Episode 6
‘I’m so jealous of your hair, Senpai, it’s so soft and silky.’
‘Your hair’s silky too, Seriha. The colour’s lovely as well; I really admire it.’
She dries my hair with gentle, unobtrusive movements. Even though having your hair dried is a standard service at a salon, it feels somehow different from usual.
‘You might not notice from a distance, but because I’ve bleached it, it’s so rough and coarse. Maybe I’ll dye it the same colour as yours. It’s cute, like chocolate.’
It doesn’t look like it to me, but coming from someone who seems so particular about her appearance, perhaps she isn’t satisfied with the way it is.
‘I think your current colour suits you best, Seriha. Though I’d quite like to see you with black hair, too.’
‘…Black hair?’
I heard her voice drop. It seemed she hadn’t taken to the idea of black hair.
“But I reckon whatever colour or style suits you, Seriha. Why don’t you try a different hairstyle next time?”
I was surprised to find myself talking about the future. Was it growth, or did it just feel a bit odd?
“Of course, I’d love to. In return, please come in with a different hairstyle yourself.”
“Personally, I think the usual you is best, but I’d like to see a different side of you too.”
I catch a glimpse of a relaxed smile in the mirror.
I’ve changed my hairstyle on a whim before, but no matter what I do, I still look childish, and there’s nothing I’ve found that really suits me. Still, it might be a nice change of pace.
“Sure. Any requests?”
“Hmm. There are too many to choose from, it’s difficult.”
Even as she hums in thought, she doesn’t stop gently combing my hair, that’s so typical of her.
“I’d love to see you as a mature senior with soft, fluffy curls, and I’d also like to enjoy seeing you as a ‘legal loli’ senior with low twin tails…”
I’m not that young. Tsumugi isn’t much different from me, after all.
“Let’s keep it moderate. I’ll think about the hairstyle I’d like you to try, Seriha.”
Our light-hearted chat, about my usual hair care routine, or whether a hat might be a good idea, feels pleasant. Before I knew it, the sound of the hairdryer had stopped.
“Right, that’s all done. A senior with silky straight hair might actually look quite good.”
It’s true; my hair feels smoother than usual. Is it the shampoo, the conditioner, or the brush? I wonder what the difference is.
“Thanks. You must be tired. I’ll get us something to drink.”
She took two bottles of water from the fridge and sat down by the desk.
“Thank you. senpai, aren’t you sleepy yet?”
“No. I’ve had a shower, so I might have woken myself up. Are you sleepy?”
“No, not at all. Shall we have a bit of a chat?”
◇
Perhaps because it was getting late, it was quiet outside. In this room, just the two of us, silence would envelop us unless one of us spoke.
“Senpai.”
“Do you remember your middle school days?”
I was a little surprised by the unexpected topic.
“Middle school, eh… I think I remember most of it, but I’ve probably forgotten the details.”
Her eyes, which usually seem fixed solely on me, are now riveted on the plastic bottle sitting on the desk.
“Do you… remember the girl who used to draw manga?”
Manga… I rummage through the depths of my fading memories.
A day when it was snowing heavily. It’s vague, but I have a memory of meeting her.
‘…I do remember.’
‘Do you remember… what sort of girl she was?’
It seems the questions will continue. Like untangling a knot, I retrace my memories one by one.
‘Hmm… she had long hair and wore glasses, I think. A quiet sort of girl…’
‘What do you think she’s doing now?’
I feel as though her voice is trembling. Even when I glance sideways to catch a glimpse of her expression, she’s staring fixedly at a single point, not looking at me at all.
I can’t quite grasp her intention. No matter how you put it, I don’t think we spoke all that much. To be honest, I don’t remember clearly.
“I wonder. I don’t know, but I do hope she’s doing well.”
“…Is that so?”
Perhaps the conversation is over; she sits there in silence, hugging her knees. She’s clearly acting strangely.
‘Erm… What about that girl? Or rather, why did you bring up my middle school days…’
It’s bound to be strange. Why didn’t I notice something was off straight away? There’s no way she could know about my middle school days. I’m sure I only met her for the first time at my current company.
Resting her cheek on her knees, our eyes met as she gazed at me gently.
She’s staring intently at me, a smile playing on her lips. What on earth is she thinking right now?
“But… that girl…”
“That girl… what about her?”
Remember. Try to remember. We must have spoken, so there’s no way I haven’t heard her name. But a name like ‘Seriha’ is quite unusual; I shouldn’t have forgotten it after hearing it just once. Besides, there’s no way I could forget a face like hers—
“Ichikawa…-san”
The words spilled from my lips. A faint, almost inaudible whisper. The mist-shrouded world suddenly snapped into focus.
“Senpai.”
“It’s been a long time. I’ve been longing to see you. For so long, so very long.”
A single tear fell from her large, sparkling eyes.
I did know ‘Ichikawa Seriha’. I felt as though I finally understood why she had clung to me so.