Chapter 14: CH 14

First Phone Call (1)

Takane-san and I were in the same cleaning group and when we were cleaning the library, Asatani-san came in.

Takane-san said she was going out with me, but I thought that she only dared to say something like that which was clearly not true, for my sake.

–That was what I had speculated.

Ruru-nee wasn’t eating, she was listening to me while staring right into my eyes. At first, she seemed amused, but halfway through, her expression changed to one that was embarrassed to face me.

“I’m not comfortable with you looking at me like that…”

“Yeah, what can I say? Onee-chan can’t even imagine you’ve grown up so much and now you’re enjoying your youth.”

“Youth… Ruru-nee isn’t that different either.”

“Ah, did you just say that to your sister who goes to an all-girls school? Well… everyone seems to go out to party or something, but I haven’t participated. If I go to karaoke with strangers, I’ll be a borrowed cat.” (T/N : borrowed cat is a Japanese idiom meaning to hide one’s true self. Hope this is clear enough.)

She joked about that, but she could actually blend into any situation. Once, she invited her friends over and I was surprised at how popular she was. I felt really proud of her, but this was something I could never tell to her face.

“Don’t sing in the bathroom just because you never go to karaoke.”

“But my voice sounds great in the bathroom, and I can take my time soaking in the tub. Why don’t you try singing too, Nakkun? Like Kiri-chan’s song in her show…”

“Cough, cough…”

“Sorry… that was mean, even if it was just a joke.”

I was going to say that she didn’t have to get up from her seat, but she had already got behind me and started rubbing my back.

It reminded me of when I used to catch a cold. Once, she didn’t listen when mom said it was contagious and nursed me back to health. That happened when I was in elementary school.

If I thought about it, when I first started going out with Asatani-san, Ruru-nee also noticed the slight change in me. She forced me to tell her everything and she was supportive of me. But in just a month, the situation changed too much. Normally, people would think that I was the problem.

“You’re going to be in the same class with Kiri-chan from now on. I hope things don’t get too awkward…”

After rubbing my shoulders, she tapped me on the shoulder and went back to her seat.

“You said you’re going to stay friends with Kiri-chan, but I hope you tell me about Takane-san too. Ah, maybe they would become friends and talk about you between themselves. Afterall, girls can understand each other.”

“… That’s scary… No, it’s terrifying…”

I couldn’t help but shiver at that thought. My sister looked at me with a smirk of amusement. Basically, it meant that she was enjoying teasing me, which was normal.

“If Kiri-chan and Takane-san become friends, what will you do, Nakkun?”

“I wouldn’t know what to do… If those two are on the same page, then that might happen. But for now…”

“Was it an explosive situation? Ah~~ I want to see it in person. I want to see Nakkun flustered. Can Onee-chan go to your class?”

“Please don’t, because rumors will spread that I’m a siscon.”

I knew that she wouldn’t actually come, but I chose words that were likely to be a deterrent. However, it was troubling that Ruru-nee didn’t seem to be bothered by it at all.

“I couldn’t tell Kiri-chan to take care of my little brother, so one of these days, I’d like to see Takane-san in person.”

“… I knew you would find this amusing.”

“No, no. Not at all.”

For the time being, I would have to be vigilant to make sure I was not being heard outside the room when I was on the call. But Ruru-nee probably wouldn’t kid around like that. I didn’t think she was going to try and listen in on my conversation. I’d like to think that she wouldn’t.

8:55 p.m. – I had finished my assignments before taking a bath, and I didn’t feel like reading manga or paperback books that I haven’t started yet. So for the time being, I decided to check my social media. I noticed that there was a notification from Takadera.

[There’s a drama starring Noarin at 9 a.m, right? I saw on Teen’s Love page that today will be the big day. I wonder if there will be a kissing scene. I’m too nervous to look so can you keep an eye on it for me?]

I was more pathetic than I thought. Just seeing the word ‘kissing scene’ made my heart ache.

Asatani-san was an actress, so it was not surprising that she had such scenes. She was in a co-starring role, but she liked the lead actor like an older brother, or so she said.

–I couldn’t say anything back to Takadera at all. I had the 9 a.m drama on recording, but I didn’t even know if I’d be able to watch it calmly.

I thought about deleting my weekly recording schedule, but I didn’t feel like doing so just because I was dumped.

As a viewer, I should be able to see Asatani-san on TV and still remain calm, or was that just me being stubborn?

Ogishima contacted me asking if I wanted to play a game with him later. I let him know that I would log in when I can. I heard that Ogishima was quite the gamer and he has been streaming videos of his game. I had one game that I could play with Ogishima, too.

As I replied, it was 8:58. I couldn’t remember the last time I had been so nervous just looking at the time.

Quickly, it turned to 8:59. I started counting down each second in my head. Feeling disgusted at myself for anticipating it too much, I closed my eyes as if to meditate.

I felt awkward for being so self-conscious, but I couldn’t help but think random thoughts. I thought a lot about what to say, and whether or not it would be inconvenient for Takane-san – Then,

The clock turned 9. Still, I couldn’t make up my mind. I thought about the fact that it would be a nuisance to call right after 9 o’clock. I thought about delaying it 5 seconds, no… 10 seconds. Finally, I tapped the call button.

I heard the first ringing. Then came the second, and then the third. I wondered if she would answer it, or if I should call back later.

[Yes, hello?]

“Ah…”

Connected, the phone call connected.

[Nagito-san…?]

“Ah, yes. This is Nagito. This is… Takane-san, right?”

[Yes. On the phone, your voice sounds a little different.]

Takane-san said.

Her voice too… How do I say it…

Since it was a phone call, it was only natural. I felt like I was being whispered into my ear, but if I said something like that, even Takane-san would be taken aback.

“Um… I called right after nine o’clock, I hope that was okay.”

[Yes, I was prepared to answer at any time. Have you finished your studies yet, Nagito-san?]

“I finished it. What about you, Takane-san?”

[Mine is… Sorry, I couldn’t get much done. I’ll try to do it after this call.

“Oh, I see…”

I wondered if it was because she was waiting for me to call her that she didn’t get much studying done. I was afraid I would sound too self-absorbed if I said that.

“If there’s something we don’t understand, how about we teach each other from now on?”

[Yes… But, is that okay…? Nagito-san has already finished his studies…]

“I can teach you because I’ve finished mine. If next time I haven’t done my study, I’ll ask Takane-san to teach me then.”

[Cough… That said… I feel much better now. I’m going to look forward to studying from now on.]

It was reassuring to know that I would be taught by Takane-san, who was ranked first in our year at the time of enrollment. But I couldn’t rely on her all the time, I had to study as I had always kept my grades up.

“I was a little worried that I wouldn’t be able to keep up in high school, but I guess I’m just winging it for now.”

[Yes, for now. I’m trying to change the way I organize my notes in high school, so I’m experimenting a bit. It would be convenient if I could take notes on my tablet…

“You have a tablet, Takane-san? I have one too, but I only use it to read e-books.”

[It’s also convenient to display music sheets. Unlike writing on paper, I can rewrite it as many times as I like.

“I see, That’s one way to use it… What kind of music do you play on the piano, Takane-san?”

When I asked that, Takane-san paused as if she started thinking about something – then,

[Um… If it’s okay with Nagito-san, how about I play a recording?]

“Really? I’m so happy… Wait, I’ll sit back a little.”

[Fufu… It’s a relaxing song, so listen to it in a comfortable position. Please wait a moment.]

I got the feeling that Takane-san had put down her phone. Then, I heard the sound of a piano.

A classical piece that I have heard somewhere before.

It started with a gentle melody line that seemed to whisper to you.

“This song is…”

[The song is called ‘Moonlight’. It’s a famous song, so it may sound familiar to you.]

“Yeah, I’ve heard of this before. But it’s the first time I’ve heard it this way… I can’t put it into words, but it’s really amazing.”

[That’s good then…]

Takane-san was relieved and let the piano play for a while. Eventually, the piano volume turned down a bit, as if she wanted to continue our conversation.