaps? Or someone overflowing with affection? Or someone who keeps love, romance, and sex strictly separate?
　According to Haru, “The ‘kumo’ in Kumo-ko doesn’t mean ‘cloud’ in the sky, it means ‘spider’ as in ‘spider woman’.”
She’ll date anyone she fancies, male or female, go straight to a hotel, and break up just as quickly, but she’s completely unfazed. She likes sex but isn’t dependent on romance. That’s the vibe.

　Honestly, it’s a sensibility I can’t quite grasp, but she’s interesting to talk to and considerate, and I adore her as a friend.
Incidentally, (obviously) I’ve never been invited into that sort of thing. She says, “I don’t do that with friends”.
Haru picked up the touch panel.

“Ame, is a cassis orange okay? There’s a lychee one too.”

“Then lychee oolong… I promise I won’t have more than two drinks today, so stop me if it looks bad.”

“Ame-chan, is that a hint?”

“No. Not at all.”

“Drunk Ame-chan would be so cute and naughty though. Oh, but that’d be bad for your girlfriend.”

“I told you she’s not my girlfriend!”

Also, what does ‘naughty’ even mean? Do I really come across like that when I’m drunk?
　Not just clingy?
What should I do? Maybe I should quit drinking…
After placing our order, Haru propped her cheek on her hand and glanced at me.

“So? What’s the deal, really? With that schoolgirl?”

“Well… I don’t know how to say…”

Don’t suddenly press me like that.
Hmm, I wonder.
Since then, has our relationship clearly changed? Not really.
　That kiss was a one-off, we obviously bathe separately, and we haven’t started dating.
We hug and sleep in the same bed.
It’s still just that kind of relationship.
Well, that’s fine. Anything more would be problematic. Socially.

“…Nothing really…”

As I said this while nibbling on spicy tripe, Haru gave me a “Seriously?” look.

“So, you’re still just sleeping together?”

“…Mostly…”

“Blimey, you… well…”

Haru let out a boozy sigh. “Haaah.” What an old man.

“Listen, Ame. You might not realise this, but women have sexual desires too.”

“Yeah, I know. I’m a woman too.”

What the hell just happened?

“Then break up with her. It’s bloody pitiful, isn’t it? A schoolgirl. It’s like leaving her hanging.”

“Leaving her hanging?”

“Having the person you like sleeping right next to you, but not being able to do anything about it. That’s leaving her hanging.”

“Eh? What?”

“Nah, I get it.”

She hasn’t said anything yet.

“Well, affection comes in all shapes and sizes, doesn’t it? Sometimes romantic feelings don’t come with sexual desire. And then there are people like that spider girl over there who can be with someone purely for sex, without any romantic feelings.”

“Eh? Me? Even if it’s just a one-night stand, I’m seriously into it! At least until morning.”

“See? I honestly can’t make head nor tail of what you’re saying, but just because I don’t get it doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. But listen, Ame…”

“Uh, yeah.”

“That schoolgirl? She’s looking at you with lust in her eyes.”

Haru stated it flatly.

“I met her in person and confirmed it. Absolutely. She’s definitely looking at you like that.”

“……………Well, that…”

Ibara wasn’t like that at all, I almost reflexively denied it, but then the memory of that intense kiss came flooding back.
　……。
…………Well, I suppose.
Even someone as thick as me has wondered, “Could that be it?” at least once.
I am an adult, after all.
Sometimes I feel like she’s looking at my chest or the nape of my neck.

“Hey, Ame. You said it last time we were drinking, didn’t you? That if someone fancied you like that, you couldn’t sleep with them unless you felt the same way.”

“Well…”

Haru’s right.
I did say that, and I still believe it.
But is it really true?
Is Ibara looking at me like that? Really?
Not just teasing me like when we first met?
That kiss wasn’t just a momentary lapse caused by excitement and curiosity running wild?
I don’t know.
　But if it is… then I suppose I have to decide.
Whether to accept Ibara, or to reject her.

“Hey, Ame. What are you going to do now?”

At Haru’s question, I simply fell silent.