Chapter 54: Volume 2 - CH 2.7

Chapter 2: The Angel in Plight

Part 7

After that, we walked southward to the big intersection of Sanjo-Kawaramachi and took the rooted sidewalk.

Unlike Karasuma-Oike at the beginning, this area is a shopping district and quite crowded. The human density was enough to run into people if we didn’t pay enough attention.

I let Hiura and Fujimiya take the lead and fell back with Minato.

“It’s crowded… is it always like this?”

“It’s weekend. It’s probably the most crowded place in Kyoto.”

“I see. …… I’m starting to miss Shiga.”

The only time people come to Shiga is for the summer fireworks display…

“Kya!”

We squeezed through a rather narrow street, and when we pulled out, Minato bumped into an office woman. I quickly grabbed Minato’s hand and pulled her to the side of the road. We both leaned against the roadway fence.

The office woman disappeared into the crowd without a trace.

“That was… Hey, are you okay?”

“A-ah, I’m fine. Sorry”

“The lady should be apologizing, not you. I think she was walking on her phone.” Typical city people…

“Um, Io…? Your hand.”

“Hm? Ah, sorry.”

I quickly snuck my hand into the jeans pocket. Minato averted her eyes. Her white cheeks turned peach pink. She sent me darting sideways glances and said nothing.

I, who didn’t think anything of it until then, felt increasingly embarrassed.

That… felt different from the few other times I had touched her hands.

“Minato, Akashi-kun. Hurry up—!”

Looking back, Fujimiya and Hiura were already at the other side of the mass of the pedestrians.

“Let’s go.” We nodded to each other once and then followed Fujimiya.

Insteading of walking side by side, I drove through the crowd like a wedge, clearing the way for Minato. And so that she wouldn’t see my blushing face.

“Oh, here you are. What happened?”

“N-nothing. Someone bumped into me…”

“Okay…”

We walked a little more past the UNIQLO on the first three floors and reached our destination, the LOFT. Rechecking its signature yellow sign, we went in.

LOFT was a chainstore that mainly sells household goods. Although most of its stores were concentrated in the Kanto and urban areas, it was a popular store with a solid nationwide presence, or so said the internet. Afterall, it was my first time.

Also, why there’s one in Nara, but not in Shiga? Shiga is better than Nara… Really, Shiga is better.

[TN:The author’s Shiga-obsession again…]

Our procession abruptly stopped at the first intersection of the store. “Akashi-kun, is there any specific thing you’d like?”

“Nope… Anything would do.”

Well, as someone who did part-time I had the money to buy things I wanted immediately…

“Nevermind, we can take a walk.”

“Yeah, I want new stationeries too,” chimed Fujimiya.

Also, Hiura had been looking bored since a while ago, but she hadn’t said anything. Look at how mature she had become.

“Then! The store’s pretty large, let’s split up! I’ll go with Hiura-san～”

“Huh?”

“Huh?”

“Hm?”

We took turns in gaping at Fujimiya’s proposal.

Before anyone could say a thing, she immediately took Hiura’s hand and forcibly hauled her away. In front of the escalator that went up to another LOFT floor, Fujimiya bowed.

“Now then, good hunting!”

We watched in awe as they slowly ascended the escalator.

“Phew…”

As headstrong as ever…

Although I could see her reason. Hiura herself was already almost bored to death.

I finally realized we should move. “Should we go too…?”

“Probably,” replied Minato.

◆　◆　◆

Minato and I took turns checking out the shelves. Office products, miscellaneous decorations and mysterious items.

In the end, each and every one of them was so interesting I couldn’t decide what to have. If I had brought more money, I would have a cart full of goods.

“Oh, a nice shark”

Without any specific thought, I jogged up to it. It was a pair of pink shark-shaped slippers. The design made it look like it was biting the wearer’s foot.

“You like it?”

“Not me, Riku does…”

Ah, I haven’t told her about Riku.

“Riku…?”

Huh, Minato, why are you glaring at me?

“My younger sister. Shark’s her favorite”

Especially shark slippers. It looked alike to the ones she talked about earlier.

“Ah…Sister. You have a sister? She likes sharks?”

“She’s in middle school, third year. Right in the middle of the rebellious phase, as her brother, I… I’m no longer needed by her…” I mumbled.

“Y-you’re the big brother…? That’s unexpected…”

“I don’t look like one? I’ve been the big brother for fifteen years.”

“You don’t look like one…”

“Hmph, a true veteran brother can disguise people’s deception! Like how a master assassin can blend with the surroundings, a true bro is the same.”

“What’s the reference…” deadpanned Minato

Then, should I buy this…

“I’ll see if it’s what she wants. Wait a sec.” I flicked open the phone and sent the picture to Riku.

While waiting for her reply, we went over more miscellaneous goods. This time, I tried to find what I actually liked.

“What’s this?” She held up an oddly shaped glass in her hand, inside, colored feathers slowly twirled. A sort of snowglobe?

“Ah, by the way, Minato.”

Her shoulders jumped, almost dropping the glass.

“Y-yeah?”

“The rumors, do you still hear any?” By now, those who owe me should have toned it down. But I thought I should check just in case. “I don’t hear any, but I thought I should ask.”

“Oh, that. I haven’t heard a thing since then.”

“Well, glad to hear that.”

Good, I don’t think I want to see Minato being utterly helpless ever again. I expect better from you, my fellow Kuze High students.

“There’s no such thing as completely gone with rumors. Let’s appreciate that I got past it, yeah?” she smiled warmly.

“Then… What about the people around you?”

“They’re leaving me alone, alright, but that’s what I want. I wouldn’t feel comfortable if they try to make up with me or something.”

“You’re amazing, holding up like that.”

“I-it’s not me… I know you’d be there…”

If she’s doing fine at school then that’s a consolation.

“It might not be none of my business, but…”

“Hm?”

“If there’s anything I can do to help, please let me know.”

“Eh?”

It was as if her gaze increased its intensity tenfold. On the other hand, she seemed to be on the verge of tears.

“You said it… that you’d be by my side. Then, why can’t I do the same for you?”

Play

Unmute

“Minato…”

For some reason, my mind dug up that specific memory. The day I went to her apartment and bargained with her with Ayaha’s story.

“Okay. Understood.” Not so soothly, I accepted her goodwill.

We stayed like that a little longer, waiting for the other side to say something. Finally, strength drained from Minato and she shook her head feebly.

“S-sorry, I shouldn’t have brought this up right now.”

I mutely shook my head.

We carefully resumed checking the shelves. The giddy atmosphere persisted, But I found it not so bad, after all.

What was she thinking? For sure, I could never know, not that I could ask her either.

But–

“Thank you.”

“Hmm…”

Whatever it would be, if it comes to this girl, then I think I could trust her with it.

“So ‘anything’ from back then still lives?”

“Hmph.” She poked me lightly.

◆　◆　◆

“I’m home”

The front door clicked closed. No response.

The living room was empty, but the bathroom was occupied, probably Riku. It should be a while before dad could come home.

I sat down on the couch, unloading the gifts they had brought for me. A tall stainless steel tumbler with a dull, deep blue painting. The “soft drink friendly” tag immediately caught my eye. The steel was silky and luxurious. Looking at it again, I couldn’t help but grin.

“It is insulated, so you can keep soda in it for quite some time. Also, the tumbler doesn’t form condensation,” Minato had said after reading the tag.

Looking back, the condensation that clung to the glass usually soaked my table, and the drink got lukewarm pretty fast at room temperature. If the tag’s claim was true, then this tumbler would see some heavy use.

I immediately rinsed out the tumbler and filled it with the cola in the fridge.

“Whoa…”

Just pouring in the cola got me hyped. This was just great.

Why hadn’t I bought it before? Why?

I jovially grab the tumbler and head upstairs. But before I could enter my room, I remember the bag that looped on my right arm.

I hooked the bag on the doorknob of Riku’s room.

I fell on the bed. My body was heavy from the fatigue of walking around all day. I had no Angel session today, so a bath and I would probably go to sleep…

A few moments later, the thumping of someone climbing the stairs could be heard.

“Kyaa–!”

A scream.

“Cute ─────!!!”

Another scream. Hey, you’re disturbing the neighbors.

Then silence, before the door opened and Riku, who had a towel wrapped around her head, poked her face inside.

“Yo, I’m home.” I said my belated greeting.

“W-welcome back.”

“…”

“Thanks for the slippers…”

“Good manners.”

“Ugh…You’re not supposed to…”

Riku bit her lip in frustration and pulled her face back.

Hmm, still rebellious.

“Onii-chan?”

“Hmp?”

Did she just call me “Onii-chan” ?

“How are you doing lately?”

“Lately?”

“Yup.”

“Fine. Not bad.”

“Oh, okay…”

Riku then disappeared.

After listening to the sound of footsteps moving away, the cry continued, “Cute ──────!!!”