Episode 136: The Report
Today I’m meeting up with Ranka.
Endo-san was unusually sulky when I left the house — but there’s nothing to be done about it.
Today is the day I have to tell Ranka something important.
“Sorry for making you wait. Did you wait long?”
“Not at all. Your makeup looks good, Ranka.”
“Hehe, thank you. You’ve gotten much better too, Hoshizora.”
“Because you’ve been teaching me things. Thank you.”
I had no interest in fashion, and even less in makeup. But thinking that even a small improvement might catch Endo-san’s eye — I’ll keep that to myself.
We went into a calm café where we could talk properly.
“So — it’s unusual for you to be the one inviting me out, Hoshizora. You have something you want to talk about, don’t you?”
I gave a small nod.
There must have been other people talking around us in the café, and yet everything felt strangely quiet, and my voice came out a little small.
“This is something I find hard to say to you, Ranka…”
“Yeah?”
“I’m going out with Endo-san — who was in the same class as me in third year…”
“Yeah.”
“What?”
I looked up from my hunched expression to find Ranka looking at me with a straight face.
“I’d kind of thought so.”
“What?”
“I happened to see the two of you kissing in third year.”
“What?”
I was so struck by this bombshell that my face felt like it might catch fire.
Just confessing that I was going out with Endo-san had felt enormously embarrassing — but the thought that the whole situation between Endo-san and me back in third year had been witnessed made me want to flee the café entirely.
“Sorry, sorry. I just happened to see it. Thank you for telling me, Hoshizora.”
Ranka, sitting across from me, squeezed my hand firmly. My heart slowly recovered its calm, and I was able to let out a breath.
“Thank you, Ranka.”
“Now we can talk about love stuff too, right?”
“We won’t.”
“Aw come on, tell me what you like about her.”
“No.”
Ranka works at the same part-time job as Endo-san. It wasn’t that I suspected Ranka or Endo-san of anything — I just had this feeling of not wanting anyone to know Endo-san’s good qualities. They were mine to know.
“You’re so cute, Hoshizora. People must tell you that all the time.”
“They don’t.”
Being told that, I found myself suddenly wondering — how does Endo-san actually see me? Does she think I’m cute?
Suddenly struck by that uncertainty, I lost my ability to focus on the conversation with Ranka.
And I had one more thing worrying me. Endo-san’s birthday was coming up soon. It felt a little presumptuous to lean on Ranka — but she was the only person I could consult right now, so I decided to.
“Endo-san’s birthday is next month and I can’t figure out what to get her.”
The more I got to know her, the harder it became to know what to give.
“Hmm — Hina-san’s never been in a relationship before, right?”
“As far as I know.”
“Then how about making Hina-san yours?”
Ranka looked at me with a very naughty expression.
“What do you mean?”
Ranka beckoned me closer, so I leaned in.
“Like, taking Hina-san’s first time.”
Ranka was wearing the most mischievous expression I’d ever seen from her. I knew she was teasing me — but thinking about it made my head feel like it might evaporate.
“That’s ridiculous. That’s not a present.”
“Ah, right. Well, that was a joke — but seriously, something that makes her more conscious of you might be good. Like jewellery?”
“Jewellery?”
“Yeah. Small accessories can have meanings depending on where you give them — it might be worth looking into.”
Something that makes her conscious of me…
That thought would occupy my mind for nearly a month.
Back home, Endo-san was sitting on the sofa.
As soon as she noticed me, she came right over with a very displeased expression.
“What were you doing with Yamamoto-san?”
“We went to a café.”
“I want to go to a café with you too, Takizawa.”
“Some other time.”
“Is that a promise?”
I didn’t answer that and carried my things to my room. Endo-san had made tea in the meantime.
“I want to come into your room.”
“Why?”
I didn’t understand what Endo-san wanted.
“What’s your reason?”
“Just because.”
Lately she’s been spending so much time with me that even her answers are starting to sound like mine. There was no reason to let her into my room without a reason — and more than that, my room was a little messy right now and I didn’t want her to see it.
“No.”
“Meanie.”
Endo-san pouted and held my hand and wouldn’t let go.
“By the way — do you have the weekend after next free?”
“I’ll cancel any plans for time with you.”
She didn’t have to make her whole life revolve around me — and yet her words made me happy anyway.
“Then keep it free.”
“Okay!”
Satisfied with something, Endo-san finally released the hand she’d been gripping tight.