Episode 4
‘Senpai, are you alright?’
My pitch-black vision brightens.
‘…Ah, sorry… I dozed off for a bit. Yeah… I was sleepy… just for a little while.’
I don’t feel sick. No headache either. My body feels a bit warm, but I’m full of energy. It feels lovely, like I’m floating in the air. I’m just a little sleepy.
I take a big gulp from the glass. It’s sweet and delicious, but it’s already gone.
My hand reaches for the tablet to order another, but it’s grabbed.
“Right then. Let’s have some water for you, Senpai.”
“Ah…”
The tablet has been taken away from me. I give her a sulky stare.
‘Sorry, I was a bit overwhelmed myself. I misjudged your pace.’
With a wry smile, as if in contrition, she strokes my head with the hand not holding the tablet.
I feel the tension easing. It feels lovely.
Even though it’s low-alcohol, it was more than enough for me. I’ve never been properly drunk before, so I don’t really know, but I reckon I’m quite tipsy.
A sensation of fluctuating between moments of clarity and a floaty, wobbly state. The only thing that’s clear is the drowsiness. I’m incredibly sleepy.
“Senpai, please don’t drink in front of anyone else but me from now on… I get worried.”
A voice, sounding exasperated, drifts in from afar. She’s not my girlfriend, so I don’t have to do what she says.
‘I’m not drunk… I’m just sleepy. I’m not going to throw up or anything… I’m fine.’
It’s past midnight after working full-time all day. No wonder I’m sleepy.
Past midnight…
‘Crap… the last train…’
It felt as if an electric current had run through my body. Apparently, I still had enough strength left to shake off the alcohol that had spread throughout my body.
“Haha. I suppose I’ve had enough, then.”
Through my hazy vision, I check the train timetable on my phone. My fingers won’t move as I want them to, and I can’t operate it properly.
“In five minutes… I’ve done it…”
For the first time in my life, I’ve missed the last train. Perhaps it’s a rite of passage for everyone whilst they’re still students.
I could just take a taxi home, but from here it’d be quite a bit of a dent in my wallet. An office worker living in Tokyo never has much to spare.
“I can still make it. I’ve got about twenty minutes.”
“Shall we go home together? I’m really worried about you right now.”
Going home together… Even split between the two of us, the taxi fare isn’t exactly cheap. Taking a taxi back to my place together… I wonder how Seriha will get home from there. Trains? I suppose there aren’t any left.
“I’ll go and settle the bill. I’ll wait at the entrance. Can you get ready to leave on your own?”
“Yeah… I’ll pay you back later…”
I took a sip of water as I watched her leave the room. The cold sensation down my throat seemed to clear my head a little. Grab my phone, grab my bag…
I forced my unsteady body to stand up and made my way towards Seriha.
◇
Leaning against the door, I stared blankly at the scenery passing by outside. The last train of the weekend was crowded, with all sorts of conversations flying about everywhere.
I think the walk to the station, bathed in the slightly cooler night air, has sobered me up a bit. Even so, my body is still unsteady, and my head feels hazy, as if shrouded in mist.
‘Senpai, we’re getting off now.’
Seriha takes my hand and leads me off the train. It’s not an unfamiliar sight… or is it? I feel as though I saw this a few days ago.
‘Hang on… Sorry. Just a moment.’
My mind is clearing.
I’m sure the last train had gone, and she said she was worried so she’d come home with me, and the two of us got into a taxi…
No. We got on the train together, and we’ve just got off. Even though my last train has gone.
‘What’s wrong? Are you feeling sick?’
She looks at me with a concerned tone in her voice. I’m fine… actually, I’m starting to feel better.
‘…I’m fine. Sorry, I just haven’t got my thoughts straight yet.’
‘Just give me a moment, please.’
Saying that, she heads over to the vending machine. She picks up the plastic bottle as it clatters out and hands it to me.
‘Have some water. Let’s take our time getting home. Let me know straight away if you start feeling sick.’
‘…Thanks.’
Going home… Probably to Seriha’s place.
It’s not as if she’s done anything wrong. She didn’t trick me into coming here, and she’s looking after me.
I wish I hadn’t sobered up.
As time passed, the drunkenness faded, but I found myself remembering the heat radiating from her as though it had taken the alcohol’s place. Feeling a crawling sensation across my skin, I walked along the same path I’d taken a few days earlier, accompanied by the night breeze.